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

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

In June, 1999, parents, pupils, staff and governors at the school had to raise £1 million in just 48 hours to prevent the 137-year-old school going out of existence.

Resources were pooled together, and with the help of a mystery benefactor, the money was raised with only hours to spare.

A new business plan was drawn up to ensure the school never again found itself in the same situation, and one of its major changes was going co-ed and accepting boys for the first time.

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

Catherine Smith and Jeni Cannon, who were awarded for raising £2,000 for children in South Africa, were just two students to receive a special mention from the prince, who said: "The world needs those who are willing to lead and take the initiative."

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

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

"Make the most of the opportunities offered at WSA - they really are second to none," he said.

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

Live always as if you are about to make a long journey.

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

Head teacher Wendy Ellis said that even though recruitment figures at WSA were ' steadily rising', it would stay in the league of small independent schools to ensure the care and welfare of individual pupils continued, and there was 'no anonymity'.

She said the school relished the diversity of nations and cultures, and gave pupils the opportunity to express their individuality.

She thanked staff for their unlimited commitment and dedication to taking the

school forward, and students for their contribution to

making the school such a happy place.

After the ceremony, Prince Nicholas planted a tree in the school grounds in celebration of the new boarding house Langdale House, which will open in September.