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Ferndown Upper School, where John Thornton was proud to be a pupil, is a comprehensive school for students aged 13-19. Ferndown Upper School has a firm belief in providing the best for all their students and the JTYAF is privileged to be in a position to support their achievements.
The JTYAF scholarships and bursaries were presented to the students from Ferndown Upper School on Tuesday February 15th 2011 and over £16,000 was awarded to these talented young people. Funding went to students involved in a range of projects demonstrating the foundation´s core values, courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity.
The photo above shows many of the 25 award winners which are listed below. Top row of photo from left to right: –
Bottom row of photo from left to right:-
Not in the photo
FUS Award Winners 2011 – extracts from ‘thank you’ letters.
Jessica Cusack, Mina Warwick and Kelsey Green ‘The trip was an eye opener and I think it changed everyone that was there, seeing how little these people had yet how happy and family orientated they were really brings home how divided the world really is....we were teaching children between 3 and 5 years old and preparing them for Grade R which allows them to enter the primary school in the area. Thank you again for your generous contribution, the trip has changed my life and I am now looking forward to doing much more voluntary work in future years.’
Picture left: Jessica, Mina and Kelsey undertaking voluntary work in a school in the Nomzamo Township, South Africa
‘Thank you so much for your generous bursary for my Badminton Level 1 Coaching Award. I cannot explain how brilliant it was, and without the money you supplied I would never have been able to do it. Not only has it helped my Badminton playing and coaching, it has added to my PE studies and University application. Moreover, it was extremely enjoyable and I had the opportunity to meet so many great people who I am still in contact with now, several months later. The experience was invaluable, and it would not have been possible without you. The work you do is so beneficial to so many people, so I want to say thank you and wish you luck with all your future work.’
Sam Reagan ‘I just wanted to thank you very much for the donation you gave me to help towards my trip to Sweden with the World Scout Jamboree 2011. I had an amazing time and met people from many different countries. We spent two weeks in Sweden and a further week in Finland with a Finish family. I really enjoyed this great experience. Again thank you very much for giving me the opportunity for this once in a life time chance.’
Mina Warwick ‘I would like to thank you for your generous bursary which made it possible for me to be able to teach less fortunate children out in South Africa. Picture: Mina Warwick with some of the children she had the privilege to teach.
‘I was very grateful to receive the JTYAF. It meant I was in a position to put my name forward for the European Championship Under 17 MGA England Team selection. I was successful and competed in Ireland. I was also selected to ride in the Open (over 17's) England Team at the Royal Welsh Show. I have thoroughly enjoyed 2011 and have travelled all over England competing both with my team and on an individual basis. Thank you very much.’
Tobias Bastable ‘I am writing to thank you for the bursary I was granted in January this year.......it has enabled me to have access to a biology and maths tutor and purchase books for further reading in chemistry.........
‘Thank you ever so much for giving me money to go towards my trip to Serbia. I had an amazing two weeks and experienced so many different things as well as meeting some truly amazing people. Some of the highlights of the trip included: kayaking, raft building, boat trips, sharing songs with other countries round a camp fire, sight seeing, the English girls beating the Serbian boys at tug-of-war, getting dirty on an obstacle course, learning about different religions and first aid........... I would not have had this opportunity if it was not for you.’ ‘...Swimming is such a massive part of my life and I hope to buy an Olympic standard costume this season with my bursary. It will allow me to take my swimming further and to follow my dream of being in the 2016 Olympics......without this opportunity I would not be able to buy a costume like this and I am very thankful..’ ‘I would like to say a big thank you for the money that you made available to me and I am overjoyed with this new trombone. Today was the Community Party at Ferndown Upper School and it was the first time I was able to play my new trombone in public. It is a fantastic instrument and will definitely sustain me through future years. Thank you for all that you do and for the opportunities that you create for young people and thank you for helping people achieve their dreams.’ ‘I am writing to thank you for the very generous financial award....the bursary will go a long way to funding my career aspirations and enable me to arrange personal singing tuition which I am in the process of arranging through Ferndown Upper School.’ ‘.......without this opportunity I would not have been able to fund this exam and course myself and I am looking forward to the chance to take my exam and gain my level 2 qualification.....I hope to be one of those inspiring coaches one day and allow many children to follow their dreams in gymnastics....’ ‘I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity through the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation to take part in the Three Peaks Challenge.....between the three of us we raised approximately £1,000 for charity and through the challenge learnt to support each other and overcome difficulties. These skills will help us as we continue in the next step in our careers....’ ‘...my thanks and gratitude for allowing me to achieve everything I have.....the money has paid for me to take my Level 7 in Figure Skating. Two more levels and I will be allowed to enter the Junior British Competition.....I had an exciting opportunity to go to Scotland and train with the top level coaches in Britain and Germany. Without the money from the trust I would not have been able to go and learn as much as I did which puts me above other skaters in my category..... the money paid for the whole skating camp, for my skating lessons and helped with petrol money.....as you can see the money has allowed me to do so much with my skating and opened lots of opportunities.....I can only thank you for all the work you do and hope that it continues for many other young people...’
