EXETER COLLEGE welcomes back one of its star alumni to present awards to some of its present-day outstanding achievers.

As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, Luke Pearce – England’s youngest ever professional senior rugby referee – will be returning to home turf to give out prizes at this year’s AS Awards.

Taking place annually in recognition of outstanding achievement among its AS Level students, the 2010 event is being held at the College’s Centre for Creative Industries (CCI).

There, former Saracens fly-half Luke will also be giving a speech to students and their invited guests about his own memories of life at Exeter College and how the experience helped him to be where he is today.

From Exeter, he now travels the world with his top job as he referees matches featuring some of the greatest names in England Rugby Union and says he is delighted to be part of tomorrow evening’s celebrations.

“College was great fun for me,” recalls the 23-year-old, who studied A levels at Exeter College between 2004 and 2006 and went on to take the first two years of his degree in Sports, Fitness and Coaching there before completing his final year at University College Plymouth Marjon.

“Those were the freedom years after school and before university. I made a lot of friends there who are still my friends, so I am looking forward to speaking to some of the students tomorrow night who have just completed their AS levels and are now working towards their A levels.”

“Remembering how it felt when I was studying for my A levels, I know that it can sometimes be a bit daunting,” he continues. “I’d really like to give them a push and will be offering them a few training tips as to how I approached them.”

In total, 37 awards will be presented to the winners, all aged between 17 and 18 and now studying for their A levels, in recognition of their performance across the 37 AS Level subjects currently available at the College during the last academic year.

The evening will begin with a Reception in the CCI’s new café, The Conservatory, where students and their guests will be welcomed upon arrival with light refreshments and live music, to be performed by Exeter College Music students Ben Lee, Brendan Bolt and Yolande Hekt.

The awards ceremony will follow, from 7pm, in the neighbouring CCI Theatre, where Assistant Principal Anne Oxborough will give the introductory speech.

Anne says: “We are particularly delighted to be inviting back a former student who only a few years ago was studying here at the College himself and has gone on to be such a high achiever in his chosen field.

“This is the fifth year that the AS Awards have been held, and every year the atmosphere is excellent. There’s always a true sense of pride and joy among staff and loved ones as each of the students go up onto the stage to collect their prizes.”