Wallace High School Sixth year Emma Carroll travelled to london last week to receive the British Nutrition Foundation Award for her outstanding work in Home Economics. This is the third time in four years that a Wallace High pupil has lifted a prestigious BNF prize. Emma, carried out a study of teenage eating habits as part of her GCSE coursework.
She commented, ” I carried out a questionnaire amongst my peers and spent quite a bit of time examining purchasing habits in the school canteen. My study looked at why young people seem to prefer fast food and I examined methods of highlighting the importance of healthy eating. The “five a day” message is incredibly important – eating at least five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day has immense long term health benefits.”
Following the prizewinners’ lunch at The Royal College of Physicians, Emma enjoyed speeches by Mrs Julia Unwin, Vice Chairperson of the Food Standard Agency and the Director of the Nutrition Foundation, whose comments on the health of the nation were particularly informative.
Emma, whose parents and teacher accompanied her to the event , thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in London, taking in a West End show and spending some of her prize money in the Regent Park boutiques near the Royal College of Physicians. I was hoping we might catch a glimpse of President Bush who was in London at the same time, but we didn’t, ” she laughed, ” Thankfully the presidential visit didn’t interfere too much with our travel arrangements in the capital.”
Currently studying Home Economics, English Literature, Geography and Chemistry at AS level, Emma plans to study dietetics at university. The teenager has also been presented with a South Eastern Education and Library Board Outstanding Achievement Award having been placed First in Northern Ireland in GCSE Home Economics. Fiona Magowan, another Lower Sixth pupil at the school, was placed Joint Second in the same examination.
Head of Home Economics Miss Debbie Wallace, commented, ” The BNF Awards are highly coveted and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Emma to meet with other prize winners from all over the UK and to receive formal recognition of her achievement within the field of Home Economics.”
Emma’s teacher Mrs Gillian Carson added, “It was a wonderful day for all concerned. Emma is very deserving of this award – both her parents and Wallace High School are very proud of her.”
Last modified: February 24, 2016
