NEWS
Diana Champion Volunteer Award November 2017
Inspirational St. Mary’s students receive award in memory of Princess Diana at Leeds ceremony
Inspirational St. Mary’s students receive award in memory of Princess Diana at Leeds ceremony
Photo: Left to Right: Sean Moorby, Christopher Ginty, Ben Hings, Sophia Lenik, Amelia Walsh, Megan Lupton
St. Mary’s is delighted to announce that fourteen of their past students have been honoured with a Diana Award.
Oliver Armitage, Joanna Ciesluk, Amy Collins, Aidan Conlon, Leah Delahay, Jayda Etienne, Christopher Ginty, Ben Hings, Sophia Lenik, Megan Lupton, Sean Moorby, Ryan Smith, Amelia Walsh and Elizabeth Westhead were awarded the Diana Champion Volunteer Award for their work in South Africa as part of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Photo: With Paralympic Gold Medallist Hannah Cockroft MBE
The students visited the country during the summer of 2016 and were responsible for mentoring young leaders from Mnyakanya High School through the Bambisanani Leadership Award. In addition, they also taught at the school and together with Mnyakanya students, were responsible for organising community reading and sports festivals. The St. Mary’s students also worked at Ntolwane Primary School and Zulufadder Orphanage.
The Diana Award was set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. It is committed to fostering, inspiring and developing positive change in the lives of young people through practical social action. Award holders change the lives of others whether they are a volunteer, fundraiser, carer, campaigner or Anti-Bullying mentor.
Six members of the group were presented with their award at a prestigious ceremony held at the Leeds College of Music. The Award was presented by musician Danny Jones, Paralympic Gold Medallist Hannah Cockroft MBE and the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. The St. Mary’s contingent were accompanied by Mr Pringle, who also took part in the South Africa 2016 visit and Mrs Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s.
Tessy Ojo, CEO of the Diana Award said:-
“These awards come in a landmark year for the Diana Award as we join the world to mark the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana. At the Diana Award we understand that valuing young people also means investing in them so we are delighted that these Award recipients will have access to our unique development programme that ensures they continue to be positive trailblazers for their generation.”
Danny Jones said:-
“I am really excited to meet such an inspirational group of young people, especially being so close to home. It’s an amazing way to give recognition to these incredibly special people and to hear their stories. It makes me proud to be northern. They are true heroes.”
Mrs Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s said:-
“We at St. Mary’s are extremely proud of our students. They are exceptional young people who through kindness, compassion and service, have had a monumental impact on society and the lives of people living on one of South Africa’s poorest rural areas.”
Mission Statement for our 2016 Visit to South Africa
St. Mary's Menston pupils have written a Mission Statement for what they aim to achieve and how they will achieve it during the forthcoming visit.
St. Mary's Menston pupils have written a Mission Statement for what they aim to achieve and how they will achieve it during the forthcoming visit.
Photo: Preparations continue for the '10th Anniversary' 2016 Visit to South Africa
““Our work in South Africa will demonstrate our school values: tolerance, dignity and respect.
This will be done through the sharing of knowledge, exchange of kindness and forming of friendships.””
New Fundraising Ideas for The Bambisanani Partnership
Marienn Collins (Year 13) and Amy Collins (Year 12) have both taken on the role of fundraising seriously
Marienn Collins (Year 13) and Amy Collins (Year 12) have both taken on the role of fundraising seriously.
Amy Collins, Year 12
Marienn Collins, Year 13
Amy Collins has instigated the design and purchase of collecting tins in order to raise money for The Bambisanani Partnership. Collection tins will be distributed to local businesses as a way for people to donate any spare change to the Partnership.
Moreover, Marienn Collins has also seized upon a fundraising opportunity. Marienn has designed and sold Bambisanani Partnership lanyards. Sixth form students at St. Mary’s now have to wear an identification badge. Marienn is hoping the staff and sixth form students will purchase the lanyards for £3 in order to display their badges.
Marienn worked in South Africa in June 2015 and Amy will be delivering a sports leadership programme to the students of Mnyakanya High School in June 2016.
Anyone wishing to support the Bambisanani Partnership can contact Catherine Chattoe at c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org
Visit to the University of Leeds December 2015
28 St. Mary's students visited the University of Leeds and cemented the partnership between the university and Bambisanani
28 St. Mary's students visited the University of Leeds and cemented the partnership between the university and Bambisanani
Visit to the University of Leeds December 2015 gallery (24 photos)
St. Mary's are grateful to Andy Lockwood, Professional Development Manager at the university for the insight into the university and the opportunity to use their state of the art facilities.
The visit took place on Thursday 10 December 2015.
We look forward to meeting the students from the University of Leeds in South Africa in June 2016.
““The visit to the university campus gave us an insight into all that the University of Leeds has to offer, as well as what it can inspire us to take on our trip to South Africa. Thank you to all involved, a great experience and opportunity.””
Menston school's partnership brings technology training to South African classrooms [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
