Staff and students at Windermere St Anne'shave been celebrating a host of diverse achievements just two years afterthe school was saved from closure.

At its annual speech day,guest speaker Prince Nicholas of the Hellenes congratulated pupils andstaff on their `strength, loyalty and drive' in facing the challenge toreinvent the school.

In June, 1999, parents, pupils, staff andgovernors at the school had to raise £1 million in just 48 hours toprevent the 137-year-old school going out ofexistence.

Resources were pooled together, and with the helpof a mystery benefactor, the money was raised with only hours tospare.

A new business plan was drawn up to ensure the schoolnever again found itself in the same situation, and one of its majorchanges was going co-ed and accepting boys for the firsttime.

Prince Nicholas was standing in for his father KingConstantine, who had broken his ankle just days before the awardsceremony, and he presented prizes to pupils celebrating academic, sportsand musical achievements as well as community work.

CatherineSmith and Jeni Cannon, who were awarded for raising £2,000 for children inSouth Africa, were just two students to receive a special mention from theprince, who said: "The world needs those who are willing to lead and takethe initiative."

Prince Nicholas, whose father is patron andchair of the Round Square - of which the school is a member - told thegathering of parents, pupils and staff: "Education at St Anne's gives abalanced outlook.

Parents must be greatly heartened at theschool and the breadth of opportunity here."

"Make the most ofthe opportunities offered at WSA - they really are second to none," hesaid.

He went on to tell school leavers: "Build on what youhave learned.

Live always as if you are about to make a longjourney.

Make the most of the challenges, treat them withcourage and con-fidence and you will be successful."

Headteacher Wendy Ellis said that even though recruitment figures at WSA were `steadily rising', it would stay in the league of small independent schoolsto ensure the care and welfare of individual pupils continued, and therewas `no anonymity'.

She said the school relished thediversity of nations and cultures, and gave pupils the opportunity toexpress their individuality.

She thanked staff for theirunlimited commitment and dedication to taking the

schoolforward, and students for their contribution to

making theschool such a happy place.

After the ceremony, Prince Nicholasplanted a tree in the school grounds in celebration of the new boardinghouse Langdale House, which will open inSeptember.