Awards for a range of achievements were handed out to students at Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy.
Students from last year’s Year 11 returned to collect their GCSE certificates and other honours, along with this year’s Year 11 students at the school’s Celebration of Achievement evening.
The event took place at the Kirk Hallam school and was hosted by Head Boy Alex Price and Head Girl Olivia Cuomo.
Cecilia Emery, the school’s former business manager, was the guest of honour at the event which was also attended by chair of governors, Cathy Gabriel.
Head teacher Joan McCarthy told the gathered audience of students, staff, parents and carers how hard the class of 2018 had worked.
She said: “I would like to welcome everyone tonight and to the class of 2018, it’s great that you are here. You were the first cohort to take the new GCSEs, the first to wear the black blazers here and the first to do so many mock exams. You were under unbelievable pressure and you really did achieve, you truly deserve your success.”
Mrs McCarthy also paid tribute to Miss Emery, who left St John Houghton in the summer.
She said: “2018 was a year of considerable change at St John Houghton, we joined a new trust, the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi-Academy Trust and some staff have moved on.
“Cecilia gave so much time to St John and often worked behind the scenes so you might not know what she’s done for this school. She was behind the success of building projects and guided us through the process of becoming an academy and she’s also played a big role in bringing all 25 schools in the new trust together. She helped run DofE in school and accompanied students on trips. We owe her a huge debt and we would like to wish her well.”
Miss Emery also addressed the audience.
She said: “Parents, you must be so proud of this group of young people, between them they have 1,059 qualifications. It’s a very great privilege to return where I spent 13 years of my working life. I have attended all of the Celebration of Achievement events and there is always a sense of achievement and pride.”

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