CHARLIE Wade's eyes filled with tears as she was presented with an award for her exemplary attendance at school.
When asked if her mum would be proud, she nodded silently.
The 12-year-old recently lost her mum to cancer – yet still went into school the very next day.
She was one of a number of youngsters to be honoured at the Lord Mayor's Attendance Awards on Monday, which recognised those who go the extra mile to be in school.
Charlie picked up an Attendance with Courage award – one of six award categories.
Despite going through a trauma that most adults would find difficult, Charlie has astounded teachers at Farnborough School in Clifton with her determination to carry on.
For Charlie, school has been the support she needed to cope in the aftermath of her mum's death.
She said: "I'm over the moon as I've been at school ever since my mum died. I wanted to keep going to school as I could talk to people there about what I was going through. They've really helped me."
Charlie wasn't the only youngster to have shown remarkable courage in the face of adversity.
Six-year-old Tami Adesina also picked up an Attendance with Courage award after also losing her mum earlier this year.
Despite this, the brave youngster has maintained a perfect record of attendance at Southwark Primary School in Old Basford.
She said she was "very happy" to be recognised for her achievements.
Kaya Percival, who is part of the school's attendance team and was also Tami's nursery teacher, said: "I'm so proud of Tami – it's an amazing achievement. She's a great role model to all the children at the school. To go through what she's been through and still come to school is remarkable."
The awards also honoured those who have clocked up a perfect 100% attendance record – including 15-year-old Jemma Ford.
The Year 10 pupil at Farnborough School has managed perfect attendance for eight consecutive years.
She said: "I work hard to try and be in school all the time, even when I'm not feeling well. I'm always encouraging my friends not to take days off."
The awards were part of a drive by Nottingham City Council to improve attendance across the city.
Cllr Sam Webster, executive assistant for schools in Nottingham, said: "We've heard some very moving stories – it's easy to forget some of the situations that young people find themselves in.
"The message from the council is that attending school every day is really important.
"At the moment, we do lag behind in Nottingham. We don't have any excuses – if you compare us to similar cities we still don't do as well.
"Everybody in the council and in schools is working together to make sure we improve the situation. It's what our young people deserve."
THE WINNERS:
Most Improved Primary Attendance: Firbeck Primary School, Wollaton
Most Improved Secondary Attendance: Djanogly City Academy, Sherwood Rise
Young Carer Awards:
Jak Smith, Year 7 at Nottingham University Samworth Academy, Bilborough
Elizabeth Miller, New College Nottingham
Jessica Oliver, Year 7 at Big Wood School, Bestwood
Attendance with Courage Awards:
Charlie Wade, Year 7 at Farnborough School, Clifton
Kayleigh Tate, Year 6 at Glenbrook Primary School, Bilborough
Simeran Kaur, Year 4 at Scotholme Primary School, Hyson Green
Tami Adesina, Year 1 at Southwark Primary School, Old Basford
Blaise Gwynne, Year 1 at Robin Hood Primary School, Bestwood
Priority Families Award: Marisha King, Farnborough School, Clifton
Lord Mayor's Special Award:
Kyra Bowen, Year 9 at Farnborough School, Clifton
Jemma Ford, Year 10 at Farnborough School, Clifton
Rachel Sims, Year 9 at Nottingham University Samworth Academy, Bilborough
Adena Patrick, Year 4 at St Ann's Well Academy, St Ann's
Aimee Bacon, Year 11 at Beckhampton Centre PRU, Bestwood
See nottinghampost.com/pictures for a gallery of photos from the event.
