Senior Prize-giving 2018

Tuesday 18 December saw 600+ guests attend Heckmondwike Grammar School’s annual Senior Prize Giving in the grand surroundings of Dewsbury Town Hall. The evening was a very fitting tribute to the outstanding successes of year 11 and 13 students in the record-breaking 2018 examinations.

Throughout the evening the audience were entertained by the fabulous Soul Band who also accompanied talented vocalists singing ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ made famous by the late Aretha Franklin and ‘Seasons of Love’ from the musical ‘Rent’.

The special guest Roger Burnley, who is an old scholar of the school, awarded prizes to the top performing students. Roger has since gone on to become the CEO and President of ASDA and it was a fitting link between outstandingly successful students across different generations. Roger entertained the audience with his tales of life in the school as student in the 1980’s and of the importance of tenacity and resilience in working to achieve our goals in life.

There were many highlights to the evening including Hamish Dee being awarded the Jo Cox – former Head Girl of HGS, memorial award for his services to the community and Basim Kajwal who was presented with the Rex Scolarum award for the highest academic success having achieved 4 A* grades at A level. Basim is now reading Computer Science at the University of Oxford.

Mr Roberts, compere for the evening, concluded the event with hearty congratulations to all the students in the class of 2018 and paid tribute to the outstanding staff who work tirelessly with the students to support them in their achievements.