JENNY BARRETT DEAF CHILD ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2019
The 2019 Jenny Barrett Deaf Child Achievement Awards took place at Bournemouth Deaf Centre on Saturday 19th October.
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Every year, at our AGM, we present the Jenny Barrett Deaf Child Achievement Awards. The awards set out to reward achievements of hearing impaired children in Dorset and they are split into two categories, the junior category which is for eleven years and under and the senior category which is for twelve years and above. In 2019 there were a total of twelve children nominated. The winners were announced at our AGM held on Saturday 19th October 2019 at Bournemouth Deaf Club. The awards were presented by Robin Barrett and the two overall age group winners received shields, certificates and cheques for £100 each. ALFIE GIBBS was winner in the senior category and winner in the junior category was CONOR TOBIN. All other nominees received £20 vouchers and certificates. This year’s winner of Bournemouth Deaf Clubs Special Endeavour Award was MCKENZIE WEBSTER who received a cash reward from Keith Simmons.
All the nominees have done exceptionally well to be nominated. Congratulations to all of them!
The Winner of the 2019 Senior Jenny Barrett Deaf Child Achievement Award is:
Alfie Gibbs
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Had been nominated by his mother, Charlene Gibbs-Archer, for the amazing way he has dealt with everything he has gone through and just got on and dealt with everything really well and maturely. He was born deaf and was given hearing aids but due to medical problems with his ears was unable to wear the hearing aids for periods of time. This resulted in speech delay and he needed sign language to communicate. All of this has meant he is now years behind his peers at school. He has faced many struggles and in the last 2 years his hearing deteriorated further and he had the operation for cochlear implants earlier this year. He has now transferred from mainstream school to Exeter Royal Academy of Deaf Education and boards with them three days a week. He has had an amazing attitude to all these changes and taken it all in his stride
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The Winner of the 2019 Junior Jenny Barrett Deaf Child Achievement Award is:
Conor Tobin
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Had two nominations. He has been nominated by Sarah Joiner, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service and his mother Siobhan Tobin, for how much he has grown in confidence and self-belief during this last year and the courage he showed and the effort he put into fundraising for DDCS. This year he has positively embraced his hearing loss raising awareness to his peers in his class with a power point presentation. He is a shy and self-conscious boy and whilst fund raising for DDCS he spoke with confidence and passion to strangers explaining about the charity and asking them to sponsor him. He also did a presentation about the fundraising in assembly to the whole school and answered questions. He has always struggled to speak up and be confident. He has blossomed into a caring, considerate and confident young man
THE DEAF CHILD ENDEAVOUR AWARD 2019
The winner of the 2019 award was Mckenzie Webster. This award is given by Keith Simmons MBE on behalf of Bournemouth Deaf Centre. Mckenzie was been nominated by Sue MacDermott, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service for his achievement in taking control of a crisis, staying calm and taking appropriate emergency action. In August this year he found his mother collapsed on her bedroom floor. His quick action in dialing 999 to call an ambulance was very mature. He also called his father. He then helped the ambulance crew, showing them how to help his mum, who is diabetic. Throughout the emergency he was calm and very supportive of his mother.
In addition to our Senior winner Alfie and the Endeavour Award winner Mckenzie, also nominated in the Senior category were:
Saul Pearce was nominated by his mother, Sandra Mackrow, for the steps he has made in trying to overcome his confidence, social and school environment issues. He has been attending CHAMS and is in the process for an EHCP plan. He is not happy or comfortable attending school but he tries really hard in the classes he enjoys.
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Kaitlyn Wellman was nominated by Sally Robinson, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service. Despite recent ear operations and a diagnosis of a permanent hearing loss in one ear Kaitlyn is amazing young lady. She had an operation in 2017 for a large cholesteatoma which left her with a hearing loss in her left ear. She always has a smile on her face and has a zest for life. She raised money for 2 years so she could attend a scout jamboree in America this summer. She was the Carnival Queen in Bridport Carnival this year and takes part in many activities in school and out of school.
