Notre Dame's yearly celebration for those Upper Sixth students who have achieved the Gold Stella Maris Leadership Award took place on Wednesday 24th April. 45 students had attained this level of the award, by reflecting on the habits or virtues they needed to work on, receiving commendations from staff in all four virtue classifications - intellectual, moral, civic and performance. To achieve gold, students also had to part in acts of volunteering as well as show leadership in a particular activity or event. Students this year demonstrated this by raising money for events such as Breast Cancer Awareness, or organising acts of worship in college as well as leading events in their local community. All the students who achieved the award demonstrated their commitment to be the best they can be not only for themselves, but also for others.
A number of important guests attended including Kieron Flood, Diocesan Director of Education and David Wright chair of governors as well as representatives from a number of our partner schools. However as Justine Barlow said in her opening remarks - it is the students and their families and friends who came to support them that the evening was about.
The evening began with the Notre Dame chamber choir, led by Lizzie Leather, senior choral director at Leeds Cathedral and part of the Diocese of Leeds Singing Programme, singing O Mary of Promise. Two students, Valeria Lupanciuc sang ' As I kneel before you' accompanied by Moses Colley and finally the last hymn was a recording of the combined staff and student choirs singing 'Be Thou My Vision'.
Kieron Flood gave the address - speaking about 'being real' and what that meant in terms of living a life of virtue. He then presented the students were given a gold Stella Maris star shaped badge to wear on their lanyards as a recognition of their achievement. A small reception followed the event with official photos.
One student who attended said 'I am so glad Notre Dame created the Stella Maris Award, it has helped me a lot'. A parent thanked the staff saying 'It was a lovely occasion'.
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