A TEACHER has been appointed an MBE for his services to the Indo-Chinese community.

Van Cuong Truong was nominated by members of the community for the New Years honours list.

In 1982 he founded and became headteacher of the Lewisham Indo-Chinese Community School, Clyde Street, Deptford, which now teaches more than 350 pupils.

The school teaches Mandarin and Chinese history as well as a range of martial arts, dance and music projects.

Mr Truong of Broadfield Road, Catford, said: “I don’t work to win an award I work to help people.”

The 56-year-old added: “When I first came here 31-years ago my children were young so I needed to teach them chinese mother tongue.

“Then I taught other children and gradually the school became bigger and bigger until it was the community.”

The father-of-five is involved with six projects which help the elderly as well as children.

Mr Truong said: “We look after people from the cradle to the grave.”

Status Quo rockers Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt have become OBE’s for services to music and to charity.

Sixty-year-old Mr Rossi, who was born in Forest Hill and attended Sedgehill Comprehensive School in Beckenham, has spent more than 40 years making music and helping charities along with Mr Parfitt, aged 61.

There have been more than 118 million worldwide record sales for the band which includes hits "Rockin' All Over the World" and "Whatever You Want".

They have performed at numerous charity gigs and helped raise money for the Princes Trust.

Other hard-working members of the community across Lewisham and Greenwich were also rewarded with places on the New Year Honours List.

John William Skinner was awarded an MBE for services to education. He is the director of music at Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College in New Cross.

Pino Frumiento, a singer and songwriter from the Catford area was awarded an MBE for services to disability arts.

And the Reverend Barry Edward Carter was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Brockley.

People also received OBE’s for their hard work in the area.

Peter Carne from Greenwich was awarded an OBE for services to education. He is a learning outside the classroom and programme manager for the growing schools programme.

Jeanne Kaniuk, head of adoption services, works at Thomas Coram Foundation for Children and received an OBE for services to children.

Elizabeth Regina Oluyemika Atere-Roberts from the Catford area is an older people’s nurse specialist. She became OBE for services to healthcare in London.

And Dr Jane Overbury, principle at Christ Sixth Form College in Lewisham was made OBE for services to education.

Were you on the New Year Honours List? Call the newsroom on 01689 885 734.