A STUDENT who was born deaf has been recognised nationally for her outstanding achievements.
Olviya Silvary, a student at The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham, has secured a Lord Glenamara Memorial Prize accolade recognising her academic excellence and dedication to her school community.
As runner-up, she was invited to a special ceremony at University College London, where she had the opportunity to tour the campus, meet the Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds, the family of the late Lord Glenamara and UCL’s Vice-Provost Anthony Smith.
The award was introduced in 2012 to celebrate the life and dedication to public service of the late Ted Short (Lord Glenamara), the former Secretary of State for Education and Science and MP for Newcastle Central.
Olviya,17, is now studying A Levels in maths, physics, English literature and German, after achieving eight coveted grade 9s and one grade 8 in GCSEs last summer to lead her year group.
She also made history by becoming the first student at the academy to be awarded the top Outstanding Student of the Year award twice, once in Year 8 and in Year 12, along with being awarded with the Year 12 Academic Excellence prize and becoming the Academy’s Most Promising Student of Modern Foreign Languages.
Olviya, of Acklam, who attended the London ceremony with her mother, said: “I was shocked to be even nominated let alone be runner up. Once again I feel so proud and am still overwhelmed.”
Principal of The King’s Academy David Dawes said: “Olviya epitomises all the qualities the academy aims to instil in students, exhibiting great character, determination, drive and humility.
“As an excellent role model, she enjoys such high levels of respect among her peers. Eternally optimistic, she always has a huge smile on her face but is also blessed with steely resolve and determination to succeed. We are all extremely proud of her many achievements.”