Trio of Inverclyde Finalists Set to Shine at Education Awards
Two inspirational Inverclyde teenagers are in the running for a prestigious accolade at this year’s Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Star
Awards.
Jonathan Marshall and Jason McIlroy and are both finalists in the Young Person of the Year category. This is a new award at the SQA Star Awards, and was introduced as part of SQA’s Year of Young People 2018 activities, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of young whilst working towards their SQA qualifications.
The annual SQA Star Awards is a celebration of the outstanding achievements in education and training across Scotland, the UK and around the world.
The SQA Star Awards are unique, recognising both the individuals who work towards and the organisations that deliver SQA qualifications; rewarding those that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to learning.
When Jonathan joined Clydeview Academy he was confined to a flatbed wheelchair, and unable to join his classmates in most aspects of school life. Jonathan’s determined attitude saw him learn to walk again, and make a hugely positive impact on both the school and the local community.
One of Jonathan’s many contributions was as a mentor for pupils at nearby Moorfoot Primary. He fitted this in-between achieving a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, competing in school shows, and singing in the Inverclyde Youth Choir. These activities, alongside academic success, has seen Jonathan also shortlisted in the School Candidate of the Year category.
Inverclyde Academy pupil Jason struggled to engage during his early years at the school. This changed when he joined a Wider Achievement group and began working towards SQA awards in Personal Achievement and Volunteering Skills.
Jason embraced the opportunity to participate in community initiatives like the Belville Community Garden. This helped develop his leadership skills and Jason is now a positive role model for younger pupils.
Also among the finalists is a partnership between Kings Oak Primary in Greenock, Inverclyde Academy and Inverclyde’s Community Learning and Development Team is offering Primary 7 pupils the chance to undertake the Personal Achievement, and Volunteering Skills units.
Last year almost all Primary 7 pupils at Kings Oak completed at least one of the SQA Personal Achievement or Volunteering Skills units. The aim of the project being to assist the P7 pupils, and make the move into high school less daunting for them, having already undertaken SQA qualifications. The partnership, which is a finalist in the Innovation category, will expand next year to provide further opportunities for parents and carers to engage with their child’s learning.
All the Inverclyde finalists have been invited to join the other finalists for a spectacular ceremony at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow on Friday 09 November.
They will be recognised for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the success stories that have taken place within Scottish education and training over the past 12 months.
In all, fourteen awards will be presented on the night for categories including School Candidate of the Year, Partnership of the Year, and Training Organisation Candidate of the Year.
SQA believed that young people would be best placed to judge the Young Person of the Year category, and so a group of six young people reviewed the submissions. The judging panel included two of SQA’s own Modern Apprentices, along with a representative from youth charities MCR Pathways, Who Cares? Scotland, Young Scot, and the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Of all the category winners, two will be chosen to collect SQA’s distinguished “Pride o’ Worth” awards; so named after the SQA motto and taken from Robert Burns’ poem, “A Man’s a Man for A’ That”.
SQA will also offer its highest accolade, the SQA Fellowship, to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to education and training in Scotland throughout their career.
SQA Chief Executive, Dr Janet Brown, said: “The quality of the nominations for this year’s awards has been outstanding. We have seen first-hand the dedication and commitment, shown by the candidates studying for SQA qualifications, and the passion and ingenuity of the teachers, lecturers, and specialists delivering our courses across the country, throughout the UK, and indeed around the world. I congratulate all the finalists on making it this far and I wish them the very best of luck on the night!
“The SQA Star Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise learners for their achievements, and also acknowledge the outstanding work of our centres – the schools, colleges, training providers, and employers who deliver our qualifications. The awards ceremony gives us a chance to thank those who give our learners the guidance, support, and encouragement they need to realise their potential.”
Inverclyde Council Education and Communities Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “We pride ourselves on education in Inverclyde and particularly the people involved in both teaching and learning.
“To gain three nominations for such prestigious awards is a huge recognition of their commitment and determination to succeed and to achieve their goals.
“I would like to say congratulations and good luck for the awards next week. Whatever happens they have done Inverclyde - and themselves - proud.”
The SQA Star Awards will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Kaye Adams and is supported by a number of sponsors, including the General Teaching Council for Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership.
Photograph: Johnathan Marshall (L), King's Oak Head Teacher Graeme Marshall with P7 pupils and Jason McIlroy (R)
|
SQA Star Awards 2018 – Shortlisted Finalists
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Promoting Inclusion
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Pride o’ Worth (Centre)
|
Pride o’ Worth (Individual)
|
||||||||||||||
|
SQA Fellowship
|
|||||||||||||||