Prize-Giving

Most schools have a tradition of recognising and rewarding students for their academic or community achievements. RGS has awarded prizes for centuries, in many different formats and various forms of ceremony.

The earliest evidence we have of prize-giving at RGS is a beautiful medal, held in the Archives. It was awarded in 1792 for “superiority in translation”. It is made of nickel silver, engraved with an illustration on one side with the Latin: SUME SUPERBIAM QUÆSITAM MERITIS, which roughly translates as “Assume the honours justly thine”.

Headmaster Edward Moises also included prizes in his 1793 ‘Outlines of the Plan of Education’ adopted in the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne. Prizes could be won for:

best Latin and English Themes and Verses
best Latin and English Declamations
best Translations from Cicero and Demosthenes

*Nickel silver medal for translation. Engraved on reverse: "Given as a Reward for superiority in Translation 27th Sepr. 1792 at The Royal Grammar School Newcastle" [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/OBJ/2/1]*

Prize Books

Later prizes given out would mainly be books. In the mid-20th century, these were chosen by students from a selection available in the school. Earlier prize books were given special binding, with the RGS coat of arms in gold foiling. The earliest examples in the Archives are two awarded in 1881 by Headmaster Brian Christopherson (1873-83), with specially printed RGS bookplates pasted inside:

Alphonse de Lamartine, History of the French Revolution of 1848 (1878). Prize Book for Junior Prize for Proficiency in Chemistry, awarded to AK Martin, Midsummer 1881
Robert Cochrane, The Treasury of English Literature (1881). Prize Book for Class IV Division 2, Proficiency in Classics, English and Arithmetic, awarded to J Easton in Midsummer 1881

Prize-Giving Day

In 1868, a new scheme for the school was published, which set out the introduction of an annual examination and the awarding of prizes by the headmaster. It included the provision of:

"seven prize premiums of £10 each for three years to be adjudged by the Corporation with reference to the aptitude for learning, diligence, conduct or poverty of the selected scholars”

The earliest known prize-giving day was held in December 1839. In 1851, the ceremony was probably held at the Assembly Rooms, which was a regular venue between 1851 and 1904, along with the Town Hall, the Literary & Philosophy Society Lecture Hall, the Art Gallery, Connaught Hall, and the newer Assembly Rooms at Barras Bridge.

Once the school was based at Eskdale Terrace, prize-giving (or Speech Day) was held in the Main Hall until 1963, after which it was held at City Hall. Most of the programmes for these events since 1919 can be found in the Archives.

Prize-Giving Today

Prize-giving is now held at school, mostly in the Agora, and there are numerous awards to be won across all year groups.

The prizes are a book voucher, a book label and a certificate, and student winners are published in our annual review.

Academic prizes include:

Academic Subject prize for the top performer in each subject
Academic Engagement prize for top performers, based on average engagement grades over the year
Head’s Prizes for the biggest improvement in performance or engagement in learning seen over a year.

There are also ‘named’ prizes, some named after Old Novocastrians who have generously funded them:

Rutherford Prize – rewarding students who have contributed positively to the school or their form by being proactive, helpful and a great role model to others
McNee Prize – for those who achieve all grade 9s at GCSE. Named after Sir John McNee, ON and notable pathologist
Joseph Petty Prize for an intending law student
Kishore Prize for an intending medical student
Zaamin Hussain Prize for an intending medical student
Trevor Fenwick Economics Prize (Year 11 & Upper Sixth), and Politics Prize (Upper Sixth)
Dennison Prize for Outstanding Service – awarded to Senior Prefects. Named after Prof Stanley R Dennison, notable economist and RGS Chair of Governors

Collingwood Prize for Service to the Community – awarded to Head Prefects
Harding Prize for Service to the Community. Set up in 1989 in memory of Alderman Bill Harding, ON and RGS Vice-Chairman of Governors
Stanier Prize for Service – awarded to Senior Prefects
Bewick Art Prize
Music Prize – for performance
Coates Head Prefects' Prize
The Bill Gibson Prize for Outstanding Mathematician in Upper Sixth
The Ellen Barton Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Girls Games
The John Elders Senior Boys Games Player of the Year

Sources