Junior Prize Day

Thursday, 19th November 2009

On the 19th November 2009 the pupils in Years 7 to 9 went to the gym to listen to the speeches and see their fellow pupils receive prizes. The first speaker was Rabbi Riffkin. He talked about the week’s parashah, parashat Toldot, and he related a phrase in it to Junior Prize Day. He started off his speech by asking why the Torah repeats ‘Yitzchak the son of Abraham’. He explained that the Torah repeats these words in order to show us that Avraham was proud to be the father of Yitzchak and that Yitzchak was proud to be the son of Avraham. He described Yitzchak and Avraham’s relationship as close, strong and full of happiness. He said that we should have the same relationship with our parents and that we should be proud of friends receiving prizes just as Avraham was proud of Yitzchak.
 
Our second speaker was Simon Johnson. He is highly involved in football and he explained how football helps to make the world a better place. Mr. Johnson showed that there was another side of football. Famous players use their influence to people to save lives, as, for example, by the players campaigning in Africa that young people get tested for Aids. He emphasised how fortunate we are to be young at a time we have so many opportunities, such as the 2012 Olympics and the 2018 World Cup, to experience great sport at first hand. He explained how much he enjoyed his job of promoting England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup. He has a great job and his story inspired us.
 
After Mr. Johnson gave his inspirational speech he gave out the prizes to our peers. Awards were awarded for Achievement, Effort, Music, Art and Drama. Overall, it was an enjoyable hour during which we gained a lot of knowledge.

By George Fattal, 9GDS

For photos of this event, please click here.