STUDENTS celebrating their achievements were urged to consider failure as a means to enjoying future success.
Former Richmond School and Sixth Form College student Owen Amos told staff, students and families attending an annual awards ceremony of the ups and downs of him becoming a BBC journalist.
“If you want to be successful I can guarantee that at some stage you will fail but the important thing is how you deal with that failure and to keep going,” said Owen, who is about to take up a new position as a feature writer for the BBC, based in Washington DC, USA.
“Even during my time at the BBC I have been turned down for at least a dozen jobs and after writing a book was dismissed by about eight publishers before finally going to print.
“Every time you fail you have to learn something so that next time you will do better. Failure puts you in a better position to succeed.”
Students from years 7 to 13 were recognised for their efforts in academia, sport, the arts and community, in subject areas and GCSE and A level examinations.
Executive headteacher Ian Robertson, officiating at his last awards ceremony, said: “I have been privileged to meet so many incredible students.
“One thing that is constant in education is the business of change and every year we have something to address. Our teachers have had to tackle new syllabuses, course content and tougher grade boundaries. It is testament to their resilience that we celebrate such achievement tonight.
“Well done to our students too. Now it is time to set new challenges. Trying your best is equally important to being the best and what you are as a young person is more important than what you know.
“Be busy not idle; be kind not cruel; be straightforward not shifty; be courageous not cowardly. These are the qualities that will reap rewards in the future.”
Cup winners
BTEC Sport Cup: Joe Shields
Business and Economics Cup: Megan Lundberg
English and Media Cup: Charlotte Bunney
Humanities Cup, history and geography: Caitlin Martin
Humanities Cup, Latin and classics: Charlotte Bunney
Information Communication Technology Cup: Ben Rainbow
Mathematics Cup: Thomas Aston
Modern Foreign Languages Cup: Ella Stokes
Physical Education Cup: Sam Winter
Science Cup: Tamsin Nicklas
Social Sciences Cup: Annaleigh Smith
Technology Cup: Syd Dawson
The Arts Creative Cup: Evie Wright
The Arts Performing Cup: Megan English
Blenkiron Cup: Harvey Websdale
Dave Courtenay Cup: Leah McCabe
Soroptomist’s Cup: Erica Baldry
Trustees’ Cup: Gary Walker
Governors’ Cup: Brandon Parker
Headteacher’s Cup: Oliver Carr