CORONATION Hall welcomed Ulverston Victoria High School students for an awards evening recognising progress and achievements over the last academic year. 

Proud family members applauded the presentation of prizes for over 150 students in years eight to 11.

The prizes included not only subject awards but also additional ‘special awards’ for progress in maths and science (generously sponsored by Orcina) and citizenship (sponsored by the Townlands Trust), engineering (sponsored by the Barrow & District Association of Engineers). 

The Mail: Head Students Mariana and Jaden gave a vote of thanks at the endHead Students Mariana and Jaden gave a vote of thanks at the end (Image: Ulverston Victoria High School)

There were also whole-school awards such as Dedication to the Performing Arts, Scouting, Poetry and Creativity in History.  Finally, the Headteacher’s Prize, which was this year was awarded to Theo in  Year 10, who also picked up the Parliamentarian of the Year award.

The special guest, presenting all the prizes, was former student Mel Thompson, who is now a specialist cyber-security consultant with Deloittes in London and a member of their emergency response team.

Assistant headteacher Richard Butler said: "During her speech she gave sage advice to the prize-winners about taking advantage of all opportunities that come their way, both in and out of school, as well as remaining as flexible as possible in terms of planning life after school.

The Mail: Jess Bailey has recently gone to Trinidad and Tobago to represent England Jess Bailey has recently gone to Trinidad and Tobago to represent England (Image: Ulverston Victoria High School)

"She stressed that it does not matter if they do not have a clear career path mapped out, what is more important is that the students study not just what they are good at but, more importantly, what they enjoy."

After music from the school's Little Big Band headteacher Matthew Hardwick welcomed everybody to the evening. He praised the effort and achievements of all the recipients and the wider student body. 

The Mail: Headteacher Matthew Hardwick hosted the eveningHeadteacher Matthew Hardwick hosted the evening (Image: Ulverston Victoria High School)

He also introduced presentations focusing on extracurricular activities such as the newspaper club and the languages department, which went to France, Germany and Spain. 

Finally he spoke about year 13 athlete Jess Bailey, who overcame injury before representing England at the Junior Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago last month. 

The evening was rounded off with a vote of thanks from head students Marianna and Jaden.