The Rotary Club of Brighton has once again recognised young people's exceptional service to the community through the Citizens Awards scheme. Held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel, the event saw a large number of Varndean School students being recognised alongside other young people from across the city. Varndean students proudly received Gold or Silver Awards presented by Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Mr Peter Field.

It was a lovely evening celebrating how much young people contribute to the community. Varndean School students accomplished a range of work including charity fundraising, charity event organisation, film making, supporting performing arts students and events as well as notable work with Brightonshed, Great Ormond Street and Amberley Museum.

We are extremely proud to have so many of our students routinely volunteering their time to help others in their local community. Students Logan and Izzy spoke at the event about how their work had helped them.

On Tuesday evening, several Varndean charity team members and I received silver and gold awards from the Rotary Club. We were all very proud to be awarded for our charity work and thankful to the Rotary Club for putting on the event. I spoke at the ceremony about all of the hard work that we, in Russell School CHOCS, have put into various events such as the Russellmataz. I talked about the satisfaction in watching students from all years work towards a performance and raise money, all in the aid of VSIP, our school charity. Everyone also got to meet and take a picture with East Sussex’s Lord Lieutenant who represents the Queen in Sussex. Overall, we were all extremely proud to represent Varndean in front of so many other schools and happy to spread the word about all of the good work that Varndean charities do!

Izzy Langhamer, Year 10 

I think the key thing for me is about how much young people give to the community, we must recognise this and celebrate it because this is our future and it is full of hope.

Alison Browning, Challenge Coordinator, Varndean School