Active Schools Virtual Awards: Parent Volunteer of the Year

Rob Henry

Rob has volunteered at the Portobello HS Running Club for the last 3 years and has been the only ever-present member of this club.  He has been a strong advocate for being active and enjoying the sport of athletics. There is a range of attendees - from Scottish Champions to Club Runners to pupils who could only run and walk at 30 second intervals - no matter who Rob interacts with he fills them with inspiration and instils a confidence that they can all develop and improve. He works in such a calm and measured way that he produces a supportive environment where everyone can flourish.

The one thing that cannot go unnoticed is the dramatic impact he is making on running and athletics being delivered in the school.

Kerry Simpson

Over the past three years, Active Schools has developed a weekly cricket club in all four schools in the Boroughmuir cluster as well as other schools in the James Gillespie’s cluster. Kerry has recruited and supported coaches from Carlton Cricket Club to lead these sessions.  In addition to Cricket, Kerry has contributed to other sports including; being a team manager for Boroughmuir HS Hockey Club; supporting tennis at the High School through communicating with other parents about upcoming events and regularly transporting pupils to events; identifying golf opportunities for Active Schools to promote and recruiting basketball coaches to cover primary sessions at short notice.

Kerry has been an invaluable volunteer within the Active Schools programme and has opened opportunities for pupils to take part in activities that would not otherwise have been possible. 

Judy Clark

Judy has been a Parent Volunteer for the last 4 years whilst her daughters have been at Flora Stevenson PS. She requested Netball as part of the Active Schools programme at Flora Stevenson’s and has supported the club to grow over the years. Judy has committed many admin hours to arrange games, competitions, officials and liaising with other parents to organise transport and arranging team uniforms. There are over 40 children from school attending weekly clubs from P4 - P7. Not only has Judy supported the primary school teams but over the last 2 years Judy has been involved in creating the brand new Inverleith Swifts Netball Club. This was a result of Judy noticing there was a lack of Netball within the local community. She has given up hours of her free time to ensure local girls within the Broughton area can participate in Netball.