Sixth Form Leavers’ Celebration
Year 13 students and staff at Toll Bar Sixth Form joined together for their annual Leavers’ Celebration and Awards Ceremony.
Special Guest, Bailey Greetham-Clark, with Award Winners, Nominees and Student Ambassadors
Upon arrival, students were greeted by a montage of memories from their time in Sixth Form, and the evening concluded with an array of heartfelt video messages from teachers, wishing students luck in both their forthcoming exams, and in their next steps beyond Sixth Form.
Principal of Waltham Toll Bar Academy, Nigel Whittle took the opportunity to share some words of wisdom with the students and also to thank the teachers who have supported them throughout their studies “The best advice I have for you is to learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow. You must learn from your mistakes, as we all make them, grasp at every opportunity put before you and remain hopeful, even when it gets tough. I would also like to say thank you to all of the colleagues who have supported you during your time at our Sixth Form.”
Vice Principal for Post-16, Christina Hook added: “This event is an important milestone, and an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this wonderful cohort, who have shown such great resilience throughout their studies. They will shortly be moving on to many exciting destinations, and we wish them all the very best for the future.”
The evening saw awards for academic excellence being presented to students across all subject areas, with further awards being presented to students for endeavour, progress, commitment and overall contribution to the Sixth Form community.
Special guest for the evening was Bailey Greetham-Clark, young entrepreneur and CEO of multi-award-winning social enterprise, Be Great Fitness. He explained how he found his success.
“I wanted to follow my passion. Passion is going to take you a long way and the rest of your life can become what you make it. Remember that on your journey, whatever you decide to do next. This is your opportunity to find your greatness and I wish you all the best.”
Further highlights of the evening included speeches made by Lead Student Ambassadors, Aurelia Pearson, Malakai Hammond and Abbie Gurnhill, as well as a special prize draw, with subject teachers nominating students for entry into the draw based upon their effort in the run-up to final examinations.
The evening was closed by Mrs Hook, who recognised the unique challenges faced by this cohort, thanked staff for the support they have provided to students, and wished students well in their A Level examinations.
Year 13 student, Edith Sandiford, who was part of the Leavers’ Committee responsible for organising the event, reflected on the evening with these words “The event was everything we envisioned - what a perfect way to end our Tollbar journey.”
Winner of the Greatest Contribution to Sixth Form’ Award, Malakai Hammond.
Some of the recipients of the Awards presented on the evening.