Jennifer was nominated for the Jack Petchey award by her family for the way she has enthusiastically engaged in various sports, the Explorer Scouts and voluntary work, having overcome a number of personal challenges

Jennifer represents Braintree Youth Netball team and is always willing to help out at training and also stand in and play for the ladies teams when they are short. She also plays cricket for the Essex Under 15 girls development squad as wicket keeper and is always looking for ways to improve, regularly attending Great Waltham Cricket Club for extra wicket keeper training.

This summer, she went to Kandestag International Scout camp in Switzerland where she participated in a range of activities including a 10 mile hike up a mountain where they camped overnight. Her leaders commented on how impressed they were by her ‘have a go’ attitude to everything and the way she encouraged others to overcome their fears and kept smiling. Most recently she participated in a marathon weekend, where, with a group of other girls, she had to carry everything she needed for the weekend and walk 30km over 2 days, collecting points for each base they reached. Her team came first in the girls’ category and 4^th overall – quite an achievement in itself.

She recently took part in a girls’ golf day and, despite not knowing anyone, quickly made friends while learning golf as a new skill. She took part in 2 competitions, coming first in one and 2^nd in the other – very impressive for a beginner!

Jennifer also volunteered at the library in the summer with the summer reading challenge, working 20 hours in 5 days, listening to young children tell her all about the books they had been reading and asking them questions. Again, she knew no one, and despite the challenges she has had at school, quickly made friends with others working there and impressing the usual library staff with her polite, friendly manner, who said she was a joy to have around and always smiling.

Her family and scout leaders really wanted her efforts and achievements to be recognised as she has tried so hard to stay positive, encourage others and have a go at everything despite the difficulties she has had at school with some of her peers.

The Jack Petchey team in school were really impressed with the nomination and those that know Jennifer agree that she is a really lovely person, easy to get on with and a team player who really deserves the Jack Petchey award.