St Helens College Oustanding Academic Achievement: the nominees (From St Helens Star)

St Helens College Oustanding Academic Achievement: the nominees

11:31am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

Here are the nominees for the St Helens College Outstanding Academic Achievement award.

 

Jessica Southward 

The ambition of Carmel College student Jessica (18), from Sutton, to become a doctor was said to be at the heart of a remarkable commitment to her ‘A’ level studies. Conscientious and determined, Jess, a synchronised swimmer who has competed at national championship, is described as a “lovely young lady who will make a real difference in the field”.

She has earned praise for balancing her studies with her sporting commitments. The former St Cuthberts secondary school pupil, who earned two A*s and three As at A-level, is said to provide clear evidence that hard work brings its rewards.

Luke Hughes

Twenty-year-old Luke suffers from the condition Cholesteatoma, a type of growth situated between his left ear and the brain. In the past three years he has had four major operations to trim and remove the growth, leaving him deaf in his left ear and suffering from eye problems and nerve damage.

Despite this life-threatening illness, defiant Luke, a Sutton cricketer, completed his GCSEs at Cowley Language College. In November 2011 he had major surgery to remove the growth and was told it would either be successful or do irreparable damage. He chose to go ahead to remove the growth to enable him to move on with his life.

He later went to study at Myerscough College at Old Trafford Cricket Ground Campus, completing an extended diploma in cricket studies. Luke, of Marshalls Cross Road, is now studying a degree in cricket coaching and management at the University of Central Lancashire.

Rebecca Dineley

Rebecca, a pupil at Longton Lane Primary School, Rainhill since 2008, was born with Crouzon Syndrome, which affects her facial features and causes speech difficulties.

This year the eight-year-old underwent major surgery to correct her disability, an operation which resulted in her having to wear a large facial brace frame for months. However, she astounded school teachers by asking for homework to be sent to her while recovering. She also demanded to return to class just a month after the surgery.

She returned to school with her usual cheery and determined personality and was not fazed by wearing the brace. Staff say no-one would have been surprised if her school work had suffered. But it is to her enormous credit that she remained dedicated and has flourished.