The event was a momentous occasion that showcased the remarkable achievements of the young individuals who have dedicated themselves to their studies and personal growth.

Themed "Journey beyond limits," the evening was graced by the presence of guest speaker Ben Smith, a Marathon runner and inspirational speaker.

Ben is the holder of the world record for most consecutive marathons, 401 marathons in 401 days and founder of the 401 charity. Ben’s powerful words resonated deeply with the audience as he shared his personal journey of overcoming obstacles and achieving success. “We don’t have to be defined by our past, where we come from or even what we’ve been through. Harnessing our experiences, learning from them and using them for good is possible.”

The evening was enriched by heartfelt student speeches. Leonie, one of our Year 7 student speakers shared, “My first year in secondary school has been even better than I expected. There has been so much to do, in and outside of the classroom. It's great learning with subject specialist teachers and getting to move around in between lessons -  it has made us more independent and we’ve learnt so much!”

Stephanie, Year 8 student speaker, shared her personal journey at Stoke Damerel, expressing the amazing opportunities available to students, “In year 8 I felt welcomed as I had recently just joined the school. We have had many opportunities in year 8 such as Geography trips to the Eden project, Eco club excursions looking at increasing the biodiversity within the school as well as many sporting adventures and fixtures.”

Edith, a Year 9 student speaker, reflected on a year filled with memorable experiences, “Year 9 was a very productive year for all of us as we are just completing our spoken language qualification for our GCSE’s. We’ve had exciting trips off to Lisbon, Paris and skiing in Italy, to name a few. In Year 9 we began our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, we've had amazing walks and overnight stays which have been really fun. Personally I think it was a great way to test our friendships through stressful, exciting and very muddy situations! Despite being a tiring experience, getting to camp and watching the sunset with a hot chocolate was a memory I will never forget.”

Jake, a Year 10 student speaker, shared his thoughts on the success of our new house system over the past year, “Memories to last a lifetime have come our way. With our fantastic House System, we are able to win rewards and opportunities for trips out. We have Fun Friday competitions which everybody enjoys. It is great to see the staff get involved and have a laugh with us.”

Thea and Elliott, Year 11 students, acknowledged the transition from fun and exciting moments to the more demanding and stressful challenges of Year 11. “Granted, Year 11 has been both physically and mentally demanding, but Stoke has offered a wide range of support from our teachers and pastoral team. We have both decided to stay on for our A Levels because of the opportunities that have been provided and the support offered.”

Oscar, a Sixth Form Head Student, highlighted the support of our sixth form team here at Stoke Damerel Community College. Oscar said, “The change in pace and shifting to a more independent and self-managed learning style has been quite an adjustment. However, the sixth form team as well as advice from the Year 13 students has made this transition a lot smoother.”

The success of the Awards Ceremony would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication and commitment of the teachers and staff who worked tirelessly to make the event a reality. Their continuous support and guidance have helped nurture and develop the young individuals at Scott College, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Our talented Poet Laureate, Marie, delivered a beautiful poem that she had written especially for the event. Her eloquent words captured the essence of the evening, leaving the audience moved and reflecting on the themes she so gracefully presented. The poem showcased her exceptional literary talent.

The evening concluded with heartfelt appreciation expressed to Ben Smith for his inspirational speech and, most importantly, to the students themselves for their hard work, determination, and commitment to personal growth.

Scott College's Awards Ceremony Is an occasion that will be cherished for years to come for these young people, serving as a reminder to all present that with hard work, belief in yourself, and support from key people, dreams can be achieved!

Marie’s poem:

Journey beyond limits

Limits are not something that can be placed on you,

No one can limit you but you.

There’s an  invisible rope

That  pulls you back from chances to succeed,

Binding your aspirations

Whilst leaving fear and anxiety free.                                       

The tighter the rope  becomes,

The more it strangles your desires and dreams.

They say that sticks and stones can break your bones,

 

They can’t

 

But you can use them to break the glass -

The glass ceiling that’s in your path.

When your rope tries to pull you back

 

Know better

 

Harness positive experiences

Which strengthens the spirit and free the soul.

Use the sharp, shattered shards to

Cut the ties that have bound you

To insecurity and doubt.

Journey on!

Journey beyond limits!