It’s a hat-trick for model citizens

St Margaret’s Academy (SMA) is celebrating a trio of awards at the LJMU Good Citizenship Awards.

Three students from the Aigburth school were recognised with the prestigious award in a special service at St George’s Hall as part of the Roscoe Lecture series.

Sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), the Good Citizenship Award recognises the outstanding contribution of students in school and in the wider community.

Sixth form students Bupe Chanda, Harry Edwards and Vivien Bahire-Sibo received the award for their exceptional citizenship services.

Bupe’s mentors praised her commitment to work placements and her dedication to a career in medicine, as well as her work in Christmas gift appeals for the elderly and the school-mentoring programme

Likewise, Harry has also participated in a number of work placements on his journey into the medical profession and is heavily involved in charity initiatives, whilst Vivien has developed impeccable leadership skills on the sixth form committee and hospitality team. Vivien was also fundamental to the organisation of various charity events and acted as student host at the school’s annual senior citizen Christmas lunch.

BBC Radio Merseyside broadcaster Roger Phillips appeared as guest speaker on the day, alongside LJMU vice chancellor Professor Nigel Weatherill and former Merseyside Police chief constable Sir Jon Murphy. assistant mayor, Cllr Gary Millar was also in attendance for the lecture.

SMA has this year expanded its ‘citizenship programme’, which aims to help students enhance their CV when it comes to applying for university, jobs or apprenticeships.

Validated by LJMU, the programme allows students to join a citizenship team to gain experience specific to their future career aspirations. Under the scheme, pupils will accrue 30 hours of community service outside of school, further to an additional 40 hours in school.

Geoff Laird, director of sixth form, said: “We are incredibly proud of Bupe, Harry and Vivien, and the work that they do on a daily basis to make St Margaret’s and their community a better place. The LJMU Good Citizenship Award is testament to their hard work.

“All our pupils are a credit to the school and are outstanding ambassadors for our citizenship programme, which really aims to help young people understand the value of the role they can play in the local community. By giving our students the opportunity to reach out and support those around them, we are also equipping them with essential life skills to help them become well-rounded individuals”.