'The Positivity of Youth' celebrated at Bridgewater School's Annual Prize-Giving
Inspirational fundraiser and Manchester Arena survivor joins School Head to award 150 pupils at the ceremony
Bridgewater School in Worsley welcomed special guest, Freya Lewis, inspirational fundraiser and survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing, to help celebrate the success of its pupils at the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony, held last week (Thursday 27th September 2018).
A total 150 students were recognised by Headmistress, Judy Nairn, Freya Lewis and other special guests including The Ceremonial Mayor of the City of Salford, Councillor 
Ronnie Wilson, at the ceremony, which was themed “The Positivity of Youth” at The Victoria Hall in Bolton.
Awards were presented for outstanding achievements across the arts, sports, sciences and individual academic achievements, including:
• The Senior Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Art – presented by Freya and won by pupil Amba Entwistle, for her Manchester ‘Bee’ mural at Monton, Salford
• The Georgia Friendship Award (in memory of former pupil, Georgia Murray) – presented by Georgia’s father, Steve Murray. Won by Anna Cumberland
• The Chris Percival Physics Award (in honour of former teacher who died of breast cancer) – presented by Freya and won by Yasmeen Abou-Ragheb, Joe Corcoran and Alia Zaki
• The Christopher Tickle Gold Award (in memory of former student) – presented by Christopher’s father, Keith Tickle and won by Lily Adams.
Other notable successes included:
• ISA (Independent Schools Association) U11 North Kwik Cricket Champions
• ISA U9 Tag Rugby Champions
• U16 Basketball Team – Salford U16 League Champions and Cup Winners
• Jade Bailey – ISA U19 North of England Cross Country Champion
Mrs Nairn, headmistress, Bridgewater School congratulated the students on their attainments, she said: “The last academic year has been a year packed with opportunities. A year full of so much success, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of all our students who have worked so hard to achieve their personal best.
“At Bridgewater we truly believe in our overarching vision and aim of what we want our school to be in the future, that is – to encourage all pupils to grow and become learners for life in a caring family school where quality work and endeavor is celebrated and pride is shared in personal, individual and group achievement. To develop pupils’ moral, social and cultural understanding and to learn sensitivity to each other’s needs and the needs of the world outside school.
“Earlier this summer, a group of Sixth Formers took part in an expedition to Tanzania, during which they participated in a community project that, in their own words, ‘literally changed their lives’, giving them an appreciation of what it means to have nothing of any material value and yet still be truly happy, a lesson for us all.
“Tonight is about our students and all of their successes and achievements and is about being inspired by everything positive in the youth of today.”
Freya Lewis, who has raised almost £60,000 for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity, after sustaining serious injuries from the Manchester Arena bomb attack, addressed the audience in an inspirational speech. She said: “What happened on the 22 May 2017 showed the very darkest side of humanity. However, so many things that I have experienced since have shown me and my family how amazing people can be.”
She added: “Since the MEN Arena Attack, I have always tried to look forwards, never backwards, and there have been so many positive things that have happened to me in the last 12 months. I’ve been lucky enough to meet the Duchess of Cornwall (3 times!), along with lots of other celebrities, and have won the NHS Young Fundraiser award. I am also now proudly an ambassador for the High Sheriff of Manchester. I feel incredibly honoured to have been invited to be here with you today; thank you so much.”
The Prize-giving ceremony follows a successful set of A-level and GCSE examination results for the school, achieving outstanding pass rates of 98% and 94% respectively.
Mrs Nairn, headmistress of Bridgewater School, explained how Freya was an ongoing motivation to young people with her ‘can-do’ attitude, humility and gratitude. She added: “It is an honour to be joined by Freya and her family, who embody optimism through their continued efforts to help others less fortunate than themselves. We can all take inspiration from their actions and that is why I invited Freya to our prize-giving, to help celebrate and motivate us all – teachers, parents and our pupils – to strive for the very best that they can achieve.”
More than 600 guests, parents, teachers and students attended the event.
For more information about Bridgewater School, please visit http://www.bridgewater-school.co.uk
