Current and former students of The Totteridge Academy came together yesterday for an ‘Evening of Excellence’ in celebration of their efforts and achievements in the last academic year.
Over 250 guests gathered in the School Hall for a drinks reception, with food cooked by the students themselves, before being seated for the ceremony. The academy’s Principal Chris Fairbairn opened the event with a welcome speech, reflecting on students’ achievements and welcoming back those who graduated last summer to celebrate the excellent GCSE results they had achieved. The Head Girl and Head Boy then spoke about motivation and introduced the guest speaker, radio and TV presenter, George Lamb.
Students were called up to receive a range of prizes and awards. Their families and friends looked on with pride as the awards and their meanings were read out. The prize-giving was interspersed with a stunning musical performance by Alexandra Saitos, and piano was played during the Reception by Harry Pollard.
Many of the 2017 leavers were present; the last time some of them were here were was in August when they got to celebrate the best GCSE results that the school has ever had. Since joining United Learning in autumn 2016, The Totteridge Academy’s results have increased significantly – with progress measures now above national average and more and more students achieving the top grades.
George Lamb addressed the audience and gave the students some excellent advice. He told them of three key things he wished he had been told when he was at school: character and the importance of thinking about who and what kind of person you want to be; purpose, ensuring that you have a purpose in life; and responsibility, reminding us that true happiness comes not from material possessions, but ensuring that we are kind, caring, and responsible citizens.
Chris Fairbairn, Principal of The Totteridge Academy, said:
“It has been fantastic to celebrate our students’ successes alongside our staff, parents and wider school community. The range of prizes and awards represents what we value as a school: kindness, resilience, effort, academic rigour, extracurricular activities, as well as taking care of others within the school community and beyond. I am very proud of our students who have won awards tonight and I look forward to recognising future cohorts’ efforts in our Excellence Evenings to come.”
The students who won awards celebrated and took photos with their family, friends, George Lamb, and their Principal and teachers at the school.