Awards evening 2023

Last night Sheldon hosted our 35th annual Awards Evening celebrating outstanding achievements of our students. This is the most prestigious event in our school calendar and an opportunity to reward young people who have shown extraordinary standards in their work, commitment and citizenship. The event was compered by our Deputy Headteacher, Dr Alison Simpson and included addresses by Louise Carver, Chair of Governors, and Headteacher, Peter Lynch. It also featured performances by our fantastic Sheldon musicians, lead by our Craig Goldsworthy, Head of Music.

Sheldon was delighted to welcome back former pupil and CEO of NSPCC, Sir Peter Wanless as our keynote speaker and presenter of the prestigious Newsam and Beale Awards for contribution to student life. In his speech, Sir Peter outlined his top six lessons for life:

1. Be kind
2. Be brave
3. Be the best version of yourself (rather than waste time trying to be someone else)
4. Use your head, but follow your heart
5. Appreciate your mum if you are lucky enough to have one
6. Whatever the sport, beat Hardenhuish!

We think everyone at Sheldon can agree with those life lessons and are delighted that the values of our school are so wonderfully reflected in our alumni and current students.

Sir Peter grew up in Chippenham and attended Sheldon School between 1976 and 1983. His connection to the school runs deep as his father also taught music at the school for many years. After graduating from Leeds University with a First Class honours degree in International History and Politics, Sir Peter moved to London to work as a civil servant in the Treasury and Department for Education. In 2013 he was appointed CEO of the NSPCC and in 2021 was awarded knighthood for services to Children, to Young People and to the Charitable Sector during the New Year’s Honours.

All the students receiving awards were chosen by their teachers and tutors for their achievements during the 2022-2023 school year. Among the awards handed out were:

• Head’s Award - recognising academic excellence
•  Community Award - for service to the school and community
• Royster Award – commemorating Bill Royster;s work with MFL, awarded to exceptional Year 12 pupils
• Octoprint Design Technology Award – presented by Octoprint to the outstanding D&T student
• Chippenham Twinning Association Awards – presented for excellence in MFL in Y11 and 12
• Rotary Club’s Community Award – awarded for service to community, inside and out of school
• Scholars Award – awarded for contribute to the school community
• Lydia Harding Award – presented to students who have shown courage and determination in their school life
• Sally Scott Award – awarded for determination, enthusiasm and continued hard work
• Beale Trophy – for outstanding contribution to school life in Year 11. This award commemorates the many years of service by Joan Stopford Beale, the first Chair of Governors of Sheldon School
• Newsam Award – for outstanding contribution to school life in Year 9. This award was presented to the school by Mrs Eleanor Newsam who retired in 1990 after 35 years of distinguished service to education in Chippenham.

We’d like to thank all the staff and generous supporters who help make our Awards Evening so special. This includes the Chippenham Floral Society for the beautiful arrangements;  Innovate Impact Food Group for our refreshments; Octoprint for printing the programme and sponsoring an award; Sporting Gifts providing engraving and awards; Mike Pritchard and Richard Markey for sound and lighting; Sheldon Musicians and Craig Goldsworthy, Head of Music; our Head Prefects and Sixth Form Co-Presidents; and all of the staff that dedicated so much time organising the evening.