SIXTH-former Stephen Royal does more than his studies at The Gateway Academy in Grays. He helps there that much he lives and breathes the place.
Stephen gives up his time to help new arrivals, theatre productions, and community events there.
So it was no surprise that teachers chose him as a nominee for Essex Police Young People of the Year awards or ‘the YOPEYs’ as an exemplary role model to his peers and others.
Now Stephen is in the running for a cash prize from £2,000 put up by Essex Police, Essex Police Authority and others.
This is the fourth YOPEY held in Essex to reveal, recognize and reward those who give to others.
Seventeen-year-old Stephen, of Cample Lane, South Ockenden, was nominated by Jill Bacon, who is responsible for extra-curricular activities at the Marshfoot Road academy.
She described Stephen as a hard-working positive role model who supports the academy and his local community.
He always has time to support other pupils, not just those who already attend, but those among the 180 intake each year stepping up from feeder primaries and other schools. For the past four years he has given up a week of his holiday to support pupils making the transition to secondary school.
This includes showing them around the school, explaining rules, different subjects and extra-curricular activities as well as light-hearted sessions around English and maths, Teachers say Stephen shows both patience and confidence.
Stephen has an interest in theatre technology and gives up many hours of his free time to support the academy with his technical skills, helping with screening, lighting and music for various productions.
He helps other pupils learn about the technology. “He is very good at showing others how to get involved,” said Jill.
He also gives technical assistance to primary schools and community organisations.
Stephen is so dedicated and committed that he has agreed to support an event in May which falls on his 18th birthday.
He helps pupils with rock-climbing sessions in the gym, has also helped out in the summer holidays with the administration of football sessions on the school site. He helps on school trips, as well as supporting fundraising and events held by the Parent Student Association.
“He just genuinely wants to help,” said Jill. “He gets a sense of achievement for assisting others. Some of the activities would not go ahead if Stephen was not there to participate. We will certainly miss him when he finished here later this year.
“Pupils and staff alike respect Stephen for his many roles. Nothing is too much trouble for him. He has a cheerful, enthusiastic personality, always encouraging others.”
“When we looked at the YOPEY publicity material, staff immediately and unanimously decided to nominate Stephen as the obvious choice.
“He spends so much time at the school, even outside normal hours that he feels he belongs there.”
“He is a genuinely very kind and pleasant person that would certainly change any negative opinions that many people have of our young people today.
Academy principal Kevin Sadler called Stephen “an outstanding young person”.
“He personifies the values that are at the core of the academy’s vision. He is diligent, trustworthy and resourceful. As our student theatre technician, nothing is too much trouble. He gives up much of his free time to support all academy events from our in-house performances to open days and PSA evenings
“Stephen is always there ready to help in any way he can. His attitude and outlook on life is a model to all other students who look up to Stephen with utmost admiration and respect.”
Stephen said that he helped at the open days for pupils “because I think it is important to have one of the students, rather than staff, show the youngsters their new surroundings and what they can expect.
“I enjoy it. It’s fun,” he said. “I like to think I’m making the school a happier place for the new pupils.”
He particularly enjoys the theatre technology and hopes to turn that into a career. “It’s something I would like to do in the West End helping with lighting and sound at a theatre,” he said.
And while others may go out celebrating their 18th birthday Stephen will be happy to assist when a Take That tribute band will be playing at school. “They are bringing their own moving lights which we don’t have at the academy so I will be helping and learning at the same time,” he said.
YOPEY founder Tony Gearing said: “Stephen sounds like an exceptional person in the way that he helps people at his academy and has obviously won the respect of teachers and pupils alike for the way that he is always ready to lend a hand.
In Essex this year YOPEY is sponsored by Essex Police, Essex Police Authority, Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, Runwood Homes with residential homes for the elderly throughout Essex, and GlaxoSmithKline’s Harlow operation.
