A JUBILANT headteacher has paid tribute to both staff and pupils at Blackburn's Westholme Middle School as her first year draws to a close.

Carole Gee, who took over the Beardwood Bank junior section of the school last September, said she felt very fortunate as she introduced her first prize-giving night.

Mrs Gee praised the team at the Preston New Road site in her opening speech and said: "The staff and pupils are to be commended for their considerable contribution to the success of the school. They rise to and often beyond the challenges they face and our ever lengthening waiting list reflects the high regard in which the school is held and this is a reflection of their achievements.

"Personally I feel I have been very fortunate in having such a dedicated and committed team who have not only been supportive of me but of each other."

Mrs Gee highlighted a number of activities that have taken place in the past 12 months including a visit to the Millennium Dome and a sponsored aerobathon that raised more than £3,500 for Help the Aged.

Japanese visitor Kaoru Okazaki was also mentioned and praised for her work with students.

Mrs Gee added: "At Beardwood Bank we hope to provide an environment where children can blossom and flourish and where there are opportunities for all to excel.

"We want our pupils to develop academically and socially, to become not only well educated but happy, considerate, confident and well-balanced individuals."

Picture: Writer Stephen Gallagher presents Emma Acklam with her prize. Also pictured are (seated, from left) Anisa Khan, Elizabeth Singleton, Naushin Hussan, and (back row) Janhavi Rane, Emma Gooder and head Carole Gee. Class prize winners

3W: English, J Janus; English progress, J Holden; maths, C McDonald; maths progress, J Maher; science, F James; science progress, R Tattersall; art/design technology, O Reeves; social studies, R Hibbert; music, R Foster; general good progress, C Ingham; outstanding achievement in swimming, H Elvin.

3S: English, K Hargreaves; English progress, L Moss; maths, S Paul; maths progress, R Patel; science, R Relton; science progress, S Moran; art/design technology, C Caswell; social studies, L Stockwell; general good progress, L Pickavance; outstanding progress in swimming, S Paul.

4W: English, M Robinson; English progress, J Chippendale; maths, M Dey; maths progress, N Singh; science, B Cockeram; science progress, A Belfield; art/design technology, O Brierley; social studies, I Block; general good progress, G Wilson.

4S: English, M Taylor; English progress, J Ringland; maths, E Smyth; maths progress, G Griffiths; science, R Redfern; science progress, D Vickers; art/design technology, H Hamer; social studies, C Nutter; music, S Jones; general good progress, E Pickavance.

5W: English, A Fisher; English progress, E McNeill; maths, A Hargreaves; maths progress, M Stones; science, C Holden; science progress, C Moor; art/design technology, J Avison; social studies, H Gilson; music, A Fisher; general good progress, C Walmsley; Jemma Smith Music Award, E Jennings.

5S: English, N Hassan; English progress, A Berry; maths, C Davies; maths progress, H Roscoe; science, T Georghiou; science progress, S Samouelle; art/design technology, V Prattley; social studies, A Khan; general good progress, N Maher.

6W: English, Z Ali; English progress, R Chanter; maths, J Brookfield; maths progress, V Wallworth; science, N Hassan; science progress, F Smith; art/design technology, E Singleton; social studies, E Acklam; general good progress, C Parsell; outstanding achievement in swimming, E Gooder; outstanding achievement in music, E Gooder; encouragement of music, E Acklam; outstanding achievement in sport, J Brookfield.

6S: English, E Barnes; English progress, J Townson; maths, E Abrol; maths progress, R MacIntosh; science, E Whittle, science progress, S Thompson; art/design technology, O Ahmed; social studies, L McCraith; general good progress, S Howarth; music, E Whittle; outstanding progress in swimming, H Andrews; service to the school, E Barnes; creative work, J Rane; sporting endeavour, S Howarth.