SCHOOL LIFE

Building College student achievements celebrated at awards

Outstanding student achievements was celebrated with the return of the annual Leeds College of Building ‘BIG (Building Industry Greats) Awards’ night.

Taking place for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, the poignant award ceremony recognised the successes of students and apprentices over the 2021/2022 academic year.

Winners were selected not only for their academic achievements but also for going the “extra mile,” overcoming adversity, and excelling in studies or national competitions.

Following a drinks reception and dinner at Leeds United Football Club’s Centenary Pavilion at Elland Road, guests were welcomed by Mark Roper, Vice Chair of the Leeds College of Building Corporation, and new College CEO & Principal Nikki Davis.

Given the nature of the occasion - celebrating young people's success – the event went ahead, but with a twominute silence for guest reflection and as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Awards host and TV and radio broadcaster Rich Williams then announced the 50 awards, including the top prize - the Governors’ Award - chosen out of all the winners.

In total, 17 organisations supported the evening, including headline sponsor Marlborough Brickwork Ltd. Awards included Outstanding Improvement Award, BTEC Student of the Year, Sustainable Building Services Student of the Year, Faculty Awards for Special Achievement, and other trade-specific awards.

The overall Governors’ Award, sponsored by Marlborough Brickwork Ltd., went to student Zara Dupont (18) who won the ‘Plastering/Interior Systems Student of the Year’ award sponsored by Sparta Systems Ltd earlier in the evening.

Zara, from Bramley, has an exceptional track record of success. She completed a Level 2 Technical Certificate in Plastering at the College and is now starting an Interior Systems/Dry Lining Apprenticeship with Sparta Systems Ltd. Zara reached the WorldSkills UK final in 2021 and was shortlisted again in 2022. She will compete in the Plastering & Drywall category at the finals taking place in Edinburgh in November.

Zara said:

“Winning the Governors’ Award was a complete surprise. I didn’t even know there was an overall winner, so hearing my name at the end was a really nice surprise! I just don’t have the words. It’s been two years of hard work so far and I’m excited about my new apprenticeship.

“I’ve had a great experience at Leeds College of Building and am thankful for the training I’ve received. My tutor, Mark, has always been my go-to person he’s always helpful and supportive. I’m excited about competing in WorldSkills again. Last year was like a practice run, so this time it’s the real thing and I’m in it to win!”

Nikki Davis, CEO & Principal of Leeds College of Building, said:

“Congratulations to all our students receiving awards. It’s wonderful to see the return of The BIG Awards and to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students, often under challenging circumstances. Their resilience over the last few years has been commendable, and I wish them every success going forwards. Thanks also to our amazing staff who go above and beyond in supporting all our learners daily.

“I would also like to thank our awards sponsors and emphasise how grateful we are for this unwavering support. These excellent links with the construction and built environment industry are vital for our students who benefit from bespoke training materials, specialist tools, and critical hands-on work experience opportunities provided by our partner employers.”

Music Federation and Hu TARA join forces against

Pupils and staff from Low Road and Windmill Music Federation joined Hunslet TATA volunteers on their first joint litter by Caroline Harvison

Music Federation staff and families have joined forces with Hunslet TARA (Tenants and Residents Association) to help clean up the local environment.

Low Road and Windmill Music Federation School council identified the need for keeping the school and local community environments clean and tidy. Understanding that it’s not just the look, it’s the missed recycling opportunities alongside the health and safety benefits that arise from having a clean and tidy community.

“We spend the day in school which our eco team help to keep clean and tidy, then go to play out and we’re playing amongst litter. It’s not nice.” – school council member

Consequently, Hunslet TARA chair, Stewart Walton, has been working closely with Low Road Primary School. He’s been giving up his Thursday mornings to attend assemblies and has been encouraging staff, pupils and families to join forces and help to make hunslet a place to be proud of.

Stewart Walton told the staff:

“It’s about educating the children and families. Setting good examples and hopefully some of the residents who are contributing to this litter problem will think again.”

