NORTH WALSHAM’S CLASS OF 2016 RETURN TO SCHOOL FOR GLAMOROUS AWARDS CEREMONY
A year group of students who delivered a 13 per cent increase in GCSE results this summer have returned to their school to be recognised during a glamorous Prizegiving ceremony
A total of 46 of last year’s Year 11 students at North Walsham High School were awarded prizes at the annual Prizegiving ceremony held at the school’s Atrium, in front of parents and families.
The most prolific prize-winners were Howard Rooke, who carried off five separate prizes, and Henry Dobbie, Callum Hoy and Jodie Weller, who each won four awards.
Prize-winners received certificates to mark excellence and outstanding progress in individual subjects, awards from the head teacher and the Governors, and cups and trophies for a variety of achievements.
The former students also heard from guest speaker Nick Phillips, founder of innovative East Anglian-based outside catering company Funnells. He shared experiences from a working life that saw him work in Los Angeles and Australia before taking the plunge and setting up his own business from scratch.
Addressing the whole of the class of 2016, Mr Phillips urged them to be go out and create their own adventures.
“In my world of business, it’s the ones you least expect who are going to do great things,” he told the audience, as he urged them to seize every opportunity.
“We see successful people on our screens, and sometimes we forget to start our own journeys, because that success seems too far away. But it is the journey getting there that is the exciting bit, that is what creates your life experiences.
“An opportunity presents itself because it’s there for the taking. The result doesn’t always show itself at that stage, just the beginning of the journey. You have to trust yourself to take up life’s challenges.
“You have to allow yourselves to make mistakes along the way if you want to get to success. Learn to love your journey – you need to get out there and create your own adventures.”
North Walsham High School head teacher Neil Powell told the former students and their families, “We often read frivolous news stories in the media and online, but the real story is the achievements that you have accomplished. You are the year group which delivered a 13 per cent improvement in GCSE results this year, and that should be what is in the headlines.”
Mr Powell also thanked the staff at the school for the hard work they put in to helping the class of 2016, as well as the students’ parents for their support.
“This school is at the heart of the community, and that is proved by all of you coming back here for this ceremony. Don’t be a stranger – we would love you to stay in touch with the school as you progress through the adventure of your life.”