Awards Evening 2018

Cornelius Vermuyden
October 29, 2018

On Wednesday 17th October the Cornelius Vermuyden school celebrated the annual Awards evening. This event had extra poignancy this year as it was Mrs Skewes last such event before her retirement at Christmas. In her speech Mrs Skewes looked back over her 17 years as Headteacher of Cornelius Vermuyden and spoke of huge pride of what has been achieved over that period. She spoke of Cornelius being at the heart of the community and how proud she was of the schools inclusive culture.

Mrs Skewes said that “the students make it very special. The enrichment we offer is outstanding and not forgetting the fabulous building and facilities which still has a WOW factor and is the envy of every Headteacher and others who visit the school. But what I have found so impressive are the students and the strong community of Canvey Island which I will be very sad to leave”.

Mrs Skewes spoke passionately about education and the school “The opportunity to educate other people's children is a rare privilege, bringing with it a huge responsibility to provide the best all-round education possible as we aim to prepare young people for happiness and success in their adult lives. At Cornelius Vermuyden School we take this responsibility extremely seriously. We care about the individual and pride ourselves in the warmth of our community in which all our students feel valued. I am so proud that I chose teaching as a career and became the Headteacher of Cornelius”

The Awards Evening gave the school the chance to celebrate the outstanding achievements and successes of over 100 individual award winners, from both past and present students. The evening provided an opportunity for the school to recognise individuals that have excelled in different subject areas across the curriculum, as well as in their wider contributions to the school and community at large.

The school were joined by several local dignitaries, special guests and sponsors; including The Mayor or Castle Point, Cllr Walter, Town Mayor of Canvey Island Cllr Barry Campagna, Councillor Ray Howard, Castle Point Council along with the schools board of Governors. Additionally award sponsors, McDonalds, St Katherine’s Mark Master Masons, RM Education, Proctor & Gambol, Canvey Island Rotary Club, Canvey Carnival Association and Essex School Partnership were in attendance to present their awards.

The guest speaker this year was Jayne Davies, Services Director of RM Plc. Jayne joined RM Plc as a graduate from University of Herefordshire with a BA Hons in Business Studies and has held various roles within the RM group. Jayne inspired our students sharing her experience of education and technology and is testimony to how knowledge, enthusiasm and determination leads to success. Jayne helped our Headteacher, Mrs Skewes to present the Year 7 to 11 awards on the evening.

Mrs Skewes concluded the evening by thanking “everyone who has supported the school, especially sponsors for the awards, Councillor Ray Howard MBE and the Chair of Governors Jeffrey Stanley who constantly gives of his time and effort to support the school.

I feel immensely proud of our school, its students and our community and look forward to passing over the baton to Mr Hockey for another year of success on all fronts. I am confident that the school will move forward to greater success in his capable hands”.