All the winners from St Helens secondary schools 'All Stars' awards

They were just some of the qualities that shone brightly from the brilliant pupils recognised at the inaugural St Helens Secondary Schools All Stars Awards 2024.

New event for St Helens

The ceremony, held at Saints’ stadium in the 1873 Lounge, was part of a new event celebrating the achievements of youngsters at the 11 secondaries across the borough of St Helens.

The All Stars Awards were hosted by Mike Bennett, the former Saints player who is assistant principal at Cowley, and Louise Aylward, senior assistant principal of Rainhill High.

And the awards were presented by Beri Salihi, a Saints Women’s rugby league player who was a student at St Cuthberts secondary school in Parr.

Each school nominated pupils across ten categories, with secondary heads delivering on their aim to create a truly special evening which uplifted and inspired those in attendance.

Andrew Gillett, from Rainhill, pictured with Saints' Beri Salihi, was Student Leader of the Year

Incredibly proud

Guests were told how more than 100 nominations were put forward in all, with the school headteachers left feeling “incredibly proud” throughout the process.

Josie Thorogood, principal at Rainhill High School and chair of the association of secondary school headteachers in St Helens, said: “We are truly delighted to be celebrating the brilliant young people of St Helens.

“As educators we see many of the wonderful things children accomplish.

“As a community, we felt it was important to celebrate them on a bigger stage.

“We are very proud of all of the children and their achievements; they are testament to the extraordinary talents, selflessness and dedication of our young people.”

Joey Tildesley Devine's inspiring story has featured in the Star Organisers were conscious that the awards recognised the achievements and community involvement of school children across the breadth of St Helens, with participating schools including: Cowley International College, De La Salle, Hope Academy, Mill Green, Outwood Academy Haydock, Rainford High, Rainhill High, St Augustine of Canterbury, St Cuthbert’s Catholic High and The Sutton Academy.

Emotional stories

Among the evening’s emotional stories was that of the inspiring Joey Tildesley Devine, who suffered a stroke in school when aged 10 in 2018, but has shown immense strength and courage to overcome any hurdles during his secondary education.

Rainhill’s Andrew Gillett was recognised for his leadership prowess, although the humble youngster was swift to dedicate the honour to his fellow pupils.

Darcey Malcolm was recognised for her sporting success

The kindness of Lucy Evans was recognised

Sprinter Archie Cooper, of The Sutton Academy, meanwhile was honoured for the contribution he'd made to the school community for his sporting and fundraising efforts, while Amy Bolan was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to the St Helens community.

Meanwhile, artistic acrobat Darcey Malcolm, formerly of St Augustines, was recognised as sportsperson and Lucy Evans, of De La Salle, was saluted for her kind and caring qualities.

Full list of winners and runners up:

Academic grit and determination award

Winner: Lissy Mann, Hope Academy

Runners up: Alfie Greenall, Mill Green; Elif Oskan, St Cuthberts

Student leader of the year

Winner: Andrew Gillett, Rainhill

Runners up: Francesca Goodman, Cowley International College, and Elizabeth Bennett, Hope Academy.

Sportsperson of the year

Winner: Darcey Malcolm, St Augustines

Runners up: Sam Ojukwu, Outwood Academy Haydock, Thomas Hertzberg, Mill Green

Outstanding perseverance and resilience

Winner Joey Tildesley Devine, Cowley International College

Runners up: Lucy Ball, The Sutton Academy, Kelsey Skelton, Rainford

Outstanding contribution to the school community

Winner: Archie Cooper, The Sutton Academy

Runners up: Vin Stokes, Hope Academy, Heleina Ballesteros, De La Salle

Outstanding contribution to the St Helens community

Winner: Amy Bolan, Hope Academy

Harriet and Isabelle George, Rainhill; Daniel Eaton, St Cuthberts

Creative and Performing Arts student of the year

Winner: Lucy Farrugia, Outwood Academy Haydock

Runners up: Isla Graham, Cowley International College; Isobel Crawley, The Sutton Academy

Kind and caring student of the year

Winner: Lucy Evans, De La Salle

Runners up: Finley Singleton, St Cuthberts; Liam Barnes, St Augustine’s

Environmental student of the year

Winner: Jack Kennedy, Mill Green

Runners up: Niamh Campbell, St Augustine’s; Niamh Teale, Cowley International College

Young carer of the year

Winner: Olivia Idung, St Cuthberts

Runners up: Harry Carville Ambrose, De La Salle; Joseph, Rainhill