Prizes For Outstanding Contribution To The School
Heart Of Westwood
This award is reserved for pupils in Year 8 who have made a substantial contribution to life at Westwood. Whilst a large portion of the Prize Giving is reserved for those pupils soon to leave us, it is a particular privilege to celebrate those who will follow in their footsteps.
Heart of Westwood The girl chosen for this award has been involved in every area of school life in a such a positive way – whether it is on the sports field, helping others around the school or just being a person who brings out the best in others. She has always worked quietly with motivation and resilience and everything she does is always to the best of her ability from her academic studies through to showing kindness and consideration to others. Her smile is ever present and she is the embodiment of humility, kindness and service. She really does personify that doing your best is more important than wanting to be the best. It was been a privilege to watch this young lady blossom over the last two years. She really does have a heart of gold.
The boy chosen for this award is unfailingly jolly, kind, polite, positive and smiley. He shows resolve when he meets a challenge. He is diligent in all that he does. He can be relied upon to successfully show prospective pupils around the House and is confident in adult company. He embraces all that holistic education offers, enjoying activities which allow for academic extension, athletic development, enjoyment of the outdoors and music. He regularly attends more than two activities a day and completed his Gold Award in both Year 7 and 8; he is in short a great advert for life in Westwood. He has been a member of various B teams having not played some of the school sports before. He has also worked hard to improve his swimming. He is well liked and respected by his peers and has had roles of responsibility within the day and boarding parts of Westwood this year.
For 2020 the Heart of Westwood Prize is awarded to Gaby and Max.
The Charlotte Hecquet Butterfly Award for Fine Art
The Charlotte Hecquet Butterfly Award for Fine Art this year is presented to a pupil with an exceptional commitment to the subject, who is also willing to push herself beyond the expected level. An accomplished sculptor, designer, and installation artist in her own right, this year’s award goes to Rhea, for her achievement in Fine Art.
The Duchars Award for Art
This award, in memory of the late Keith Duchars, is in recognition of outstanding creative achievement and high ability within Fine Art. This year the award goes to a pupil who has worked with conviction, passion and genuine independence throughout the Sixth Form. She may best be described as a multi-media artist with an interest in installation. The winner of The Duchars Award 2020 is Molly.
John Allison Memorial Award
The John Allison Award is a special prize given to a student who has excelled in the field of design. This award recognises someone who has explored ideas, experimented and challenged themselves, whilst developing an array of new skills through the pursuit of solutions to their chosen design problem. This year’s winner has done all of these things and they have faced many technical challenges and difficulties in this process. They have worked hard to resolve their final design and to prove the concept is sound. The Department has decided that because of all of these factors and their pursuit of excellence, the award this year goes to Sophie.
Sullivan Drama Prize
The Sullivan Drama prize is for the best individual performer. This was particularly difficult decision this year as there have been some exceptional performances – not least by Joe Bruce who took on the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the senior production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. As Joe won the Best Actor award at KATS in June, it was decided that the Sullivan prize this year should go to an actor who has played a myriad of roles across his time at Kingswood – including the infamous Willy Wonka. This year they took on the role of ‘Kenneth’ from the play ‘The Woman who Cooked her Husband’ by Deborah Issitt and did a brilliant job of highlighting the grotesque comedy of the piece. The Sullivan Drama prize this year is awarded to Sam.
"Golden Mask"
The Golden Mask is awarded to a student who has given exceptional services to Drama. This year’s recipient studied GCSE and A Level Drama and has been a key part of the team for five years. Mostly found lurking in the tech box or darkened corners sporting black clothes and a big smile, he has been designing and operating tech with skill, creativity and positivity. He has achieved great success in all of his assessments, always being the first to sign up for every school event, and recently led the tech team who ran KATS 2020 remotely which was an enormous task. A calm, responsible and extremely hard working techie and designer, this year the Golden Mask is awarded to James.
Tom Pritchard Music & Drama Award
The Tom Pritchard award is given to a student who has been actively involved with both Music and Drama. In the musical sphere, this year's recipient has been a hugely committed member of Chamber Choir, holding her own in the alto section. She has also been a key member of KJO and has contributed so much in her time at Kingswood, at all the major concerts and events. Also a fine guitarist, this student is all-round musician who plays with great sensitivity. She is also a versatile actress, entertaining audiences as Blousey Brown in Bugsy Malone, Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream and a German Spy in The 39 Steps in her time at Kingswood. This year’s winner of the Tom Pritchard award is Tara.
