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Schools' high achievers honoured
nlnews@archant.co.uk
19 October 2005


Big Brother star Science (right) with Mayor of Islington Councillor Jonathan Dearth and student Arnold Mboyo

SCIENCE" was the main attraction at an awards ceremony held in honour of Islington's exceptional schoolchildren.

Big Brother star Science and Mayor of Islington Councillor Jonathan Dearth dished out inspirational advice and awards to the borough's brightest kids at the Achievers Day ceremony.

The awards go to students who have had outstanding academic success, made rapid progress over the last 12 months, achieved in the face of diversity or made a significant contribution to school life.

A special set of awards were also given to the highest achieving black students in the borough by Islington's Black Educators' Network (BEN).

Brainy Arnold Mboyo, 17, a former student at St Aloysius, won first prize in the BEN awards for his 10 A*-C grades at GCSE and his outstanding contribution to school life.

Arnold was a school prefect, a "buddy" in the school's mentoring scheme and still works with St Aloysius' pupils even though he has now left the school.

Bill Clark, CEA@Islington's director of schools services, said: "Achievers Day is a great opportunity to encourage and celebrate achievement in Islington's schools.

"All the young people recognised at the ceremony certainly have a lot to be proud of.

"The day is about celebrating academic success, and much more. It is about praising strength of character, participation and determination to succeed."

Councillor James Kempton (Liberal Democrat), Islington Council's executive member for children, said: "Arnold Mboyo is just one example of a pupil who has achieved top marks for his GCSEs while at the same time made a huge contribution to his school community.

"It is right that such achievements be properly celebrated and I would like to congratulate all the children on this year's Achievers Day role of honour.

islingtongazette.com