Tiffin girls nominated for national academy awards
7:00am Sunday 24th June 2012 in Where I Live By Clare Buchanan
L-R Ellie Moore, Sarah Howden, Amelia Brown, and Cindy Lam. Front L-R Ann Sebastian and Jimin Choi have been shortlisted for academy awards
Schoolgirls are celebrating after being selected as finalists for awards that recognise excellence and success.
The six Tiffin Girls’ School pupils will travel to Nottingham in July to find out if they have won the Academy Excellence Awards 2012 that were entered by more than 300 academies.
Headteacher Vanessa Ward said: “We are delighted that Amelia, Cindy, Ellie, Sarah, Jimin and Ann have progressed through to the shortlist.
“This is a prestigious new educational awards scheme and we are thrilled that Tiffin Girls’ School will be represented.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed that they win at the awards ceremony next month, but nevertheless this is a brilliant achievement.”
The Kingston girls wrote essays on art, chemistry, English, music, physics and design and technology, answering questions set by experts at the University of Nottingham.
The entries were judged by a panel including musician Jamie Cullum and director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne.
Tiffin student Amelia Brown wrote about the possibility of innovations such as the iPhone or iPad changing visual arts, while classmate Jimin Choi asked if music contributed to happiness and well-being.
Ellie Moore’s essay on designing a cooking stove for a remote community to improve quality of life and well-being was selected by inventor and designer Emily Cummins.
Dr Chris Smith, presenter of BBC science radio programme the Naked Scientists, chose Cindy Lam’s essay on chemical conundrums for the chemistry category.
He said: “I am really honoured to be taking part in the Academy Excellence Awards as a firm believer that chemistry can improve our lives.”
Only five essays in each of the 12 subject categories were put forward and the winning entry stands to win a £1,000 prize and work placement.
The awards, which are in their second year, celebrate the achievements of students aged 16 to 19 studying at academies across the country.
For more information, visit academyexcellenceawards. co.uk.
