Service Children Awards 2025

24/04/2025 Top News

Risedale School Celebrates Multiple Wins and Nominations at the Service Children Awards.

Pupils and staff from Risedale School enjoyed a glittering afternoon of celebrations at the Service Children Awards 2025, held at The Garden Rooms at Tennants in Leyburn on Thursday, 24th April. The event, expertly organised for its second year by dedicated Service Children’s Champion, Angela Campbell, recognised the remarkable resilience, adaptability, and contributions of young individuals and supportive organisations within armed forces communities. The timing of the awards was particularly meaningful, falling within April, the designated ‘Month of the Military Child’ 💜, a special time to acknowledge the sacrifices and celebrate the strength of children from military families.

Representing Risedale School at the awards ceremony were Headteacher Mrs Greenwood, staff members Dr. Ellis (Service Pupil Manager), Mrs Johnson (Service Children's Advocate), and Mr Morris (Administration Assistant), and pupils Emily-Faye Fort, Ria Glenn and Sienna Stevens (Service Pupil Ambassador).

The school, deeply rooted in the Catterick Garrison community, proudly supports a large number of pupils from service backgrounds and was itself nominated for the prestigious "Service Children Friendly Education Provider" award, highlighting its ongoing commitment to these pupils.

The event was particularly special as Risedale School celebrated multiple wins. Firstly, in a fantastic achievement, by sisters Lacey and Sienna-Jade Hanson, who were jointly awarded the title of "Service Children Sporting Champions". Unfortunately, the talented duo were unable to attend the ceremony as on the day they were in America, representing both Risedale School and Lazer Cheer at the esteemed Allstar World Championship in Florida.

Adding to the accolades, the Service Children's Community Choir, with strong Risedale participation, was awarded the "Service Children's Friendly Community Group" title. Proudly collecting the award were Risedale pupils Emily-Faye Fort and Ria Glenn, accompanied by their Musical Director, Benjamin Noble, and two other junior members of the choir.

Furthermore, the school is delighted to announce that Mrs Johnson was the well-deserved winner of the prestigious "Service Children's Advocate of the Year" award! This accolade recognises Mrs Johnson's exceptional dedication and unwavering support for the service children within the school and wider community. We are so proud!

Reflecting on the awards ceremony, Mrs Greenwood said: “What a wonderful occasion! I am so proud that Risedale pupils and staff received awards this year, and it was a joy and a privilege to be invited and celebrate alongside them. I am also delighted that Risedale was nominated for the Service Children Friendly Education Provider of the Year award. These awards and nomination are testament to the dedication and commitment of our staff to Service Children.”

Here’s what our Service Children’s Advocate of the Year, Mrs Johnson, had to say about receiving her award:

“Winning this award is the kind of news that makes me want to do a little happy dance in the middle of the staff room! I am still a little bit overwhelmed.

To be recognised as Service Children’s Advocate of the Year for the whole of North Yorkshire is such an honour. It’s so much more than personal recognition for me. It's a powerful acknowledgement of the incredible strength and adaptability I see in our pupils every day. This award isn't just about getting a gold star for me; it feels like a giant cheer for every single one of our tenacious, adaptable kids who can walk into a new school and make friends as if they've always been there.

I think back to my own experiences as a service child, and it fuels my passion. That feeling of constantly being the 'new kid' and missing a parent during important moments stays with you forever. That's exactly why, for every young person I look after who's navigating this same path, I'm so determined to make them feel cared for and appreciated. They deserve understanding, consistent support, and a school community that truly gets what they're going through, and that’s exactly what we do at Risedale School.

I'm incredibly grateful to the amazing team at Risedale for seeing something in me and giving me this opportunity to support these wonderful kids in a way that I truly believe is best, with a lot of fun and genuine care. When you approach the world with that kind of attitude, even the tough bits don't seem quite so heavy.

I'm incredibly proud to be part of the Risedale Family, and let's be honest, this is happening because of our amazing pupils. They're the ones who sprinkle the glitter on this place!”