AMBITION was the theme of Kirkby Stephen Grammar School’s annual presentation day.

Peppering his speech with quotes from Machiavelli, Marc Twain and Shakespeare on the topic, head teacher David Keetley said he wanted students to make sure they fiound an ambition and drive themselves to achieve it.

“I want to encourage ambition in everyone who works at or attends KSGS. I want you to drive yourself to do better and to aim for a dream and make a plan to get there,” he said.

He also used his speech to highlight some of the school’s recent achievements including its 68 per cent A* – C grades at GCSE and 81 per cent A* – C pass rate at A-level.

The school’s international links with South Africa and the Czech Republic were also praised for the ‘amazing and life changing’ opportunities they offer students. He also said the past academic year had seen more pupils than ever before from the Hawes area, and the school is now looking at providing daily transport for them.

Earlier in the day the guest speaker, former deputy head and maths teacher Malcolm Raw, cut the first sod on the field where the school’s new sports hall will be built.

Mr Keetley publically thanked businessman Andrew Tinkler for his donation of £100,000 towards the project.

“Despite his generosity, our sports hall ambition is a high one and we still have a shortfall in funding of some £250,000 to complete the toilets, changing rooms, showers and upstairs balcony and function room.

“I appeal to all the friends of our school and local community members to see if they could help the school achieve the facilities all our pupils deserve.”

Prize winners:

Governor’s Shield, for effort in year 11: Amy Potter. HSBC Shield, Outstanding Work in Mathematics, John Bland. History Society Shield, Outstanding Work in History: Rachael Ockenden. Thompson Cup Commitment and Determination in the Sixth Form: Sophie Gelder. Chappelhow Cup, Art: Ashleigh Howland-Davenport. Town Council Shield, Sociology: Fred Ellis. Hewitson and Harker Cup, Hard work and effort in English: Alex Dixon. Rattan and Rush Shield, Food Technology: Rebeca Law. Morgan Shield, Special Effort: James Renwick-Smith. Nellie Dixon Cup, Design: Jade Parsley. Kirkby Stephen Churches Together Prize, Effort or Achievement in RE: Keeley Edmondson. Corus Cup, Chemistry: John Bland. Aldersons Shield, Outstanding Work in Technology: Patrick Hanna. JT Atkinson Shield, Outstanding Work in Geography: Alex Dixon. Kirkby Stephen Bookshop Plate, English: Claire Huck. Myers Cup, Business Studies: Matthew Jenkinson. Wilson Cup, Oustanding Work in Media Studies: Fred Ellis. Moffat Cup, Oustanding Learship in the Sixth Form: Anna Richardson. Out of Eden Shield, Outstanding Work in Languages: Leanne Cooper. Coniston Shield; Victor Ludorum: Charles Bowman. Aim Higher shield, Acheivement in the Sixth Form: Rachel Huck. Tootell Cup, Outstanding Academic Acheive in the Sixth Form: John Bland. Choral Society Prize, Music: Bell Jake. Choral society Prize, Music: Sommer Vass. Coniston Shield, Victor Ludorum: Amy Potter Lyon Equipment Prize, Backstage Work: Mark Pattinson. Festival of Song Rose Bowl, and Rhoda Parkinson Award for instrumental Music: Jake Steels. Science Prize, Hard work and efort in Science: Alistair Hanna. Malcolm Jordan Cup, Outstanding Work in Drama: Eliot Sandell. Redthread Shield, Psychology: Anna Richardson. Peter Hawksworth Trust Fund, For following a passion for Music: jake Steels. Peter Hawksworth Trust Fund, for ecellent work in her Salon Care course: Lauren Holmes. Pam Maxon Prize, Tennis - Most improved player: Aidan Wiseman. Rotary Prize, Citizenship: Lauren Holmes. Brockhill Shield, Information Technology: Hannah Stringer. The Co-operative Team Leader Cup, U14 Netball Team Captain: Eleanor Dent. The Co-operative Team Cup, for sustained collaboration: South Students 2010.

Individual Honours.

Cumbria U18 Rugby Team with Newcastle Falcons Academy: George Cutter. Cumbria U18 Rugby Team: Matt Dent. Cumbria U16 Rugby Team: Will Thwaites. Cumbria U15 Team and Cumbria School of Rugby: Lee Alderson. Est Cumbria U14 Team U14 Cumbria School of Rugby: Liam Fox. U14 Rugby Team/School of Rugby, Eden District X Country Team Cumbria Athletics 100m Champion: Dan Birkbeck. Cumbria Athletics Team Hammer: John Dent. Cumbria U16 Cricket Team: Ross Davies. Cumbria U14 Cricket Team: Sam Bell. Westmorland U16 Football Team, Eden District X Country Team: Joel Law. Cumberlannd U18 Footbal Team: Charles Bowman. Eden District X Country Team: Patrick Hanna. Eden District X Country Team, Eden District Athletics Team:: Alistair Hanna. Eden District X Country Team: Jake Steels. Cumbria U15 Hockey Team: Jonathan Bolton. Eden Diostrict Athletics Team: Joel Law. Eden District Athletics Team: Cieren Eady. Cumbria U12 Cricket Team: Alfie Wren. Eden Discus Champion: Ashley King. Eden District Cross Country Team: Terence Glanville. Westmorland U13 County Team: Jamie Cooper.

Sports Achievements: U18 Rugby Team 7s won the Kirkby Lonsdale Plate. U15 X-Country boys team became the Eden Champions. U15 Footbal team were the Eden League Winners. U15 and U13 Football teams reached the semi final of the Cumbria Cup. U15 Football Team, Eden Champions 2010.

Duke of Edinburgh Award: Bronze: Claire Huck; Frances Leach; Jake Steels; Jack Thornborrow; Naomi Woof; Mary Magorrian; Joel Law; Holly Macrae.

Silver: Andrew Leach; Claire Huck.