Students in the spotlight at Burnley school's awards night

Students at the awards night with Afrasaib Anwar who presented the prizes.

Afrasaib Anwar MBE was the guest of honour at Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College’s Junior Awards Evening.

Years seven to 10 pupils picked up awards for grades, attendance, merits and special prizes at the ceremony held at St Mary’s RC Church.

Mr Anwar used to work at Blessed Trinity as part of The Schools Sport Partnership Programme and now works for the Inter-Faith Centre.

He talked about community cohesion and how he was proud to be English and from Burnley.

“It was an honour to be invited to present the awards,” said Mr Anwar. “I still feel a big part of Blessed Trinity, it feels like family.”

Jodie Connell was presented with the Duke of Edinburgh Award as she is currently aiming for silver.

Cricketer Annabelle Uttley, a wicket keeper for Lowerhouse and Lancashire Under 15s, won the Specialist Sports College Award.

Holly Ratcliffe was presented with the Specialist College Humanities Award while Ebony Jacques won the Contribution to the Community Award for her fundraising for Ethan Hunt, the Year 11 pupil who sadly died as a result of sepsis in March.

Millie Towers has battled alopecia and held a number of fundraising events at the school to raise awareness and she was awarded the Contribution to College Faith Life Award.

Matthew Nicholls won the Endeavour Award, for the superb progress over the years, and Head Boy Matthew Whitworth collected the Sporting Commitment Award, in memory of former teacher Mick Ennis.

The school also said farewell to two teachers – acting teacher Phil Thompson who is moving on to be headteacher at Leyland St Mary’s in September and Claire Juriansz, who has secured a deputy headteacher’s role at St Augustine’s RC High School in Billington.