THREE special awards were presented as Felixstowe Academy held its first ever GCSE Awards evening.

Students, staff, parents, members of the community and special guests attended the event at the Orwell Hotel, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, to celebrate the achievements and success of the year 11s in their summer examinations.

Following certificate presentations to all the students, Jenny Leeke, assistant vice principal, 14-19 curriculum, welcomed special guests Susan Robinson, chairman of governors, mayor Mike Deacon, and Angela Grundy, examinations officer, to present the three special awards.

The Felixstowe Academy Highest Achiever award was presented to Harriet Ley, Gillian Mackie, Jack Emery and Sasha-Lawson-Frost.

Sarah Butcher and Mohan Mudhar were the recipients of the Felixstowe Academy Most Progress Award, while the Felixstowe Academy Adversity Award was presented to Jessica Couto.

Mrs Robinson congratulated all the students on their achievements and said that as this was the first Felixstowe Academy Awards presentation evening, the students receiving their awards were helping to build the firm foundations for the academy’s future.

She thanked everyone for attending, and said how proud she was to be part of such a fantastic academy.

Headteacher Andrew Salter welcomed and introduced guest speaker JJ Jegede, GB athlete and British 2012 Long Jump Champion.

JJ captivated the audience, students and adults alike, with his inspirational story about his childhood and school days, and his journey to the success he has achieved to date in athletics – twice winning the English title, the British championship and coming fourth in this year’s European championship – and also in his work as a coach and mentor.