Awards Evening 2025

Students, proud parents, staff, governors and special guests on Monday, 30 June, to celebrate their outstanding achievements at Winstanley College’s annual Awards Evening.

The ceremony, began with bucks fizz, canapés and top-quality musical entertainment performed by talented students: acoustic trio Poppy Smullen, Adam Vallely and Brayden Slatter, along with pianist, Arran Poulson.

Dr Nayyar Naqvi, College governor, opened the ceremony by presenting subject awards to students chosen by their teachers for their outstanding knowledge, effort and perseverance.

A number of other prestigious awards were presented throughout the evening including ‘Charities and Community Champion Award’, presented by Brighter Better Orrell members Kathryn Johnston and Natalie Gore to students Hollie Burrows (formerly Byrchall High School) and Rebecca Gallagher (St John Fisher Catholic High School). ‘The Mulroy Award’, for effective debating skills was presented by Paul Mulroy to Remy Naylor and Ryan Cain (De le Salle High School and Little Lever High School).

Alfredo Casilli, formerly of Lowton High School, took home The Governors’ Award for Academic Achievement which recognises academic ability and an effective balance of enrichment and other interests.

The Principal’s Award for Contribution to the College and Community went to Rosaline Wiillams, formerly of St Peter’s Catholic High School, Callum Smith (Hawkley High School) and Ella Haseldine (Golborne High School), whilst The Pride of Winstanley Awards were presented to Luisa Hughes (Kings Leadership Academy), Alissya Mann (Hope Academy) and Kyle Dixon (Outwood Grange High School, Haydock).

Other cross-college award winners included: James Deacon (Standish High School) for The Sports Team Performer of the Year and Nick Ademola (Golborne High School) for Sports Contributor if the Year.

The evening was rounded off with a speech from James Pearson, Chair of Governors.

Principal, Simon Lett commented: “The annual awards is the perfect opportunity to recognise the hard work and commitment of our students at the end of their first year. It is also a chance to thank parents, carers, teachers and support staff for their role in supporting these young people which is so important to their success. I am in awe of some of the achievements we have heard about tonight and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.  Thank you also to our special guests who presented awards and to the businesses who kindly provided the decorations free of charge; it has been a real team effort to bring everyone together for such a wonderful celebration.’