MORE than 400 students, parents and guests attended the annual presentation evening of a Darlington school.

The guest of honour at Carmel RC College's presentation evening was Sir James Hill OBE, chairman of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT). The event is the college's annual celebration of the achievements of its pupils during the previous academic year.

Carmel students achieved some of the school's best GCSE results in 2008 with 95per cent of its students gaining five or more GCSEs at grades A* - C and 73per cent when English and mathematics is included.

At A level the figure was even higher with a pass rate of 99.5per cent.

Principal James O' Neill, welcomed all the guests, particularly the returning students and stressed the importance of maintaining the special friendships made between people when at school.

He went on to talk about the uniqueness of every individual and encouraged those assembled not to forget that learning is a lifelong process. Sir James echoed these sentiments and praised Carmel for its strive to celebrate the uniqueness of each and every student".

This has recently been recognised in Carmel's Inclusive Schools Award from the SSAT.

After his speech Sir James presented the certificates and prizes to the students.

The audience, which included Murray Rose, Director of Children's Services, Councillor Charles Johnson and Dame Wendy Davis, Associate Director of the SSAT, were then treated to live music from staff and students.

The evening was brought to a close with the "Carmel Aid" DVD, a recording by students of the classic Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas" to help raise funds to continue the building of schools project in Cambodia.

A full list of the prize-winners on the evening is as follows: John Caden Cup, Paul Pell-Ilderton; Most Significantly Improved 6th Form student, Richard Miller; The Religious Studies Award, Phillip Jones; Business Studies Prize, Joanna Webb; The Curtis Office Furniture Prize For Outstanding Achievement In Art, Michael Macgregor; Almit Science Award Chemistry, Abby Atkinson; Almit Science Award Physics, Sarah Bartram; Almit Science Award Biology, Claire Richardson; ICT Award, Richard Baines; Sport Studies Trophy, Liam Smith; Tees Valley In Business Award For Excellence In Technology, Michael Macgregor; A Level Geography Prize, Christopher Nicholson; The History Prize, Angelica Raine; Electronics, Richard Baines; Mathematics, Alice Kent; Modern Foreign Language, Elizabeth Muller; Music, Beth Connor; English Language, Sarah McDermott; English Literature, Nichola Worthington; Psychology, Leanne Kodic; Sociology, Rachael Peeke; The James Corr Prize For Best A Level Results, Alice Kent; Technocopy Prize For Best GCSE Results, Samantha Worthington (10A*), Tom Kent (10A*, 1A), Jonathan Lumsdon (9A*, 1A); Achievement in Art Textiles, Alice Robinson; Achievement in Theatre Studies, Bryony Newnham; Achievement in Health & Social Care, Rachael Peeke; Achievement in Media Studies, Philip Haigh; Achievement in Travel & Tourism, Joanna Webb.