STUDENTS have been rewarded for their achievements and hard work at the annual Richmond School and Sixth Form College presentation evening.

The school welcomed Army Captain Catherine Henderson, a past pupil, as the guest speaker.

Cpt Henderson inspired the students with examples of how she has learnt to keep pushing the boundaries and never accept anything but performing the best that she can for both herself and her comrades.

She said: “The basis of my morals, my drive to achieve and be the best, my motivation and determination to face challenges with confidence all stems from my time here at Richmond School.”

She recently returned to her Yorkshire roots and is now Platoon Commander at the Army Foundation College at Harrogate.

Headteacher Jenna Potter said: "Presentation evening is one of the major highlights in the calendar and year on year we never fail to be impressed with the sheer determination of our students. It is a great a privilege to recognise this. The students demonstrate how much can be achieved with the right work ethic and are exactly the role models that our other students should aspire to. They should be incredibly proud of themselves, as ever, they are a credit to themselves, their families and their school. I want to congratulate all the students as they receive their awards, wishing them continued success both in and outside of school."

Awards were presented for subjects across each year group with an overall cup winner for each subject, plus a number of special awards. The Headteacher’s Award was presented to Matthew Short.

Olivia Wallis and Ted While were regular visitors to the stage, each collecting two cups and two certificates. Olivia received the Humanities and Social Sciences cups and the English Language Award, as well as an examination excellence award for her superb A-level results of three A*s plus an A* for her extended project. Olivia is taking a gap year to do voluntary work, ahead of studying either history or philosophy at Durham University.

Ted’s cups were for ICT and mathematics, plus the physics award and an examination excellence award for his incredible four A*s at A-level. Ted is going on to read computer science at Cambridge.

Mrs Potter concluded: "Our awards acknowledge the tremendous achievements of students across the whole spectrum in education, from academia and sport to community work. We recognise that the pursuit of excellence is not limited to academic achievement but encompasses the whole range of activities that makes for a rounded and balanced education."