It was all smiles at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday as pupils and staff celebrated Haringey’s amazing school community at the council’s annual Outstanding For All (OFA) Awards.
The OFAs – in their seventh year – celebrate those who go above and beyond, and acknowledge achievements in categories such as apprenticeships, the arts, community heroism, early years education and sport.
Ann Graham, Haringey Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said:
The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high. They were easily among the best we’ve ever received and it was difficult to narrow them down to a shortlist of finalists. I’d like to congratulate everybody involved on just what they’ve managed to achieve this year and look forward to similar success stories in all of our schools in 2020. A big well done and thank you to everyone who works so hard in each and every one of our schools – you really do Haringey proud.
The actor, writer and broadcaster Tom Watt was the guest presenter on the night, which also saw six different acts perform from the Haringey Young Musicians ensemble.
Tom said:
It was a brilliant night and a lot of fun. There was a lovely atmosphere in the room and I’m just full of respect and admiration for what people have achieved. There were some amazing performances too by kids of all ages.
It’s just nice for the students to be recognised for what they’ve achieved. It was great.
Heartlands High School’s Beth Squire claimed the Teacher of the Year accolade, and Ann Robinson, of Stroud Green Primary, came away with the Governor of the Year award.
Heartlands High School also picked up the Support Staff of the Year gong, with Lauren Skuse the recipient of that particular honour, while Highgate Wood School enjoyed double delight too in the Apprentice of the Year and Achievement in Sport accolades.
Phoebe French and Megan Elliott were the respective Highgate Wood School pupils in those two categories, with Elliott fittingly being presented her Achievement in Sport award by the former Spurs captain and club legend, Ledley King.
Ledley said:
It was great to see so many talented people and, every time I attend these Outstanding for All Awards, the standard improves each year.
I have always said there’s so much talent within Haringey. I’ve been coming to the area for well over 20 years now and met so many talented people that just need to be given a chance.
Hopefully, as a football club, we are helping to create life-changing opportunities for many young people.
Woodside High achieved a twin triumph as well, with the Achievement in the Arts and the Outstanding STEM Achievement (Secondary) awards being taken home by Mario Taccarelli and their Automotive Engineers respectively.
Devonshire Hill Nursery and Primary won the equivalent Outstanding STEM Achievement accolade for the primary school sector courtesy of the STEM competition team from Quartz Class in Year 5.
Kehinde Ogunlabi, from The Willow Primary and Broadwaters Children’s Centre, was acknowledged as this year’s Community Hero, and Rowland Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre’s Antonia Wheeler our Early Years Champion.
The Cllr Egan Achievement Award went to St Paul’s & All Hallows Infant and Junior School’s Sharon Easton.
Here’s a recap of our 2019 Outstanding for All winners!
Achievement in the Arts:
Mario Taccarelli – Woodside High School
Achievement in Sport:
Megan Elliott – Highgate Wood School
Apprentice of the Year:
Phoebe French – Highgate Wood School
Community Hero:
Kehinde Ogunlabi – The Willow Primary School and Broadwaters Children’s Centre
Councillor Egan Award:
Sharon Easton – St Paul’s and All Hallows Infant and Junior School
Early Years Champion:
Antonia (‘Toni’) Wheeler – Rowland Hill Nursery and Children’s Centre
Governor of the Year:
Ann Robinson – Stroud Green Primary School
Outstanding STEM Achievement Award (Primary):
STEM competition team from Quartz Class in Year 5 – The Devonshire Hill Nursery & Primary School
Outstanding STEM Achievement Award (Secondary):
Automotive Engineers – Woodside High School
Support Staff of the Year:
Lauren Skuse – Heartlands High School
Teacher of the Year:
Beth Squire – Heartlands High School
