A BUDDING young chemist has discovered the formula for success after receiving the top award at a ceremony to recognise academic excellence and achievement.
Former St Michael’s Catholic Academy student Tom Nimmo, 17, who swept the board with an impressive haul of 11A* grades in his GCSEs, returned to school to be honoured with The St Michael’s Award, the highest accolade that the academy can bestow.
Presenting the honours head teacher Andrew Ramsey said: “Not only has Tom excelled academically he has also encompassed the ethos of compassion, justice and truth of St Michael’s and has been a wonderful ambassador for our school.”
Tom, of Billingham, who is now studying chemistry, physics, maths and further maths at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, also picked up a subject awards for maths and a Carmel Education Trust award for exceptional merit.
“I feel very humbled to receive The St Michael’s Award and to be part of a fantastic celebration that recognises all of the hard work of everyone in our year group,” said Tom.
The award was one of dozens to be presented at the glittering annual celebration event which recognises achievements and endeavour across a range of subject and specialist areas.
Addressing a packed sports hall of invited guests, parents, families, carers, staff past and present, governors and directors of The Carmel Education Trust, Father John Butters, Father Jeffrey Dodds and returning students, Mr Ramsey said: “Everyone at St Michael’s is incredibly proud of each and every one of our 2016 leavers.”
Trophies and cups were presented for special awards including academic excellence, strength and character, outstanding GCSE results, sport, music, courage and contribution to school life by chair of governors Mary Toth.
Each graduating student also received a Destiny Star from head of year Clare Carey and invited guest speaker Team GB half marathon runner Matty Hynes.
Speaking to students about his journey to becoming an elite athlete, Mr Hynes, of Middlesbrough, said: “If anyone had told me at the age of 16 that I would run for England I would never have believed them.
“You never know where your journey will take you or what life has in store. Work hard, persevere, focus, find out what makes you truly happy and pursue it.”
The academy’s prestigious Tom Brown Award, named in honour of pupil Tom Brown, 16, who was tragically knocked over and killed in April 2013 and which recognises courage over adversity, was presented to student Phoebe Hay.
The Good Shepherd Award, in memory of former special education needs co-originator Kathryn Taylor, who passed away in January 2014, was awarded to Taylor Hunter-Mullender.
Taylor, 16, of Billingham, who overcame difficulties faced by Dyslexia to achieve outstanding GCSE results, was also presented with the academy’s English Language subject award.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by singers Niamh Casey-Burnett, Emilyrose Thompson and Katie Allinson accompanied by Joseph Binns on piano.
Results:
Subject awards
History: Connor Mulloy
Textiles: Laura Moon
Food: Chloe Eastwood
Graphics: Jessica Curry
Resistant Materials: Thomas Wilson
Art: Charlotte Liversidge
Maths: Thomas Nimmo
Physics: Joseph Riley
Biology: Lydia Hewitt
Media Studies: Lucy Wrigley
RE: Leon Charnley
Geography: Hannah Collict
Music: Niamh Casey-Burnett
Business: William Greaves
English Literature: Lydia Carroll
English Language: Taylor Hunter-Mullender
German: Benjamin Laver
Special Awards
Edna Early Award: Callum Walker
Trevor Gaynor Award: Christie Kay
Martin Wing Award for Music: Joseph Binns
Johnson Matthey Award for Chemistry: Lauren Parsons
Lew Milburn Award: Sarah Brady
Trevor Gaynor Award for Cricket: Christopher Ho
Maureen Jamieson Award: Elizabeth Fenby
SRC Bede College Award: Christie Kay, Amy Kay
Stockton Sixth Form Award: Ryan Kirby
SVP Award: Christian Kelly
Peter Robinson Award: Rhiannon Flynn
Alan Parker Award: James Smith
David Armstrong Award for Contribution to School Life: Joseph Binns
Mandy Bell Award: Joshua Lannon
Shaun Lowrey Award: Ryan Kirby
Nicholas Welch Trophy: Samuel Naylor
Griffin Charity and Community Shield: Katie Allinson, Emilyrose Thompson
Heenan Compassion Shield: Lucy Cole
Wiseman Integrity Shield: Oliver Nurk
Vaughan Integrity Shield: Samuel Neal
Pastoral Award: Bethany Sill, Samuel Whyte, Lydia Hewitt, Abigail Hansford, Keavey White, Maisie Cuthbert, Issac Wharrier-Robinson, Brianna Forbes, Kerrie Gittins, Elliott Smith, Megan Marsh, Charles Williams, Evie Frank, Antonia Leck, Thomas Lavender
Carmel Education Trust Achievement & Adversity Award: Elizabeth Fenby, Max Fleming
Carmel Education Trust Exceptional Service: Hayley Briggs, Hollie Corking, Kate Ditchburn, Anna Smith, Adam Jones, Connor Mulloy
Carmel Education Trust Exceptional Merit: Samantha Glaister, Megan Sinclair, Matthew Kelsey, Katie Hancock, Adelle Kirby, Jack Wallace-Hunter, Blossom Ladokun, Christopher King, Thomas Nimmo
Carmel Educational Trust Exceptional Dedication: Cameron Kushnirenko, Sophie Boyer, Liam Hutchinson, Megan Marsh, James Griffiths, Rebekah Bradley, Imrah Nadeem, Jordan Burnup, Bethany Hunton, Gracie Maxwell, Ben Ferguson, Adam Eland, Lydia Carroll, Leo Bracken, Mia Young, James Ferguson
Carmel Educational Trust Shield of Excellence: Jessica Curry, Charlotte Liversage
The Archangel Award for Ethos: Joseph Binns, Niamh Casey Burnett
Hinsley Scott Award: Samuel Naylor
The Good Shepherd Award: Taylor Hunter-Mullender
Tom Brown Award: Phoebe Hay
St Michael’s Award: Thomas Nimmo