Education

More than 100 students from last year’s Year 11 and 13 at The Gryphon School received awards at Sherborne Abbey

Full house at abbey for prize giving

Sherborne Abbey played host to an evening celebrating student success as The Gryphon School held its annual prize giving ceremony for last year’s Year 11 and 13 students.

More than 100 youngsters received awards during the evening, and the abbey was full as parents and family joined the students to celebrate their achievements.

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust, of which The Gryphon is a founding member, presented the awards. Students performed several musical interludes, including Josie W. who sang a solo, Holly M. who played a flute solo, and Esme E. on piano.

A huge range of achievements were recognised in the ceremony, including awards for subjects, academic achievement, contribution to school life and personal achievement where students have excelled despite difficult circumstances.

The Year 13 students have now left The Gryphon to take their next steps and head of Sixth Form Paul O’Donnell said: “It was fantastic to see all our amazing Year 13 students again – they performed utterly superbly in their A-levels and BTECs and this was just a small way for us to say well done.

“It is fantastic to see students going on to such a wide variety of courses and locations at university, apprenticeships in really varied fields, or taking a gap year before progressing onto further study.

“The results were superb across the board, but the fact that so many students achieved straight A* and A grades was unprecedented. Aidan Hoggan, Bella Whitmore, Lucy Jones, Oliver Barrett and Katie Copp even went a stage further and achieved three A* grades.

“All our Year 13s have been a fantastic credit to the school and I look forward to hearing about their many successes in the future.”

Headteacher Nicki Edwards said: “Our annual prize-giving is a celebration of our Gryphon ethos of living life in all its fullness. The atmosphere in the abbey is so special and we were delighted so many students joined us as we recognised their academic achievements and personal progress. We would like to thank Sherborne Abbey for its support in delivering this memorable event for our students”.

Youngsters make wishes come true

Pupils at Semley C of E Primary School have covered the distance of five marathons between them to raise money for a good cause.

The youngsters ran in class groups around a track mapped out by the parent association and raised about £1,300 for the Make a Wish Foundation.

Pupils did the fundraiser to support one of their teachers who ran for the charity in the London Marathon at the weekend.

Make-A-Wish UK helps grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Gold star for sport

Pupils and teachers at St Mary’s Primary School in Bradford Abbas are delighted to have been awarded the Sports Mark Gold Award.

The national award recognises and celebrates the opportunities and experiences the children receive in sports and health education.

Headteacher Emma Grunnill said: “Our staff work incredibly hard to ensure that our pupils have expert tuition and quality experiences in sport. I am delighted that the hard work, commitment and achievement of the staff and children has been recognised. A huge well done and thank you to them.”