The sporting achievements of St Andrew’s Primary School’s pupils were recognised with one of the top awards at the inaugural Active Braintree District Sports Awards.

The Halstead school was named as winner in the School or College of the Year category at a gala ceremony held at Causeway House in Braintree this week.

PE teacher Sue Hartley collected the award from British slalom canoeist Fiona Pennie.

The Mathews Close school team was recently crowned as champions at the Halstead District Athletics Championships and their orienteering team have seen huge success on local and national stages, with headteacher Bridgette Gough paying tribute to the efforts of staff and pupils alike.

She said: “It was lovely to see Mrs Hartley’s efforts and dedication to her area of expertise acknowledged in this way and the achievements of so many of our pupils, in school, within the district and at national level.

“This is about all the pupils who week-in week-out strive to better their personal bests and who put in every effort to be the best they can be.”

There was also recognition for young Halstead archery ace Imogen Newby, who was highly commended in the Young Sports Personality category.

The ten-year-old Chappel Primary School pupil has had a year to remember while competing for the Braintree Bowmen club, achieving a coveted Junior Master Bowman award – something that only four per cent of her age group manage – and earning a place on the Archery GB Development Programme.

Newby said: “The evening was brilliant and very exciting.

“It was nice to have so many of us from different sports together and we all got a group photo at the end.

“The highlight of the night was having my photo taken with the Team GB athletes.”

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