Jessica, Jamieson Shine among glittering youth in the Hills
JESSICA Peake, the school captain for Castle Hill High School, and Jamieson Hedges from Glenhaven Public School, have been crowned 2017 Shine overall winners in the high school and primary sections respectively in the excellence awards.
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JESSICA Peake, the school captain for Castle Hill High School, and Jamieson Hedges from Glenhaven Public School, have been crowned 2017 Shine overall winners in the high school and primary sections respectively in the excellence awards.
The two youngsters have shown immense promise which has been recognised at the annual awards hosted by Castle Hill RSL and Castle Towers.
Jessica, a Max Potential Ambassador, has plenty of achievements under her belt, having won the Long Tan Defence Award for Leadership and Teamwork, Lions Club Middle School Award for School Service while also being on the Student Representative Council from 2014-2016.
“I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been this year’s recipient of the Shine Scholarship as it was totally unexpected,” Jessica said.
“I am exceedingly grateful that I have been recognised for my efforts both within and outside of school.
“I am heavily immersed in many aspects of school life (peer support leader and mentor, peer tutor, school captain, student representative council, prefect, Kenthurst preschool fete volunteer, Relay for Life participant) — and if I see an opportunity to step up, help and participate, I will.
“I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to contribute to the community and make a difference through my work with mental health, largely thanks to the Max Potential Youth Leadership Program.
“It is something that I am so passionate about and that I intend to continue.
“This award has only strengthened my motivation to keep striving to achieve and serve my school and the wider community to the best of my ability.”
Jamieson has a remarkable list too, across several fields, including academics, dance, cross country, football and cricket.
“Sitting in the Castle Hill auditorium with so many talented children, I wasn’t sure if I had any chance of an award,” Jessica said.
“When my name didn’t come up on the very last finalist board I thought I may not be getting anything at all.
“I was in shock when my name was called as academic winner, and then completely overwhelmed when I was named overall primary schools winner.
“I am really grateful to my teachers, coaches and family who support me and believe in me, and to the RSL and Castle Towers for this recognition.”
Jamieson has a remarkable list too, across several fields, including academics, dance, cross country, football, touch football, AFL and cricket.
Jamieson has scored straight A’s across all key learning areas, was the Dux this year, done accelerated mathematics, being a finalist in the public speaking competition, and been a member of the Dance of Champions Boys Dance Troupe, and the winning team for the
Hills Dance Spectacular and a member of Student Representative Council 2017.
Jamieson too said he was overwhelmed by the honour.
“Sitting in the Castle Hill auditorium with so many talented children, I wasn’t sure if I had any chance of an award,” Jamieson said.
“When my name didn’t come up on the very last finalist board I thought I may not be getting anything at all.
“I was in shock when my name was called as academic winner, and then completely overwhelmed when I was named overall primary schools winner.
“I am really grateful to my teachers, coaches and family who support me and believe in me, and to the RSL and Castle Towers for this recognition.”
The organisers said they were delighted at the standard of the winners.
“Castle Towers is proud to support the SHINE program, recognising the outstanding achievements of youth in the Hills community,” Castle Towers Senior Marketing Manager Jacinda Robinson said.
“The successes of the children in our community is something for us all to be very proud of.”
Warren Glenny, president Castle Hill RSL Group, said: “Our future is in the finest hands, congratulations to all winners of the 2017 Castle Hill RSL and Castle Towers Shine Awards, recognising educational excellence and achievement in academia, music & the arts, leadership and community and sporting endeavourers”.
Winners:
Shine overall winners: High School: Jessica Peake (Castle Hill High School); Primary School: Jamieson Hedges (Glenhaven Public School)
Other winners:
Shine high school academic: Janet shin (James Ruse Agricultural High School)
Shine primary school academic: Jamieson Hedges (GlenhavenPublic School)
Shine High School leadership & community: Jessica Peake (Castle Hill High School)
Shine primary school leadership & community: Lucy Borg (Kellyville Public School)
Shine primary school sport: Emily Crawford (Pacific Hills Christian School) athletics, netball, touch football, AFL, Oztag, basketball
Shine high School sport: Lara Azzopardi (Model Farms High School) ice hockey selected for the Australian team for the 2018 Women’s World Championships in Poland from January 6-13; helped Australia win their division I qualifying event in 2017.
Shine high school music and the arts: Ivan Yip (Pacific Hills Christian School)
Shine primary school music and the arts: Annalise Besters (St Bernadette’s Primary School).