The Jean Pratten Prize for Music
Awarded to the student who has made an outstanding contribution to the musical life of the school, this prize recognises someone on whom the Music Department has been able to rely for performances at all kinds of concerts and events over the years. This year’s winner has long been a fixture in the Music Department, be it performing with KJO at Green Park, singing in the choirs, or playing in Orchestra and Clarinet ensemble. This musician plays with such musicality and ease, and has most recently taken up the mantle of leading the Whole School Service band. For his dedication and commitment to music at Kingswood, this year’s winner is Johnny.
The Dikran A. Knadjian Award for Medicine
This prize is awarded in memory of Dikran A. Knadjian, an Old Kingswoodian medical student who tragically disappeared 40 years ago whilst on holiday in America. His family endowed a prize to be awarded each year to a member of the Upper Sixth who intends to pursue a career in Medicine. This year’s prize is awarded to Ella.
Rebecca Bleathman Travel Scholarship
The Rebecca Bleathman Travel Scholarship Award allows an A Level student studying French the chance to spend some time in France improving their language and comprehension skills. It is also an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of daily life in France as well explore the many interesting aspects of French culture. We are delighted to announce that Evelyn has been awarded this year’s scholarship.
The President’s Prize for contribution to Science
The recipient of this prize this year is a naturally gifted scientist with a highly original way of thinking, combined with the ability to look at scientific issues from several different, and often totally novel, viewpoints. He has kept his teachers on their toes with his appetite to really understand the subject matter and was rightly awarded a Gold award in the Chemistry Olympiad. He also worked as part of a Year 13 team experimenting with superconductors in the Big Bang competition this year. He is possibly the only student who was capable of writing a poem about titrations and a song about rates of reaction. For his excellent contribution to Science in his time at Kingswood, the President’s Prize is awarded to Henry.
E.P. Thompson Prize
This prize was established by Steve Pagan, former Head of History “For passionate and independent scholarship”. E P Thompson was an Old Boy of Kingswood, one of the most famous historians of the twentieth century. This year’s recipient chose a challenging topic for his coursework, researching with real enthusiasm, identifying and obtaining relevant resources independently, reading widely and immersing himself in the period. For his essay examining the extent to which political instability was the main reason for the outbreak of the French Wars of Religion, the E.P. Thompson Prize goes to Johnny.
The William Cross Prize for Politics
This prize is awarded in memory of William Cross, who tragically passed away in May 2016. William was passionate about Politics, his interest extending far beyond the classroom to involvement in local campaigns and political activism. He was a student of deeply held convictions and someone who was unafraid to stand up for what he believed in, even when that meant challenging the majority view. In recognition of these qualities, William’s parents decided to donate a prize to be awarded annually to a student whose ideals have led them to take an active role in the community, and whose actions stand as an example of what young people can contribute to the world of politics.This year the prize is awarded to a student who has led the way in promoting inclusion, understanding and respect for minority groups at Kingswood. She has helped to organise a “Show Racism the Red Card” Day, taking the lead in putting together an assembly to raise awareness. She has also been an influential figure in the Pride group, again contributing to assemblies. More recently, she has chaired the cultural discussion group activity, and in this as in other areas her leadership has provided an impressive example to both her peers and the younger students. Thoughtful and empathetic, pupils of all ages have turned to her for advice and support, and her counsel will be much missed next year. The William Cross Prize for 2020 is awarded to Davida.
Model United Nations Cup
This prize is awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to Kingswood’s MUN programme, achieving success as a delegate and playing an important role in the organisation and leadership of our own event. She was awarded Best Delegate on the Human Rights Committee at Bristol Grammar School’s conference and in March led our own event as Secretary General, delivering one of the best opening speeches we have seen in years. This year, the Model United Nations Cup is awarded to Alexandra Forbes-Cable.
Kingswood Debating Cup
The Kingswood Debating Cup this year goes to someone who has confidently represented the school in a wide variety of debating competitions over the years and has developed into a charismatic and insightful orator and debater. His powerful speech on the decriminalisation of drugs was the highlight of this year's Sixth Form house debating competition. This year the Kingswood Debating Cup goes to Johnny.
The Grove Trophy
The Grove Trophy was left by an old girl, Amanda Grove, in recognition of a girl pupil’s commitment and contribution to sport at Kingswood. There was much deliberation as to who should receive the award this year. There were a number of girls in contention for this award, notably Martha, Jess and Miya, but in the end the award went to another huge contributor to girls’ sport throughout her time at Kingswood. The winner of the Grove Trophy is Holly.
