Pupils who never missed a day off school praised

Luke Cook, left, and Alex Hall, both 11, have been presented with awards for not missing a single day of school for six years D14302016a

The youngsters, who both attended Littlehampton’s River Beach Primary School, stunned teachers with their amazing attendance, which is a record at the school.

Each of the boys, who were in year-six, have not had a single day off sick at River Beach or its predecessors, Arun Vale and Connaught.

Alex even managed to make it to class sporting a sore ankle on his penultimate day before breaking up for summer last week.

Fabio Pimenta and Daniel Reed, both seated front, surrounded by other top attendance pupils D14302394

But the pair have admitted that there is no real secret to their success.

“My mum won’t let me stay home if I’m sick,” joked Alex.

Luke’s reason was rather different. He said: “I’m always sick at the weekends but never when school’s on.”

In total, 77 pupils at the school received 100 per cent attendance this year, with all being praised in a special assembly.

Judy Grevett, head teacher, said: “I cannot put into words how impressed I am by Luke and Alex’s achievement of attending school every day in their school lives so far.

“I have been a head teacher for 17 years now and this is the first time I have come across such excellent attendance. Both boys should be very proud of themselves.”

A stellar attendance record wasn’t only achieved by pupils at River Beach.

Youngsters at the White Meadows Primary Academy, in Wick, have also notched up some impressive figures.

Since the school was created, after the amalgamation of the former Wickbourne Infant School and Flora McDonald Junior School, only two pupils have achieved 100 per cent attainment.

Daniel Reed, ten, and Fabio Pimenta, nine, were both presented with a tablet computer for their remarkable records – the best in the school.

Year-six Daniel, said: “I felt really proud winning the attendance award. It was quite nice getting a tablet computer, too.”

Deputy head teacher Yvonne Brailsford was thrilled with the results. She said: “All the children in the assembly gasped in surprise when we told them two children had achieved 100 per cent over three years.”

Nineteen other children achieved 100 per cent attendance over one year, earning them gift vouchers.