HIGH-FLYING students were rewarded at a school ceremony with prizes given out for progress, achievement and contribution to the community.
Shenfield High School's awards evening took place on Thursday, September 12 to honour and celebrate the achievements of their students.
As well as progress and achievement awards, special awards were given for outstanding GCSE and A-level results as well as service to the school community.
Jake Robinson received the award for outstanding GCSE achievement after he got 12 A* and A grades.
Sarah Gibson won the outstanding achievement at A-level award and Jade Cook won the Golden Spurs award for Service. The Golden Spurs Award was awarded for the first time last year on the school's 50th anniversary.
Some of the school's musicians provided interludes, with Luke Masson singing Tears In Heaven with guitar accompaniment. The Advanced Singers sung Fields of Gold and Cameron Southcott performed a violin solo.
The guest speaker, David Constantine MBE, who is the co-founder of Motivation and a former student of Shenfield High School, spoke alongside the head boy and head girl following their vote of thanks.
Some years after a life-changing diving accident in 1982, Mr Constantine was given a task as part of his studies at the Royal College of Arts. Teaming up with a fellow student he designed a wheelchair that was robust, adaptable and award-winning.
Mr Contantine and his colleague took their Frye Memorial Award prize money and, having teamed up with his former colleague Richard Frost, travelled to Bangladesh to share their wheelchair design with a disability organisation there. In 1991, they established Motivation and 22 years later he is still the driving force behind the company.
Mr Contantine is currently a contender for the Guardian International Development Achievement Award.
Head teacher Carole Herman said on the evening: "We are delighted that David is joining us this evening.
"His story is inspirational as it focuses on overcoming adversity and making a huge difference to the lives of others. Our students too are recognised for their achievement, their progress and the special contributions they have made.
"Some continue their journey through our school. For others, this will be their last appearance before going on to university, college, training, employment and independent lives. What they all have in common is hard work."
