Students from Greenwich win prestigious Jack Petchey Award

On September 24, 102 young people were handed Jack Petchey Achievement Awards at Blackheath Halls.

The event honoured Achievement Award winners aged 11-25 who received medallions to go with their framed certificate and a cheque for £250 each, already presented.

They were nominated by their peers and leaders, winning awards for a variety of achievements big and small but always for doing their best.

In addition, four adults were also celebrated with Leader Awards who have demonstrated, in an outstanding way, an ability to motivate young people.

They received a medallion and a framed certificate.

Greenwich have received funding of £1,168,800 from the Jack Petchey Foundation since funding started in 2006.

Mick Hayes, Mayor of Greenwich said: “Amazing evening, amazing award winners! Thank you on behalf of the Royal Borough and thank you to Sir Jack Petchey for his support in Greenwich.”

Winners included Abdul-Azeem Omar, aged 15, who attends Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys.

Abdul-Azeem was given a Jack Petchey Achievement Award because he is an outstanding student and has shown amazing resilience over the past year.

He and his family recently suffered severe difficulties which could have negatively impacted his dedication to his school work.

However, despite this he has persevered, maintained a positive attitude to school and life and continues to be an asset to the school and year group.

He continues to lead in his achievements and his progress is outstanding, he is predicted to achieve level eights and nines across all his subjects.

Abdul-Azeem Omar decided to spend his £250 Jack Petchey Achievement Award grant on a bowling trip for the school.

Louise Gee, aged 15, attends Harris Academy Greenwich. Louise was given a Jack Petchey Achievement Award because she is such a wonderful, pleasant, smart, and mature young girl.

Her home life can be quite unstable but she has never once brought any difficulties from home into a lesson. Louise is a fantastic independent learner and is miles above her peers in terms of resilience and autonomy.

She is really driven to pursue a career in Healthcare and Science. Louise actively sought out a summer course in Year 10 where after a week, she had to present to almost 100 people about the findings they had researched over her time in the summer school. She is an active member of the school’s STEM club. As one of a few girls in the club Louise took the initiative to start a recruitment drive for girls in STEM and produced slides for teachers to display, and organised a ‘girls in STEM’ open day. She is an all-round fantastic student!

Louise decided to spend her £250 Jack Petchey Achievement Award grant on a trip to Hampton Court Palace with her peers.

Millie Ford, aged 12, attends Leigh Academy Blackheath. Millie was given a Jack Petchey Achievement Award because she has shown great leadership skills and is striving to make Leigh Academy Blackheath a better place for all students.

She has set up a girl’s friendship group to support students who have less confidence socially and is now helping to do the same for the boys. Millie has shown the Academy the value of ambition by volunteering to read a leading role in Drama. She acted out her role exceptionally and performed superbly and confidently in front of her peers.

Millie decided to spend her £250 Jack Petchey Achievement Award grant on resources for the friendship group and fiction books for the school.

Matthew Bulgen, aged 16, attends Stationers Crown Woods Academy. Matthew was given a Jack Petchey Achievement Award because the school’s Head Teacher received an email from a member of the public about Matthew. They met Matthew in the park as he was helping an elderly gentleman who had fallen over and cut his head. Matthew walked the gentleman to the doctor’s surgery so that he could be treated. Matthew is also Deputy Head Boy and an excellent role model for all pupils.

Matthew decided to spend his £250 Jack Petchey Achievement Award grant on a leaver’s book for year 11.

Helen Taylor, aged 14, attends the John Roan School.

Helen was given a Jack Petchey Achievement Award because she helped organise and played a leading role in her tutor group’s assembly for Remembrance Day. In addition to her assistance with the assembly, Helen stays at school until late almost every day. She has also assisted Year 11's with their intervention revision, Year 10's with their general revision, and has helped tutor someone as she feels it is her duty to help those who ask.

Helen decided to spend her £250 Jack Petchey Achievement Award grant on a trip to the London Dungeons with her peers.

Nathan Biddlecombe-Nicolle, aged 17, attends the London South East College Greenwich.

Nathan was given a Jack Petchey Achievement Award because he suffers with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder but despite this has completed a Level 1 Motor Vehicle qualification and progressed onto Level 2. Nathan has been a class rep and this year was selected as the Events and Activities Officer for the Student’s Union. Nathan is always happy and willing to contribute to student surveys, forums and debates. He participates in college boxing activities and assists the coach. He also encourages his less-confident classmates to participate and interact with enrichment activities. He is always willing to give his free time to those who need it.

Nathan decided to spend his £250 Jack Petchey Achievement Award grant on motor vehicles tools and parts for his college.

Sir Jack founded the Jack Petchey Foundation in 1999 to recognise the positive contributions young people make to society and to support them in achieving their potential. Since then it has provided support to a wide range of 2,000 initiatives supporting young people across London and Essex and has invested over £124m.

Sir Jack Petchey CBE aged 94, said “I am passionate about our awards scheme which enables young people to be recognised, valued and rewarded for their achievements and positive contributions to society.”