From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, May 15, 2008

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STUDENTS from two Devon secondary schools will next week be honoured for the work they are doing in championing their individual cultures.

The 13 students from St James School in Exeter and Coombeshead College in Newton Abbot are taking part in an innovative project set up by Devon County Council.

The students, from years 7, 8 and 9, come from diverse backgrounds including the Turkish, Pakistani, Polish, Ukrainian, Malaysian, British Chinese and British Indian communities.

They are acting as Cultural Champions with students from their own colleges and other schools across the county.

They will be receiving certificates to celebrate their work from Devon's Director of Children and Young People's Services, Anne Whiteley.

The presentation will be from 7pm to 8pm next Monday (May 19) in the Council Chamber at County Hall in Exeter

The purpose of the project is to train young minority ethnic people to become ambassadors for their culture.

It provides opportunities

           To raise awareness about the variety of backgrounds and cultures of Devon pupils.

           For the Youth Cultural Champions to talk about their language, home country, religion and customs with pupils in their own and other schools.

           To raise the profile of minority ethnic pupils through curriculum embedded activities.

           To raise the self esteem, confidence and achievement of minority ethnic pupils within the curriculum.

           To support the transition from primary to secondary school for minority ethnic pupils.

           To celebrate cultural differences as a way of promoting community cohesion.

The 13 students took part in two workshops at the Global Education Centre in Exeter to train as Youth Cultural Champions.

They will take their presentations into feeder primary schools during the summer term. This will help to create a link for new students arriving in Year 7 at the beginning of September.

Devon's Executive Councillor for Children and Young People's Services, John Smith, said: "I am delighted to congratulate these young people for their commitment to this project.

"We will be sharing the work from this pilot with all Devon schools to provide a model of good practice.

"The feedback from pupils, parents and school staff so far has been very encouraging and is highlighting the success of the project.

"I would also like to pay tribute to our English as an Additional Language Service and particularly Marian Jenkins, Devon Development Education and Sue Clarke, CYPS Lead Officer for Achievement through Collaboration, for their work on this innovative project."

The St James students are Selda Kekilli, Anas Saeid, Cedrick Cruzada, Magdalena Manikowska, Hardeep Singh Bhakar, Ali Sina Rehemi.

The Coombeshead students are Ayan Memon, Oksana Gorickaja, Irene Pyasetska, Fahana Rahman, Sid Elalaoui, Kenny Cheung and Sam Ho.

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend the ceremony in the Council Chamber at County Hall in Exeter from 7pm on Monday, May 19.