Jack Petchey Foundation awards 2024

At the award ceremony at the Arts Depot - North Finchley

 

We've had hundreds of Jack Petchey Foundation award winners over the years, and 2024 is no different. Although, sadly, Sir Jack passed away this summer at almost 99-years-old - his legacy lives on stronger than ever, as does the foundation and his extraordinary philanthropy.

 

Here are some of our latest nominations, some from staff and some from fellow students.

  

Jakub - He’s demonstrated great strength and morale even in spite of losing his best friend at such an important time in his education. He undoubtedly is there for others and has supported friends through their grief. He has shown leadership by organising a petition.

 

Jakub told us "My nomination for the JP award was for showing strength and morale by starting a petition to raise awareness about knife crime, following the passing of my best friend Harry. We got around 2500 signatures which was pretty good.

 

I also got in touch with Thru Life which is charity based in Tottenham. They helped to start a football programme for friends of Harry, especially for guys who find it hard to talk about these things - we started a program where young men can come and play football - it was all about talking and remembering our friend. It’s what got me through this year and kept me coming to college. With the Thru Life charity, Id like to spend the JP award money organising football tournaments for boys and girls at the college - maybe a cup in Harry’s name or something.

 

I was so surprised to get the award. I think that a lot of the time, most people don’t feel they are deserving of good things - and I didn’t really realise I was doing something good by remembering my friend in this way, I just thought I was doing what I had to do. But maybe I’ve done more than I had to… and that’s very empowering and I actually feel happy about what I’ve done, I feel proud about it."

 

 

Maria - She gives her time and knowledge to others and goes out of her way to help people, even if she does not know them well them, going above and beyond when it comes to kindness. She overcame considerable personal challenges and has worked assiduously all through the year, attaining and maintaining high grades and yet is so quietly unassuming with remarkable humility.

 

Maria said “I was surprised to get the award as I don’t know a lot of people. I’m giving the award money to our science department to use it for practical equipment as I’m studying Maths Biology and Chemistry. I really like the teachers and my lessons at Woodhouse, they make things really easy to understand.” 

 

Kyryl -  He is a kind and hardworking person who inspires everyone around him to further advance their knowledge. He always gives out a helping hand to anyone in need of some help. Further, he has shown leadership by always choosing himself to do the more 'uncomfortable' things during group activities such as speaking in front of the class and supporting other people in the group. Also, even after school he encourages his friends to message him if they need help which is very useful and allows students to feel more confident when tackling a difficult question at home knowing there is someone always willing to help.

 

 

Marcus - Towards the start of the school year when lower sixth were new and many people did not know many others, Marcus went completely beyond his responsibilities as one of the people who ran the Dungeons and Dragons Society at Woodhouse and gave us new students a safe space to be ourselves and make friends through playing D&D, which he hosted for a small group of us every week throughout the school year. He did everything he could to make everyone feel as welcome and comfortable as possible, even though it was the first-time taking part in something like this for many of us. Without him, many of us would not have developed the wonderful friendships and made the lovely memories we have done. He is truly a lovely and compassionate person who has given so much of his already busy time for lower sixth students he at first didn't even know, and for this I think he is deserving of this award as for this I feel he fits all of the above for demonstrating leadership, being an inspiration and overcoming barriers!

 

 

Maya - For her work in the local community, she is a scout volunteer which gives her a wide range of responsibilities from educating the next generation of scouts from a range of things from first aid to axe and saw training. She has organised fairs to raise money for a range of charities, most recently North London Hospice. She has also helped organise and attended luncheons for the elderly community in the local area which helps encourage socialisation between elderly members of the community who may struggle to do so regularly. She has not only inspired me to contribute more to our local community, but also her friends and family and the next generation of scouts!

 

Sadiq - He is one of the heads of ISOC our Islamic Society, which demonstrates his organisational skills and leadership. In computer science, he puts in effort into finding learning resources and revision notes and sharing them with the rest of the class, as well as always being kind to others. He has been an inspiration to me and helped many classmates with their studies. He has dedicated countless hours to helping others achieve their goals, in our college and outside of college as well.