Former Sixth Form students of St Benedict’s Catholic High School returned for an evening of proudly celebrating their A-Level successes, and time spent at sixth form.

The annual Celebration of Achievement Evening was held at the school, on Campus Whitehaven, on January 8, and saw students returning with their families to pick up their A-Level certificates, along with some very special awards.

Headteacher Emma Jackson was pleased to give a speech at the ceremony, along with presenting some of the awards, and said: “It was an honour to attend my first Sixth Form Awards Evening.

"I am very proud of all our students and their achievements, and wish them well for their future.”

High-achieving students who completed their A-Levels in the summer of 2019 received individual awards alongside their A-Level certificates, including Academic Excellence, Outstanding Progress, Outstanding Effort and Contribution in all subjects, Outstanding Dedication to studies and Outstanding Achievement in A-Levels.

Notable winners included Joseph Brennan and Grace Ridley, who both took home an Award for Outstanding Achievement in A Level Examinations.

The pair blew the school away with their results, with Joseph gaining two A*s and two As, now studying Astrophysics at St Andrew’s University, and Grace earning one A* and two As, and now having some well-earned time out before studying at Durham University.

Other impressive pupils who received a special award were Katie James and Niamh Ross, who both received awards for Outstanding Dedication to Sixth Form Study.

Lamont Pridmore once again sponsored the Business Studies Student of the Year Award, which went to former student, Matthew Pattinson.

Aaron Soriano won The Denvir Award for Maths, presented by members of the Denvir family, and a new slate plaque listing the winners of this award will be on display in the school's Winter Gardens.

2020 saw students introduced to The Kevin Green Award for Resilience, which was won by Georgia Harper and presented by Kevin Green’s wife and daughter in memory of former head of sixth form and teacher Mr Green, who sadly passed away in 2013.

Sheena Kar, Director of Learning at the Sixth Form said: “It was absolutely lovely to see all our returning students for their awards evening.

"It was a fantastic celebration of our students’ time at St Benedict’s, and a massive congratulations to all our students on their A Level results and their individual awards.

"I wish them every success for their futures.”