Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, which works in partnership with Leeds Trinity, recently hosted its third annual Stella Maris Gold Awards in conjunction with the University. The ceremony took place at Notre Dame’s chapel in Leeds in West Yorkshire where students were presented with their awards by the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Rev Marcus Stock.

On the evening of 27 April, Bishop Marcus Stock presented each of the Sixth Form’s Gold achieving students with an award to represent their work. Gold award students show progress in the development of their character, living by the Stella Maris ethos and values, and showing initiative and leadership in organising charity events. The awards also recognise students who have overcome major personal or family challenges.

Leeds Trinity University works closely with Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College to support its students with a number of initiatives including the Stella Maris awards, Careers Fairs and Subject Focus Visits. Leeds Trinity’s Director of Catholic Mission, Dr Ann Marie Mealey, is also a Foundation Governor at the Sixth Form College.

Dr Ann Marie Mealey, Director of Catholic Mission at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We are delighted to support the Stella Maris Leadership Awards. My role as Director of Catholic Mission at Leeds Trinity involves finding and supporting innovative ways for the University to take a lead on the values embedded in Catholic Social Teaching in particular. It makes sense for us to work with Notre Dame Sixth Form College not only because we support the promotion of events, collaborations, research and partnerships that promote the values of human dignity, the common good, and solidarity, but we also use our Catholic Mission to jointly provide education for the leaders and graduates of the future. Programmes and celebrations such as these enable us to be confident that our students will be both skills-rich and values-driven – an essential combination to shape the future.”

Justine Barlow, Principal of Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, said: “We are proud of all our students’ achievements and at Notre Dame we believe in developing the whole person, which is why we developed the Stella Maris Leadership Award.  The Gold award demonstrates students' leadership skills of how they can lead themselves. Every virtue and positive habit they chose to practice is an example for others.”

Partners and supporters who attended the event this year include Very Rev Canon Timothy Swinglehurst, Episcopal Vicar for Education for the Diocese of Leeds; Kieron Flood, Diocesan Director of Education, and Rachel Rouse, Deputy Director; Dr Ann Marie Mealey, Director of Catholic Mission, and Dr Duncan Martin, Deputy Dean of the Institute of Childhood and Education, from Leeds Trinity University. The University/College also invited guests from its Catholic Partnership schools as well as All Saints York, and St John Fisher Catholic Schools in Dewsbury and Harrogate.

Leeds Trinity’s Catholic Mission helps to underpin and support the University’s Strategic Plan and promote the principles of dignity, respect, social justice, equality and inclusion.

For more information about Leeds Trinity's strategic plan, mission and values, visit the University website.