ON Friday, Mark Hall Academy students won best production and best actor at the Rudolph Walker Inter-School awards at Epping College. Rudolph Walker may not be well known in terms of his real name but everyone recognises the institution that he has become on Eastenders as the much loved Patrick Truman.

An awards evening funded and set up by both the Rudolph Walker Foundation and Essex County Council. Giving these fabulous young people a platform to express themselves in a positive and rewarding way.

On winning the awards the students smiled and cheered as well as bursting into tears along with their parents. A real feel good evening that has brought about a genuine sense of pride to both these students and the academy.

Three schools were involved in the evening- Mark Hall Academy, Burnt Mill Academy and Roding Valley High School.

Each had a group of five and had a maximum 10 minutes per performance, voted on by three judges.

Mark Hall’s performance was an exploration of what life is like for modern day students. Flashbacks to their home life that showed the challenges that they face and the reasons they may not fully perform well in school.