A photo gallery of this event can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
Mount Carmel Key Stage 3 Awards Evening took place on 13th July 2023 to celebrate the achievements of years 7 - 10 pupils.
The evening began with a welcome and opening remarks from Assistant Headteacher Mr Hill followed by an extract from the Mount Carmel 2023 production of 'Into the Woods' by Sophia Bellusci. Deputy Headteachers Mr Dugdale and Miss Farrelly then addressed the visitors.
Guest speaker was former Mount Carmel pupil Clegg Bamber, MBE.
Clegg, was honoured with an MBE in the 2021 Queen’s birthday honours list for his services to education. He was recognised for his work with Anna Miles founding the Red Box Project which provided free period products to schools.
Clegg and Anna started the Red Box Project when Clegg was in his final year at university after discovering that period poverty wasn’t just an issue in lower to middle income nations but that it was also experienced by as many as 1 in 10 young people in the UK.
The pair decided that action needed to be taken, and with the support of over 600 volunteers, the Red Box Project supported more than 5,800 schools and colleges across the UK with access to free period products. The project has expanded globally and supports young people in Moldova, Poland, US, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, India, and the Isle of Man. The project also inspired a community scheme in Tanzania.
In 2019 the charity launched a legal campaign against the Government which resulted in securing a policy change. The new policy meant that from January 2020 all schools and colleges had access to free period products, paid for by the Department for Education.
Clegg currently works as a Senior External Affairs manager for a government agency who direct funding for research and innovation. He is the Director of the Free Periods campaign and co-founder of the Red Box Project.
Clegg, who left Mount Carmel 10 years ago outlined how his involvement with voluntary work whilst at university led to setting up the Red Box Project and the realisation that period poverty was a nationwide issue. The project grew rapidly and had over 600 volunteers working to supply over 5,000 schools with period products. They decided to escalate the project and take on the Government and in January 2020, the UK Government rolled out a scheme to all schools and colleges in England making period products free to all students to access so no girls were disadvantaged and were able to attend school.
In 2021 Clegg was completely surprised and totally overwhelmed to receive an email from the Cabinet Office stating he had been nominated for an MBE award. He was honoured to receive this award from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in February 2022, a day he will never forget.
He concluded by hoping that in 10 years time some of the audience will be able to stand on the stage and share their achievements with everyone.
The evening showcased the talents of current Mount Carmel pupils with subject awards presented by Pastoral Leaders from each year group. Role model awards were then presented one from each form group. Reasons for nominations for these awards included excellent commitment to their studies, being caring, helpful and trustworthy. Comments also included being active participants in school activities, helping others who are struggling and being positive role models.
Certificates were then presented to the three prestigious gold medal winners of the RSB Biology Challenge 2023 who were in the top 5% from over 43,000 entrants to the competition this year.
The two pupils nominated for an award dedicated to the memory of much loved pupil Logan Wood were Sean F. in Year 7 and Head Boy Jayden in Year 10. The winner announced on the evening was Jayden. Well done to both boys.
To conclude the evening a vote of thanks to the guests was made by Jayden French and Nicole Harris Mount Carmel Head Boy and Head Girl.
To read more about the Red Box Project use this link
To view the names of all award winners please view the booklet below.