On Sunday 3 July approximately 15 additional pairs of Music Federation hands volunteered to take part in the TARA’s weekly litter pick. Meeting at 12pm, Hunslet TARA provided all the equipment needed including litter pickers, high visibility jackets (very much needed when working with children) and of course, the purple bags!

The welcome from everyone was warm and friendly. Cllr Paul Wray, a regular volunteer at the litter pick stated:

“It was great to stop by the weekly Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association litter pick and see loads of pupils from Low Road Primary School out helping keep their local community clean.

“Initiatives like this not only help the community today but also build those all important citizenship and good neighbour skills in the next generation.”

One young attendee’s mum said,

“He’s been looking forward to this! Not only is he picking litter and helping out, he can use this towards achieving his Community Impact badge with Cubs!”

The TARA was joined by nursery to year 6 children alongside parents and teachers. With young feet getting tired, the perfectly timed break after an hour saw refreshments for all supplied by Morrisons Community Champion: Kelly Cheetham. Those who could, continued to help after the break until 1:30pm: by then a total of 10 purple bags of rubbish had been picked up by some amazing, little helpers.

It wasn’t only Morrisons who recognised the volunteer’s effort, one resident was quick to run out and provide children with some chocolate treats for when they had finished.

He was eager to thank everyone for the efforts and for giving up their own time to help clear the community. Passers by were also taking note; many asking how they could get involved and what they needed to do.

nslet litter Cockburn MAT is looking for committed people to join as Governors and Trustees

This is not the end for this collaboration: The Music Federation have vouched to help maintain the community working alongside both Hunslet TARA and BITMO who are also aiming to enhance the look of Windmill Road in Belle Isle.

Look out for Music Federation staff, pupils and families as they continue to give back to the local communities in every way they can.

Stewart said:

“It was very impressive and slightly emotional to see so many of our children joining us for the litter pick this weekend. I value the initiative the Music Federation has put behind keeping the local environment and surrounding community, clean and tidy which is why I find the work the music Federation does and for as long as I am able I will cherish the partnership between Low Road and Windmill Music Federation and Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association.”

Hunslet TARA meet every Sunday at 12pm, outside the Hunslet Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street. Everyone is welcome (family friendly). Cockburn Multi-academy Trust is made up of three secondary schools, one primary school and one infant school in our community.

At present there are Cockburn School, Cockburn John Charles Academy, Middleton Primary School, Cockburn Haigh Road Academy and the new free school Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy which opened in September 2021.

The Trust was formed in 2016 and has continually grown since. They have an excellent reputation in Leeds and beyond and are in a privileged position to be able to give considerable support to an increasing number of schools within the city of Leeds and across the region.

The Vision of Cockburn MAT is every child deserves an exceptional education. Their vision is to create a group of exceptional schools that radically improve students’ life chances.

They seek to widen their students’ aspirations; to reach destinations that are attainable and fulfilling. They work to raise attainment and provide exceptional teaching and learning for all of their students through high expectations of academic success and behaviour.

The Cockburn MAT Board Trustees have overall responsibility and ultimate decision-making authority for all work of Cockburn MAT including the establishing and running of the schools.

The Local Governing Body operates at a strategic level and are not involved in the day-to-day running of a school. They are responsible for both the conduct of the school and for the promotion of high standards.

Governors must ensure that the school works efficiently and effectively towards achieving the Vision, and that the school provides a high-quality education for its pupils. Governors have to build a thorough knowledge of the school and its community. They must support and constructively challenge the school.

Governors already in place at the schools say that the benefits of being a governor are immense. Being a governor develops professional skills and experience such as strategic planning, chairing, financial planning, and team working, all of which are valued by employers and can assist their own career development. ‘Soft skills’ are also important – the ability to be able to build relationships with a range of people, to be able to work as part of a team, to be able to question, and to make connections between different types of information.

Being a governor helps to build relationships and networks in the local area while most importantly supporting children and young people in the community.

If our readers would like to become Governors and Trustees they do not need to be experts in the field of education. What they do need is an interest in the schools and in the welfare of the pupils, together with the time and willingness to get involved.

For further information please contact Sharon Burns, Chief Operating Officer, on info@cockburnmat.org in the first instance.