Awards Evening 2022

A photo gallery of this event can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Mount Carmel Awards Evening 2021 took place to celebrate the achievements of current year 11 pupils and also the class of 2021/22.

The evening began with a welcome and opening remarks from Deputy Headteacher Mr Dugdale.

Guest speaker was former Mount Carmel pupil Clegg Bamber, MBE and he was introduced by Deputy Headteacher Miss Farrelly.

Clegg, was honoured with an MBE in the 2021 Queen’s birthday honours list for his services to education. He was recognised for his work with Anna Miles founding the Red Box Project which provided free period products to schools.

Clegg and Anna started the Red Box Project when Clegg was in his final year at university after discovering that period poverty wasn’t just an issue in lower to middle income nations but that it was also experienced by as many as 1 in 10 young people in the UK.

The pair decided that action needed to be taken, and with the support of over 600 volunteers, the Red Box Project supported more than 5,800 schools and colleges across the UK with access to free period products. The project has expanded globally and supports young people in Moldova, Poland, US, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, India, and the Isle of Man. The project also inspired a community scheme in Tanzania.

In 2019 the charity launched a legal campaign against the Government which resulted in securing a policy change. The new policy meant that from January 2020 all schools and colleges had access to free period products, paid for by the Department for Education.

Clegg currently works as a Senior External Affairs manager for a government agency who direct funding for research and innovation. He is the Director of the Free Periods campaign and co-founder of the Red Box Project.

Clegg, who left Mount Carmel 10 years ago outlined how his involvement with voluntary work whilst at university led to setting up the Red Box Project and the realisation that period poverty was a nationwide issue. The project grew rapidly and had over 600 volunteers working to supply over 5,000 schools with period products. They decided to escalate the project and take on the Government and in January 2020, the UK Government rolled out a scheme to all schools and colleges in England making period products free to all students to access so no girls were disadvantaged and were able to attend school.

In 2021 Clegg was completely surprised and totally overwhelmed to receive an email from the Cabinet Office stating he had been nominated for an MBE award. He was honoured to receive this award from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in February 2022, a day he will never forget.

He concluded by hoping that in 10 years time some of the audience will be able to stand on the stage and share their achievements with everyone.

The evening showcased the talents of current Mount Carmel pupils with an opening performance of 'Can't Help Falling in Love' sung by Cian Bamford and a performance of 'Speechless' from 'Aladdin' sung by Emily McNaught which concluded the evening.

Year 11 subject awards were presented for performance in 2021/22 for attainment and achievement based on progress over 4 years at Mount Carmel. Current Year 11 role model awards were presented one from each form group to Jack Young, Enya Chamberlain, Cai Pilkington, Patrick Pollitt, Lewis Britland and Theo Vallentin. Reasons for nominations for these awards included excellent commitment to their studies, being caring, helpful and trustworthy. Comments also included being active participants in school activities, helping others who are struggling and being positive role models.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards were presented to the twelve pupils who had completed the Bronze level award.

The presentation of GCSE certificates took place for the class of 2022 followed by a presentation of subject awards for that year group.

Awards dedicated in the memory of loved ones who worked at or were associated with Mount Carmel were presented. The Nicola Hughes Trophy for dedication to language studies was presented to Fatimah Hussain and the Dean Desmond Award was awarded to Mrs Alison Hartley for her long and outstanding service as a Lancashire School Advisor to Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School.

Special Awards were presented to Rebecca Hargreaves, Dylan Hunt, Lewis Wilkinson, Mariam Shakeel and George Wilcock and the Headteacher's Award was presented to Alfie Moore and Neve Munroe for services to Mount Carmel as Head Boy and Head Girl 2021/22.

Headteacher Mr Xavier Bowers addressed the audience thanking Clegg for his time and congratulating him on his success.

He congratulated the pupils on their resilience and determination not giving up during the awful two years of the Covid pandemic. He commented how he was especially proud of all they have achieved despite the challenges they had faced. In a strange way he said that Covid had brought the school community together and that their leavers prom had been a chance to really celebrate their achievements.

Mr Bowers hoped all pupils took away many happy memories from their time at school, and that Mount Carmel had provided core values of love and compassion, honesty and trust.

Mr Bowers then thanked parents for doing such a great job supporting and home schooling their pupils and also thanked all staff both teaching and support who all want the very best for every pupil and are committed, resilient and creative.

His thanks were extended also to Mount Carmel's dedicated governing body who work tirelessly for the good of all at Mount Carmel.

His final thanks were to those who had organised and helped run the Awards Evening especially his PA Claire Munroe.

A vote of thanks to the guests was made by Alfie Moore and Neve Munroe Mount Carmel Head Boy and Head Girl and closing comments were made by Mount Carmel Chair of Governors Mr Andrew Dabrowski who stated that Mount Carmel's core values of love, care, compassion and acceptance provide opportunity for everyone to succeed.

He thanked Alison Hartley for her support and advice and for all that she has done for the school over the last 12 years. He also thanked the governors who volunteer so much of their time for the good of the school.

The evening concluded with a photographic review of their five years at Mount Carmel.