AN awards evening held at Monmouth Comprehensive School last Thursday (10th September) celebrated the achievements of their young people and recognised the extraordinary breadth of talent at the school.

The long list of prize winners ranged from international and national sporting awards through to academic excellence and theatrical stardom. It is also an opportunity for the school to say thank you to parents and the community for their support and work throughout the year.

This year saw international rugby player, Olympic Games commentator, Commonwealth Games competitor and medalist Non Evans MBE inspire and motivate students and their parents to set goals, aspire to greater things and be the best they can.

A special award was presented for the first time in memory of a popular teacher who lost her life to cancer. The Bryony Hammersley Award was made in recognition of the outstanding teacher and student at the school.

Miss Bryony Hammersley taught within the faculty of PE until 2015 when the cancer from took her life. Miss Hammersley was a motivated and dedicated student who was popular with all. When she returned as a teacher, her warmth, her sense of humour and her desire to do the best for every child were the hallmarks of her practice.

This award was given to Year 8 student Alice Sullivan who the school believes shares these qualities about achieving the best.

She is a scout in the local community with 1st Clearwell and Sling Scouts. In November she gained the Scouting Poppy Award badge for work she did for Remembrance Day. She baked scores of cupcakes and decorated them with an iced poppy which were then sold around her village and raised £128.99 for Coleford and District Royal British Legion. She made further cakes with a friend and sold these in Coleford town raising a further £87.

The chairman of the Legion has written to her telling her that her money will go towards the welfare of the armed forces community, particularly the families of those whose loved ones died in the defence of our country. In his thanks to her, the chairman invited this student to a presentation ceremony in April 2015 where the branch honoured her achievement.

The award was presented by Bryony’s parents.