Celebration Day 2010

Sandown High school’s extensive rewards programme ensures that contribution to every aspect of school life is both recognised and rewarded, with a host of awards in last week’s annual Celebration Day complimenting those at the successful year group presentation evenings throughout the year. Involvement, active citizenship and attendance were recognised, through a range of awards including subject certification, form tutor awards, the unique tariff point’s scheme, and the traditional house and whole school trophies

As is custom at Sandown High school, each house leader ensured the unique, characteristic flavour of their house was preserved, with distinctive entertainment and style of delivery. However, common to all presentations this year was an address by well-loved history teacher and former Head of Green House Paul Thatcher, who retires this year. Recounting the key features of life at Sandown High –past, present and future, Paul reflected on the glory years of Green House and candidly on his success with Green House propaganda. He spoke warmly of sport at Sandown High and particularly former colleagues Gus Baker and Trevor Wray.  In terms of change, Paul cited modern technology as one of the many developments he had yet to master, but certainly felt the community links Sandown enjoys are now a great strength.

As a testament to this, members of Shanklin Rotary Club personally presented Community shields, supporting the school’s strong commitment to active citizenship in the local area. Recipients this year were Robert Bartlett (Blue) for Services in Music to the community, Rob Chard (Green) for his voluntary work in the Hospice, Charlie Sammons (Red) for his outstanding contribution to sport in the local community and Polly Hopper (Yellow) for her support of house activities and fundraising. Blue House student Doug Atkinson won the Sixth form community shield for his remarkable achievement in running 250 laps of the school track in one day to raise money for the Help for Heroes Campaign.

Culminating in the prestigious whole school awards, outstanding achievements were duly celebrated. David Cornes, Bradley Crees and Nye Russell Thompson were recognised for their success and contribution to the Arts, and Year 13 student Louis Harpham Lockyer was awarded the Sarah Clatworthy Memorial trophy for the hundreds of hours of voluntary work he has freely given to help those in local care homes in recent years.

Sporting success was also recognised in George Corbin (Fairway Athletics Trophy), Jessica Andrews (Island Group 90 most improved athlete), Billy Clarke (Stuart Dove Memorial Cricket Trophy) Sophie Alchin (Wilbur Davies Memorial Swimming Cup) and Travis Mellor (Outstanding Sporting Achievement) for becoming the National Junior Bowls Champion last September.

Throughout the day, numerous tributes were made to Paul Thatcher via House Leaders Gavin Oldridge, Helen Peak, Steven Apsey and Paul Royl. Ex-pupils and colleagues shared heart-warming stories and memories of the well-respected teacher, who has made a huge impact on life at Sandown High school.