Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club

Young Achievers’ Awards Scheme Debut

The Inaugural Presentation of Young Achievers’ Awards by the Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club and co-sponsored by Waitrose was held at the Wildernesse School on Tuesday 11th March.

Hosted by the Club’s President – Colin Hook – and other Rotarians, Young Achievers and their guests from primary schools in the immediate vicinity of Sevenoaks were recognized and rewarded for their personal achievements.

The awards are non-competitive with achievers being nominated by their teachers who identify those special qualities that otherwise might go un-noticed but which were worthy of recognition. In short they were identifying un-sung heroes.

Inevitably among the recipients were those who undertook caring roles but other demonstrated personal courage, leadership and organisational abilities, community involvement and the determination to succeed in the face of challenging circumstances.

Each Achiever received a framed personalised certificate identifying their special achievements and a bursary. These were presented, respectively, by Chief Inspector Gill Ellis (Kent Police) and Matt Lawrance (Manager of Waitrose (Sevenoaks)) who were the principal guests of the evening. After they had made their presentations both spoke to the Young Achievers and their Guests; reflecting on the attributes of achievement and on the qualities portrayed by the young people and wished them well for their future.

During the evening entertainment was provided by the Amherst School Recorder Group and the Dance Group from Sevenoaks Primary School and as a “Thank You” for their contribution both schools received a bursary.

Colin Hook, assisted by two of the Achievers, expressed appreciation to the Principal Guests for their involvement. He then thanked schools for their interest and support for the scheme - which is intended to be an annual event - and also thanked Wilderneese School for its hospitality and those responsible for running the evening.

Finally, Alan Duffy - Head of Sevenoaks Primary School and Acting Area Education Officer - thanked the Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club not just for this innovative scheme but for its general interest in and support of local schools.