STARS SHINE BRIGHT AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

from Starlight Issue 10 (Summer 2023)

Placing ambition at the heart of Star’s mission

Star Academies held its annual Star Awards celebration to recognise and celebrate the notable achievements of pupils and staff across its 31 schools. Over 400 guests, including pupils, staff, governors, trustees and members of the Star family gathered in Blackburn for the prestigious event.

Guests were greeted by the beautiful sound of Oliver Tattersall from The Valley Leadership Academy playing the keyboard. Pupil MCs Saliha Farooq, from Eden Girls’ School, Coventry, and Jack Schuyler, from Bay Leadership Academy, opened the event, thanking guests for taking the time out from their busy schedules to attend and the event’s sponsors for their generous support.

The trust Chairman, Kam Kothia OBE DL, who played a key role in Star’s development, praised the accomplishments and efforts of all pupils, staff and governors, and commemorated the success of the schools. He also reflected on the trust’s 10-year anniversary and shared some of Star’s most notable accomplishments from the last decade.

The awards ceremony was flawlessly presented by Lisa Crausby OBE, Executive Director: Education, who introduced proceedings by welcoming Ehsan Khan from Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham who delivered a stunning spoken word performance of a poem that he had penned about his experience in a Star school.

Guest of honour, double Olympic champion rower James Cracknell OBE, then took to the stage to make an inspiring speech on the highs and lows of his accomplished career as an athlete and adventurer. As well as recounting his many successes in elite sport, James spoke candidly about his pride in his charitable endeavours, which have motivated him to continue pushing his mind and body to the limit through awe-inspiring physical challenges.

The atmosphere was electric as the finalists and winners for all 22 award categories were revealed, celebrating the remarkable achievements of individuals and groups of Star pupils, staff and governors. The ceremony culminated in a rousing reception for the winner of the inaugural Spirit of Star award. The award, which is the ultimate recognition of exceptional service and dedication to Star, was awarded to long-standing ambassador and friend of Star, Dot Thomson.

Throughout the awards presentation, guests were treated to moving performances from our talented pupils. Children from The Olive School, Bolton lifted the energy of the event with their fantastic Djembe drumming showcase, while guests fell silent as Jasey Hall from The Valley Leadership Academy sang an emotional rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. To wrap up the event, talented actors from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School wowed the audience by performing a medley of scenes and songs from Matilda the Musical.

Star Academies would like to thank its generous supporters for their sponsorship of the event, including AHR, Arena, BAM, British Army, EG Foundation, Hill Dickinson, Lyreco, Morgan Sindall, Moving People, ReadingWise, Vivify Venues, and Wates Construction.

SIR MUFTI HAMID PATEL CBE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF STAR ACADEMIES, SAID:

As we celebrate the achievements of our pupils and staff, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of the Star family for their unwavering support towards our goal of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

“Congratulations to all of the winners, finalists and nominees; hearing about your achievements filled me with immense pride. Thank you to everyone who made the Star Awards possible, particularly our fantastic pupil performers who provided us with entertainment. We take delight in your incredible talents.”