The St Christopher’s Outstanding Academic Awards Evening took place on Tuesday 5th January 2010 in the elegant setting of the Junior School Hall in Saar. We were particularly delighted to welcome a large number of our returning alumni who have completed their first university term at a range of prestigious institutions. We remain very grateful to Edexcel for inaugurating this celebratory occasion which has now become firmly established in the school calendar. The purpose of the evening is simple. It is an opportunity to formally recognise and publicly celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of the students at both GCSE and A level in the June 2009 round of public examinations.

We value very highly our continued strong relationship with the Edexcel Examination Board and it was our great pleasure to invite the guest of honour for the evening, Mrs Sonia Carr, who is the Regional Academic Manager for Edexcel International, to make her address. Mrs Carr was delighted to report that St Christopher’s continues to enjoy a fully merited academic reputation and presented Mr Ed Goodwin, School Principal, with a framed Edexcel Centre of Excellence Certificate.

Following Mrs Carr’s address, the audience were treated to a delightful performance of Arnold Brass, conducted by Mr Andrew Holman.
  
A total of 63 GCSE students achieved five GCSE grades at A* or A or more. All the students received a St Christopher’s certificate and those students who achieved five GCSE grades at A* or A with the Edexcel Examination Board received an additional Edexcel certificate and medal. Mrs Hilary Rowark, Assistant Head Teacher, Mr Dan Vickery, Head of Year 11 2008-9 and Mrs Carr presented the GCSE certificates. 

A total of 24 A level students achieved three or more A levels at grade A. All students received a St Christopher’s certificate and those students who achieved three A level grades at grade A with the Edexcel Examination Board received an additional Edexcel certificate and medal. Mr Stephen Martin, Assistant Head Teacher, Mr Anthony Heath, Head of Year 13 2008-9 and Mrs Carr presented the A level certificates. 
   
It was delightful to have the opportunity to hear from one of our returning alumni. Mr Aamer Shaikh, who is studying Computer Science at Cambridge University, very kindly accepted our invitation to reflect on his education at St Christopher’s and his experiences of his first university term at Corpus Christi. Aamer was the outstanding scholar in Year 12 at St Christopher’s and was duly awarded the prestigious Dux Scholarum Prize in June 2008. In his address, he offered some keenly absorbed words of wisdom relating to the high level of competition that the students will encounter at their chosen universities. He offered comforting words of reassurance that he felt that his education at St. Christopher’s had prepared him well for these challenges.

In his address the Head Teacher of St Christopher’s School, Mr Nick Wilson, reflected on his own memories of his education and pointed to the rapid social and technological changes where jobs that students may occupy in only a few years time have not even been thought of. What students learn in their first year at university may be outdated by the third. He expressed his delight at the success of all the students and urged the students to set sail with confidence and excitement and relish the adventures that life offers.

Before the ceremony was drawn to a close Mr Keeble, Master of Ceremonies, thanked the large number of people who were instrumental in the organisation of this occasion. The evening concluded with an invitation to partake of further refreshments while a number of official group photographs for the Newsletter, Yearbook and Website were taken.