Awards 2023-24

Every year we give out a number of awards which mean a great deal to the school as we are celebrating people who made a difference to our school, whether as a student or as a teacher. Through these awards their legacy lives on. These awards are:

• Lee Figueras Award - for the most improved student
• Jenise Payas Maths Award - for the best mathematician
• Alistair Beanland Award - for the best geographer in Year 8
• Mario Mosquera Science Award - for the best scientist
• Max Santos’ Award - for the student who has given the greatest contribution to the creative arts.

Jenise Payas was one of our maths teachers and she sadly died in 2004 after a battle with cancer. She was loved by all her students and colleagues. This award celebrates achievements in mathematics, the subject that she taught and loved so much.

This year the award was given to Abi Greenburg. Abi is an intelligent young man who has always achieved academically. Abi found himself doing further mathematics on his own after having not opted for this subject at the start of his A-Levels. Abi achieved an A for his AS last year and hopefully he will achieve similarly in the A-Level this year. 

Lee Figueras was a very special young man who unfortunately died in a motorcycle accident in 1995. He always tried his best and one of his teachers, Mrs Chiappe, remembered him so fondly that she set up this award in his name.

The award this year was given to Zachary Marrache from year 13. This young man started of in the LSF and found learning a challenge. Through perseverance and hard work he has reached A-Levels and we have no doubt will go to university.

Alistair Beanland was a geography and history teacher in Bayside. Sadly he passed away after battling cancer. He was an unassuming man who cared about his students and was very passionate about geography. His father started this award in his name. The idea was to reward a geographer in year 8 so as to encourage a love for the subject.

This year's winner was Maria Diaz Mateos. She is an excellent student who is already demonstrating a love for learning.

Mario Mosquera was a biology teacher in Bayside. Most recently he was teaching in Loreto Convent. He died suddenly a short while ago and his family wanted his legacy to live on here in Bayside. As his passion was science, we felt that an award to the best scientist would be a fitting tribute. 

This is the first year of this award and the winner is Lily Rogers from year 12. Her teachers say that Lily simply understands many of the scientific ideas and problems that others find difficult. 

Max Santos was a Bayside student from September 2017 to June 2023. He studied drama and he loved volleyball. He was looking forward to going to university when he died tragically in a car accident in July 2023. His friends raised funds and bought a glass trophy and asked his teachers if they could arrange for a yearly award for the student who has given the greatest contribution to the creative arts. They also commissioned a portrait which could be hung outside the drama studio. His teachers organised a volleyball tournament and the proceeds were donated to the Gibraltar Volleyball Association. The Santos Shield was won by Max's friends and teammates. 

The first recipient of the Max Santos Award is Rhys McNeice Celecia  from year 10. He is a lovely young man who embodies many of the same qualities which made Max a special young man.