THE annual awards evening celebrating the achievements of pupils at York High School had an Olympic flavour this year.

Pupils, teachers and governors gathered in the Cornlands Road school to be addressed by guest speaker Alan Bell, the chief starter for the London 2012 Olympics.

Mr Bell, who will fire the starting pistol at the 100 metres final on August 5, also spent time showing the pupils the technology used in starting international athletics events and sharing tips on how to get off to a faster start.

Assistant head teacher Gerry Moran described the evening as a fantastic occasion and said it was “probably one of the best nights in the school’s history”.

He said: “It was extremely well-attended and we had a brilliant speaker and there was just a fantastic atmosphere all night.”

Head teacher David Ellis said: “Our prize giving is an annual event when we formally recognise the achievements of the young people at York High throughout the year.”

Mr Ellis said: “It has been another fantastic year for York High School, with pupils yet again breaking the record for GCSE results and receiving official recognition of our achievements with the Good Ofsted judgment in March.

“I would like to congratulate all of the prize winners and thank all of the staff at York High for the contribution they have made to the great outcomes that we are achieving.”

Prizes were presented to pupils for their achievements in all of the subject areas of the curriculum, as well as recognising effort and commitment.

Winners at the York High School ceremony

Key Stage 3

Communications, Expressive and Performing Arts Faculty: Courtney Robertson, Bailey Mardon-Mowbray, Charlotte Sloan, Zac Barley, Jess Pownall, Cain Horsman.

Humanities Faculty: Phoebe Blomfield, Liam Fox, Ellie Cummings, Cameron Barker, Holli Hutchison, Jae Beavers.

Inclusion Faculty: Bethany Richardson, Lee Gill, Kelsey Dix, Luke Cooke.

Maths & ICT Faculty: Ella Duke, Jordan Mardon-Mowbray, Lucy Brown, Connor Herbert.

Science Faculty: Laria Foulner, Richard Blair, Melissa Roddis, Chris Stubbs.

Sport and Health Faculty: Leah Beattie, Ben Dale, Bethany Johnson, Brad Winter.

Technology Faculty: Charlotte Lowther, Danny Dixon, Ellen Jennings, Josh Postill, Celine Lea, Jordan Kellett.

Head of Year

Yr 7: Ella Bayley, Cameron Fullerton

Yr 8: Megan Thresh, Jason Heppell

Yr 9: Bethany Johnson, Ryan Foster

Key Stage 4

Communications, Expressive and Performing Arts Faculty: Steph Harper, Oliver Stone, Danni Kellett, Harry Bromwich, Lucy Simpson, Danny Cartwright.

Humanities Faculty: Kelsey Stotten, Danny Cartwright, Beth Brookes, Sam Dobson, Rachel Turton, Nathan Preston.

Inclusion Faculty: Kate Goddard, Tom Pannett, Kelly Goddard, Jack Parsons.

Maths & ICT Faculty: Jessica Millson, Nathan Preston, Tessa Young, Jordan Smith.

Science Faculty: Nicky Booth-Hudson, Tom Pannett, Katie Gibson, Daniel Nyman.

Sport and Health Faculty: Courtney Catterson, Danny Moody, Rachel Gumley, Zac Agnew, Wendy Calder Trooper Ashley Smith Award: Mary Roddis.

Technology Faculty:Lucy Bond, Ed Kay, Laura Sykes, Daniel Nyman, Melissa Wood.

Child Development: Ashleigh Cook.

Diploma: Megan Cooper, Lloyd Todd, Presley Cross.

Head of Year

Yr 10: Rebecca Parker, Jordan Gant

Yr 11: Tilly Reeve, George Sykes

The Olympic Values Award: Courtney Catterson.