A mixture of smiles and tears engulfed Healesville Primary School on Friday 28 November when grade six student Ardi Campbell was awarded the school’s Tricia O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship.
Under the gaze of family, friends and previous award recipients, Ardi stepped up to the front of Healesville Primary School’s assembly hall to graciously receive his award.
The Tricia O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually and was established in 2001 in honour of former Healesville Primary School student Tricia, who died aged 12.
As a legacy, the late Senior Sergeant Tony Van Gorp of Healesville Police set up the Award and Scholarship to be presented to a grade six student from Healesville Primary School who is going on to Healesville High School.
Each year, the award recognises a Year 6 student who emulates the qualities Tricia showed. These qualities include: being academically accomplished and interested in being involved in all aspects of school activity, being well organised and conscientious in always doing their best.
The award recipients are also acknowledged each year for being sporty, cheerful, fun-loving and respectful.
Ardi’s Classroom Teacher Ali Mende said, “Ardi is just an easy-going, fun-loving kid.”
“He is friends with everyone and he loves being at school. He also makes the most of every opportunity that he has,” she said.
“He is happy to be himself and doesn’t worry about what other people think of him and he is still very popular regardless of that.”
Ms Mende was very proud of Ardi for receiving the award.
“He is just such a beautiful kid in general,” Ms Mende said.
“When you think about Tricia and the type of person Ardi is, I don’t think the award could have gone to anyone else,” she said.
“I think the award is a beautiful way to honour Tricia and the type of student she was and have that connection with the high school. It fosters a sense of community in Healesville and it is something for all of our kids to aspire to achieve.”
Ardi was filled with much emotion when he received the award.
“It is a very good honour to receive this award,” Ardi said.
“The award means that you are very caring, sporty, and nice,” he said.
Ardi was grateful his parents attended the award ceremony.
“I love my dad and my mum,” he said.
As part of the award, Ardi had his name on a shield at Healesville Primary School and on one at Healesville High School, next to the names of past award recipients.
Ardi also received a plaque of his own to take home.
When asked what advice he would give to future year sixes, Ardi said, “Have fun and enjoy school when you can because it will be over really quickly.”
“You should really make the most of every moment,” he said.
Ardi plans on taking this mindset with him when he goes to Healesville High School.
