Brixham Pupils displaying just some of their work on the river Dart project with judges Sue Pudduck, Jan Scott and Penny Johns.
Dart Harbour – the authority that looks after the river Dart – has announced the winners of its Young Champion Awards 2012.
The winners for the Upper Primary and Secondary Awards were announced this week after careful deliberation by judges.
The Upper Primary winner was the Year 5 Class from Brixham Primary School, and the winner of the Secondary award was 12 year-old Cameron Webb.
Brixham were victorious thanks to their project about the Dart which took in all areas of the curriculum and saw children writing poetry, making musical instruments, learning Spanish, cooking Tudor biscuits and choreographing their own dances, amongst many other activities.
The school began their project by taking advantage of the offer of free boat trips by Dart Harbour in the autumn. This was thanks to the generosity of Greenway Ferries and the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company, who both gave their boats for free. Brixham went on one of the trips for schools, and have been working on the project ever since. Dart Harbour hopes to organise another set of boat trips for the 2013 competition.
Brixham first concentrated on historical aspects of the Dart, but have since looked at art, music, poetry, languages, sculpture and geography.
The project was described as “astonishing in its breadth” by the judges, who also commented on the children’s “obvious engagement and enthusiasm” for the Dart.
Judge and Dart Harbour board member Sue Pudduck said: “The engagement, enthusiasm and range of work shown by Brixham was simply staggering. This year the entries have been of very high quality and Brixham was still a clear winner. The whole class was engaged, enthusiastic and incredibly focused on exploring the Dart in every aspect possible.
“The wonderful thing about this project is the free boat trips offered by Dart Harbour to schools have been the catalyst for almost an entire year’s worth of work – and incredibly high-quality work too. The children can be very proud of themselves, their teachers and parents undoubtedly are too.”
Winning class teacher Kerry Rushton said: ”As the Year 5 teacher I would say thank you so much to the Dart Harbour. The initial boat trip was a great starting point for the project and we are grateful to the ferry companies for making it possible. The children have been able to investigate the river using all of their senses and they have responded in many ways to this wonderful resource. They have pursued their own interests and led their own learning. Ideas flowed and gathered momentum… much like the river itself!
Some of the children also gave their thoughts on the project:
Chloe Carter said: “It has been amazing to get the chance to be part of such a wonderful competition. Thank you!”
Hollie Perkin said: “I really enjoyed every part of the project and it has been an honour to be part of such an inspiring competition.”
Judge Jan Scott – also a Dart Harbour board member – said the writing Dartmouth Academy Student Cameron Webb produced was very impressive.
“The judges felt his writing was mature, eloquent and very well put together,” he said. “It described a trip down the Dart in a way which was original and very interesting. We were very impressed by all our entrants in the Secondary section, they showed great talent and depth.”
The judges awarded a “Highly Commended” in the Upper Primary age group to St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Primary School in Dartmouth for the breadth of work and skill of the children’s poetry and artwork, which greatly impressed the judges.
The winners will be presented with their awards at the Annual Meeting for Dart Harbour in December.
Phil Scoble 