Celebration of grammar school students’ success

Headmaster Jack Williams congratulated all students on an extremely busy and fulfilling school year at the annual Senior School Speech and Awards Night.

Former and current pupils, their proud parents, teachers and guests were present at Bradford Cathedral last Thursday Novermber 27, to applaud and celebrate their success at the highly anticipated event.

Margaret Denton, honorary life member of the Independent Schools Association and recently retired head teacher, was the guest of honour and presented around 70 prizes and even more certificates to pupils for their outstanding efforts and achievements in the academic year 2013-14.

A-level and GCSE certificates were also presented to last year’s examination candidates.

This evening began with a warm welcome from Residentiary Canon at the Cathedral, Rev Canon Sam Corley.

Mrs Denton, who presented the prizes also spoke to the students and their families.

She reflected on the school’s motto, “Doctrina Fortior Armis” (The Pen is Mightier than the Sword) and said that this is as relevant in today’s turbulent world as it was when the school was endowed in 1648 during the English Civil Wars.

Form prizes and GCSE and A-level subject prizes were awarded for merit and achievement to last year’s students from Year 7 through to Year 13.

The R B Jones Prize for Chemistry was presented to Year 13 student James Brown.

The Jack Wilkinson Prize for English was received by Year 13 student Rebecca Firth.

The Kath Atkinson Award for Sports Studies was awarded to Stephanie Teale.

Both R B Jones and Jack Wilkinson are former heads of department at the School.

Rotary Club prizes were kindly donated by Brighouse Rotary Club and presented by Chairman of Governors Chris Redfearn on behalf of the Rotary President Elect, Tony Perryman, to three pupils: Jarred Bland, Sophie Godlington and Christy Ellis.

These prizes were awarded for “Service above Self”, “Outstanding Personal Effort” and “Achievement in the Face of Adversity”.

The Chairman’s Prize was awarded to last year’s Head Boy and Girl, Oliver Firth and Marianne Suddards.

This year’s Head Boy and Girl Kane Butler and Abigail Phillips reflected on their time at Hipperholme Grammar School.

There was also a special Headmaster’s Prize awarded to Laura Godlington.

In addition to the awards, pupils, families and guests enjoyed a wide variety of performances and presentations given by pupils from different departments.

The evening concluded with everyone singing the school song “Carmen Hipperholmiense” in Latin, which is sung by the whole school every Monday morning in assembly.

Hipperholme Grammar School would like to thank the families of Jack Wilkinson and Kath Atkinson, the trustees of R B Jones, and Brighouse Rotary Club for donating prizes.