Star family shines bright at annual awards ceremony

Star Academies held its annual Star Awards celebration to recognise and celebrate the notable achievements of pupils and staff across its 31 schools. Over 400 guests, including pupils, staff, governors, trustees and members of the Star family gathered in Blackburn for the prestigious event.

The excitement was palpable as guests arrived and were greeted by the beautiful sound of Oliver Tattersall from The Valley Leadership Academy playing the keyboard. Pupil MCs Saliha Farooq, from Eden Girls’ School, Coventry, and Jack Schuyler, from Bay Leadership Academy, opened the event, thanking guests for taking the time out from their busy schedules to attend and the event’s sponsors for their generous support.

The trust Chairman, Kam Kothia OBE DL, who played a key role in Star’s development, praised the accomplishments and efforts of all pupils, staff and governors, and commemorated the success of the schools. He also reflected on the trust’s 10-year milestone of opening its first free school.

The awards ceremony was flawlessly presented by Lisa Crausby, Executive Director: Education, who introduced proceedings by welcoming Eshan Khan from Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham who delivered a stunning poem that he had penned.

Guest of honour, double Olympic champion rower James Cracknell OBE, then took to the stage to make an inspiring speech on the highs and lows of his accomplished career as an athlete and adventurer. As well as recounting his many successes in elite sport, James spoke about his daring charitable activities, which have motivated him to continue pushing his mind and body to the limit through awe-inspiring physical challenges.

The atmosphere was electric as the finalists and winners for all 22 award categories were announced, celebrating the remarkable achievements of individuals and groups of Star pupils, staff and governors. The highlight of the awards ceremony was the presentation of the Spirit of Star award, the ultimate recognition of exceptional service and dedication to Star, which was awarded to a long-standing ambassador and friend of Star, Dot Thomson.

Throughout the awards presentation, guests were treated to incredible performances from talented pupils. Children from The Olive School, Bolton lifted the energy of the event with their fantastic Djembe drumming showcase, while Jacey Hall from The Valley Leadership Academy sang a moving rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. To wrap up the event, talented actors from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School wowed the audience by performing a medley from Matilda the Musical.

The event concluded with a special achievement award recognising the many notable successes achieved by Star schools over the last twelve months. Principals from each school joined the Star winners parade to celebrate the moment.

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said:

“As we celebrate the achievements of our pupils and staff, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of the Star family for their unwavering support towards our goal of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

“Congratulations to all of the winners, finalists and nominees; hearing about your achievements filled me with immense pride. Thank you to everyone who made the Star Awards possible, particularly our fantastic pupil performers who provided us with entertainment. We take delight in your incredible talents.”

Star Academies would like to thank their generous supporters for their sponsorship of the event, including AHR, Arena, BAM, British Army, EG Foundation, Hill Dickinson, Lyreco, Morgan Sindall, Moving People, ReadingWise, Vivify Venues, and Wates Construction.

Congratulations to all of our winners and finalists. Here is the full list of winners of the Star Awards 2023:

GROUP AWARDS

Service Award  

Sponsored by Wates Construction

Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham

Teamwork Award (Teaching)  

Sponsored by BAM Construction

EYFS Team, Thornbury Primary Leadership Academy

Teamwork Award (Support) 

Sponsored by Arena  

Pastoral Team at Small Heath Leadership Academy

Ambition Award  

Sponsored by ReadingWise

Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College

Respect Award  

Starbank School

Mental Health and Wellbeing Award  

Sponsored by Moving People

The Olive School, Blackburn

PUPIL AWARDS

Sports Leadership Award  

Sponsored by British Army 

Vonnie Haley, Tong Leadership Academy

Arts Leadership Award  

Jack Schuyler from Bay Leadership Academy

Social Action Leadership Award   

Sponsored by EG Foundation

Highfield Helpers, Highfield Leadership Academy

Inspirational Learner of the Year 

Sponsored by Lyreco

Muhammad Abdullah Amjad – Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester

Lexi Naylor-Coombs – Thornbury Primary Leadership Academy

Yahya Akhtar – Eden Boys’ School, Bolton

Cora Booth – Tong Leadership Academy

Azkah Rehman – Eden Girls’ School, Coventry

Tyler-James Memory-Murray – The Valley Leadership Academy

Asiyah Ahmed Panczyszyn – Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester

Imogen Fitton – Bay Leadership Academy

Lexi-Jo Woollard – High Crags Primary Leadership Academy

Haleema Rafiq – Starbank School

Jay-James Sherlock – Starbank School

Isaac Khan – The Olive School, Birmingham

Zaynab Waheed – The Olive School, Small Heath

Hamza Said – Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy

Zahra Malik – Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest

Yelyzaveta Sements – Tong Leadership Academy

Primary School Pupil of the Year  

Hamza Rafique, Starbank School

Secondary School Pupil of the Year  

Sponsored by AHR 

Umar Saleh, Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School

EMPLOYEE AWARDS

Rising Star of the Year (Teaching)

Sponsored by Morgan Sindall  

Billie-Jade Birks, Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham

Rising Star of the Year (Support)

Moulana Naeem Mohammed, Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East

Support Staff Member of the Year  

Humaira Hamid, The Olive School, Small Heath

Teacher of the Year  

Sponsored by Hill Dickinson 

Oliver Hives, Eden Boys’ School, Preston

Middle Leader of the Year  

Jennifer Taylor, The Olive School, Bolton

Senior Leader of the Year  

Sponsored by Vivify Venues

Vicki Hinchliffe, Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy

Unsung Hero of the Year  

Mark Gedney, High Crags Primary Leadership Academy

Principal of the Year

Parveen Yusuf, The Olive School, Preston

GOVERNOR AWARD

Outstanding Governor of the Year  

Fiona Jordan, Laisterdyke Leadership Academy

SPECIAL AWARD

Spirit of Star

Dot Thomson

Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 9th Mar 2023 | Posted In: Latest News