A COMMEMORATION service at St Eustachius' Church, remembering Kelly College founder Admiral Kelly, began the school's Founder's Day events last weekend.

The service was led by Rev Michael Brierley and the church was full with pupils, parents and staff. Heads of school Samuel Lindsey and Lucy Perry took the readings and headmaster Graham Hawley read the commemoration.

Old Kelleian Damian McKinney MBE presented awards at the annual prize giving with many pupils recognised for their achievements across the school years.

Damian left Kelly in 1979, served in the Royal Marines for 18 years and subsequently set up his global consultancy McKinney Rogers which is now one of the premiere global consultancies specialising in business execution.

During his inspiring speech of his life experiences Damian said that he learned from a very young age that attitude was everything and 'impossible' only a mindset.

He said to the pupils that even thought they will not remember everything taught to them at school, the character they develop will serve them throughout their lives.

Some of the most senior prizes went to Chantel Whitfield for academic excellence, Max Byrne for physics, biology and chemistry, Freya Semken for geography and history, Oliver Willis for swimming, Oliver Hancox for drama, Elizabeth Barnes for creative writing, Oliver Ramirez for combined cadet force, Harry Coulton for outdoor education and Brogan Pennington, Sascha Lopes and Leah Pritchard for services to the community. Heads of school awards were presented to Sam Lindsey and Lucy Perry.

The culmination of the day was the Olympiad Ball organised by the Friends of Kelly. More than 300 guests enjoyed a champagne reception, a fabulous buffet, dancing to local bans The Avatars, dodgems and a fabulous fireworks display.

The evening also raised money for Operation Sunshine which in the last 12 months has sent six 40ft containers to Africa to support the sick and destitute.

Thanks were expressed to all the local businesses who donated prizes to the raffle and those who bought tickets.