Presentation of Certificates
Twenty-six candidates qualified for the award of the Company’s Level 4 Certificate for Optical Technicians during 2009, and twenty-three for the Level 2 Certificate in Optical Production Processes.
In addition, twenty-six candidates qualified for the Level 3 Certificate in Optical Practice Support, and one hundred and four for the Level 2 award. Some of those successful individuals were able to collect their certificates in person from the Master at the annual ceremony held in the Hall on Monday 19th October 2009, when the Master was also able to admit twenty men and women into the Freedom of the Company.
Daniel Zawadzki, an employee of Vision Express in Gloucester, receives the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers’ Prize for the best all round performance in the Part II examination for the Level 4 Certificate for Optical Technicians.
The Arnold Sinclair Memorial Prize for the best results in the Part I examination was presented to Justin Loutoo, an employee of Todays Optical Ltd, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, who not only travelled to England to collect it in person, but vowed to return in 2010 to pick up his certificate after sitting the Part II examination this coming summer!
In addressing those present in the Hall, the Master stressed the importance of all those engaged in the fight against visual impairment working together as a team, a point not lost on the Editor of Optician who, in an editorial published on 30th October, said:
“Last week, at the SMC, the Master, an ophthalmologist, said that optics was now multidisciplinary, with better working relationships between the professionals. If the attendance at the presentation day, with guests from technicians through to optometrists and other ophthalmologists is anything to go by, it seems that at least there is some common ground at Apothecaries’ Hall.”
The Master addresses those present in the Hall.
The Master returned to this theme when he addressed ABDO’s graduands in Canterbury Cathedral in late November, before presenting the Spectacle Makers’ Prize for the highest mark in the Final Qualifying Practical Examination to Zoe Mount. Again stressing the need for teamwork amongst all professionals, he pointed out that membership of the SMC offered excellent opportunities to cultivate harmonious relationships between those from the various disciplines within optics.
The 2009 Ruskell Medal, designed to encourage those embarking on research within the visual sciences to publish the results of their work, was awarded to Dr Monika Hedrich, a German citizen who completed her doctorate at Bradford University this summer, for her paper, Color constancy improves for real 3D objects. Sadly, she was unable to return from Germany to receive her prize in person.
The Max Wiseman Memorial Fund Prize, awarded for the best result in the practical exam, was presented to Derek McCarthy, another employee of Todays Optical Ltd, by Past Master Mo Jalie, the Chairman of trustees of that Fund.
The Benny Lipsey Memorial Prize, awarded for the highest marks obtained in the examination for the Level 2 certificate in Optical Production Processes, was presented to Martin Brown, an employee of Paul Todd Opticians in Lincoln.
The 2010 presentations will be held on Monday 18th October. The timetable is as follows:
At 12 Noon:
- The Master, the Wardens and Members of the Court will process into the Hall accompanied by the Clerk, the Beadle, and the Chairman of the Spectacle Makers Society
- The Master opens the Ceremony
- The Clerk's Address
- Presentation of Certificates to Optical Technicians and Optical Practice Support Staff
- Presentation of Prizes
- Admissions to the Freedom of the Company
- Address by the Master
- Address by the Chairman of the Spectacle Makers Society
- End of Ceremony
- Buffet Lunch
Please note that Company regalia will be on sale to Freemen, Technicians & Optical Support Staff of the Company after the Ceremony.
For more information, contact us.
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