Awards galore as students’ hard work is celebrated
DUKE ON HAND TO GIVE OUT PRIZES
STUDENTS from two Ashington schools came together for a special evening celebrating their achievements and hard work over the last year, with the Duke of Northumberland handing out the awards.
The ceremony recognised students from two NCEA Trust schools, Duke’s Secondary School and Castle School. Academic success was celebrated alongside sporting achievement, musical excellence, and also marked the progress that students have made towards their personal goals.
Steve Gibson, Principal of Duke’s Secondary School, welcomed students and their guests, congratulating them on their efforts and thanked parents, carers and friends for their support in enabling the students to be successful
“We have a tremendous community of students within the school and we are extremely proud of their achievements both in and out of the classroom,” he said.
The awards were presented by the Duke, who spoke at the ceremony on his belief in the power of education to change futures, and recognised some outstanding achievements from students at both schools.
Katie Stafford was presented with the Duke’s Excellence Award, recognising her outstanding performance in GCSEs, where she achieved seven grade 9s and two grade 8s, placing her in the top 1% of GCSE performance nationally.
Also during the ceremony, Ella Fear was presented with the “Best Cadet” award by Michael Orde, High Sheriff of Northumberland. The award recognised Ella’s contribution to the school’s Combined Cadet Force contingent, and, in a surprise to the student, the High Sheriff then promoted Ella to Corporal.
Principal Sara Wild introduced the award winners from Castle School, which is for children and young people with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties, and explained some of the journeys that students have been on, and the progress that they have made.
The Rob McKay Award, given in memory of a former teacher at the school, was won by Allana Menzies and the Achievement Award was presented to James Kane. Robbie Anderson was awarded Young Musician of the Year, while Rebecca Linden won the Bishop of Newcastle Award for Community Service.