A NEW award has been given to students at a Holywell school who have achieved impeccable attendance and excellent attitudes to learning throughout the year.

Ysgol Treffynnon has always recognised good attendance - but it's new chair of governors’ award goes a step further and celebrates those students who have met the school and governing body’s high expectations in a few other ways.

Fifty students of all ages and abilities, representing over eleven per cent of the student body were the first to receive their certificates and specially engraved pens from Ray Wells, chair of the Interim Executive Board (IEB).

As well as rewarding one hundred per cent attendance, it also acknowledges good behaviour and perseverance.

Mr Wells said: “It’s fantastic to be awarding so many students with this special award in recognition of their outstanding attendance and conduct.

“All the data and information we have tell us that good attendance and academic success go hand in hand.

"The Interim Executive Board of governors continues to emphasise good attendance as a priority for school improvement, alongside excellent teaching and learning, and care, support and guidance for every student, to help them achieve their goals.

“We have a well-attended governors'-parents' forum every term to discuss issues facing the school, including how to improve attendance, and parents will be involved in developing the school's five-year plan for excellence over the coming months.

"We hope this will help to discourage those parents who might be considering taking their child out of school during term time for a holiday as this is the main reason for attendance targets not being met.

“To achieve the level of excellence we're aiming for, we need all our parents to support the school and help us get to where we need to be.

"There's an old African saying, "it takes the whole village to raise a child", which roughly translates as everyone in the community working together to prepare our children for a successful adult life. "We want all our children to be the best they can be, and for that to happen we need to work as a team. Team Treffynnon.”

Commenting on their award, year seven student Caitlin Chambers said she was “proud to receive the certificate and pen.”

Other successful students included Sofia Davies and Charlie Davies, also year seven, who both valued the recognition and were pleased to have their efforts rewarded.