Schools across Ealing still have time to nominate their students for the prestigious annual Dr John Roberts QC CBE Achievement Awards which recognises primary and secondary students from African and Caribbean descent in Ealing.
The awards, now in their 18th year and sponsored by Ealing Council, have showcased many young people across the borough. In previous years winners have included Arsenal and England footballer Bukayo Saka who won the sports category in 2017 and Tatianna Gailard who has recently qualified as a commercial pilot.
A spokesperson from Descendents, who organise the awards told EALING.NEWS: “We have received many compelling and inspirational nominations in the past and are sure this year will be no different. We excitedly anticipate being able to showcase what the students from across Ealing are accomplishing and envision this is only the beginning of what are sure to be influential leaders of the next generation.”
Closing date to nominate young people in 2 June 2023. Those shortlisted will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Double Tree by Hilton in Ealing on 8 July 2023.
The awards from Acton-based Descendents, a 30-year-old charity for young people with its main focus on African and Caribbean culture, welcome nominations from all across Ealing and its primary schools, secondary schools and special educational needs for categories including ‘the pupil that excels in all areas of their education’ , ‘student that achieve against all odds’, ‘students that excel in the arts’, ‘sports’, ‘entrepreneurial qualities’, and ‘future leader qualities’.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Margaret Noel, founder and director of Descendants said: “Eighteen years on and I am just as passionate about the Achievement awards as I was at the first one in 2004. Our Special guest at that first awards was Tim Campbell winner of the first series of The Apprentice. It was thanks to him and a very special volunteer Michael that we were able to hold the awards. The Awards are also a reminder that our children do achieve! We just need to highlight their achievements.”
Parents and guardians are also invited to contact their school to get their child nominated in any of the seven categories:
students who excel in all areas of their education
students who work hard and achieve against all the odds
students who excel in the arts
students who excel in sports
students who excel in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths)
students with entrepreneurial qualities
students who are future leaders
There is also an award for teacher. Last year this was a posthumous award for teacher Joycelyn Poole of Twyford school.
Among the most nominated categories are students who ‘excel in all areas of their education’ and ‘students who work hard and achieve against all the odds’.