Staff, students and parents at the Academy were celebrating on this week with the annual awards evening which is held in recognition of the many achievements their students have made over the last twelve months.
Staff, students and parents at Macmillan Academy were celebrating on Tuesday 11th September with their annual awards evening which is held in recognition of the many achievements their students have made over the last twelve months. Students were deservedly recognised for their effort, enthusiasm and commitment, not just in academic performance but in many and varied extra-curricular accomplishments as well.
This very special evening included stunning performances from our recent 'Schools Will Rock You' cast and our Head Boy and Head Girl both spoke to welcome our Guest of Honour and offer a vote of thanks.
Presenting the awards this year, was an inspirational former student who has enjoyed a distinguished 17 year career in the RAF. Gemma left the academy in 2001 after taking A-Levels in engineering, mathematics, physics and sports studies. During her time at the academy she participated in various engineering schemes and in the Head Start programme where she was selected as 1 of 10 UK students to visit the University of Colorado.
After her Post 16 studies, Gemma joined the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Avionics Engineer. Upon completion of Military Basic training at RAF Halton she attended her Avionics Engineering training at RAF Cosford. After graduation she was posted to 20(R) Squadron, RAF Wittering, where she spent seven years maintaining Harrier GR7's. During her career on Harriers she travelled the world, completing exercises in USA, Canada, Oman, Cyprus and Poland. She spent three years on the Harrier Display team, where she travelled both in the UK and throughout Europe representing the RAF and Harrier force. In her final year on 20(R) Squadron she worked in the Squadron Training Cell, this involved teaching and mentoring new squadron personnel on the complex avionics systems on the aircraft.
After promotion to Corporal in 2010, Gemma was posted to the 11(F) squadron, where she spent the next 3 years maintaining Typhoon aircraft. Gemma was later promoted and posted the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Centre, where she is currently employed providing operational support to government departments.
We thank Gemma warmly for returning to the academy and sharing her experiences to help inspire our current students and wish her continued success and fulfilment in her career.
In looking back over the year, the awards evening highlights the astonishing breadth of activity that students at Macmillan Academy can benefit from and why it really is "more than just a school".
