THE first prize night at Sir John Thursby Community College heard of a "fantastic year".

The school replaced all-girl Walshaw HIgh School and all-boy Barden High School under the £250m Building Schools for the Future revamp of education in Burnley and Pendle.

Sir John Thursby operates out of former Walshaw High in Eastern Avenue, Burnley.

Headteacher Elaine Dawson told the parents and pupils last night: "I know there have been many challenges for you all over the past few years.

"Many of you, I am sure, that when you started at Barden and Walshaw never expected that you would finish your school career at a different school. Boys with the girls and girls with the boys.

"I remember those first few days last September when you stood at different ends of the tennis court, but it didn't take long for you to come together!

"Your leadership helped the younger students to settle into the school. You were excellent role models and have set excellent standards for the school to maintain in the future.

"What a year we have all experienced. The new school has gone from strength to strength, laying the foundations for excellence in the future."

  • PRIZEWINNERS

    English: Salim Miah, Huma Ayub, Qasim Omar and Zeenat Khan.

Maths: Naveed Tariq, Emily Weeks, Dil Nawaz and Aarifah Malik.

Science: Salim Miah, Huma Ayub, Dil Nawaz and Naila Bibi.

French: Salim Miah, Huma Ayub, Wasim Hussain and Tabasum Ghani.

German: Kiran Iqbal.

Bengali: Shilpa Sultana and Imdad Hussain.

Urdu: Awais Hasan, Maimuna Ahmed, Abbas Hussain and Safia Bibi.

History: Jamil Ramzan, Akadsa Hussain, Dil Nawaz and Rubana Khatun.

Religious Education: Arifah Malik and Sidrah Kauser.

Technology/resistant materials: Asad Mahmood and Omar Farooq Khan.

Textiles: Georgia Smithies, Sara Hawthorne, Natalie Waddington and Emma Brennand.

Food: Heather Nutter and Donna Whitehead.

Graphics: Sara Hawthorne and Emma Brennand.

Information and Communication Technology: Dil Nawaz, Maimuna Ahmed, Abbas Ul Haq and Tabassum Ghani.

Art and Design: Hasnat Miah, Caroline Eastwood, Robiul Miah and Sarmina Khan.

Drama: Umme Ruqia Anwar and Kiran Iqbal.

Physical Education: Naveed Tariq, Georgia Smithies, Amir Khan and Tanita Heney.

Special Needs: Ajaz Hussain and Aisha Mirza.

E.M.A. Cultural/Linguistic Development: Naila Bibl and Dil Nawaz.

Best G.C.S.E Results: Salim Miah, Huma Ayub, Dil Nawaz and Aarifah Malik.

Service to School: Naveed Tariq and Sonia Hussain.