Our North East Celebration of Achievements

This week we celebrated the achievements of our wonderful children at our North East Celebration of Achievements event.

Held in the beautiful and aptly named ‘Grand Hall’ at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, this event is all about championing what our children have achieved from the smallest moments to the big milestones.

Fun and games

We were joined by our foster carers and staff, with an inspirational speech from our Board Member and former Olympic swimmer Chris Cook. Plus the children were able to enjoy colouring, pot painting, face painting, balloon modelling and circus skills before exploring the museum afterwards.

All the children nominated received a medal and here are just a few of the reasons their foster carers thought were worth celebrating.   

Nominations from our foster carers fell into a few categories:

Sports and activities

For his determination in both his work at school and his swimming.  C is now in Stage 7 for his swimming.

For participating well and trying so hard at basketball.  He is a positive team player, which has been recognised by the coach. 

J has just started cheerleading and also takes part in dancing classes.  She gives both activities lots of enthusiasm and energy. 

For getting involved in so many different activities and competitions, including boys brigade football, chess and quizzes.   

For the huge improvement in the pool.  From not wanting to get her face wet, to now swimming with flippers. For moving to a new school with a can-do attitude and making lots of new friends.  

For dancing on the big stage and doing 10 dances. For starting reception class and making lots of new friends.   

For having so much more confidence and completing a solo dance in her school dance performance.

Achievements in school

For excellent and improved schoolwork.

For achieving 100% attendance at school, which is almost double her previous attendance level.  For also doing very well with her reading at school and home. 

For achieving 100% attendance at school and working really hard and making lots of progress. For attending a school residential at Lockerbie and really enjoying herself.  

For moving to a new school with a can-do attitude and making new friends. For doing amazing in her maths.  For improving in her daily times tables so much that she is now getting 40 out of 40.

For his achievements in school.  L has been promoted to Rockstar and has earned the most Dojo points in a week several times. For being kind, thoughtful and very caring.

R you are amazing in every area of your life! However, this year we are nominating you for your fabulous attitude to your school work. You try your best in every subject and your teacher, and us are so proud of you!

For doing really well at school and for the big improvements in both his spellings and his reading.

Confidence and caring

For sleeping all night at Grandma and Grumpy’s house.

For being a kind and loving almost 6-year-old. M has welcomed the young people into our home with warmth and kindness. He is ready with a cuddle if they are upset and has made cards with words of encouragement, telling them they are loved, and they are beautiful.                        

R is an amazing young person, who has been accepting and able to settle into our home extremely quickly.  She has become part of the family and developed a strong friendship with T and is patient and engaging with M.     

R, you are the happiest, smiliest little boy who gives the very best hugs! You have settled so well with us in a very short time. We are so proud of you!

K, the difference in you in the short time you have been with us is amazing! You are changing from a wary, nervous boy to a happy, funny, cuddly one. We are so proud of you!

Preparing for independence

For getting his paper round and doing it 6 days a week, even doing it on foot when he didn’t have a bike.

For doing amazingly in his catering course at college whilst also working a part time job in a bar/restaurant.

For her work and dedication volunteering for the British Heart Foundation.  T has shown her positive attitude and excellent work ethic with her work experience in the QE hospital, in the pharmacy, pathology and domestic departments. T has been kind and welcoming and helped our new young person settle into our home.  

The Alec Turnbull Special Achievement Award

This award is in memory of one of our foster carers – Alec Turnbull. It is usually awarded to young people who are nearing the end of their time in foster care.  It celebrates and acknowledges the progress and achievements they have made. 

T was nominated by her foster carers for showing great resilience and determination to have her voice heard during a difficult process. She has also been offered a place at University to study Psychology after achieving a Merit and Distinction in her exams. We are so proud of T who is an amazing role model, always kind, caring and ready to advocate.

Would you like to become a foster carer and help champion the achievements of a young person at next year’s celebration event? Get in touch by calling 0800 292 2003 or fill in our online enquiry form.