I was a little apprehensive at the start as I was literally engulfed but a couple of days in I realised how much more I was learning this way........I made many friends from all over the world............. Salamanca is such a beautiful historic place and is known as the ‘estudiante de la ciudad’ which translates as the student city. I am thinking of returning next summer for a longer duration of time and I’m also thinking of even going to university there!’ Megan pictured above (far left) in Plaza Mayor with fellow students
Scholarships awarded to 6th Form students Zak Newman & Sarah RichardsonZak and Sarah commented "In the summer we are going to Peru for 4 weeks to embark on a conservation expedition, sponsored by the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation. We will spend most of the time in a secluded area of the rainforest. The work we will be doing ranges from assisting in agricultural projects and wild animal release programmes to trail construction and maintenance. The project monitors the biodiversity of the area in order to record the effects of man on the rainforest's ecosystem. Monitoring is done from the forest trails or from the 42m high canopy walkway. There will be many other volunteers so we will have to adapt to being part of a large team, but it will also be a wonderful opportunity to work with professionals in the field we would like to join. This trip will provide us with the necessary practical skills and teach us the trade secrets that will set us apart from others during our time at university. We are very grateful for the opportunity that the JTYAF has made possible, and are very excited to start preparing ourselves for the adventure ahead." Scholarship awarded to 6th Form student Lisa Hicks
Ellie Gilham from year 10 awarded a bursaryEllie commented:- Mrs Gilham added:- pictured right: Ellie at the start of a 10 mile time trial which resulted in her qualifying for the GHS National 10 Mile Time Trial Natasha Wakelin awarded a bursary
Bursaries also awarded to the following studentsDemi Powell - awarded a bursary for flute lessons to support her musical development. Antonia Tomczynska - awarded a bursary to support her in her ambition to become a professional photographer. Ian Thornton delighted to present the JTYAF awards to some of the 6th Form students
Scholarship awarded to Adam Clark for India Project 2009
Bursaries awarded to the following studentsIrena Mazur - awarded a bursary as a contribution towards an art trip to Washington and New York. A Year 9 Student - awarded a bursary for double bass lessons. Thomas Turner - awarded a bursary to purchase equipment for the FUS Media Department. Matthew Reagan - awarded a bursary as a contribution towards a Spanish trip to Seville. Mrs Reagan commented:- ‘...This gave Matthew the wonderful experience of speaking the language and taking in the culture. This reinforced what he had learned in his lessons and will help with his exam.....' Sam Berrill - awarded a bursary to purchase the props he needed for a Media Studies film project. Matthew Lyons - awarded a bursary as a contribution toward’s a laptop to support his 6th Form studies. Matthew commented:- ‘...I am now using the laptop on a daily basis in all my ICT and English classes and it is a big help as it also means I can take my ICT work home and continue working on it....’ Verity Ash - awarded a bursary as a contribution towards a Girl Guide Jamboree in Canada. Linda and Peter Thornton and some of the students who have received awards from the JTYAF in 2009.
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Lianne Downs
The two weeks I was out there were the most rewarding inspiring and eye opening two weeks of my life and it wouldn’t have been possible without your help. I had the amazing opportunity to teach children aged three to five years English, Maths and Physical and Creative Skills whilst being able to experience their culture and lifestyle. This is something I only could have dreamed of........we hopefully made a difference to their education and their future.’
James Reis
‘I would like to thank you for giving me the grant to go to Spain and do my language course.....the family that I was placed with were lovely and the mother treated me just like I was her own daughter. 
Natasha
Wakelin was awarded a
bursary to attend a Badminton England Coaching Course. 
In
June 2009, Adam travelled as part of a group of eight young
volunteers aged 15-19, alongside three youth workers, to Mysore
in India to build, furnish and decorate the inside of a library
for an orphanage. The orphanage is run by a charity called
Odanadi, who raise awareness about the issue of human trafficking
in India. The library was built primarily for young girls
who have been subjected to child trafficking and are looking
to rebuild their lives after having experienced sexual exploitation.
Registered Charity No: 1125277 Patron:
Simon Weston OBE |