Barclays Wealth has agreed again to sponsor the Student of the Year awards for 2009. 

Each year students from the Island’s five secondary schools are put through their paces to identify the top all-round students from each school.

For 2009 the aim is to explore a more inclusive approach in line with Barclays Wealth’s Diversity policy by involving more students and recognising them in more areas of achievement.

Eligible candidates will be sought and nominated by the schools for the categories of Citizenship, the Arts, Academic, Sports and Endeavour.

The shortlisted students from each school will be interviewed by a panel incorporating Barclays Wealth and the Department of Education staff, to decide upon the overall winner for each of the five categories.

Each of the 25 school category winners will attend an awards ceremony in October 2009.

At this event, the winner of each category will be announced, along with the overall Barclays Wealth Student of 2009.

Greg Ellison, Managing Director of Barclays Wealth Isle of Man said, "It is our great pleasure to be able to sponsor the Student of the Year competition again this year.

"This competition is a celebration of some of the extraordinary students we have on the Island and goes some way to recognising their achievements.

"Barclays Wealth is committed to supporting young people; in addition to this scheme Barclays Wealth is a strong supporter of the Junior Achievement programme – with both funding and staff involvement.

"The standard of entrants into this competition is always extremely high and I am looking forward to meeting the finalists in the Autumn."

Anne Craine MHK, Minister for Education said, "I am delighted that Barclays Wealth has once again agreed to sponsor the Student of the Year awards this year.

"These awards highlight the talented and hardworking students we have in the Island’s secondary schools and I know it is going to be a very difficult task to judge the nominees.

"I will look forward to meeting all of the category winners in October."

Pictured: Greg Ellison with Anne Craine MHK.