TALENTED students saw their hard work celebrated at a special awards evening.

The Sir John Colfox Academy held its annual senior prize-giving, when awards were presented to students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 for academic excellence, outstanding effort and for contributions to the school and community.

Before the awards were presented, headteacher David Herbert reflected on another excellent year for the school.

In particular, he praised staff for ensuring such a wide range of extra-curricular activities were still being made available at times when examinations were becoming more and more demanding.

He also praised the determination of the current Year 12 students with their university applications and congratulated the five students who have been given interviews at either Oxford or Cambridge. He then welcomed guest speaker, chairman of governors, Martin Stones.

Mr Stones inspired everyone with an inspirational talk about his career which went from serving as a Royal Marine all over the world, to setting up and then growing his business here in Dorset. Martin spoke of the enjoyment he has had in his 17 years as governor at Colfox, the past eight of which he has been chairman.

Mr Herbert thanked Mr Stones for the support he has given to him and for his long-standing service and commitment to the school and to the Minerva Learning Trust.

Sponsors from local businesses were on hand to present awards alongside members of the school’s governing body and the presentation party was also joined by Bridport mayor, Cllr Barry Irvine.

The top performers in each subject were recognised and there were also special awards for the highest overall attainment by a boy and girl at GCSE (Samuel Clark and Chloe Robinson) and the highest attainment at A-level by a boy and girl (Jack Bradley and Amber Thomas).

The award for 'Most Progress' made in Year 11 went to Frankie Chant, and in the Sixth Form this prize was won by Kyle Jennings. In Year 10 there were awards for 'Outstanding Effort' received by Oliver Bareham and Ele Cox. The highest overall attainment in Year 10 awards were won by Daniel Martins and Georgia Staal. In Year 12, winners were Thaisen Chant and Dahlia Twigger.

There were also special awards made to the students who have made the biggest contributions to the school and wider community through their leadership and commitment to the school. Jasmine Hart won this accolade for Year 10 and in Year 11 Tiggy Hussey was recognised while in the Sixth Form Benjamin Cantrell took the prize. The prize for best Vocational Student was won by Ella Kershaw who has excelled in his Sixth Form partnership course with Yeovil College and the college vice principal, Steve Battersby, was on hand to present the award. The prizes for Edge graduates of the year were presented by Regional PiXL Edge lead, Andy David, and were won by Daniel Martins and May Smith. The Edge Masters Student of the Year was presented for the very first time and this was received by Ellie Taylor.

The school has thanked all its sponsors for donating to the awards: Stags Estate Agents, Yeovil College, Groves Nurseries, Mrs Jane Dibdin, Carpet World, Creeds Design and Print, Symondsbury Estate, A J Wakely & Sons Ltd, C G Fry & Son Ltd and Peter George Electrical Contractor.