Mount Carmel celebrated the achievements of pupils during their annual Awards Evening with guest speaker Sami Smithson.
Sami who is a former pupil of Mount Carmel R.C. High School, an international judoka and a former Squadron Leader (RAF) addressed the audience explaining how she grew up on Fern Gore Avenue and attended St. Mary's Primary School in Oswaldtwistle. She was always very keen on sport in particular judo and netball. Sami won her first British judo title at 14 years old, followed by many international medals during her judo career, including a European Silver medal in 2003.
After attending university Sami began a 18 year career in the RAF which took her to many countries including operational tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. Since leaving the RAF, Sami has worked worked for British Judo and British Horseracing organisation and this year she took up the position as Chairperson of Accrington Stanley Women F.C. where she has already made a big impact, locally and nationally.
She spoke about the underlying characteristics of the 'chapters' of her life being her organisational skills, discipline, courage, perseverance and resilience. These traits have taken her through some challenging but interesting opportunities.
Sami then presented subject and trophy awards to pupils who had a good attitude to learning as well as for attainment and achievement.
The Duke of Edinburgh Awards were then presented to those pupils who had completed the Bronze Award challenges and Mr Barratt outlined the reasons for the shortlist of 5 nominees for the trophy. Dylan Walden was announced as the winner.
Special awards were then presented to pupils for outstanding involvement and achievement in school life. The Nicola Hughes memorial award for dedication to language studies was presented to Jessica Dady by Nicola's daughter and the Dean Desmond Award was presented to Mrs Izabella Marcinkowski for her long and outstanding service as a school governor to Mount Carmel R.C. High School.
Headteacher Mr Bowers then addressed the audience. He thanked the school community for coming together to celebrate and recognise the many achievements of our pupils; for their attainment, achievement and for being role models for others.
He paid thanks to Mount Carmel teaching and support staff who continue to work tirelessly to ensure all pupils get the best possible education in all aspects of school life, wanting the best for each and every pupil. He said we really are a family of faith and learning.
He also thanked parents and carers for their support asking pupils to say 'Thank You' to their parents.
Mr Bowers praised the Year 11 leavers for dealing with the difficulties of working through the Covid period recalling how year groups were placed in 'bubbles' and kept separate from other year groups, how home online learning had to be quickly facilitated and how the school had to set up a Covid testing centre on site. Despite these difficulties, it brought the school community together.
He also was proud to inform them that despite this their year group produced the best ever GCSE results Mount Carmel had ever had and were the best in the 5 high schools in Hyndburn for progress across 8 subjects including English and Maths!
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. He passed on our very best wishes to them all as they make the step their next step in life into further education or employment. He asked them to be the best person they can possibly be.
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.
Mr Bowers then thanked Chair of Governors Mr Dabrowski and the Governing Body for their continued dedicated support.
Head Boy Jayden French and Head Girl Nicole Harris presented Sami Smithson with a gift before Chair of Governors Mr Andrew Dabrowski gave the final address of the evening.
Mr Dabrowski described how Mount Carmel had high expectations for pupils and the quality of education they received was of a very high standard. He thanked the pupils for showing great resilience, kindness and compassion and that everyone was very proud of their achievements. He thanked Mr Bowers and all the staff at Mount Carmel for providing a challenging and supportive environment and he hoped parents were very proud of what their children had achieved.
The evening included a fabulous performance of 'For Good' by Year 11 pupils Maddie Baxendale and Madison Thompson.
The evening concluded with a photographic review of their five years at Mount Carmel.
