Students at a Douglas high school paid their respects to a pupil and teacher during their annual presentation day.

It was an emotional occasion for St Ninian’s School, which held its awards day at the Villa Marina last week in celebration of its students achievements.

The event also recognised teacher Tony Roberts, who tragically died on September 30 and student Joe Greene who died last year.

Head teacher Chris Coole, who began his role at the school in September last year, started the awards event by paying tribute to Mr Roberts.

He said: ’We have suffered a great loss at our school this week with the loss of our school governor and head of business studies, Mr Roberts.

’He always enjoyed these occasions so can I ask all you to join me in remembering him with a round of applause.’

Mr Coole said the day marked a ’special moment’ in the school’s history as it was the first time in 30 years that the school had been able to gather students from the upper and lower school sites as well as representatives from its sixth form and staff under one roof.

He later reflected on his first year as the school leader.

His top highlights over the year included seeing the school’s senior netball team getting into the all-island final for the first time ever and accompanying the school choir on a visit to residential homes within the community.

He added: ’My third highlight is the quite amazing achievement of our year 10 student Adam Drummond, who not only competed in and won the Isle of Man round of the Microsoft Office Specialist Competition, but went on to win the UK and Ireland competition from which he qualified to compete in the World Championship in Florida where he placed third overall.

’His exceptional achievement is proof of just what is possible when you focus on a goal, believe in yourself and just go for it.

’Despite his young age, he is a true role model to all of us.’

Majority of the ceremony was led by students, who announced the lower school, year 10, year 11 and sixth form awards.

A special award was presented in memory of former student Joe Greene, who died suddenly in Majorca after completing his A-levels in 2017.

The award, recognising community spirit, was presented to Rachel Kewley who was a sixth form member last year by Joe’s father Patrick.

Mr Coole said: ’Joe was a big character whilst in the sixth form, with a tremendous sense of fun and an ability to foster a strong sense of camaraderie amongst his peers.’

He added that Joe’s peers were ’keen for the school to leave a legacy that would keep the memory of Joe alive’.

They then successfully applied for a grant from the Friends of St Ninian’s High School Association to purchase a memorial bench for Joe. The bench now rests in the school’s existing memorial garden.

He said: ’Both his peers and the staff felt that an award could be presented each year at our annual awards presentation in memory of Joe, which would be presented to the sixth form student who positively promoted and fostered a community spirit in the sixth form. ’From this idea came the "Sixth Form Community Spirit Award in memory of Joe Greene".’