Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College is celebrating with the students who have achieved their Gold Stella Maris Leadership Award. The annual ceremony is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of the students over the last two years and the College Chapel was full of friends and families who have supported the students on their Stella Maris Leadership Award journey.
This year, an impressive 64 students earned their Award, which is recognised by a star shaped badge and certificate. As part of the Gold Award, students must ‘go above and beyond’: achieving their Bronze and Silver Awards and earning commendations for virtues from each of the Intellectual, Moral, Civic, and Performance categories. They must then complete the Gold Award initiative or organise an event independently. In one example, two students set up and led a weekly dance group for girls aged 10-16 and managed a social media group for The Gambian Welfare Society, fostering community spirit and joy for everyone who took part.
The Gold Awards evening began with a welcome from the College Principal, Justine Barlow, followed by a reading from Episcopal Vicar for Education Monsignor Paul Grogan, an address from Christopher Devanny, the Religious Education Co-ordinator for Schools, and a prayer from Maria Coyle, Notre Dame’s Stella Maris Lead.
Justine Barlow, Principal of Notre Dame Catholic 6th Form College
Christopher Devanny, Diocese of Leeds RE Co-ordinator for Schools
Throughout the ceremony, there was music from the student choir, led by Diocese of Leeds Music’s Michael Burt, and a performance of ‘Glorious Day’ by the College’s worship band.
Notre Dame College worship band
The Award is endorsed by all four Catholic Universities: Leeds Trinity, Liverpool Hope, St Mary’s Twickenham, and Birmingham Newman. Representatives from both Leeds Trinity and Liverpool Hope were present as the College took this opportunity to showcase the students’ commitment to the Award, to Catholic Virtues and to becoming the leaders of tomorrow.
Congratulations to all Notre Dame’s 2025 Stella Maris Award recipients!
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