INFANT/JUNIOR SCHOOL AND CAMP EDUCATION PRIZE GIVING REPORT
By J. Brock (FINN)
The annual Infant/Junior School and Camp Education Prize Giving has taken place in the Town hall at 1800 on Monday, 02 August 2004. The venue began when Infant/Junior School Head, Mr. John Farrow welcomed everyone to the event. He said:
“It’s another year that has been packed with development and progress. I would just like to sketch in some of the extra activities we have been involved in over the year. We had many visitors from Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference delegates, we had Councillors, and we had a whole school at one time, when MPA came to visit us during the school year.
Primary Education is all about first-hand learning experience and the Children have been out and about all year. Just to list a few of the places they’ve been: They have been to a peat bog, they have been peat cutting (and seen the pig in the bog as well), they have been to the Market Garden, they have been visited by the EOD, Fire Station, Agricultural Department, the Museum, the Post Office, Swan Inlet, Surf Bay, Long Island and also we’ve gone aboard a research vessel.
We have maintained out strong links with the Medical Department. Inevitably, we have had head-checks on a regular basis, vision and dental checks and, of course, advice on healthy eating. Our thanks must go to the Heathmans at Estancia for the carrots. I think they have helped to improve the Islands’ vision by about 20%.
A very special occasion for me, and I know for a lot of people, was the carol service in December. It had a very special atmosphere and it’s one of those moments in my career when the hairs of my neck went up and there was almost no room in the inn.
The extra curricular activities were Watch Group, Karate Badminton, Netball Club, Choir Club, Recorder Club and, of course, Scottish Country dancing. And, thanks must go to those who have given their time to ensure that those activities are carried on.
The DARE Programme and Drug Awareness Programme has continued with Sergeant Dave Roberts. And, he has now introduced a programme for the younger groups in the school.
Challenge day arrived and we participated 100% again this year. That’s 10% of the population of these Islands getting breathless for 15 minutes. We did Scottish Country Dancing this year - or our version of it, anyway.
We were very lucky with the Junior and the Infant Sports. I remember that we had terrible weather the day before, terrible weather the day after and the sun shown on the righteous on the day that we chose. We had the Junior Swimming Gala and impressive performances.
I must mention Year 6 sitting in the back, they did exceedingly well in the National Curriculum and we are very proud of them.
The most recent big event was the Susan Whitley Arts and Crafts Exhibition, which was another excellent display of work of really high quality. To add that on to a really busy end of the year, I have really to thank the staff for ensuring we have another exciting year at school.
We are sad to lose two members of staff this year. Sibon Bailey and Jeanette Hawksworth are going back to the UK and we give them our very best wishes. During the year we were fortunate enough to gain the services of Willie Bowles, who came as a replacement for Jock Sutherland. And, in September, which is at the end of the holiday, we will welcome Michaela, Gibbon and Ryan Felstead to staff.
Prize giving is a celebration of the effort, progression and achievement throughout the year. And, in reality (and I know I have said this before), it’s really the tip of the iceberg. And, it just indicates a fraction of the immense effort and activity carried out by all the children in the school. I’ve had great pleasure reading the children’s reports, which parents have just received. And, it’s really refreshing and really rewarding to see phrases such as “did their best,” “tried hard,” “excellent work,” or “they surprised themselves.” And, that’s fairly universal within the school. You and I should be proud of the efforts of every single child at school.
As I mentioned right at the beginning, this is the Infant/Junior School and Camp Education Prize-Giving. And therefore, I’m going to hand over to my colleague, Richard Fogherty, the Camp Education Supervisor, who is going to say a few words,”
Comments by Richard Fogherty:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, colleagues and students. On behalf of Camp Education, it also gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here this evening. It’s been many years since Camp Education and the Infant/Junior School joined together in what has become a Primary Prize-Giving. And, over those years, our fortunes certainly have changed and it seemed inevitable that our role in this event would also become an increasingly minor one. This, combined with my natural shyness, encouraged me not to speak last year. And, it was pointed out gently that I had missed the opportunity to pay credit to the students, teachers and parents, who usually work alone and in isolation.
