Last updated at 09:34, Friday, 25 September 2009

MORE than 120 awards were due to be given out at Netherhall School in Maryport last night in recognition of pupils’ achievements.

Some of the prizewinners at Netherhall School

They were rewarded for performance in all academic subjects, as well as extra-curricular activities and service to the community.

David Sibbitt, head teacher, said: “It is a whole range, not just about the top performing students but those who have contributed to the school as well.”

Pupils who were winners or runners-up in a category were told before the evening, but did not know which prize they would be receiving until it was announced.

Mr Sibbit said: “We present a winner and a runner-up in every category.

“They will know they are a winner or runner-up, but they don’t know exactly what for – so there is an Oscar-like moment.

“We started doing that two or three years ago and we had a very good response to it – it gives a nice buzz to the night.”

All students who were winners or runners-up received book tokens or vouchers and a certificate.

Mr Sibbit added: “It is one of our big nights of the year. We’re saying ‘thank you’ to the students for their hard work and effort through the course of the year, and acknowledging when people do something good, and we probably don’t do enough of it.

“It’s a nice counter to the image that somehow young people don’t work hard.”

Alexander Cuthell won the year seven prize, Rebecca Hodgson won the year eight prize, Rebecca King won the year nine prize, Rachael Owen won the year 10 prize and Joanna Robley won the year 11 prize, while Ciara Bottrell won a prize for music and Sam Johnstone was named Sports Personality of the Year.

* A full list of Netherhall’s winners will be in the Times & Star next week.

First published at 19:33, Thursday, 24 September 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk