Mossbourne Community Academy, Hackney
Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney has participated on Achievement Award scheme since 2005 and, over the years, has used the awards effectively to celebrate the hard work and determination of their students.
 and onsite officer PC Hill.jpg)
This spring the Academy’s Achievement Award winner for May 2012, Nicole Mathurin, and her fellow Life Skills students came together for an award celebration with a difference. Nicole wanted to use her award to improve the entrance to the school and so she chose to spend her £200 on creating a display of bring and beautiful hanging baskets. The group of green-fingered young people got their hands dirty in planting them together.
The project was one of many great examples as to how Mossbourne’s young people have used their award funds to enhance the school environment for the benefit of everyone.
Nicole, aged 16, received her Achievement Award for the excellent progress she’s made in her Life Skills coursework and for her fantastic contribution to the school through performing. She explained the difference the award had made to her:
“It’s very important to me because it shows me how well I have done in my school work and my singing at school; it’s given me confidence in myself”.
Alex Ogunfadebo, another of Mossbourne’s Life Skills students, described the unique morning:
“During the planting, I felt excited, happy and glad. When I saw the hanging baskets up in front of the school, it made me feel very pleased to have been part of Life Skills lessons and the Jack Petchey Foundation grant".
Once the students had planted their baskets a light buffet was held in their honour. The Academy’s Associate Vice Principle, Neil Robinson, then presented Nicole with a framed certificate and a Jack Petchey Young Achiever badge in front of her teachers and peers.
PC Andrew Hills, the School’s Police Liaison Officer, assisted during the morning and said:
“This event started last year when I was asked to work with children with learning difficulties, by planting some hanging baskets. The event was a blooming success and has grown into the academy dedicating a whole morning to this event. It is clear to see that all the young people really enjoyed the experience.”
