Rewards for outstanding students at Collyer's

The event was attended by students, teachers, parents and other members of the Collyer’s community.

As guests arrived, a packed Duckering Hall enjoyed wonderful performances from students Henry Purser (vocals), Elizabeth Britton (piano and vocals) and Louis Timperley (guitar).

Presentation of the awards was made by chair of the governing body Mrs Carolyn Watson, Dr David Skipp (vice chair), Professor Callum Firth (chair of quality and standards committee) and president of the Old Collyerian’s Association, Mr Eric Austin.

Principal, Sally Bromley, who hosted the event, said: “Collyer’s Prize-giving event celebrates the wide range of student achievement at our college.

“Many students excelled academically, achieving 4 A* A levels and are now studying at Oxford, Cambridge and other prestigious universities, but the range of our students’ achievements do not end there.

“Students are awarded prizes for the way they engaged in activities outside the classroom, in clubs and societies, sport, music and drama, or the way they supported other students in their studies while persevering with their own.

“There’s a prize for creative writing and for our best apprentice and adult student studying on our evening provision. They are all truly awe inspiring young men and women.”

The Mercer’s School Memorial Prize (Merrett Bequest), awarded by the Mercer’s Company, was presented to: Samuel Holden, Daniel Kent and Aidan Marks.

Recipients of the Mercers’ Exhibition Prize, awarded by the Trustees of the Collyer’s Foundation, were: Kai Lok Cheng, Yik Ting Chan, Hugh Crook, Emily Farr; Kieran Marsh and Steffan Price. The Trustees’ Curriculum 2000 Star Prize, also awarded by the Trustees of the Collyer’s Foundation, was presented to: Nicol Ciaglia, Mark Hewitt and Elise Humphreys.

The Trustees’ Curriculum 2000 prize was awarded to: Samuel Hubbard, Emma Leake, Xiaoliang Lu, Grace Maxted; Chris Moran and Lydia Wilson.

The college prizes were donated by the College of Richard Collyer and Richard Collyer Lodge, the Collyer’s Association, the Old Collyerian’s Association, Collyer’s Law Department, Mr C Martin and Mr S Gilham.

The Collyer’s Association Prize for Outstanding Contribution to the Student Community was won by Charlie Brackpool, while the prize for Outstanding Contribution to Sport was awarded to Craig Mansfield.

George Grammer-Taylor and Nick Sanderson picked up prizes for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts and college prizes for Excellence in Level 3 Vocational Courses was awarded to James Skett, with the prize for Excellence in Level 2 Vocational Courses going to Matt Chandler.

The College Prize for Child Care was presented to Jessica Oakley, while Sophie Napper picked up the prize for Excellence in Apprenticeships; Chris Moran won his second prize of the day for Academic Progress and Gemma Rooke was awarded the Adult Education prize.

The Vivien Martin Prize for Special Achievement was awarded to Tabby Hart and Declan Rapley was delighted to receive the Business Prize for Strategic Management.

Former Chair of the Old Collyerian’s Derek Sturt introduced the Old Collyerian’s Awards (OCA), which were then presented to George Grammer-Taylor, winning his second award for the OCA Outstanding Extra-Curricular Achievement Prize, Ying Tung Lau (OCA Creative Writing Prize Runner-up) and Felicity Palmer, who was thrilled to win the OCA Creative Writing Prize. Tamara Abrahams was delighted to be awarded the Adam Howard Law Prize, set up in memory of a very promising law student and kindly presented by his mum.

Sally Bromley said: “As I am sure you are aware, Collyer’s was founded in 1532 by Richard Collyer, a wealthy London Mercer who left a sum of money to found and provide for a school in Horsham.

“We enjoy continued support from the Mercers’ company and the trustees of the current Collyer endowment who sponsored many of our prizes today.”

Report contributed by Collyer’s. Pictures by student photographer, Dan Sherlock.