Listening to Mr. Farrow earlier on reminds me of the things that I should be saying. Last year, there was a seven year old child here waiting to receive his prize, who had travelled for an hour across Camp with his parents, caught the plane, came along to the Prize-Giving and the next day had reversed the process. It occurred to us that many of us here certainly wouldn’t have been prepared for such a journey at that age. As it turned out, he was one of the lucky ones because today we expected to have children here from Spring Point, Stony Ridge, Fox Bay, Shallow Bay, and, of course, San Carlos and River View. Unfortunately, with the exception of Jack from San Carlos, who was already in Stanley, the weather prevented the rest of them from arriving. And this was despite the best efforts of FIGAS. I can only imagine the feelings of those Children, who were so excited at the idea of coming in and how disappointed they are. I know there were a few tears.
Camp Education is about commitment to alleviate the affects of isolation on our children. To the best of my knowledge, there is probably nowhere else in the world that’s demonstrated the same level of commitment - commitment from FIG to provide the funds, commitment from our staff, who work without the benefit of ready access to resources or colleagues, commitment from students, who have to work without the benefit of peers or resources taken for granted in our schools, commitment by our colleagues in the Stanley Schools, who are supportive and understanding and commitment from the parents, of whom we expect a lot. Whilst running their farms, we expect them to have their children in time for telephone lessons, to supervise for up to four hours, to accommodate visiting teachers. In short, to be a vital partner with the teachers, and, when I think about it, it’s a question of degree. The partnership of school and parents is important in all circumstances. I think it was Alan Rolls, who spoke last year, on the crucial role that parents play, not only in the early stage but offering support they provide for children during their school careers. They have every one of our children who work so hard to do their best and be supportive and committed parents or guardians.
This evening, we are here to celebrate the achievements of our children by their schools. But equally important, we are here to celebrate your support and commitment. On behalf of students and staff, Thank-you and enjoy the evening.”
The School Choir sang the Welcome song, “We Want to Song.” H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce then presented the prizes, which are as follows:
SWIMMING:
Best Boy Swimmer: Anthony Phillips, Year 4, Best Girl Swimmer: Hannah Pointing, Year 6, Most Improved Junior Swimmer: Fayan Alazia, Most Improved Infant Swimmer, Tonisha Courtney, and Distance Swimming Award, presented by Falkland Printz: Caitlin Burston. Certificates for Distance Swimming: Hannah Pointing, Alice Smith, Year 4, Hannah Collier, Year 4, Ariane Goss (absent), Tonisha Courtney,
SPORTS DAY:
Best Boy: Aiden Morris, Year 5, Best Girl, Laura Minto,
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT:
Lauren Dent, Brooklyn Ford, Treva Fiddes, Louise Williams, Gethyn Roberts and Sasha Williams.
ALISTAIR CAMERON AWARD: (Year 6)
Highly Commended: Rebecca Arthur Almond, Matthew Freer, Bernice Hewitt, Tamara Minnell, Sean Minto, Hannah Pointing, Dylan Stephenson, and Lesley Stewart.
Overall Winner: Heidi Clifton
ALISTAIR CAMERON AWARD: (CAMP EDUCATION)
1st, Fox Bay School, Highly Commended, Pilar Castro, Goose Green, Kylie Vallesquez, North Arm, Ryan Poole, Port San Carlos,
Collecting a prize was Jack Ford from San Carlos. Key Stage I 1st., Keanu Bagley and, 2nd., Pilar Castro. Key Stage 2 Prizes were won by1st Prize, Riba Peck, 2nd. Prize, Kylie Vallesquez.
