Ark students were celebrated at an inaugural award ceremony for the Helenswood and William Parker Sports and Arts bursaries.
The event was attended by Rt Hon Amber Rudd, who awarded the successful students with their bursaries. The afternoon was interspersed with music and dance performances from Ark Helenswood and Ark William Parker students, who showcased their talents for the audience. The schools have long-standing traditions of performing arts and sport, respectively.
Ms Rudd said: “I was delighted to be invited to present scholarships to students of Ark William Parker and Ark Helenswood schools on Friday following their recent launch of a new bursary programme to recognise students that show dedication in the Sports and the Arts.”
“It was a genuine pleasure to enjoy the high standard of dancing and singing performances by the students and the excellent quality of the choreography. Clearly it would have taken many hours of dedicated practice by such enthusiastic students and their teachers to achieve such stunning results.”
Inspiring speeches from successful students highlighted how the bursaries will help them follow their passion and offered a glimpse of potential future stars.
Yvonne Powell, Executive Principal said: “It was a pleasure to be able to recognise those students who have shown dedication and outstanding commitment in the sports and the arts. We hope that their bursaries will help in supporting them in pursuing their dreams.”
To be eligible for an award, students had to show a dedication to their specialism and have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their school. The bursary award is meant to help them pursue their interests and their further education, with some financial support.
Ark William Parker and Ark Helenswood Academy will be joining together in September of this year to form Ark Alexandra Academy. The newly combined school will continue its predecessor schools’ emphasis on sport and the performing arts – combined with a rigorous academic curriculum.
A Parent evening for Year 6 pupils interested in attending Ark Alexandra will take place at the Helenswood lower school site Tuesday 19th March – 5.30-6.30pm.
Open mornings are being held at both the Helenswood lower school site, and the William Parker site on Wednesday 20th March – 9-10.30am.