The first PiXL Edge Awards ceremony to celebrate Year 8’s success during their first year at Shipston High School took place on Thursday 30th November.  The PiXL Edge – Apprentice Level framework gives students the opportunity to develop five key life attributes through a series of targeted activities and challenges. These attributes were chosen after research looked into employability skills and the following attributes were identified as key to success.

Leadership; Organisation; Resilience; Initiative and Communication

Students were required to complete two activities per attribute.  Examples of some of the activities undertaking by the students to gain the award include organising a fundraising event for a local Youth Council which involved running a tabletop sale, car wash and bike repair, writing and delivering a speech on Animal Abuse and Animal Testing, learning a new musical instrument and completing research for a project within History which included creating a model of castle.

As a school we are keen to promote such skills and qualities to prepare students for life once they leave Shipston High. Our students are keen and determined to face every challenge set which was evidenced by the number of students who achieved the award. Hopefully the success and accolade of this award will drive them forward to work towards the next level which will be launched after Christmas.

The school’s annual Awards Evening took place on Thursday 23rd November.

This evening is one of the major celebration events of the school calendar, where we celebrate the achievements of our current Key Stage 4 students and present last summer’s leavers with their hard-earned GCSE certificates.  As well as many parents, staff, governors and ex-students we were pleased to welcome members of town organisations such as the Rotary, Lions and Probus clubs together with representatives from the Shipston churches and our Town Mayor, Cllr. Dan Scobie.

It is always very interesting to meet up again with our ex-students and find out what career path they are taking and learn the variety of A level and college courses they are undertaking. They are certainly great role models for our younger students.

In addition to prizes for outstanding progress and achievement, awards were presented for service to the school and the general wider community.  One such award was The Graham Lowe “Wilco” Award sponsored by the Shipston on Stour branch of the Royal British Legion in memory of Graham Lowe who was the school’s first Head Boy in 1957. The award is presented for being a cheerful and willing volunteer and was given to Rebecca Drew and Abigail Slatter for the work they are doing as volunteer junior librarians in school.