Magnificent Seven

Seven Local teenagers have each scooped a top educational award in recognition of their remarkable achievements in school.

The pupils who attend schools in Wythenshawe received their awards at Manchester City Council’s ninth annual Manchester Educational Awards at the Town Hall.
Pupils are nominated by their schools for demonstrating excellence in some aspect of school life and for their cooperation, continuous effort and motivation.

Wythenshawe award winners include: Richard Rowe and Ashley Gommersall who are both students at Newall Green High School.  Richard is described as an outstanding pupil who has excellent attendance and is a perfect role model to others, contributing much to many different aspects of school life.  He co-ordinated a fundraising ‘Children in Need’ day and organised a Red Nose fundraising day for the whole school.  He also helps out in the local community and at events for older people in school, and volunteers for the St John Ambulance.  Ashley Gommersall is always polite and considerate and is a very hard working young man who displays a huge amount of maturity and is always the first to volunteer in school.  He regularly helps out in the school library and has represented the school on numerous occasions.  He is a House Captain and an active member of the school council.  He took a lead role in the anti-homophobic bullying workshops and led a workshop himself.

Lauren Singh and Ian Cope are both from Parklands High School.  Lauren is a mature, conscientious and bubbly student who has made a massive contribution to school life and is highly thought of by the whole school.  She is enthusiastic and co-operative and always gives 100%.  She is motivated and focused and inspires other students to work hard too.  Lauren has been a superb ambassador for the school and has represented the school at a number of events, including an international visit to township schools in South Africa.  Ian Cope has undergone an amazing transformation during his school life with outstanding attendance both at school and at his work placement.  He passed his GCSE English early and has secured a job for September.  He has shown a great commitment to his self-improvement and the school is extremely proud of him.

Marie-Alice Umuhoza and Curtis Massey are both students at St Paul’s RC High School.  Originally from Rwanda, Marie-Alice has proved herself a mainstay of school life.  She has a delightful nature and is always looking for opportunities to support and help those around her.  She is a prefect, and is extremely reliable and valued, regularly helping out in the library and at school functions.  She is a role model for younger students and always has a smile on her face and a desire to succeed at the highest level. Curtis is a great student, a model pupil who will be greatly missed next year.  He is quiet, hard working, pleasant and has been a valuable influence on other pupils in the school.  He works hard and is focused on doing well in the future.

Wayne Donohue from Piper Hill High School displays strong personal attributes and is generous, mature and has a fantastic work ethic.  His attendance is excellent and his behaviour impeccable.  He is very helpful with staff and fellow students, and is sensible, caring and willing to help those less able than himself without counting the cost.  He is easy to get on with and has a great sense of humour.,

Wayne is pictured with the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Firth, who presented the awards as part of the city council’s year long ‘Proud Of’ campaign which encourages residents to take pride in themselves and their community.

The Lord Mayor said:  ”My theme for my year in office as Lord Mayor is young people, and one of the biggest delights of my role so far is getting the chance to meet some of the many wonderful children and young people who live in our city who are out there in our schools and local communities every day doing the most fantastic things, making the most of every opportunity that presents itself,  and really working incredibly hard to achieve their potential.”

Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, who was also at the Awards Ceremony, said: “All of the pupils nominated for the Manchester Educational Awards should feel extremely proud of their achievements. Jessica and Hannah are well deserving of their awards and are an inspiration not only to their school, but to their families and community as a whole.”

In total twenty seven of Manchester’s most outstanding school pupils across the city were honoured at the awards ceremony.

For more infor