St Mary's College in Crosby reported another very good year at its annual prize day event this week.

Guests at the ceremony at Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral heard that the school - which is 90 years old this year - has maintained its tradition of both academic excellence and encouraging achievement in sport, music and many other extra-curricular activities.

In his speech, Principal Mike Kennedy highlighted the importance of this'whole person' approach to education:  "Our key aim is to nurture a wide variety of talents and to develop latent potential wherever we find it," he said.

"A school shouldn't just be an examination ‘sausage factory'.  It should be a place where young people acquire the skills and values they need to guide them throughout their lives.

"We want our students to become principled, thinking individuals with the courage to do what is right," added Mr Kennedy.

With its emphasis very much on an all-round education, St Mary's was able to report that GCSE and A level results had again been very pleasing this year, both in terms of overall pass rates and the rise in the proportion of passes at A* and A grades.

The Principal also praised pupils for their other achievements in activities as diverse as sport, music, drama, public speaking, the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, the Combined Cadet Force and charity fundraising.

In doing so, he also thanked the school's staff, governors and trustees for their commitment and dedication which made such a wide-ranging programme of activities possible.

In particular, he mentioned Harry Hitchen who is stepping down as Chair of Governors this month and Deputy Head Glynn Prendergast who retires at the end of the current academic year.

The VIP guest at this year's prize day ceremony was ex-pupil Sir Ivor Roberts, former British Ambassador to Yugoslavia, Ireland and Italy and current President of Trinity College, Oxford.

Sir Ivor left the school in 1963, widely regarded as a vintage year for St Mary's.  His fellow pupils included Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, and former BBC Director General Lord John Birt.

 In his speech, Sir Ivor spoke about the responsibility that each of the students should be willing to take on in life, and the need for courage to keep trying, in spite of failures.

He also referred to his personal experience of helping to bring sides together in the Balkans and in Northern Ireland with the Good Friday Agreement.

Principal Mike Kennedy said Sir Ivor was an excellent example of St Mary's proud tradition of educating young people who go on to achieve highly in the wider world.

Other distinguished former pupils include broadcasters Laurie Taylor and Will Hanrahan, poet Roger McGough, comedian Tom O'Connor and current TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber.

Mr Kennedy concluded: "Prize day was once again a great opportunity not only to celebrate the numerous achievements of our pupils, but also to highlight the range and variety of their successes."

From left St Mary's Head Boy Timothy Old, new Chair of Governors John Sankey, Sir Ivor Roberts, School Chaplain Father Patrick Harnett, Principal Mike Kennedy, retiring Chair of Governors Harry Hitchen and Head Girl Alexandra Formela.

Principal Mike Kennedy addresses guests during the prize day ceremony.

A musical performance during the event in the spectacular cathedral setting.