We are very proud to announce the winners of the Milton Award and the Tomori Award:
Milton Award - Thomas Spittles (now 11O)
The Tomori Award - Jesse Bradley (now 11N)
Thomas Spittles - Taking part in the Milton Award was about improving myself, taking on new challenges, and broadening my experiences. I wanted to push beyond what I was already comfortable with and discover new ways to contribute to my community and school life. I dedicated time to volunteering for Bow Lodge Cat Rescue, helping to raise money, to care for and rehome animals in need. I also supported my local rugby club, giving back to a sport that has taught me teamwork, discipline, and resilience. In addition, I took part in several Rona sailing trips, which challenged me both physically and mentally while building leadership and communication skills in a different environment. One of the highlights of my Milton experience has been learning how to operate the tech desks for School shows. I’ve dedicated a lot of my free time to helping with productions, and through this, I’ve discovered that working in this field of AV production is something I’d love to pursue as a career. Through these experiences, I learned the value of perseverance, service, and stepping outside my comfort zone. Taking part in The Milton Award encouraged me to see the world as something more than what we learn in school. The interview process was not as scary as I was expecting as the panel wanted us to succeed and helped us to highlight our successes. To the Year 10s - The Milton Award is a great chance to try something new. You might find something you really enjoy and didn’t expect to.
Jesse Bradley - When I first heard about the Milton/Tomori Awards, I was immediately interested because it recognises students who want to develop themselves into a better version of themselves, and it was open to everybody. Anyone could earn something, from going to an extracurricular club for the first time or raising money for charity. I wanted to challenge myself even more than I already had and see how far I had come since starting secondary school. It gave me the opportunity to think about what I could do to give back to the people and communities that have helped me succeed. The achievement I’m most proud of is achieving my ABRSM Grade 8 Piano. I spent the whole year practicing for my exam and I managed to balance school studies and captaining the hockey team along with it. It was hard work, and it all paid off for the result at the end! I have also represented the School in sport on many occasions for hockey, and I participate in the School gigs every year. I raised over £1000 for Ellenor Hospice by playing piano in train stations, and I won Player of the Year and most improved Player of the Year for my hockey club. If I could give one piece of advice to current Year 10 students, it would be to see a reward as more than just a reward. The Milton/Tomori Awards are about doing more than you already do, and even if it means not winning at the end, you can look back and realise that the real reward was the skills you learnt along the way. Mocks and GCSEs may seem ominous and result-fixated, but if you put in the effort and see them as a way to learn, maybe you'll find it less stressful. Always ask teachers for help if you need it, and try to get involved in as many opportunities as you can. I found the interview process for the Milton/Tomori Awards exciting and nerve-wracking. The panel was welcoming, and they listened to everything I had to say, as well as cracking the odd joke while keeping it very serious. Talking about the experience made me realise how much I had achieved thanks to the Milton/Tomori Awards. My advice for anyone preparing for the interview is to just be yourself because no one knows more about yourself than you do already. Speak with confidence, show enthusiasm and be unique. Overall, engaging with the Award was a very rewarding experience. It reminded me that hard work and a positive attitude really can open new doors and that every challenge is an opportunity to shine.