Jack Petchy Achievement Award Scheme

Each month a student from Grey Coat will receive the Jack Petchy Award.

About the Awards
Jack Petchey, who sponsors this award, was born in the East End of London and from a poor beginning has become a multi millionaire. He sponsors the Achievement Awards in schools across London and Essex to recognise “extreme endeavour and to help young people help themselves”. If you wish to find out more about the Jack Petchey award then you can find more details on http://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/.

Each month, everyone in the school, staff and students, can nominate students for the award. At the end of each month a panel of students meet to look through all the nominations and select the final award winner. The winner of the award each month receives a Jack Petchey badge, a framed certificate, an invitation to a borough presentation where they will receive a Jack Petchey medallion and £300 to spend on a school project of their choice.

Monthly Winners:

June 2008: Sarah Thompson
Sarah has cerebral palsy, the main ways that this affects Sarah at school is that she finds it hard to write with any speed and she walks slowly and carefully on stairs. Because of this, Sarah has to be escorted around St Andrews by a member of staff, at the beginning and end of every lesson. Despite these restrictions on her, Sarah never complains about her condition. She is always polite and considerate to staff.

Due to her cerebral palsy there are many things within PE that Sarah may find difficult. Despite this, Sarah always has a fantastic ‘can-do’ attitude and is willing to push herself to try new things. For example, when Sarah was in Year 7 she was too scared to attempt to stand on a bench. Since returning in Year 8 Sarah has not only overcome this fear, she choreographed a gymnastics routine on the bench which she performed as part of the class gymnastics assessment.

Sarah is a great role model because of her fantastic attitude. Sarah is determined to overcome any boundaries that are placed in her path and continues to do so at every opportunity… and always with a smile on her face.

May 2008: Noara Ali
Noara has won May's award for her attitude towards her learning in school - she has been so positive about every single step forward and has made extraordinary progress moving from barely having any English at all to having strong relationships with people in the school. Noara has come in from a totally different educational system to being able to sit a GCSE this year.     

April 2008: Mutiat Lawal (Year 13)
For overcoming the challenges of illness, being consistently positive and being a great role model. Mutiat has since bought an A level microscope for the Biology department – she is hoping to go on to train as a doctor.