Sasha Woods was nominated by Elisabeth Gower, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service, for her determination and being a role model. She is currently in year 13 studying Health and Social Care and will be taking her English and Maths GCSE’s for the third time this year. Studying is not her thing but she is determined to get the pass grades she needs to go on to college. She is a shy girl but is determined to seize opportunities that come along. She is a member of the school choir and has travelled to New York, Italy and Spain with the choir. She was a dependable member of the school netball team and joined the Girls Brigade and became a majorette with the marching band despite not being able to hear the music well. She has now become a leader in the Girls Brigade.
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In addition to our Junior winner Conor, also nominated in the Junior category were:
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Evie Foley was nominated by her dance teacher, Yolanda Giddings, for her determination and passion at dance classes. She takes part in ballet, tap, jazz and acro classes and is about to take her second ballet exam. Her confidence is growing and is especially noticeable when she is performing on stage. She is a star in the making and an inspiration to others with a hearing loss as she never lets her hearing loss hold her back or stand in her way.
Ava Ingman was nominated by Sarah Joiner, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service, for being a wonderful ambassador in her school. She planned researched and developed power points to share with the whole school to raise awareness of her hearing loss and equipment as well as sharing strategies to support her in school. She worked very hard on these presentations and presented confidently and maturely. She has been a role model for younger hearing impaired pupils and she is always smiling and trying her best in all she does inside and outside of school.
Jack Pilgrim had two nominations. He has been nominated by his parents Natalie & Steve Pilgrim and his grandfather, Roger Gibbins for his bravery and determination. He was initially diagnosed with glue ear but was eventually referred for hearing loss and was eventually diagnosed, none of this fazed him and despite his speech he learnt some signs to be understood. He was diagnosed with a profound hearing loss and this year, at the age of 4, he had cochlear implants fitted. He was the perfect patient when he had the operation and his language has now developed leaps and bounds. He takes everything in his stride and he is excited to be able to hear now. Despite all the stress and dealing with many appointments he has been brave and determined.
Jacob Sneddon was nominated by Sally Robinson, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service. Despite his hearing loss and traumatic start in life he is a delightful, inquisitive, intelligent young person. He lost his hearing at 15 months after he contracted HIB meningitis which meant he was profoundly deaf. He had cochlear implants fitted but unfortunately one processor stopped working after 18 months and he had to have another operation. The meningitis also left him with problems with balance and sleeping problems. Since starting school he has made significant progress in all areas especially with his independence and confidence and is doing extremely well academically. He is a very caring and kind boy shown when he started and runs a weekly ECO club at school, helping the school to recycle as much as possible. He has recently also been helping a nearby farmer with his summer jobs.
Sienna Watson was nominated by Sam Bealing, Key Contact University of Southampton Auditory Implant Centre for how well she has handled the whole process of cochlear implantation. She has taken it all in her stride and persevered. She was diagnosed with a hearing loss at 3 years old this was progressive in nature and worsened when she was 8 years old. Throughout the assessment process she coped very well with all the tests and appointments. She had her surgery Christmas Eve meaning she woke up Christmas morning in hospital. She took it all in her stride and did not complain. She even returned to school before her processors were set up when she had no hearing at all. She takes care of her processors herself independently and shows a very grown up attitude to her cochlear implant. All her hard work and perseverance with her processors is now starting to show.
Dominic White was nominated by Sally Robinson, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service for the fantastic progress he has made with his hearing aids and understanding the benefits of them in a short time. After many (and ongoing) operations for a bilateral cleft lip and palate, a year ago it was discovered that his hearing had worsened and he was offered hearing aids. He took to them instantly like a duck to water. Both his pre-schools reported that he interacts with other children more confidently now that he can hear. He is joining in activities where previously he played on his own. On starting school and before the Advisory Teacher had a chance to explain his equipment to his teacher, he had already shown her how it worked and what to do with the transmitter. He has also done well with his swimming lessons and has moved up a class.
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Well done to all everyone who was nominated! All nominees received a certificate and a £20 voucher.
2019 Senior and Junior nominees and winners