The Argus, Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Outstanding Pupil of the Year

ETHAN HOLMES TOM WOODWARD
TOM Woodward scored A*s and As in his exams to secure a place at the prestigious University of Bristol. However, Toms story is all the more incredible given that the 18-year-old underwent three rounds of intense chemotherapy in the middle of his exams having been diagnosed with testicular cancer. While many others would have struggled to cope, Toms determination to succeed saw him do just that. His reward came during the summer on results day when he opened his envelope to find he had been accepted onto his university of choice. The Brighton College student has since been given the all-clear and is set for a promising future. LITTLE Ethan has had a tough start to his life. His brother died when he was four and he was singled out as an emotionally disturbed child at school. After months of agony struggling to fit in, he was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, auditory processing disorder, dyslexia and hyper mobility in his joints. But this was just the start of his problems. He moved from school to school, struggling to adjust. He suffered bullying and his childhood years began to slip away. But through his determination and drive and thanks to a move to a special school, Ethan started to turn the corner. His grades continued to improve, he met and made new friends and his whole outlook had changed. Now school is broken up for summer, he cant wait to go back. Ethan is an amazing little boy who refused to let his condition get in the way of happiness. The future is very bright.

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TOM MILNE
LONGHILL High School pupil Tom Milne lost his mother just prior to starting at the Rottingdean school. But despite his personal tragedy, he has and continues to excel in his academic work. He has never missed a day at school and always approaches lessons with enthusiasm and a will to learn But not only is Tom a high performing pupil, he is also a role model for his peers. Teacher, Aoife Lynch, who put the youngster forward for the award said: He is kind, genuine, sincere and honest and most of all humble. Tom has had more to deal with than most in his personal life but he has not let this have any negative impact on his school life. He always greets everyone he meets with a smile and thanks his teachers at the end of every lesson. I have no doubt that he will be successful at college and go onto university from there. I have never met a student who you could more aptly describe as an outstanding student in all of my years as a teacher.

Beyond the Call of Duty

SANDY AUSTEN
THROUGH her work as the chairwoman of the Friends of Downs View School, Sandy Austen has helped countless youngsters with severe learning difficulties. She took over the role in 2004 and has thrown herself into the job. As well as being in charge of events such as the leavers prom and school discos she has also played a key role in organising the schools Brighton Marathon team. Her efforts have ensured the school has benefited from the likes of a new minibus, playground, sensory equipment, bikes, hoists and more. This year she retires from the role leaving the school in a far better place than when she first started. In fact it is estimated she has helped raise a staggering 230,000. Work colleague, Amanda Wells, said: I have worked in the same school as Sandy for 20 years and she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and spent many hours of her own time tirelessly fundraising and helping our students.

TASLEEN CARSTAIRS

LORRAINE SNOW

SHE trained, as a teenager, to become a professional hair and make-up artist, with the dream of becoming an actress. But now Tasleen Carstairs uses her skills to change the lives of seriously ill people and others struggling for confidence. Young children blighted by disease are invited to take part in her Memory Making Days dressing up in extravagant clothing, being made up like princes and princesses before recording a music video. Through her charity Forward Facing she also helps people who are disfigured and manage scars or burns through camouflage therapy as well as women with cancer or ill health, to give them their dignity back. She said: A lot of people become agoraphobic and need some help. They can feel isolated and invisible. Its about celebrating their lives and making them feel worthwhile. I think thats really important and gives people their confidence back.

LORRAINE Snow founded the Crew Club in Whitehawk as something to keep children and young people on the estate busy after her sons friend Jay Kensitt was killed in 1999. The 56-year-olds hard work in trying to keep youngsters on the straight and narrow saw her awarded with an MBE in 2007. But staff at local social housing repair company Mears said Lorraines encouragement has gone further behind the scenes. James Cryer, partnering manager at Mears, said: We have been working with Lorraine and the Crew Club since 2008 when we did our first apprentice recruitment event. Since then we have taken six apprenticeships through this route. Lorraine dedicates her life to the Crew Club and was so enthusiastic about supporting our apprentices.