Prizegiving ceremony recognises excellence amongst North Walsham students

High achievers at North Walsham High School have been recognised at the school’s annual Prizegiving ceremony – with a total of 36 of last year’s Year 11 carrying off prizes at the event, held in front of parents and families at the school’s Atrium.

The most prolific prize-winner was 2013/14’s Head Boy Nathan Price, who carried off a total of seven separate prizes.

Prize-winners received plaques to mark excellence in individual subjects, paperweights awarded by the head teacher and Governors, and cups for a variety of achievements. 

New for 2014 was the Chris Tooth Cup for Academic Excellence, presented by former deputy head Chris Tooth, who retired at the end of the school year, and the Dave Robertson Award for Good Citizenship, presented in memory of Dave Robertson, who until his death recently spent many years volunteering to help with exam invigilation at the school.

The prizes were presented by John Archibald, chief executive of Victory Housing Trust, who urged the former students to believe in their ability to achieve their dreams.

“You have to believe in yourself – don’t let anyone else constrain what you can achieve,” he said during an inspirational speech.  “Be determined, don’t ever give up.  You have to accept that failures will happen along the way; most successful people have experienced failures.

“The important thing is not to give up when you fail.  Don’t let failure be the destination, just a stepping stone to success.”

North Walsham High School head teacher Caroline Brooker told the assembled former students and their families, “It is important to have moments in life when you come together to recognise your achievements.

“It is so important that this milestone is not the end of your learning.  We all have to keep on learning, because the world is changing, and we have to adapt to that new environment.”

Mrs Brooker also called on the young people at the ceremony to play their part in the area’s community. 

“You should ask yourself what you can do for North Walsham,” she said.  “You have benefitted from the dedication of so many people to achieve what we are celebrating this evening; now you have to ask yourself what you are going to do yourself to help young people in North Walsham in the future.  How are you going to use your skills for the wider society?”

The ceremony also saw musical performances by current students at the school.