IT stands tall and proud, dominating the skyline at a Lowestoft school.And the aptly-named Centurion wind turbine was officially unveiled during a special ceremony at Denes High School last week, watched by the students who helped make it a reality.

IT stands tall and proud, dominating the skyline at a Lowestoft school.

And the aptly-named Centurion wind turbine was officially unveiled during a special ceremony at Denes High School last week, watched by the students who helped make it a reality.

To correspond with this year's centenary celebrations at the school in Yarmouth Road, the 15m tall Evance Iskra R9000 wind turbine was launched last Wednesday.

Delighted with the results of more than two years' hard work, the students, who worked tirelessly to make the 'exciting project' a reality, were all smiles as they posed for pictures in front of the turbine.

The teenagers 'worked very hard' according to Justin Smith, Denes' operations manager, not only secure �37,000 of funding for the turbine, but to ensure that the school's green ambitions were fulfilled.

All this was celebrated at the conclusion of what Mr Smith described as a 'successful project' at a launch event at The Aspire Centre last week.

The turbine, which was funded by NESTA and the Low Carbon Trust, came about after the students made a bid for funding through the Lowestoft Energy Challenge, Make Your Mark (now Enterprise UK), Enterprise Lowestoft and NESTA. And, after being chosen, more than two years of hard work has continued outside lesson time to finally get this turbine turning.

The school has also been busy in the past fortnight, as they hosted a 'very inspiring' visit from former Olympic athlete Derek Redmond. Mr Redmond and The Magic Theatre Club company, headed by Eugene Matthias, visited the Denes and all of the school's gifted and talented students, along with years seven and eight from Roman Hill and Harris Middle Schools, listened to an 'inspirational, motivational masterclass,' from the former Olympian.

Mr Redmond talked about going for gold and the five steps to success, and Helen Anderson, gifted and talented coordinator at the Denes, said: 'Telling his story, Derek took the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but also explained the secrets of his success both as an individual and within a team.'

Mr Matthias,who is president of the Magic Club of Great Britain, has been performing his shows in the educational sector for the last 10 years.

He uses magic as a vehicle for motivating and inspiring children, young adults, and teachers and certainly had the children amazed with his tricks and illusions.

The key for the day was a learning platform for students to pursue goals and ambitions and to reach for their dreams, which included the five steps to success - commitment, planning, motivation, team work and focus.

'This was an excellent day and all students were a credit to their schools,' said Mrs Anderson.