It was an exciting evening of celebration as the seven kinderstart students and 36 regular students from kindergarten to grade six gathered with parents, grandparents, and teachers at the annual Diploma and Award Night at John Watkins Academy in Hermitage-Sandyville.
Mr. Jack Skinner, principal, welcomed everyone and praised the combined efforts of parents, teachers, support staff, and the students themselves; Mr. Skinner said the children were “seekers of knowledge”, and he encouraged the students to put 100% effort into whatever tasks they undertook. The principal also commented on all the major events the students participated in, events which added to their knowledge and their social growth.
He listed the Terry Fox Run ($1070.85 for cancer research), the Quartoonie Challenge for the children’s charity Every Child Counts, the Remembrance Day events, the growth in the number of recyclables, the Education Week Speakout as examples of the children’s involvement and learning beyond the classroom doors.
After the cutting of the cake, the students received their diplomas from the homeroom teachers. Individual awards went to Adam Herritt who was awarded the Jimmy O. Roberts Award for being the top academic student in grade five and to Andrew Rose the Reginald Cox Award for being the Grade Six Student of the Year.



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