A TOP UK triathlete returned to his old school in York to help reward pupils’ achievements.

Former Huntington School pupil Philip Graves, 21, is now a professional Ironman triathlete and joined hundreds of parents, staff, governors and pupils at the school’s awards ceremony held at the University of York.

The awards ceremony marked the achievements of scores of youngsters in their commitments to the school, academic work, sports and in GCSE and A-level exams.

Philip was guest of honour for the night, having become the youngest ever Ironman champion in 2009. He also won the National Age Group Triathlon Champs at the Northumberland Tri Fest in the same year and had his first senior elite selection for the Great Britain triathlon team in 2009 competing at the European Olympic Distance Championships.

He broke into the triathlon world at only 17 when he accomplished the fastest bike time at the Royal Windsor Triathlon in the 2006 British National Championships.

In his speech, head teacher John Tomsett said: “We are aiming to encourage students and staff to live by the school’s core values: respect, honesty and kindness.

“We are delighted to celebrate the school’s successes over the past year, including 95 per cent of our Year 13 students gained places at universities of their choice and Year 13 students achieved our best ever A-Level results.

“We are also delighted to celebrate the personal and professional achievements of members of staff and the school community as a whole. We have a talented staff as well as students. One colleague completed an Ironman Triathlon; another reached Everest Base Camp over 5,000 metres above sea level; and another one has trained to be a York Street Angel. Other reasons to celebrate included the school’s Year 11 students achieved our best A and A* grades in English and maths GCSE and the under-19 netball team reaching the national finals.”