Clyst Vale Awards 2023

One of my highlights of the College year…… On Thursday’s “end of year” assembly, I presented the following awards to the following amazing students.  

The Caring Cup was presented to Jess Massey (Year 9). Jess has been a fantastic support to a friend who experiences seizures, but in addition to this has demonstrated her caring side through sport, her tutor group, and signing up for the Duke of Edinburgh Award which of course has a volunteering element. 

The Ostler Award (for outstanding personal achievement) was presented to Harry Crees (Year 10). Harry is a talented sportsman, but his progress in football is why he was given this award. He plays for Exeter City u-16s, a year “young”, has been awarded a scholarship and next season will train with the u-18s; Harry was also    chosen for national trials. This is impressive in a popular, mainstream sport like football. 

The Pope’s Challice (for Performing Arts) was deservedly won by Lily Roberts (Year 13). Lily has been in     almost everything to do with performing arts since joining Clyst Vale, most recently the principal roles of Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors) and Paulette (Legally Blonde), following on from Blanche in Bonnie and Clyde and Angie in Our House. More than this, she has also been an inspiration, role-model and support to younger students. She will also do extremely well in her L3 BTec in Performing Arts ! 

The RRS Shield (for promoting the values of RRS) was awarded to Ellie Riddle (Year 12). Ellie embodies Rights Respecting Schools: she has been a committed member of the Amnesty Group for years; she championed     student voice as a member of the Devon Youth Parliament, frustratingly during lockdown. Ellie is still very  active: just days ago, she was a driving force for the cake sale raising funds for Kaleidoscope, the charity      supporting LGBTQ+ rights around the world. 

The Spirit of Devon Award (for progress in Year 7 to 9) was presented to Rebecca Loaring (Year 9). This is awarded after comparing the entry data in Year 7 with the last Year 9 TPR. This generates a wide variety of types of student over the years, but what they all have in common is a really positive attitude to learning, hard work, organisation, good sense, and strong working relationships with my colleagues. This describes Rebecca well. 

The Tolman-May Award (for Perseverance) was presented to Tom Shelton in Year 11. Just a reminder that this award is for a student who not only overcomes significant challenges (health, SEND, other) but also is a role-model to others. Tom was exactly that. His attitude to school was always very positive; he was really well-mannered, polite, and popular with other students (or most of them; Tom had to face some bullying, which he showed great resilience in overcoming). He won the award for most caring person at the Year 11 Prom. Out of school he was a leading player with the Exeter City Para-Youth Team, and had a part-time job at a local shop. He was usually cheerful, never moaned, just got on with it, and frankly was a brilliant role-model; it would be great if all students shared Tom’s qualities!  

Like many things at Clyst Vale, these Awards were never planned, and have evolved over the years. What I find remarkable is that between them they capture pretty much all aspects of our values and ethos: caring, RRS, progress, achievement, determination and the (performing) arts. We do recognise progress and achievement (think of the Celebration Assemblies and the GCSE Presentation Evening), but these awards are more about personal qualities and soft skills. 

And, the Schools Trophy was won by……….drum roll……GREEN SCHOOL!