SUE WHITLEY MEMORIAL EXHIBITION:
Hillary Pauloni Prizes for Needlework: 1st Daniella Curtis, Year 3, 2nd Senead McGill, year 2, 3rd, Rachael Marsh, Camp Education
Art and Craft Work: 1st Tom Watson, Pre School, 2nd, Christopher Stenning, Pre School, Reception, 1st Zoe Morris, 2nd, Mairaed Stewart-Reid, Year 1, 1st, Hannah McPhee, 2nd Shannon Alazia, Year 2, 1st Bronwen Ford, 2nd Dean Dent, Year 3 1st Kerys Montgomery 2nd Lori Trestrail, Year 4, 1st Matthew Lazzo, 2nd Holly Wilson, Year 5, 1st Barbara Short 2nd Sonia Arkhipkina, Year 6, 1st Rebecca Arthur Almond, 2nd Tamara Minnell.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PRIZE: Bernice Hewitt, Year 6
SCIENCE:
Cable & Wireless Achievement Award for Science: Julian Yon, Year 5
FIDC Award for Science: Hannah Pointing, Year 6
MATH:
Barry Elsby Shield: Kerys Montgomery, Year 2
Standard Chartered Bank Award: Rebecca Arthur-Almond, Year 6
Sulivan Shipping Award: Nicholas Beith
ENGLISH:
Fortuna Award for English Achievement: Bernice Hewitt, year 6
Stanley Services Award for English: Ryan Watson, Year 2
Alice Keenleyside Trophy: Georgia Lancaster, Year 3
MUSIC:
Mrs. Adams-Leach’s Prize for Music: Rebecca Arthur-Almond
Hannah Pointing
Chief Executive’s Prize for Endeavour: Travis McGill, Year 4
Alice Etherige Award: Corey Bagley, Year 5
Leaving Certificates were presented to Year 6 students, who would be moving up to Year 7 in the Community School next term. They are, Heidi Clifton, Sean Connolly, Johnny D’Avino, Mhari Eccles, Chloe Ford, Amy Gilding, Kimmie Goss, Murray Middleton, Guy Morrison, Hannah Pointing, Scott Short, Hannah Pointing, Scott Short, Dylan Stephenson, Fayan Alazia, Rebecca Arthur-Almond, Joe Birmingham, Matthew Freer, Petra Gilding, Cheveze Goodwin, Peggy Stewart, Gabriella Hoy, Teryn Joshua, Warren Miller, Tamara Minnell, Sean Minto, and Leslie Stewart.
In Closing, the final trophy was awarded to the best House. 3rd Weddell,1151, 2nd Pebble, 1242, 1st Place, Saunders, with 1294 Points. All of the Year 6 Pupils, who were in Saunders House, stood up and received their trophy from H. E. the Governor Mr. Pearce.
H. E. the Governor Mr. Pearce’s Remarks:
“There’s so much one can say on this occasion. It’s a very special point in the year for all of you and for me, too. And, I am very grateful to have been invited to come and join you on this special evening.
By the end of the School year it’s always a good time to look back at the achievements of the year. And, many of you have been up to collect prizes or awards or certificates this evening. Some of you have come up several times. Maybe some of you haven’t managed it. But I would like to say to all of you, whether you have gained a prize or not, congratulations for all the work, which you have put in over the last year.
This evening has been a reminder of what an extraordinary wide variety of activities you get involved in. There are very talented young musicians singing here this evening. I went to the Sue Whitley Exhibition and I was deeply impressed by everything that you were able to produce there. And also to other prize-winners for an extraordinary achievements. I was particularly glad that we were able to persuade Richard Fogherty, despite being such a shy chap, to come and talk to us a little bit as well this evening about Camp Education. It’s very easy to forget the very hard work, which is put in by the Camp Education Department by the Camp Teachers and by all their pupils around various parts of the Falklands. But that’s a very important part of our educational effort here and probably unique in the world. I don’t know of anywhere else in the world, which runs a system quite like this.
It’s also a time of the year, that you come to the end of the school year to look forward. And, for everyone here, you will be moving to new classes, perhaps a new teacher and, of course, for some of you, you will be moving to a new school. All of that is very exciting and sometimes a little bit challenging. Sometimes, you might feel a little bit nervous about it. But I am sure that you will all continue to succeed and to do well as the new school year starts.
So, I would just like to bring this evening to a close by once again congratulating you all and by saying a very big thank-you to your teachers, who have all worked extremely hard during the course of the year, to Richard Fogherty at Camp Education and to your Headmaster, John Farrow. I hope you all will enjoy a very good holiday before the new school year starts in a few weeks’ time. Well done to all of you. Thank you.”
The evening ended with the children singing the song, “Hip, Hip, Hurray.”
