AMERY Hill School’s annual presentation evening brought pride and excitement to the Alton Maltings Centre on Monday with a gathering to celebrate the achievements of the class of 2016.

The young people, parents and friends turned out to cheer as they were presented with their GCSE certificates by headteacher Elizabeth Wylie and guest of honour Dan Eley.

Many students were also recognised for their hard work and effort through subject achievement prizes, which were donated by the Amery Hill Association.

Other students, including Oliver Hunt and Georgina Clark, were commended for their academic and personal achievements through the governors’ and progress leader’s prizes respectfully.

Carolyn Miller, the outgoing progress leader for the year group, said: “It was lovely to see so many of our ex-students on the evening and to hear about their current studies and ambitions for the future.

“We wish all of them every success.”

Having been welcomed, Mr Eley went on to deliver an inspiring and motivational speech.

The young man from Surrey worked as a charity worker with impoverished children in Latin America before a diving accident in the Colombian Amazon left him paralysed.

Mr Eley’s fight and struggle to come to terms with his own emotional and physical challenges inspired him to pursue his dream of starting apprenticeship-style training schemes for children living in poverty in Colombia and Latin America.

His main message was about “turning adversity into opportunity”.

Speaking after the event, Mr Eley thanked the parents, students and school for making him so welcome.

“Your pupils are wonderful, a testimony to your dedicated staff,” he said.

“The retiring collection raised an amazing £418.17. Please thank everyone and tell them how grateful we are for believing in The Dan Eley Foundation.”