With the New Year just started, some of last year's greatest success stories were being celebrated in style at the Exeter College Student Awards 2011- 2012 event held at the Thistle Hotel last night.

The real stars of the evening were the 27 award winners whose high achievements were honoured in the presence of their families, VIP guests, including community and business leaders from across Exeter and Devon, and college staff.

The award categories spanned across the College's broad curriculum, ranging from Higher Education, Adult Community Education, 14-16 Student, Apprentice of the Year to Sports Academy Student of the Year, and many more.

Academic successes included Madeleine Edwards, originally from Maynards who completed the challenging International Baccalaureate course at the college with an impressive 37 points – within the top 5% world scores. Now studying midwifery at Oxford Madeleine, the college's International Baccalaureate Student of the Year, was described by her tutors as one of the most conscientious students she has ever taught with an outstanding work ethic”.

Jingwei Zeng, Maths and Science Student of the Year not only gained four of the highest A* grades possible in his A level results but also completed this Extended Project to a very high standard whilst also taking part in the college's Reach Academy. Originally from Dawlish Community College and now studying Medicine at Cambridge, Jingwei's tutors congratulated him on his undoubted academic talents as well as outstanding time management skills that helped him cope with his demanding workload.

Another former Dawlish Community College student among the award winners was Louise Rayment who, as Humanities student of the Year gained straight A grades for her Geography, Law and Politics A levels and was described as a reliable and determined student.

The Awards night also celebrated the highest standards of vocational achievements with winners recording industry standard achievements in Construction, Engineering, Hairdressing, Catering and Health and Social Care.

Former Queen Elizabeth's Community College Crediton student Bethanie Lloyd won the Foundation Students student of the year presented by Councillor Saxon Spence who sponsored the award. She was nominated by the team for her dedicated attitude and was described as a 'joy to teach' . Successfully progressing from her Vocational Studies course now to BTEC Level 1 in health and Social Care she was also nominated for the fantastic feedback she gained from her work placement at Leap Frogs Nursery in Crediton with offer of further opportunities.

Meg James, originally from St Peters won the college's Hospitality, Hair and Beauty Student of the Year award and is no stranger to winning prizes since on top of completing her Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy with a Distinction grade she also won first prize in the regional finals of the UK World Skills competition during her course.

St Peter's School pupils figured in an impressive five of the awards with Robert Downer winning the Flybe student of the Year award, Dan Martin winning Heathcare, Childcare and Public Services Award, Simon Rendell as Reach Academy Student of the Year, and Ben King being able to place his Sports Academy Student Award trophy with his recent college and University England Rugby trophies.

Many of the award winners were nominated not just for their academic and technical achievements but often for their support for their peers with many of them being congratulated for team work and their positive contributions to class discussions and project work.

Completing his Fine Art and Graphics A level courses with the highest honours of A*, the Art and Design Student of the Year Matthew Hindle, was described by tutors as”an exceptional student displaying total and complete commitment to producing his best possible work, while still taking time to explain a process or technique to his peers.” Originally from Sidmouth, Matthew returned from his Degree course in Graphic Design at the University of the Arts, London to receive his award saying”I enjoyed the enthusiasm and passionate drive within the college. My tutors have been a great inspiration to me and I wouldn't be where I am now without them.”

Emma Tyler won Construction Student of the Year particularly for her enthusiastic involvement and support for other women in her department acting as an advocate and role model for young girls in the construction industry – still a male dominated environment.”I'm hoping to go to university to study Construction Management, Emma said”I gained skills and knowledge that will help me pursue a career in construction and I really enjoyed the happy and friendly atmosphere in the department.”

Citing his two years at college as the 'best years of his life' Brendan Fitzpatrick, the college's Sports Leisure and Tourism Student of the Year was nominated for his commitment to both his studies and his sport. During his time he was part of the Rugby Academy, an active member of the Coach Academy and played a key role at the Paralympics as one of the college's successful Young Games Makers team who joined with the nation as we celebrated our summer of sport. Now at Bath University studying Sports and Social Science, Brendan accepted the Award from Bruce Henderson of Exeter City Football Club who sponsored the award – one of the many community and business leaders at the college's top award ceremony.

The top students from the college's prestigious academies were also honoured during the evening. Christie Beech scooped the Music Academy Award for her exceptional contribution to a range of musical activities through her course including her star performance for the Queen and HRH Price Philip as part of the Queen's Jubilee visit to Exeter last year. Ralph James from the Met Office presented Simon Rendell with the Reach Academy Student of the Year Award recognizing the outstanding achievements Simon had made to the initiative for academically gifted students which had earned him an internship at the Met Office.

The brand new Michael Caines Academy marked its first year by honouring one of its many elite star students in the presence of their mentor Michael Caines and Darren Sinclair from City and Guilds one of the sponsors of the exciting initiative. Connor Saunders, from South Molton Community College has ambitions of working with the very best chefs in the world and has already been offered a part time post with Michelin starred Mark Dodson as a result of his work with the MC Academy.”What I have loved most about studying at Exeter College is being able to find out what I want to do for the rest of my life. Doing this day in, day out with teachers that love the industry as much as you do yourself is amazing.”

Also honoured was the 14-16 practical Learning Student of the Year Brendon Tweed – the youngest star student at the ceremony who attended the college's construction course one day a week while at Exmouth Community College. His ambition is to start his own carpentry business and he is well on the way having used his skills he gained on the course to now be at LP Carpentry as carpenter and joiner Apprentice.

Presenting the awards to all the winners, Richard Atkins, Principal of Exeter College said”This Annual Student Awards Ceremony is the culmination of a highly successful year and we are acknowledging particularly those students who have achieved excellence in their studies, persevered under difficult situations and have contributed positively to their colleagues, faculty and the community.”

“We are also celebrating a year in the college has gained national recognition for our Outstanding pilot Ofsted Inspection and finished the year hearing that we were judged as Outstanding FE Provider of the Year by the Times Educational Supplement. We are particularly proud of the college's role in the wider community, reflected also in the wide range of sponsors joining us tonight and are delighted that Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council was here as our Guest of Honour.”

The sponsors joining the college at the glittering evening were: aBode Exeter, Devon County Council, Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Exeter City Council, Exeter City Football Club, Express and Echo, Jones Lang LaSalle, Foot Anstey, City and Guilds, Exeter International Airport, Mansell, the Met Office and Foot Anstey.

Cllr John Hart praised the students, staff and families represented at the event saying “I want to pay tribute to the college not only for their standards of education and training but also for their work in the many partnerships they have including with Devon County Council. The best educated and trained workforce are a key driver for the economic health of Devon and the students we are honouring tonight reflect the diverse range of opportunities on offer at the college. Students from Exeter and Devon face competition from booming economies of the world but I hope they think of this as an opportunity.”

Click here to find out more about the awards and view the award winners