Students were recognised for their excellence and progress at a secondary school’s annual prizegiving.

Wisbech Standard: Students gathered to celebrate excellence and receive their GCSE certificates.Students gathered to celebrate excellence and receive their GCSE certificates. (Image: Archant)

The prizes at Marshland High School’s prizegiving were presented by Rosemary Goddard, the widow of Derek Goddard who served the West Walton school as chairman of the governors for many years.

Mrs Goddard spoke to the ex-students charting many occasions in her own life which she could use to illustrate to the young people her message of ‘be true to yourself’.

She also introduced a new award, in honour of her late husband, which is to be presented each year to the highest achieving student involved in The Duke of Edinburgh Award. The first winner was Danni Hunt.

Among the guests at last Thursday’s event was the mayor of West Norfolk, Councillor Barry Ayres, the mayor and mayoress of Wisbech, Councillor Michael Hill and his wife Jane, and Wisbech Rotary Club president Pearl Davies.

Head teacher Elizabeth Dormor congratulated the students on their achievements and exemplified occasions where individuals and groups had showed that they could overcome barriers to excel in their life pursuits.

As well as students receiving their GCSE certificates, special prizes were awarded to Victoria Webb who was the highest attaining student and was awarded The Governors’ Cup for Achievement.

Kizzie Jupp received the Mayor’s Award for Achievement and Jasmine Griffiths was presented with The Service to the Community Cup.