The Final Collect of the autumn term is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the academic year in all the guises that success may take across our vibrant learning community. Friday 12th December welcomed senior students and staff to Main Hall with Fryers in the Austin Lecture Theatre for the celebration of so many endeavours across the academic, sporting, artistic, adventurous, creative and musical arenas of school life.
Opening with a beautiful rendition by one of the music department’s small ensembles the presentations began with Maths awards the UK Maths Challenge from Head of Maths, Leni Samuel.
Debating Club leaders, David Hammond and Richard Duckett, praised the teams who have recently competed recognising “the passion, clarity and eloquence well beyond their experience”. The group were the winners of the highly competitive Oxford Debating Championships in Oxford followed by KS3 win at the ISA Debating Championships. The senior debate team will be attending the EYP debate competition in Lisbon, Portugal later in the year.
Dance celebrated the achievements of Mikayla (Year 9) for placing 5th in the NATD finals in Birmingham and for the students who have earned One Dance Award, Bronze Dance Award and Silver Dance Award, five students achieved 95% each in their One Dance Award! We will be taking eight pieces to the Berkshire Schools Competition next term having been selected once again as a participant.
Drama focussed on the commitment, communication and collaboration, participation, perseverance and joy of all those engaged in Drama this term. The Reinstein Alldis Award for Music created by Old Leightonians at the school between 1976-1980 for those who challenge theselves to progress and who have demonstrated the development of their musicianship. This year the award went to James (Year 7) and Anderson (Year 11).
Director of Sport, Simon Bradbury and the PE Department covered the sporting achievements of the competitions this term together with a round up of the House sports competitions, including the resurrected House badminton competition! You can read more in our Sports Review.
The House merits were introduced by Eddie Falshaw, Deputy Head and King of Merits. 14 students achieved a Bronze certificate for their 50 merits whilst a further eight have piled up more than 60 merits already this term! The House competitions this term have included House chess, House cross country, House polyglot, House carolling and House Dance & Drama. The House essays competition was won by Maxi (Year 8), James (Year 10) and Fred (Lower Sixth). A new trophy, the Judd Cup for Progress, donated by former Head, Matthew Judd, was awarded to boarder, Chloe (Upper Sixth).
The Dunston Award for community-related merits went to Tubman, the Sissons Cup for co-curricular merits was presented for the first time to Fox House and the academic merits award, the Castle Trophy, also went to Fox House too resulting in the overall merit cup going to Fox this term. Gold House awards were individually presented to
Following the Head’s Address delivered by Luke Walters the gathering enjoyed a final musical performance and the school’s 2025 Christmas Video before happily heading off for the festive holidays.
See more photos from Final Collect in our online gallery.
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