Onkaparinga Youth Awards
Annually the Onkaparinga Youth Committee assist in delivering the Youth Recognition Awards - where young people aged 8 to 25 are recognised, celebrated and honoured for their outstanding actions in improving their communities, self and securing their futures.
On Monday night the Onkarparinga Youth Awards 2024 were held at the Port Noarlunga Arts Centre where 93 young people were recognised for their achievements across the five categories:
- Learning Success: A category for young people who have achieved significant academic success whether it be ‘getting the grade’, mentoring other young people to do so or showcased excellence in learning new skills.
- Personal Achievement: This category shines a light on those who have overcome adversity and shown resilience through personal hardship to overcome the many challenges life can throw at young people.
- Contribution to Community: An award that acknowledges the young people who give extra time back to community groups, schools and other programs that benefit the people of Onkaparinga.
- Business, Employment & Social Enterprise: An award to recognise young people who have turned their ideas into business and social enterprise as well as acknowledging those young people who have worked hard to secure employment. This one is for the hard workers, innovative thinkers and change makers!
- Onkaparinga Youth Worker of the Year: To be eligible for this award the nominated person can be of any age but must work with young people from the Onkaparinga area. Workers include but are not limited to: Police, Child Protection, Health, Education, Youth Work and Youth Services including those working with young people in the sports and recreation and arts and cultural sector. You do not have to be a ‘youth worker’ per say to be nominated in this category!
We had a number of staff and students nominated across some of the above categories:
- Tenzin Sims - Learning Success
- Gabriel Santos & Lucy Sampson - Contribution to Community
- Jo Dean & Deb Coad - Onkaparinga Youth Worker of the Year
- Highly Commended winner was Jo Dean
Congratulations to Deb Coad who won the Onkaparinga Youth Worker of the Year.
Deb works with our senior students who are either unsure of their future direction and/or disengaging from school. Deb works to set goals for each student, transports and supports students at job interviews and with mental health concerns.
She also supports with strategies, visits to outside agencies to support wellbeing, and directs and assists with enrolling students in training programs, including TAFE courses, university study, short courses and employment.
Deb uses restorative practice strategies to support both students and her fellow teachers.
Such a great achievement. Congratulations!!
Congratulations to all who were nominated and to Lucy and Tiger who did a great job presenting some of the awards on stage as mentors of the Onkaparinga Youth Council.