THIS year’s prize giving ceremony was a bittersweet occasion for pupils and staff of Farnborough Hill School, coming just days after the tragic death of former pupil Lucy Pygott.

Lucy, 17, and her fellow Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club runner Stacey Borrows, 16, were hit by a car and killed while jogging in Aldershot on Tuesday, November 8.

It came just months after Lucy graduated from Farnborough Hill with eight A*s and two As at GCSE this summer, and the teenager was honoured at the school’s prize giving on Friday, November 11.

Headteacher Alexandra Neil gave a moving tribute to Lucy during the ceremony in the school chapel and chaplain, Miss Farmer, led prayers for Lucy with the theme ‘You have made a place for us’.

The school’s senior choir also gave a beautiful rendition of For Good from the musical Wicked, in memory of Lucy, followed by Plenty Good Room, a traditional spiritual.

Each year Farnborough Hill holds a prize giving ceremony to celebrate the school’s outstanding academic results and extracurricular life, as well as rewarding effort, progress, achievement and school spirit.

This year the school welcomed back former student Alex Danson, a member of the Great Britain women’s hockey team which won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, to present the awards.

Alex has been nominated for the International Hockey Federation’s player of the year awards.

The girls’ impressive GCSE results, which have kept Farnborough Hill in the top five per cent of schools in the country for ‘added value’ were recognised, as was the continued success of Farnborough Hill sixth formers who achieved outstanding A-level results and secured places at the top universities, studying a wide variety of challenging subjects.

Mrs Neil congratulated parents and staff on their support of the girls, enabling them to achieve their best.

Alex Danson presented the prizes and afterwards gave the students an inspirational speech, commenting that sport taught her that you are picked for a team because of your attitude and hard work, not necessarily because you are the best.

Head girl Anna Martinovic concluded the proceedings with courtesy and charm as she gave an engaging, and humorous vote of thanks.

But prior to guests leaving the chapel, chair of trustees Michael Maher had one final surprise.

In an evening dedicated to recognition, he announced that former headmistress Sarah Buckle had been awarded the Benemerenti medal by Pope Francis for her dedication to maintaining the Catholic ethos of Farnborough Hill.