Star Pupils Recognised For Their Dedication

Two star Carmarthen pupils have been thrust into the limelight for their commitment and dedication both in and out of school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Luke Richards and Britany Day of Rhydygors School are celebrating after winning top awards at Radio Carmarthenshire’s Young Achiever Awards 2016 earlier this month. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Luke took the Outstanding Secondary Progress Award for turning his life around despite being diagnosed with Autism. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Britany, aged 15 and suffers with symptomatic residual dysplasia of her right hip, walked away with the Young Carers Award for caring for her family and younger siblings. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council’s executive board member for education, Cllr Gareth Jones said: “What a remarkable achievement for these two young students despite being faced with their own personal struggles. Their education continues to flourish and they really are a credit to the school. Well done Luke, Britany and the teaching staff at Rhydygors.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In 2014 ago Luke was refusing to go to school, engage in any school work and was generally not engaging in life at home or in school. Two years on and after a lot of hard work and catching up the 16-year-old rarely misses a day, engages in school discussion, and takes a real interest in his future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Prior to Britany becoming a residential pupil in September she would leave school each day to go home and cook a meal for the whole family, wash their clothes and get her younger brother ready for school each morning. She still continues her caring role from a Friday to a Monday. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Assistant head teacher, Debbie Payne said: “Luke began his journey to change his life two years ago and there is not stopping him now. The transformation Luke has made is nothing short of phenomenal and plans to take his GCSE’s next year and move on to college. Britany is an excellent support to both pupils and staff, often helping her peers with their school work whilst continuing with her own work to the highest standard. She is also a wonderful emotional support to many others when they are having a hard time and facing difficulties. She is an absolute star pupil.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​