Westway Trust's annual Supplementary Schools Awards took place on 28 October at the RBKC Town Hall. The event celebrated the exceptional achievements of supplementary schools within the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. It was attended by supplementary school students, teachers, volunteers, community leaders, educators, and dignitaries, including the RBKC Mayor and Councillor Will Lane.
Hosted by Tanzanian-born British Asian actor and playwright Sudha Bhuchar, the evening commenced with a warm welcome from Westway's Supplementary Schools Partnership Manager Muna Ali and our CEO Venu Dupa, who set an enthusiastic tone for the night. The first half of the ceremony featured awards for students from diverse schools across North Kensington, each with their unique contributions to the community. Schools like Dalgarno Supplementary School, Al-Hidaya Arabic School, Baraka Supplementary School, Pimento Community Project, SWA Supplementary School, West London Turkish School, The First Georgian School, and Azza Supplementary School were all recognized for their distinct roles in fostering quality education and community engagement.
Guest speakers Bashir Hassan and Zakiya Amlak from Maxilla City CIC delivered inspiring speeches. They emphasized the importance of community engagement and the role of supplementary schools in fostering educational excellence. Their words resonated with the audience, highlighting the collective effort required to support and nurture young minds.
Dr Mon Partovi's presentation of the Quality Mark Award from YPF Trust was a significant highlight of the evening. This award recognized the 10 RBKC schools that have set a high standard for others to follow, demonstrating exceptional quality in their educational offerings. The recognition was a proud moment for the recipients, showcasing their dedication to maintaining high academic standards and inspiring others in the community to strive for excellence.
The second half of the ceremony continued with more school awards, including Al-Amaana Supplementary School, Dadihiye Supplementary School, EPCA Supplementary School, Teit Ethiopia Supplementary School, An-Nisa Supplementary School, Gheez Rite Supplementary School, WSHA Supplementary School, and St. Mary's Ukrainian School. Each nomination celebrated the schools' efforts to provide students with a supportive and enriching learning environment.
Our Chair, Toby Laurent Belson, presented a special award recognizing outstanding contributions to the supplementary school community. This award highlighted the exceptional efforts of individuals and organizations in supporting educational initiatives and fostering a sense of community.
The event concluded with closing remarks from the Mayor of RBKC, Councillor Will Lane. He expressed his gratitude to all the participants and attendees and emphasized the importance of continued support for supplementary schools and their positive impact on the community. James from the Bigword, an international organization, also spoke about the importance of the supplementary schools' roles and promised to sponsor the Awards event for the second year next year. Attendees were then invited to the foyer for photos and refreshments, providing networking and celebration opportunities. The evening was a resounding success, leaving everyone inspired and motivated to continue their efforts in supporting supplementary education.