The first award ceremony in the new St John’s School in Marlborough took place last week sponsored by its development partners Crest Nicholson.

Chairman of governors Diana Trickey welcomed students and their families to the award ceremony held in the St John’s Theatre On The Hill.

Headteacher Dr Patrick Hazlewood praised the work of all of the St John’s students but said those singled out for awards had shown special dedication to their studies.

The guest speaker was Sue Porto, regional director for the Prince’s Trust. She spoke about young people setting achievable targets in life and told of the success of some trust candidates including one that had been homeless on the streets until, with the help of the trust, he had started his own successful business.

At intervals during the presentation St John’s students provided musical entertainment: Josh Baldock (alto sax), Robin Bond (piano), Jonny Budd (electric guitar), Lizzie Cope (piano), Sophie Lovelock (accordion), Frances Lund (soprano sax), Jake Owen (acoustic guitar), Jonny Peskett (piano) and Nancy Smith (acoustic guitar and vocals).

Award winners

The Crosby and Lawence awards for sport: Emily Palmer Year 7, Seb Butler-Shelbourne Year 8, Luke Callaghan Year 9 and Louise Griffiths Year 10.

St John’s Family and Friends awards for outstanding contribution to school life: Toby O’Donaghue Year 7, Ella Duncan-Zaleski Year 7 and Annabel Shakeshaft Year 7.

Haine and Smith Opticians ‘here to hear’ peer mentoring awards: Rob Hawkins Year 10, Joanna Peskett Year 10 and Joe McArdle Year 10.

Headteacher’s award for achievement: Tom Ellis, Jake Whitaker and Toby Beville, all Year 7; and Natasha Taylor Year 9.

Governors’ award for progress: Stephanie Browning Year 8 drama, James Clay Year 9 art, Ivor Gordon Year 9 modern foreign language and Hannah Nash, Year 8 maths.

Year awards: Year 7: David Frame (ICT), Darla Dryland (English) and Natasha Chapman (maths); Year 8: Bob Richards (classics), Harry Austen (music), Sarah Churnside (drama), Lung-ho Ip (art), Hannah Bensen (D&T), Matt Jones (science and history) and Alex Tellwright (modern foreign language and maths); Year 9: George Jump (art and D&T), Megan Richardson (science and history), Emily Aukland (English) and Claire James (languages, history and P&R); Year 10: Elen Pigott (languages and history), Becky Riley (media and maths), Ben Cooper (drama), Corey Owen (music), Sam Hutchings (D&T and ICT), Jack Maloret (law) and Georgina Thatcher (dance).