Mayor says education is key to success at black student awards
Mayor Boris Johnson will today meet some of the brightest young students in the capital at the London Schools and the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards. The event is organised by Diane Abbott MP and follows on from the education conference supported by the Mayor earlier this year.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Mayor Boris Johnson will today meet some of the brightest young students in the capital at the London Schools and the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards. The event is organised by Diane Abbott MP and follows on from the education conference supported by the Mayor earlier this year.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: “In these testing times we must not lose sight of the fact that education is the key to fulfilling great ambitions. I am supporting plans for a number of new school academies and if these proposals go ahead we will provide students with a wide range of opportunities and support to raise their aspirations and achieve their career goals.
“The election of Barack Obama has been a beacon of hope to millions across the world amidst testing times. One of the highlights of my year has been meeting him in person and I hope every young person, and in particular black children have embraced the ‘yes we can’ attitude when it comes to achieving their goals. The young academic achievers attending today are great role models and must be applauded for their determination and hard work at school and I look forward to congratulating them all personally.”
Diane Abbott said: “We’ve got stars like Naomie Harris and Christine Ohuruogu as well as top politicians out to celebrate the achievements of our next generation of leaders. The students this year are better than ever. Not only have they achieved some of the best grades in the country they’ve done it whilst learning to speak English for the first time, looking after the elderly in care homes, volunteering in soup kitchens and even overcoming learning difficulties. These awards show that contrary to popular opinion, black students are amongst the best in the country. Black students are not just trouble-makers or NVQ-takers, they are the lawyers, doctors and leaders of tomorrow.”
Young nominees at the event include: · Craig Poku aged 16, gained 6 A*s and 6 As at GCSE at Bishop Thomas Grant in Streatham. He often stayed up until 1am in the morning studying and was a school prefect, raise money for local charities and learn to play the piano. · Tanesha Bryan aged 18 gained 3 As at A level and 1 B at AS Level at St Angela Ursuline school in Forest Gate. She dreams of being an educational psychologist so she can help local kids do better at school. She has undertaken work experience in Hackney schools and has currently deferred her university place ( UCL ) to spend a year working at a Forest Gate school. · Tommy Williams aged 18 gained 4 As in his A Levels and 1 A at AS Level at Leyton Sixth Form College. He is a mentor for younger students at his school and was a student ambassador. He is the first student in the borough to gain a place on Oxford University’s most competitive course ( Economics and Management ).
The awards, which were set up by Diane Abbott MP in 2006 and have been supported by UBS since then, aim to celebrate top achieving Black students. London Mayor Boris Johnson, Education Minister Iain Wright, “Pirates of the Caribbean” actress Naomie Harris, Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph, England football coach Hope Powell and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu will all be at the event. Ends
Notes to Editors
1. The LSBC Academic Achievement Awards will take place in the evening of the 2nd October 2009 at the House of Commons. The LSBC Awards are sponsored by UBS Investment Bank. Members of the press wishing to attend the LSBC Awards Ceremony should contact Caitlin Farrow on 0207 219 4426 or farrowc@parliament.uk. 2. The London Schools and the Black Child initiative aims to raise the achievement levels of Black students. The Academic Achievement Awards recognise the young Black students who are contradicting negative stereotypes by achieving very high academic grades. The students were all educated in London state schools. Many of the students have overcome barriers such as racism, poverty and starting life in a new country 3. Plans for the first two London Mayoral supported Academies have just been given Government approval by the Secretary of State for Schools, Children and Families to proceed and will now begin the feasibility and consultation stages, under the partnership of the Mayor, the LDA the Academies Enterprise Trust, an Essex based non profit making organisation committed to raising school standards. 4. Mayor Boris Johnson will host a Carnival themed Black History Month event at City Hall on Thursday 8th October at 6.30pm. The vent will explore the history of carnival and include live, musical performances and debate. Media wishing to attend should email communitydesk@london’gov.uk
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