MONTHS of hard work and outstanding achievement were recognised as students and staff at a Lowestoft high school celebrated their success with an evening of awards and entertainment.

The deputy headteacher at Denes High, David Lees, described the school's annual celebration event last Friday as 'an excellent night celebrating all that is good about the Denes High School'.

Parents, carers, relatives and friends joined staff at The Marina Theatre as more than 160 students were honoured for their outstanding achievement, progress, effort and attitude in all subjects and aspects of school life.

Among those taking their bow were Georgina Hall and Anika Mahbub, the joint winners of the Highest Academic Achievement award, who were presented with their prizes by retiring headteacher, Mick Lincoln.

The Headteacher's Special Award went to Matt Fieldwick and Eleanor Stone; The Lowestoft Journal award for Excellence in English went to Katie Sandford; the Barry Hartley Help an East Coast Child Attendance award – named in memory of The Journal's former editor – went to Lauren Day, Alex Graham, Alex Muddeman, Natasha Thomas and Lydia Wright; and the Bravery award went to Billie-Jean Bradley.

Mr Lees, who hosted the event with the school's first head boy, Danny Cook, and its first head girl Alice Cheverton, said: 'It was a fantastic evening with the students receiving prizes and celebrating in front of their families.'

The evening was also a celebration of the 28th anniversary of the life of former Denes High student David Parr.

He joined the Army straight from school in 1978, securing a place in the Parachute Regiment and going on to fight in the Falklands War in 1982. But during the final push for Port Stanley he was tragically killed.

David was also a very talented sportsman and it is in his memory that students at Denes High compete each year for the David Parr Trophy and the Girl's Challenge Shield to be the best all-round athletes in the school.

This year, the David Parr Trophy was won by Joseph Lubbock; the Girls' Challenge Shield went to Charnelle Riggall; the David Parr Junior Trophy was won by David Everett; the Girls' Junior Challenge Shield went to Katie Guest and Stacey Howes; the David Parr Rookie Trophy went to Cordell Thompson; and the Girls' Challenge Rookie Shield was won by Alisha Bolton.

As well as the prize presentations, students from year seven to 11 lined up alongside ex-students Leon Lambert and acapella group the TestostaTones to entertain the audience throughout the evening.

The night ended with a special message of thanks to Mr Lincoln, who retires next week after 12 years at the school's helm. Staff, students, parents and local businesses joined together to say a big 'thank you for all that he has given' and a 'well done' to him for his achievements during his long career in education.

Mr Lees said: 'An excellent evening closed with a key message of thanks to parents, staff and local businesses for all their support and efforts in giving the students at the Denes High School every opportunity and chance to achieve their very best. Well done to all.'