HARD-WORKING pupils took centre stage on Thursday as Woodford Lodge High School held its annual presentation evening.

Parents, teachers and special guests gathered at the Winsford school to reflect upon a successful past 12 months and to acknowledge the achievements of the youngsters.

The guests - including Clr Keith Musgrave, mayor of Vale Royal, and Clr Nick Harris, deputy mayor of Winsford - were welcomed to the school by Mr Alan Badder, chairman of the governors.

An opening address was then made by Mr Stephen Meeks, who was enjoying his first presentation evening as headteacher of the school, having been acting head 12 months earlier.

Mr Meeks praised the pupils for their dedication and success over the past year. He also thanked the parents for their support, and he acknowledged the efforts of the school's teachers, whom he described as being "second to none."

Following Mr Meeks' address, a number of special awards were presented to pupils by the evening's guest speaker, BBC education correspondent Dave Guest.

The Winsford and Middlewich Guardian Book Prize went to Year Nine pupil Sarah Bowyer and was presented by Ian Kelly, the newspaper's acting editor.

The Rotary Club of Winsford and Middlewich gave three awards - for academic excellence, academic success in upper school, and all-round achievement in lower school - and these were presented by Mr Anthony Powell, the club's president.

After a musical interlude, Mr Guest presented school awards for Years Eight to 13, and the examination certificates for 1997-98, before making his speech.

He told the pupils that this was their night in the spotlight and that they should be proud and encouraged by what they had achieved.

Closing remarks were then made by sixth form student Karen Rattray and by Mr Meeks.

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