St Anne’s School award-winners show off their prizes, alongside proud head teacher Mike Gaunt, right. (0864065)
ACHIEVEMENT and ambition were the watchwords during St Anne’s School’s annual prize-giving.
More than 40 awards for educational excellence and effort were handed out at the event, which was attended by pupils, parents and numerous members of the community.
Head teacher Mike Gaunt got the ceremony under way with a speech centred on achievement and ambition. He said pupils at the school were praised for their achievements every week. Mr Gaunt also spoke about pupils’ ambitions and the ambitions of their parents on their children’s behalf.
One of the main aims of the event was to present last term’s Year 11 students with their GCSE certificates. Most of 2009’s intake attended, with many picking up various subject trophies.
Holly Webster was the night’s star pupil after picking up three prizes. She won the English and French awards, as well as the prestigious Yvonne Locker Award for overall achievement.
This year’s prefects and head pupils were also announced. Joshua McCulloch was named head boy, while Roisin Gaudion will be head girl.
Alderney Wildlife Trust manager Roland Gauvain handed out the prizes before giving a humorous speech about his own ambitions (or lack of them) as a youngster.
He said he spent most of his time at school trying to avoid homework. He also said it had been a shock to his parents when he announced he had decided to go to university.
However, completing his degree and moving to Alderney to work for the Wildlife Trust inspired Mr Gauvain, who said the island had made him ambitious. He praised the pupils for their achievements and their parents for bringing them up in such a small community.
Bereavement counsellors from Guernsey are hoping to support people in Alderney.
Members of Guernsey Bereavement Service visited the island to talk about the charity and how it helps those who have suffered some form of loss.
Islanders who attended a public presentation at the Connaught residential home were told weekly sessions would be free and usually last 50 minutes.
A spokesman for the charity said: ‘If there is enough demand in Alderney, it is hoped that two counsellors will come over on a regular basis to meet people here. There will be a room provided and the meetings will be absolutely confidential. Within the service, clients are only ever referred to by their first names so that their identity is never revealed.’
Liz Bennett, the States member responsible for health, hopes islanders will take advantage of the service.
‘The three counsellors who visited are delightful people who are so keen to get a service started in Alderney. We know there are many people here who need this vital support. Free rooms are available and efforts are already under way to raise the £2,000 per year needed to fund air fares for their monthly visits, so please make that phone call, the first brave step in getting help that you will always be grateful for.’
The service offers a 24-hour helpline on 251056. The office is open every weekday morning from 9.30 to 11.30.
Article posted on 30th October, 2009 - 10.00am
Most Commented: