In the first weeks of term, we held not one, but three of our most anticipated annual events: the Year 11 Awards Evening, the Year 13 Awards Evening, and the Sports Awards Evening. Together, they created a time to reflect, celebrate, and be inspired.

Each evening shone a spotlight on the extraordinary dedication, talent, and resilience of our students. We were delighted to welcome guest speakers from the wider community, including the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Charles Whitbread, and former SWA student Hayder Rothschild, who gave an inspiring talk about his journey into film making following his BAFTA win for Rock, Paper, Scissors. Their words left our students with much to aspire to, reminding us of all the opportunities that lie ahead.

The Sports Awards Evening was a particularly special celebration, bringing together athletes, teams, and coaches to recognise the commitment, spirit, and achievements of our sporting community. The night was enriched by the voices of ex-students who returned to share their stories of sport beyond SWA, offering encouragement and motivation to the next generation. It was a wonderful occasion to reflect on both individual triumphs and the collective pride we feel in our students’ sporting endeavours.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone; staff, students, and guests, who contributed to making these events such a success. They were evenings full of pride, joy, and inspiration, and they set the perfect tone for the year ahead at Samuel Whitbread Academy.