THE ENDURING POWER OF THE HELEN FOUNDATION AWARDS

For the past 20 years, many young people have been awarded The Helen Foundation Award at their school for, in schools’ own judgements, “Best Endeavour in the Arts”. And we know from reports from schools, students themselves know - and their parents also know - how valuable these awards have been. Here is one of the most recent citations, written in the third person to create suspense at the Award event...

The citation reads as follows:

BROOKE HUNTER AT TEIGNMOUTH COMMUNITY SCHOOL

This student is an exceptional young performer whose talent, dedication, and passion for the performing arts are evident in everything they do. Excelling across multiple disciplines, they have achieved outstanding success in both Drama and Music, demonstrating remarkable creativity, skill, and maturity. Beyond the classroom, they actively seek opportunities to develop their craft, embracing new challenges with enthusiasm and commitment.

A valued and dependable member of school productions and events, they consistently give their time, energy, and talent to enrich the school community. Their dedication, strong work ethic, perseverance, willingness to support peers, and determination to improve make them an inspiration to those around them. Their clear progression, mature artistic expression and passion for the Arts make them a truly deserving recipient of the Helen Foundation Award for Best Endeavour in the Arts.  The Teignmouth Community School's Helen Foundation Award goes to (drum roll...) Brooke Hunter!

Well done Brooke – so well deserved!

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LOIS HARRIS AT GLENDINNING ACADEMY

A year ago, In November 2025, we reported on a THF Award for Romanie at Glendinning Academy, for - among other successes - Romanie’s key role in their first ever production of a musical - Wind in the Willows.   The Award was presented by Lois Harris, Senior Support worker at the academy. This year, THF trustees Annie and Roger Kirk were back at Glendinning to see their 2026 production of Matilda, again supported by The Helen Foundation. And once again, Romanie had a starring role - this time as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda. 

Reporting on the performance, Lois (seen left in the photo, with Romanie in the middle) recalled her own reaction when she received a THF Award 10 years previously at Newton Abbot College.

A newspaper report on Lois back then read: 

“Year 12 Newton Abbot College student, Lois Harris, was awarded The Helen Foundation ‘Best Endeavour in the Arts’ accolade during the College’s prestigious annual awards ceremony held in July. Lois’ unanimous nomination was a result of her unerring passion for the creative arts, especially through the medium of music and song writing.”

And reflecting now on that event, Lois writes:

“I was awarded the Helen Foundation trophy in my school back in 2016, and it’s been a major part of my musical and professional journey. It’s so nice to give to my students now, the experiences that I received when at school.” 

It’s just brilliant to see how the recognition of her own artist talent has later led Lois to create similar experiences for young people in her care!