Work Hard, Be Kind
Work hard, Be kind, the motto of Angel Oak Academy, Peckham, was the key message to pupils during our Founder Rio Ferdinand's visit to the Angel Oak Academy earlier this month.
Growing up in Peckham as childhood friends, Rio and Step Academy Head, David Dowling share a passion for creating opportunities and pathways for young people.
The visit on Wednesday 6th December allowed friends to reunite as the Rio Ferdinand Foundation team lent a helping hand at the STEP Academy Trust's inter-school tournament.
Rio joined pupils from Peacehaven Heights, Angel Oak, Westbridge and Turnham in a Q&A session, delivering a powerful message about the importance of working hard, aiming high and community.
Dr Timothy Mills, Executive Director of STEP Academy Trust, said:
“What a stimulating morning for all of our pupils. The Rio Ferdinand Foundation was so generous and well-organised and engaged our girls and boys with such energy. The messages of hard work, community, respect and kindness were implicit throughout the morning and having Rio there to exemplify this was the icing on the cake. Thank you so much. An unforgettable event.”
Edilson Abilio, RFF Sports Programme Manager, said:
“It was a pleasure to support the day. Pupils from across the schools were so focused, positive... and I’d like to add greeted every member of our team with a really confident ‘good morning’. It’s quite clear that they’re going places in their lives. We’ve just begun a longer-term partnership with Angel Oak linked to our wider community programme for Peckham and we’re really excited about taking this forward in the new year.”
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation has been working across Peckham for the last ten years #creatingopportunities and empowering social mobility.
