Students, teachers and parents were all reunited at Penryn College last week to celebrate five years of study, teamwork and friendship.

The class of 2016, who last crossed the college threshold to collect their exam results envelopes in August, returned in a more relaxed manner to catch up with staff and see old school friends.

It was a particularly poignant evening for head teacher Marie Hunter as she has recently announced she will be standing down from her current role at the end of term. She had invited parents and students to join her at a drinks reception.

The graduation ceremonies were hosted by former head girl and head boy, Hannah Barlow and Bertie Duncan. Ms Hunter welcomed the students, who are now pursuing college courses and apprenticeships. They were, she said, "an incredibly special group of people" and "an inspirational year group" having achieved the best GCSE results in the college’s history.

Guest speaker for the evening was Professor Geoff Smith, deputy vice-chancellor of Falmouth University, a well-known composer, music artist, and founder of the Bath School of Music and Performing Arts. He commended them as a generation with the talent, curiosity and creativity to tackle the complex challenges of our society.

Penryn mayor, Mark Snowdon, was also welcomed, and with Prof Smith, congratulated every student for their achievements as they took to the stage. The appreciative audience applauded certificate winners and enjoyed videos capturing the school years of the class of 2016.

Awards for subject excellence were presented by heads of departments, and heads of house gave their awards to students with exemplary attitudes to learning. Those rewarded were: Freya Dibble, Rebecca Grove, Mark Pearson, Tyde d’Souza, Chloe Newman, Fiona Carruthers, Eve Miller, Chevonne Johanning, Conor Newton-Collins, Harry Brumpton, Maisie Perrin, Emi Hopkins, Reece Toms, Amy Campbell, Rosie May-Bennett, Zack Martin, Sarah Frost, Summer Porter, Bertie Duncan, Grace McConnell, Aaron Cohring, Mhairi MacLeod, Megan Whitbread-Jordan, Cameron Wilson and Cameron MacLennan.

Deputy headteachers, Tamsin Schouten and Paul Walker, gave awards for most progress to Amy Campbell, Chevonne Johanning, Dan Peck, Jamie Willmott, Cameron Wilson, Calvin Barker, Mia Fulcher, Megan Glover, Rosie May-Bennett and Eve Miller.

Finally, Ms Hunter was delighted to give the headteacher’s awards for academic excellence to Hannah Barlow and Benno Marstaller, who both achieved 14 A/A* GCSE grades in the summer.

Ms Hunter was herself then presented with flowers by the Hannah and Bertie, who expressed gratitude on behalf of all the students for their headteacher’s support and commitment to their individual success throughout their time at Penryn College.