In the final week of term, students were recognised and honoured for the sporting and cultural achievements as well as their great service over the year.

In a full school hall, students and whānau listened to guest speaker and CEO of the Special Olympics New Zealand & former netball executive Fran Scholey.

She talked about resilience in sport and the need for students to get out of the negative loop and looking at the next challenge. She also encouraged students to pay attention and make the most of those big moments, reminding them that they can control their own destiny.

She exampled this with a number of anecdotes including when she had pneunomia three times in 6 months and went into surgery expecting to have half a lung removed. When she woke, the surgeon told her he had to remove her full lung and that she would not play International netball again.

She said she initially went into the cycle of "poor me" but decided that her netball career as a player was not going to define her and she bounced back.

Floorball players Henry Pritchard Glenn and Samara Bridgen took out the major award the Pepper Hearfield Tungatt Cup for success in their chosen sport at a national level. Both have spent time overseas representing New Zealand in Floorball this year.

Major sporting awards:

• Pepper Hearfield Tungatt Cup for success in their chosen sport at a national level - Henry Pritchard Glenn & Samara Bridgen

• Richard Campbell Trophy recognising Athlete of the Year - Leonidis Martin

• The Chandler Family Cup recognising students who have best displayed the ideals of sportsmanship -Nariko Waru, Ryan Jones & Brodie Kripner

• Bank of New Zealand Cup for Junior Sports Person of the Year - Layla Cocklin

• Upper Hutt College Cup for Junior Athlete of the Year - Zoe Hilton

• Upper Hutt College Cup for Awhina Sports Person of the Year -Valentino Ritchie

• Upper Hutt College Cup for Student Official of the Year -Caitlin Holmes

• Upper Hutt College Cup for Student Coach of the Year -Paige Garwood and Katie Schofield

Major cultural and service awards

• The Bloomfield Cup recognises outstanding service to the library over a period of time - Taylah Cornwall and Erwin Beukes

• Upper Hutt College Production Award is awarded for technical contributions to school Productions - Lucas Warenczuk

• Cicero Debating Cup - Olivia Trevean

• JD Howell Cup for Contribution to Drama - Laura Hurren

• Amy Fuller Cup for contribution to the Performing Arts - Caitlin Holmes