Student achievements celebrated at Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech

Wisbech Mayor Sidney Imafidon was among a group of guests at an Achievement Evening for students at the town’s Thomas Clarkson Academy.

Guest speaker, author Rudi Jennings, told family, friends, and staff that his road to success was not conventional, but he still achieved his ambition of becoming a published author and urged the students to remain dedicated to their dreams.

Awards were presented across all departments of the academy from years 7 to 12 at the event.

“It is a pleasure to come back to a school that has been very supportive of me, and it’s lovely to tell you a little bit about my road to becoming an author,” said Rudi, who grew up in West Norfolk and worked in close protection before concentrating on his writing.

“I was very interested in sports and martial arts, but ended up working in the care industry for a while, working night shifts and I was writing a lot of notes,” he said.

He changed career and went into close protection, travelling to South Africa for his training, which was tough. Rudi still held onto his dream of becoming an author and continued writing copious notes while working around the world.

“I was never taught how to write. It was only through the wonderful encouragement of parents and friends, and that I got very lucky,” he said.

Senior vice principal Matt Dobbing said there are former students currently at ‘some of the best universities on the planet’ and he praised all the prize-winners for their dedication and hard work.

Other guests included Derrick Holmes, Peter Dennis, Michael Bates, and Brian Kett of Wisbech Business and Professional Men’s Club which sponsored the Business Student Awards.