21 September 2018 weekly udpate

Dear Colleagues

I was privileged to attend on 16 September, the Virtual School Kent Annual Awards ceremony to celebrate the academic and wider achievements of our children in care. I understand that more nominations than ever were from Schools, Social Workers, other KCC staff and foster carers, which resulted in 320 children in Early Years, and Key Stage 1 to 4 being given awards. VSK were delighted to receive nominations for children from Early Years for the first time this year, and our youngest children were rather weighed down with their prizes of medals, certificates, arts and crafts packs, books and balloons!

The theme of the ceremony this year was to celebrate Literacy and to encourage young people to fall in love with reading. The ceremony was attended by children and their carers, elected members and key KCC staff. The day started with the Awards Ceremony for our KS1 and KS2 students which was led by Tony Doran, Headteacher of Virtual School Kent with awards presented by Roger Gough and myself. This was followed by a BBQ lunch and fun entertainment for the children to enjoy which included a Surf Simulator, Wrecking Ball, Total Wipe-out Inflatable, Archery, Sumo wrestlers, giant inflatable slide, Craft stands and several Birds of Prey displays. The ceremony for Key Stage 3 and 4 followed in the afternoon.

Our guest speakers were Neil Arksey, an author, screenwriter and performer, the VSK Participation Team who spoke about the Children in Care Councils and some of the fun events that took place during the summer break and Emma Jenkins from Kent Children’s University.

One particular highlight was the achievement of one of our young people, Vienna Randall. Vienna is an amazing artist and was inspired by some of her own experiences to write and illustrate a book ‘I am Braver Than’ which has now been published and is available from bookshops and Amazon. A fantastic achievement.

The Award Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of our Post-16 young people will take place on the 17 October this year and again I am sure that I will be blown away by their achievements and their individual stories.

Matt Dunkley CBE
Corporate Director
Children, Young People and Education