On Thursday 4 December, Walton Academy hosted its annual celebration of achievement, an evening dedicated to recognising the outstanding accomplishments of the 2025 graduating class. Surrounded by family, friends, and staff, the event highlighted students whose dedication, talent, and character have left a lasting mark on the academy.
Prestigious awards honouring excellence
The ceremony featured a series of prestigious awards, celebrating excellence across academic, personal, and community endeavours.
One of the evening’s most cherished accolades, the Carole Plummer Award for endeavours in English, recognises exceptional progress and commitment within English studies. This year, it was awarded to Dima L, who demonstrated resilience and a genuine passion for language and literature.
The Sophie Lappin Cup for contributions to the community celebrated students making a positive impact through compassion and community spirit. The 2025 recipient, Zakira A, exemplified these qualities.
The Evelyn Gibson Cup of Kindness, linked to The Evelyn’s Butterfly Effect initiative, underlines the importance of small acts creating meaningful ripples of positivity. This year, Joseph M received the accolade.
At the pinnacle of the evening was the Brian Buttery Cup for outstanding student of the year, recognising a student who has excelled academically while contributing significantly to school life. This award, named in honour of Mr Brian Buttery, who sadly passed away earlier this year, continues to celebrate his longstanding commitment and positive contribution to Walton Academy. The 2024–25 recipient was Matilda C.
Celebrating a wide range of achievements
The evening also shone a spotlight on the wide-ranging achievements of Walton Academy students. Academic excellence was celebrated, with Josiah C, Nia H, Matilda C, and Clyde C recognised for their outstanding achievements, and Josiah C and Alan G honoured for their exceptional performance through Excellence Awards. Leadership was highlighted in Ilakkiyan GK, while the perseverance and dedication of Lily May M, Justas B, Dylan C, and Mia P earned recognition for their remarkable effort and determination. Chloe H was presented with the Courage Award, a testament to her resilience and determination in overcoming challenges.
Musical highlights and closing reflections
The evening was brought to life by musical performances that added a special touch to the celebration. Charlie T delighted the audience with a piano recital, while Heidi K and Anika K – who will both play Matilda in this academic year’s annual production, Matilda The Musical Jr. – performed a song from the show, showcasing their talent and giving a preview of the excitement to come.
As the evening concluded, Walton Academy celebrated not only exceptional achievements but also the values that define its students – resilience, kindness, and leadership. With these qualities at the heart of our academy, we look forward to another year of inspiring success.
