Stella Maris Leadership Gold Awards 2026

On Wednesday, we hosted the Stella Maris Leadership Gold Awards. This year, an impressive 76 students achieved their Gold, a record breaking number since the award was established in 2019. To earn their Gold, students must have earnt their Bronze and Silver award, achieved virtue commendations from all four categories; Civic, Moral, Performance and Intellectual; had excellent PTE attendance, completed their logbook reflections and completed a 'Gold Award initiative'. This is a project that a student must complete independently, showing innovation and leadership skills. 

The event was hosted in the newly refurbished Main Hall which was filled with proud families, friends, staff and external visitors. There was welcome addresses from Principal Justine Barlow and Christopher Devanny, the Diocese of Leeds' Religious Education Coordinator for Schools. Both spoke about the importance of the Stella Maris Leadership Award and the support it provides young people through leadership, character development, stewardship; helping them to become a well-rounded individual. There were also performances by the Student Choir and Worship Band.

Students were presented their Gold star badge from Vice-Chancellor Professor Charles Egbu from Leeds Trinity University, which they can now wear with pride.

One student, Harriet Blessing, achieved her Gold Award by planning and leading a presentation to educate her peers on the physical, emotional and psychological impact of eczema. She drew on her own lived experience, brought in specialist equipment allowing attendees to better understand the condition and different treatments available. The session was of such high quality that it counted as CPD for Harriet's teacher. Another student, Tenmei Coates, earnt the award by working tirelessly to try protect a local mental health charity 'The Marketplace' from closure, The Marketplace. They secured a deputation to Leeds City Council and was interviewed on BBC Look North.

After the ceremony, award winners celebrated with families, visitors and staff in the Upper Study Area with food, drinks and a photobooth. It was a great opportunity for students to share how they won the award and network with leaders around the country.

Last week, we celebrated students who earnt their Silver Stella Maris Leadership Award. For this, students had to earn their Bronze, achieve four virtue commendations and complete 5-6 hours of volunteering. In total this year we had an impressive 351 students achieve their Silver.

The Stella Maris Leadership Award is endorsed by all UK Catholic universities - Leeds Trinity University, Birmingham Newman University, Liverpool Hope University and St Mary's University Twickenham. Sixth forms and colleges around the country are also partners of the Award, where we support them to run it in their own environment. If you are interested in running the Stella Maris Leadership Award in your own sixth form or college, please email us here.