Jack Petchey Foundation recognises Hounslow’s young people for amazing
achievements
(26.5.16) A massive 105 young people from 13 senior schools and four clubs in Hounslow
came together to receive prestigious Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards
presented on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th May 2016 at the Watermans Theatre.
The event honoured Achievement Award winners aged 11-25 who received medallions to go
with their framed certificate and a cheque for £200, already presented. They were nominated
by their peers and leaders, winning awards for a variety of achievements.
Ten adults were also celebrated with Leader Awards who have demonstrated, in an
outstanding way, an ability to motivate young people. They received a medallion and a
framed certificate.
Youth organisations in Hounslow have received £439,159 in funding from the Jack
Petchey Foundation since funding started in 2006.
Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford & Isleworth who attended said “As their local MP I am so
proud of the young people in Hounslow who have won these prestigious Jack Petchey
Achievement Awards. I heard stories tonight ranging from them tutoring younger children to
coming here from other countries and overcoming barriers. What is great is as well as
reaching these achievements they get to decide how their award money is spent. Whether it
is spent on a cultural visit or getting a choreographer to help a dance group they have all
supported a whole group of young people. The Jack Petchey Achievement Award winners
have shown how much this generation give back.”
Hounslow Borough Police Commander, Superintendent Raj Kohli who presented
awards said “Too often you hear negative things about young people but the vast majority
contribute to society. As someone who serves Hounslow through policing it’s refreshing to
see the achievements of young people in our borough being recognised. The Jack Petchey
Foundation has shown our young people are doing amazing things in their schools, clubs
and in our community. I was inspired by what they have done as well as the adults who
support them. So remember next time you see a police officer with a young person they’re
more likely to be giving an award than telling them off!”
The Worshipful Mayor of Hounslow, Ajmer Grewal’s described it as “A great event, I
really enjoyed presenting awards to such admirable young people. This was my first official
event as Mayor and it was great to see that Hounslow has such deserving talent. Well done
award winners, keep achieving.”
Winners included Rohan Sharma, aged 16 from Cranford Community College.
There were concerns as to how Rohan who has Autism would cope with the challenges of
being part of such a large secondary school. However from day one he showed a
determination and willingness to learn and to use the support available to him. In Year 9 he
helped several teachers to educate his form group about Autism. He spoke about what it is
like living day to day with Autism. By the end of the session there were tears and admiration
from both staff and students. From that day on Rohan grew in confidence even being brave
enough to attend Jamie’s Farm in March 2014. This was a very successful trip for him as it
pushed him out of his comfort zone doing task such as delivering a lamb. Rohan went on to
study and revise hard and did very well in his GCSE’s. He is now in 6th form studying RE,
Biology and Maths.
Rohan decided to spend his £200 Jack Petchey Achievement Award on revision guides for
Pupil Premium pupils and students who are not able to afford them. For further information
contact the college’s Jack Petchey Foundation Co-ordinator, Simon Dean on 020 8897 2001
or at [email protected].
Alicia, aged 14 attends Lampton School. Alicia decided to raise money for Cancer
Research UK and to buy art and craft materials for the Room 29 Lunch Club. She made
friendship bracelets and sold them at school to pupils and teachers, raising £80.
Alicia wanted to spend her £200 Jack Petchey Achievement Award on improving facilities in
Room 29 Lunch Club. This included games and a digital camera for use by the students.
Leon, aged 14 goes to the London Borough of Hounslow Swimming Club. Leon has been
an enthusiastic and regular club member for seven years. He overcomes his special needs
and learning difficulties and focuses on his training.
Leon decided to spend his £200 Jack Petchey Achievement Award to pay for lane time for
the club at the 50m pool in Guildford.
Snovia, aged 13 attends St Mark’s Catholic School. Her school described Snovia as a role
model. She is always available to help others in all areas of school life. Snovia is a member
of both the liturgy and main school choir. She welcomes new students to the school and
always goes the extra mile to ensure that all choir members feel included and welcome.
Snovia’s £200 Jack Petchey Achievement Award was used to buy girls kits for netball and
football players.
Lee, aged 14 attends Marjory Kinnon School. When Lee first started in Year 7 he was very
anxious, scared and lacked confidence. His peers feel he has learnt to manage and now
helps new students make friends and feel included. Whenever he sees a friend or adult in
need he always offers to help.
Lee used his £200 Jack Petchey Achievement Award to get a theatre group company to put
on an interactive educational play for the whole of the Secondary Department.
Sir Jack founded the Jack Petchey Foundation in 1999 to recognise the positive
contributions young people make to society and to support them in achieving their potential.
Since then it has provided support to a wide range of 2,000 youth initiatives across London
and Essex and a reached a milestone investment of £100m.
Sir Jack Petchey CBE, said “I am passionate about our awards scheme which enables
young people to be recognised, valued and rewarded for their achievements and positive
contributions to society.”
ENDS
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NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. Our major programme, the Achievement Awards is a peer recognition scheme and
includes grass roots youth clubs, youth organisations, secondary schools and
uniformed organisations throughout London and Essex. Nominations are made by
young people as well as teachers, parents, and supporting adults. The young award
winners choose how best to spend their award money to the benefit of their club or
school. From 2016 we are increasing the award money so new winners will now
receive £250.
2. The Jack Petchey Foundation also funds other programmes that celebrate positive
contributions of young people in society. “Speak Out” is the world’s largest public
speaking competition for young people.
3. “Step into Dance” provides opportunities for dance in over 150 schools.
4. The Individual grants for the Volunteers Fund supports young people who are giving
up their time for the benefit of another community.
5. To find out more about our work and the range of projects we support go to
www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk. Follow JPF on Facebook
www.facebook.com/JackPetcheyFoundation and Twitter @JPFoundation.