WEST Somerset Community College has re-established an old tradition of publicly celebrating the success of its most outstanding students at an annual awards ceremony.
On the evening of September 21, awards were received by 56 students at the first Presentation Evening held at the college for more than 30 years.
Students, staff, parents, governors and guests from the local community attended the event.
Effort and achievement in a wide variety of college activities was rewarded, including excellence within particular subject areas, exam success, extra curricular activities and overall performance.
Head of house and organiser of the event John Senior said "We wanted to put the emphasis on celebration — and this was certainly achieved!"
Guest speaker Leslie Francis, Hinkley Point B power station director, opened the proceedings with a talk emphasising the importance of team work and the contribution made by all students in the college's success.
Then, sports colours were awarded to those who had performed successfully at national level. This was followed by presentation of the service awards, the departmental awards, the overall achievement awards and the attainment awards based upon examination performance.
Principal Nick Swann said: "We have a huge amount of talent within the college and I know staff have agonised over their choice of award winners as there are so many students who are achieving at a very high level."
Among them was Daniel Tacagni who received five awards — the science department award; the Alan Bright Award presented by Peter Sutton from the Minehead Rotary Club in recognition of Daniel's achievements in all sciences; the award for the best A level results; and a sixth form all round achievement award.
As a result, Daniel was awarded the college's highest prize — the Governors' Award presented by John Carslake, acting chairman of governors.
Matthew Matravers received the drama award, the GCSE attainment award, the Year 11 all round achievement award and the Principal's Award for being the most outstanding student from years nine to 11.
Chloe Parnell received a GCSE attainment award and the year 11 all round achievement award for her contribution to studies, sport and for editing the college year book.
Danielle Waterman earned sports colours for under 16 and under 18 girls' England rugby as well as the year ten all round achievement award for her contribution to the college and her year group.
Vicky Stevens added to her year nine all round achievement award as the recipient of the very first Frank Collinson History Prize for the most promising history student in year nine.
Assistant principal Hugh Bellamy said: "What's important about these awards is that they represent the very peak of excellence within the college. There is a whole mountain of achievement from other students that we also recognise and celebrate."
During the event, students provided entertainment including performances by the contemporary dance group, led by language teacher Nikki Norman.
Amy Griggs performed her winning entry for the year nine dramatic speeches competition — a recitation of Roald Dahl's version of 'Snow White'. This was followed by four students who had refined the circus skills they had learned during active learning week in the summer term into a full-blown juggling act.
Sarah Lyle and Ian Dunscombe, both award winners themselves, sang a duet from the college's forthcoming production of Guys and Dolls, which involves the drama and music departments, led by Gerry Mason and Nick Wardle respectively.
A performance by the senior wind band brought the evening to a close.
The college is grateful to Friday Print, and Mr Senior said: "It would be great if more local businesses could be involved in future and help us to develop this into a real community event — bigger and better next year!"
Winners: Jemma Appleby, Andrew Baker, Elizabeth Bohun, Kerry Burrows, Kelly Clarke, Jason Coates, Katherine Cornes, Rose Davey, Lucy Delbridge, Ian Dunscombe, Kenneth Dyer, Darren Edwards, Gemma Edwards, David Farmer, Katherine Fergusson, Sarah Gibbons, Roxanne Grimmett, Darren Gunter, Rebecca Hayes, Ruth Hirons, Andrew Hutchinson, Verity Jonas, Nikki Lancett, Christoffel Langdon, Clifford Langdon, Rachel Lee, Sarah Lewis, Sarah Lyle, Kelly Matravers, Matthew Matravers, Sarah Milton, Pik Ki Mo, Robert Parbrook, Robin Parker, Chloe Parnell, Hannah Parnell, Gemma Pearse, Sarah Perkins, Tim Perkins, Tom Pilcher, Thomas Rayner, Thomas Riley, Jerome Rosling, Jemma Snell, Laura Sowden, Beth Spiller, Victoria Stevens, Daniel Stone, David Swann, Daniel Tacagni, Jonathan Taphouse, Nicholas Turner, Thomas Turner, Danielle Waterman, Joseph Waterman, Lucy Watson.