RETIRED athlete and Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton made tracks to Grimsby for a school's annual awards ceremony.
Staff and pupils from Cleethorpes Academy welcomed the former heptathlete as a guest to their presentation evening at Grimsby Town Hall.
Kelly, 36, who announced her retirement two months before the start of the London Olympics due to injury, said she was delighted to attend the event which recognises the hard work of students.
She said: "All the achievements these children make are stepping stones to greater things, whether it be in a sporting environment, academic or just life itself.
"The most important thing is that everyone has a long term goal.
"However, to reach this, you need to set yourself short term goals along the way so you can reward yourself.
"It does not matter if you make a mistake, you can always rectify this later on."
The awards ceremony saw more than 150 pupils from all year groups recognised for their efforts in various subjects – although some children stood out from the rest and received slightly more prestigious awards.
Year 11 pupil Mark Reed received the Dr Peter Aukett Trophy for Most Promising Student In Chemistry, while fellow Year 11 student Beth Redmond received the Chair Of Governor's Trophy for Contribution To Student Voice.
She said: "I am overwhelmed and really, really happy to have received this."
Principal Martin Brown said: "This is our second annual award ceremony since we became an academy in September 2010.
"The pupils put so much hard work into their studies over the year that it is important we recognise it all in this way.
"Their own success is echoed around the school with our recent good Ofsted report in April and fantastic exam results.
"It is just as important that the children's families get to share this special occasion, as I believe a strong family unit is vital to a child's achievement.
"The most sought after award came at the end of the evening and is the one that all the different houses within the school compete for.
"During each academic year pupils are awarded points for their house for good behaviour and work.
"The presentation evening is when the winners are announced and this year Sirius house were crowned winners."
