A host of Derbyshire VIPs joined children at a city school to celebrate the outstanding achievements of pupils during the annual prizegiving celebration.
The Bishop of Repton, the Rt Rev Malcolm Macnaughton, was joined by Mayor of Derby Robin Wood and the High Sheriff of Derbyshire Mike Copestake for the open day at Derby’s Royal School for the Deaf.
Prizes were awarded by special guest Esmail Patel, a deaf businessman who is director of the Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship and an inspirational role model for the deaf community.
He has been responsible for numerous initiatives including award-winning work with Greater Manchester Police Force teaching them basic British Sign Language (BSL).
A host of Derbyshire VIPs at the Royal School or the Deaf.
Head teacher Helen Shepherd, who is retiring at the end of the school year, said: “We were so pleased that Esmail could join us, as deaf role models are hugely important for our children.
“We are continually trying to raise pupils’ aspirations and want them to believe that their disability shouldn’t stop them from achieving anything. Esmail didn’t learn to sign until he was 16, instead he relied on lip reading, which is exhausting due to the level of concentration required.
“Today he is a brilliant ambassador for BSL and we were thrilled that he could join us to reward all our pupils for their hard work.
“We are incredibly lucky that our trophy cabinet is so well-stocked and receiving a prize is considered a genuine achievement by our pupils and something to really aspire to.
“Handing out these awards, some of which date back to the early 1900s, is a wonderful link to the past, which in turn celebrates the achievements of today’s pupils.”
Parents, carers and students at the Ashbourne Road school attended the annual prize-giving ceremony and trophies and silver shields, dating back to 1907, were handed out.
Students with their awards.
The Valerie Shield Award for Endeavour in Primary was presented to Hamzah Shanley, while the Queen’s Award for All Round Good Work was given to Amelia Ionita.
The Geoffrey Holmes Cup for achievement in Performing Arts went to Teegan Carpenter while the Richard Brumby Cup for Consistent Achievement throughout the Year was awarded to Keeley Hamilton.
Chair of governors Janet Hall added: “We have an amazing array of silverware and rewarding our children with these historic prizes is the absolute highlight of the school calendar.
“The last few years have been extraordinarily difficult for everyone in education and I am so proud of the way staff and children negotiated all the challenges of the pandemic.
“We were delighted that so many dignitaries were able to join us on our celebration day and it reinforced to the children just how special this event is and how much we value their hard work and enthusiasm.”
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