Awards & Leadership
Awards & Recognition of Character
Virtue Points
We have many ways in which we recognise the character virtues of students who exemplify our mission and values day in and day. Staff can reward virtue points which are linked to our character framework. The virtues we recognise are detailed in the graphic below.
Emerald Tickets
Following feedback from the Student Council, and then wider feedback from all students via the Smart School Council, we have introduced Emerald Tickets to recognise when students have exemplified one of our core values of aspire, respect and endeavour during their lessons.
Members of our Senior Leadership Team visit lessons frequently, and award five emerald tickets each day to a student identified by the class teachers as having best demonstrated one of our school values. The tickets include a queue jump pass for the student to use in the canteen and a separate part can be placed in the relevant year group box in the main hall. There will be a prize draw at the end of every term for each year group.
Cause for Applause and Cause for Extra Applause
Each week we award Student of the Week for each year group who receive a Cause for Applause certificate. These are awarded for either academic achievement, excellent demonstrations of character or both. We also recognise students character and achievement through our Extra Cause for Applause awards which are displayed on our Character and Knowledge Appreciation display screens.
Every week, staff can also nominate a student to receive a Headteacher’s commendation related to their academic work or good character.
Thurstable Way Awards
Students in Years 7 - 9 have the opportunity to apply for a Thurstable Way Award. These awards are given based on a student's commitment to developing their character and their engagement in the wider school community. The awards also provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their commitment to their character development outside of school as well.
There are two windows in which a student can apply for the Thurstable Way Awards - students will be informed of these windows in assemblies, with the first being around November each year. A student who has not been successful in applying for one or more of these awards, can do so later in their school career.
The Headteacher and Platinum award are the most coveted awards available at Thurstable School. These are awarded without application, based on a student's contribution to the school and awarded only by the Headteacher.
Christmas and Easter Awards
At the end of each term, we have a celebration assembly with each year group. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the beautiful work that students have produced and also recognise students that have won subject awards.
End of Year Awards Evening - July
A formal Awards Evening will be held annually for Years 7-11 at the end of the summer term. Students are nominated by a range of staff for awards to recognise academic excellence, outstanding effort, attendance and community service. We also recognise the character of our students with the awarding of the very special Aspire, Respect and Endeavour trophies for those who have best demonstrated these values in their year groups this academic year.
Sports Awards Evening - July
Competitive sports are an integral part of Thurstable School's values. We encourage all students to participate and will actively encourage those who develop exceptional talent and skills to compete at a higher level.
Sports colour will be awarded for Year 7-9 (junior sports colours) and Years 10-11 (senior sports colours) These are awarded to students for dedication and commitment to their teams and societies as demonstrated by attending training regularly and participating in school fixtures.
Gold and Silver Sports Colours - These are awarded to students who display an exceptional level of sportsmanship and achieve a high level of competence in a relevant sport. The Silver Sports Colour will be awarded in Years 7-9, and the Gold Sports Colour in Years 10-11.
Sports Personality of the Year - Each year two students from Thurstable are selected for their outstanding contributions to competitive sports.