Leavers’ Day: The Class of 2021

Leavers’ Day is always wrought with sentiment and nostalgia for the past, anticipation and optimism for the future. “We have flourished from being nervous Year 7s into mature, confident individuals ready to take on the world in the next steps of our lives. I hope that you will look back on your time at LP with great fondness and good memories, as I know that we will.” affirmed Head Girl, Lorna, as she addressed her peers and teachers for one final time as part of Leavers’ Collect.

With the Class of 2021 gathered in Main Hall, together, the whole school community attentively listened from classrooms, offices and homes, as is the tradition, albeit ordinarily also within the walls of Main Hall.

Fittingly, to begin proceedings, Compère and Deputy Head, Eddie Falshaw, invited Music Scholar, Joe, to perform his own piece ‘Above the Waves’, as he goes on to study composition at university.

After applauding a number of students for their efforts across Sport, PE and Wellness, (including Yemen who he described as a “wizard on the basketball court” and Dancer, Daisy, for going above and beyond to provide younger students with Google Meet classes), Director, Jez Belas, dedicated the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Trophy to Ben and announced Tabby as Sports Personality of the Year.

Gemma Sims, Head of Biology, next introduced the Duncan Wood Prize for Biology, awarded to Catherine. Flying the flag for the arts, talented Maisy was presented the Paul Dowdell Art Award, Tomi, also known as Chicago’s infamous Billy Flynn, was bestowed the Drama Award and Oliver, Emily and Catherine, were honoured with the Mary Triddon Music Award.

The Matthew Pott Change Makers Award recognises students for good actions towards others; it acknowledges student impact in the community and world around us. Old Leightonian, Matthew, who embodied life at the School from 1994 to 2000 was described by his friends as “larger than life”, a positive influence and someone always ready to give people a hand. Devastatingly, his life was cut short just before he was to start a promising career with Apple.

Wendy, Matthew’s mum, has said “The focus of the award would make Matthew very proud. Celebrating kindness and compassion manifesting in practical actions, seems a vital part of being a student at Leighton Park. We all have a part to play in this world that could and should make a difference to the lives of others. Leighton Park is the perfect place for young people to explore who they are and where their passions and concerns lay. Acknowledging all these emerging attributes seems to be the essence of the School and by focusing on them it highlights that these qualities are valued.”

This year, the deserving winners of the award were Tabby, Ben and Ellie for their Run in the Sun community initiative and Spencer, Izzy and Catherine for their forming of the GSA Club, an open space for students to voice their concerns and ask questions.

Travel Scholarships have been awarded at Leighton Park since 1926, remarkably only the Second World War and Covid-19, has suspended its giving. Before inviting Ruth, Johnnie and Spencer to the stage to collect their award, Pablo Gorostidi Perez, Spanish Teacher & CAS Co-Ordinator, commented “By travelling, the winners of this year’s award want to discover their family roots and to explore and to find their physical and mental limits.”

The Jorge Hortal Award commemorates Old Leightonian, Jorge, one of three brothers, described by his Teacher, Mark Simmons, as showing a “fantastic smile everywhere he went in school.” Mark addressed the audience, “Jorge was one of you. He had friendships that were strengthened as he went through his school life, he sat here on Leavers’ Day, like you are now, with his friends […] His character and lively personality live on at Leighton Park through the characters and personalities of the people who receive this award each year.”

In its 22^nd year, what the award represents and the whole Hortal family hold a special position in the Leavers’ community. Old Leightonian and Jorge’s big brother, Havier, was delighted to present the award to Ellie, who he cited as having “made an outstanding contribution to House activities despite not being a boarder, has been an amazing advocate for her favourite department and has become an incredible role model for younger students in the School.”

The Old Leightonian Award, presented to an individual who has “shown incredible bravery and determination during their time at Leighton Park” was next bestowed to Daisy, and WH Scarborough Award to Catherine. The audience were then treated to a second musical interlude by Mary Triddon Music Award winners, Emily and Oliver, who performed Old Leightonian, Laura Marling’s ‘Fortune’.

Head Girl and Boy, Lorna and Spencer gave a heartfelt speech reflecting their time at school and looking forward to the future. Spencer remarked “It’s been a joy to watch the positive changes we’ve made come to fruition and we will always cherish our time together.”

Head, Matthew Judd, applauded Lorna and Spencer for their stewardship before giving his own reflection on the Class of 2021 and ‘sending them on their way’ by handing over to Catherine, Joe, Emily and Oliver with their rendition of Rusted Root’s upbeat song and the customary moment of reflection.

In the afternoon, Upper Sixth made merry with refreshments on Head’s Lawn as they looked back on old photos and spoke about fond memories. The day prior, the Class of 2021 enjoyed dazzling and jubilant celebrations as Oakview put on a splendid, formal Leavers’ Dinner.