Rising To The Challenge…
Meena McDonald talks to students at Westholme about the Holistic Award Programme, which celebrates their commitment to all aspects of school life
The holistic nature of Westholme has been at the heart of the school since its inception. Along with the academic rigour and the warm, family ethos, this is what makes the school uniquely outstanding.
To nurture, inspire and cultivate even wider engagement from students in the vast array of activities the school offers, Westholme has launched its unrivalled Holistic Awards.
The Holistic Award Programme is for all students in Years 7 to 9. It celebrates the essential 21st century skills and abilities, rewarding those who show commitment and engagement in all aspects of school life, developing the key skills necessary for success beyond Westholme.
The four key areas of achievement in the Holistic Award Programme are:
• Academic success
• Co-curricular involvement
• Leadership, communication and service to the school
• Personal development
These encompass everything from having an exemplary homework record, being involved in group activities for sport, art, drama and technology to organising a school assembly, being a librarian or helping to create a wall display. Kindness and compassion in students is also a key area of achievement with students being recognised for acting as role models, organising charity events, supporting friends plus being welcoming to new students.
Dr Richard Robson, Principal at Westholme School commented: “The awards are essentially a roadmap guiding the students towards taking full advantage of the unique holistic opportunities available at our wonderful school. They are recognised and rewarded with bronze, silver or gold badges at the end of each term, which each student wears with immense pride.”
Dr Robson continued: “Students focus on the essential 21st century skills. The consistent nurture, care and dedication that each student receives at Westholme prepares them for successful careers, drawing on the foundation they’ve learnt and experienced at Westholme.”
The awards were launched in September 2021 and an astounding 40 students were recently awarded bronze badges, along with some exceptional students receiving silver ones too for the first term’s achievements.
The wholehearted commitment and enthusiasm was evident while interviewing several students from Years 7 to 9.
Ellen and Millie, who have both successfully secured bronze and silver awards during the first term, believe the programme recognises every aspect of school life and encourages each student to do so much more. They both love to try new activities and are involved in everything from the house plays to playing hockey for Lancashire. Both have challenged themselves and undertaken activities outside their comfort zones and have been rewarded for this.
Year 9 student Erin feels the range of clubs Westholme offers is so different from anywhere else, such as Knit Club, Mindfulness, Lego Robotics and Foody Friday. She has improved her own sporting skills and is also involved in the school’s production of The Sound of Music as well numerous musical activities and the Digital Leaders Programme.
Jessica started Year 7 in September 2021 and was recognised for her enthusiasm while showing parents and prospective students around the school at a recent open day.
Dr Robson, who is incredibly proud of every student at the school, added: “The enthusiasm of each student is genuinely astounding. The awards programme recognises such a wide range of skills, creating compassionate and kind students who are confident team players, prepared to rise to the challenges and take themselves out of their comfort zone.”
Ismael, Lewis and Daanish have completely embraced the reward programme and are involved in everything from Arts Programmes to Lego Robotics, where students have been designing an innovative magnetised vehicle, which can be used to deliver food and goods to remote places. They believe the support and encouragement the students provide to each other, combined with the healthy competition, motivates them to strive much further.
The school recognises the personal development of students throughout their years at Westholme by running award schemes for different age groups such as:
• Prep school – The Singleton Award
• Years 7 to 9 – The Holistic Awards
• Year 10 & 11 – The Ace Awards
• Sixth Form – The Richmond Diploma
The icing on the cake remains The Principal’s Award which recognises and rewards truly outstanding students.
Dr Robson concluded: “The awards recognise the commitment of each student and provides them with skills which can be utilised in the outside world. This combined with academic rigour and a nurturing environment empowers each student to achieve their aspirations.”
For more information about the school’s Holistic Award Programme and to see the amazing progress as the excitement continues to build for the opening of the new Prep School call: 01254 506070 email: registrar@westholmeschool.com or go to: westholmeschool.com
Westholme School
Wilmar Lodge, Meins Road
Blackburn BB2 6QU
01254 506070
westholmeschool.com
