Sheffield Student Wins Prestigious Pupil Library Assistant Of The Year 2019
26th March 2019
Year 9 Academy student celebrated by 20 children’s authors at London ceremony
Rhiannon Salvin embodies Firth Park’s core values of aspiration, respect and resilience
On Friday (22 March) Year 9 Sheffield student Rhiannon Salvin took the train to London for the very first time and came home with the prestigious Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award 2019 - which she collected at a ceremony at Penguin Random House on The Strand.
Rhiannon, student at Firth Park Academy, part of the Academies Enterprise Trust, reached the top seven finalists with her outstanding application, beating off competition from pupils in private and state schools across the country. At the ceremony she was celebrated by twenty children’s authors – including Roald Dahl, prize-winning author Philip Ardagh and Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries.
The judging panel – a group of children's librarians and literacy experts including 2019 guest judge, author Jo Cotterill – deemed Rhiannon’s entry to be exceptional, showing the phenomenal range of tasks she carries out within her school library, all with an enthusiasm and dedication that goes beyond what is expected of her.
The coveted award is run by the School Libraries Group, CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) and the School Library Association. It recognises the incredible work carried out by students in their school libraries and the range of skills this involves.
Rhiannon Salvin, Year 9 at Firth Park Academy, said:
“I was so shocked, and never expected it. It felt amazing to win, because the standard was so high. It was lovely to meet all the authors, especially Robin Stevens - author of the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries - who has championed me.”
When Rhiannon began her school life, she knew no-one else at Firth Park and took comfort in the library. Over time she has flourished, taking on the role of pupil librarian to become assured in her abilities. The school library has enabled her to develop personal qualities, raising her self-confidence to take on a leadership role within the library and increasing her resilience so that she can support others.
Firth Park Academy Principal, Mr Dean Jones, said:
“Rhiannon is a modest and humble superstar. She embodies Firth Park’s core values of aspiration, respect and resilience. We are committed to equipping all our students with the academic and emotional skills to allow them to lead not just successful, but remarkable lives, and this is a wonderful example of that. Rhiannon is as respected as any adult member of staff in her role as a student librarian.”
Firth Park Academy Library Manager, Mrs Alison Edwards, said:
“Rhiannon is quiet and reserved with a big heart who goes above and beyond her normal duties, and who underestimates herself and her skills. Over time her confidence has grown so that she is now comfortable talking to visiting parents, helping the diverse community of students with enquiries, ensuring a studious atmosphere during homework club and welcoming new students into the library.”
Julian Drinkall, CEO of the Academies Enterprise Trust, said:
“Firth Park Academy is making the most of every opportunity for all its students. This is a prime example of how all our academies are delivering an education that allows young people to go on and lead remarkable lives – and that is what drives us at AET.”