The Sandy Burgon Cup
Mr Burgon, a teacher for 25 years at Kingswood, established an award for a student who has shown exceptional commitment and ability in a sport practised mainly outside Kingswood. This year the award is shared between two students who have shown exceptional talent and dedication on water. Emma and Jamie have both represented their country sailing - Emma in the 29er category and Jamie in the Topper class. Last summer Emma competed at the World Championships in Gydnia, Poland, the European Championships in Italy and Kiel Week in Germany as part of the British team and would have participated in further regattas if the Covid crisis had not arisen. Jamie represented the UK at the Topper World Championships in China and has also qualified as a Dinghy Instructor, teaching underprivileged kids from local schools in Dartmouth. Both Emma and Jamie are very worthy recipients of the Sandy Burgon Cup.
Warmann Shield (Team Award)
This award was donated by the four Warmann brothers who contributed enormously to School sport in their time at Kingswood but who were very firm believers in the team being more important than the individual. It has been another very successful year for our teams. In particular some of the Junior teams have excelled in all three terms with our Year 7 boys enjoying a particularly successful first year in both the terms played. Our U14 Girls have also had two very successful terms whilst at the Senior end our Cross country team has won several events and the Senior team has been particularly successful. Our swimmers continue to enjoy plenty of success and the U14 and U15 boys hockey sides both enjoyed plenty of regional success. However, this year the award goes to a team who were on the verge of National success having progressed in the Cup competition passed a strong and fancied Bromsgrove side. They also remained unbeaten on a strong local circuit and were among the strongest hockey sides Kingswood has ever produced. The Warmann shield winners for 2020 are the 1st XI hockey side.
The Chaplain’s Award for Charity
This is awarded in recognition of a student’s work to support charitable causes as an expression of our Wesleyan commitment to ‘do all the good we can…to all the people we can’. This year’s recipient has given unstinting and generous support to projects in Malawi, in spite of the understandable cancellation of the Malawi trip this year. This year, the Chaplain’s Award for Charity is presented to Evelyn.
Juba Prize
This Year’s Juba Prize winner has taken advantage of many opportunities at Kingswood and has also shown initiative and determination in his activities outside school. He is a modest young man who has contributed meaningfully to everything that he has been involved in, helping to create a positive environment both inside and outside the classroom. He has always quietly gone about giving of his best, whether this is in Rugby, Athletics, Duke of Edinburgh or Music. Outside of school he has shown the initiative to arrange various activities at universities which have broadened his knowledge and skills. He has also developed into a talented fencer, last year competing for a place in the National Youth Championships. His kind, considerate manner made him an natural choice for Senior Prefect and he has helped set a lovely tone around the school. He has also supported House activities and has been happy to take on extra responsibility. This year, the Juba Prize is awarded to Sam.
Richard Neal Memorial Prize
This prize is awarded to the kind of person who is always there being positive, making things happen, suggesting good ideas, and tidying up afterwards, without seeking praise or recognition. It could also be described as the ‘unsung hero award’. For his unstinting support behind the scenes in the running of the Theatre, as well as his service to the School as Deputy Head Boy, this year’s award goes to James.
Friends of Kingswood Silver Salver
The award this year goes to a student who has really embraced the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. She has a great gift for including others; she has for instance led the Pride Group with distinction and has always been approachable and empathetic. Her quiet determination and commitment to positive change is an example to us all. The most worthy winner of this year’s Friends of Kingswood Silver Salver is Charlie.
The Burns Family Leadership Prize
The Burns Family Leadership Prize was awarded by Mr Burns, our previous Chair of Governors. Sadly, Mr Burns passed away nearly two years ago, but very generously left an endowment for the School in his will. Part of this endowment will from now fund this significant leadership prize. The prize is awarded to a student or students whose leadership is characterized by a great sense of service. This year the prize is awarded to Alex.
Jo Heap Trophy
The strength of sport at Kingswood School is based around the principle of everyone contributing to the best of their ability. It is with this in mind that the Kingswood Association felt that it was particularly pertinent to present a prize which recognised two students who encapsulated the philosophy of competing enthusiastically at whatever sport and for whichever team they were asked to play in without it necessarily being at the top level. (Jo Heap, the donator of the trophies, was himself a sportsman who played wholeheartedly though not always at the top level.) As you would expect at Kingswood there were several contenders for these awards: On the boys’ side, Henry and George would both have been very worthy recipients, but in the end the award went to a student who represented 4 teams in all three terms at various levels. This year the Heap trophy for Boys goes to Matthew Cheung. For the girls there were also worthy considerations for Molly and Francesca, but in the end the award went to someone who has been determined and reliable throughout the year, always willing to play wholeheartedly for whichever team she was selected in; the winner of the Heap trophy for Girls goes to Emily.
