Posted on 18th Aug
Magnus Church of England Academy, Newark, celebrated the end of the academic year with its annual Academy Awards, albeit with changes to the ceremony to meet social distancing guidelines.
Trudi Ward-Walters, executive assistant, who organised the revised events, said: “Our Academy Awards gives us the opportunity to come together as a school and celebrate our students and their achievements.
“Despite the restrictions over the past 18 months, we have managed to stage our Academy Awards both last year, virtually, and this year in separate year groups.
“It meant arranging four different events, but we felt it was so important not give up in the face of adversity, after all, we encourage our own students to be resilient!”
The awards process sees school staff nominate as many students as they wish in categories covering the Magnus values of Determination, Integrity, Ambition, Humility and Compassion.
“The boy and girl from each year group with most votes receive the awards,” added Trudi. “We also reward Avid Readers and top iChoose winners from our reward points, alongside attendance and engagement, year 10 subject awards and our special awards relating to our pillars, Character, Excellence and Community, and our Year 11 Alumni award.”
Year 9 student Indie Wharton won the Julie Gwinnearth Performing Arts Memorial Award and wants to work in the film industry. She said: “I am happy that I was nominated and won. I think I won because I try so hard in performing arts and I like to get involved in whatever I can. I think my family will be proud of me.”
Koda Wright (Year10), received the Character Award, Special Subject Award – Motor Engineering, and Core Values Award – Year 10 Compassion. He said: “I am pleased about the Automotive award because I am so passionate about the subject. It is something I have always wanted to do.
“I have learnt so much from it, being hands on and having the chance to work on cars. I have loved every minute. The fact that I have been able to explore my passion at school has been a great opportunity for me.
“I am surprised to have received the Character Award though. I am happy that people think of me in that way, enough to nominate me.
“In my past, before coming to Magnus, I was set on the wrong path and my behaviour was bad. When I came to Magnus, the teachers had a good impact on me, and it made me change. Magnus gave me an insight I didn’t have before, and I am grateful that I am on a much better path now. I hope one day to work with cars as it’s my passion and I feel like that is achievable now.”
In past events the ceremony had been accompanied by the Magnus Swing Band and performances from singers, dancers and musicians.
“Sadly, that wasn’t possible this year,” added Trudi. “Nor could we invite parents to attend. However, we were able to share a live link with students who couldn’t attend due to isolation, enabling parents to watch the awards too.
“This is the 10th Magnus Academy Awards I have been involved in, and definitely the hardest to arrange, which made it all the more rewarding seeing the event run smoothly and students being recognised for their achievements.”
Pictured: From left, head of school Jim Semmeleroth; Layla Burrows, Year 10, who received the Sir Andrew Pulford Award for Excellence (as part of CCF – Combined Cadet Force); Koda Wright, Year 10, who received the Character Award; Jaden Pyke, Year 9, and Indie Wharton, Year 9, both received the Julie Gwinnearth Performing Arts Memorial Award; Anna Martin, executive principal of Magnus C of E Academy.
