Star students shine at college’s annual awards ceremony
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 2012- 2013 event held at the Thistle Hotel last night.
The real stars of the evening were the 28 award winners whose high achievements – academically and personally – 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.
Presenting the awards to all the winners, Richard Atkins, Principal of Exeter College said “Throughout the year faculties and departments hold a wide variety of events and award ceremonies but tonight we have invited the 'very best' – the winners of the winners in many cases. Each year, Exeter College touches thousands of households in the local area and, in many cases, transforms the life opportunities of those who choose to study here. Our winners reflect our unusually broad curriculum, incorporating academic excellence, outstanding vocational skills and foundation learning for young people and adults from right across Exeter, Devon, Torbay and West Dorset. What makes Exeter College such a great place are our students, who are our best ambassadors. They are overwhelmingly interesting, well behaved, hard-working learners who enjoy being at college in the centre of Exeter. Tonight's award winners represent all of our students and we are very proud of their successes.”
Academic successes included James Roberts, 18, originally from Isca College of Media Arts, who scooped impressive 4A* A level grades last summer including an exceptional 599/600 for his Maths A Level. Receiving the Maths and Science Student of the Year Award James, now studying Engineering at Cambridge University with plans to study to masters level and then onto aircraft design, was described as “using his intellect in a gentle manner, never looking down on others or trying to boost his own ego.”
Another student honoured particularly for her academic prowess was Louise Williams, one of three award winners originally from Queen Elizabeth's Crediton celebrating last night. As Reach Academy Student of the Year Louise, who is now studying Geography at Jesus College, Oxford, not only gained A* grades in Biology, Chemistry, English Literature and Extended Project but also was a fantastic ambassador for the college's Reach Academy integral to the Met Office research Science Group, co-ordinating student-led research – work which as presented to HRH Duke of York when he visited Exeter last year. Picking up her award on stage with Ralph James from the Met Office she said “Having teachers who care is so important and I think that perhaps one day I might like to teach too, because I can now really see the value of it.
Harry Leitch, 18, was one of three St Peter's C of E School award winners at the glittering event, and was nominated for the English and Languages Student of the year award for her contribution to both the academic and enrichment activities in her faculty. She not only recorded an impressive 120 out of 120 for one exam paper leading to an A* grade in English Literature but was also a vital member of the Colleges debating team, being awarded 'Outstanding Debater' at the regional Finals in Bristol.
Alice McAndrew is one of 12 students from the college last year now at one of the prestigious Oxford or Cambridge colleges and, as Art and Design Student of the Year was described as “greatly inspirational to her fellow students” scoring a remarkable 100% in her Fine Art A level last summer. Returning from Oxford University for the Awards ceremony Alice said “I am particularly grateful to my tutor for all the encouragement she gave me during my two years at college.”
Kasha Potter from Bovey Tracey was one of the many remarkable students praised for her motivation, enthusiasm and commitment to learning, progressing from level 1 qualifications to Fast Track GCSE and now studying one of the college's Access to HE courses with plans for a future at Bath University. Presented with her award by Saxon Spence, her tutor noted “Her essays were impeccably crafted often of A level or undergraduate level – a very gifted student.”
Whilst there were stand out academic achievements on show at the event there were also awards for students who contributed to the important Academies and enrichment activities at the college – described as crucial to college life, providing that essential added experience.
Emma McLean, formerly from Colyton Grammar was nominated for the Enrichment Student of the Year award particularly for the way she embodied the ethos of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme supporting local girl guides and deaf and blind children as well as learning Sign language and excelling in archery and piano. Now studying medicine at Clare College, Cambridge after achieving straight A* grades in her A levels, she was joined on stage by Richard Bagwell from Foot Anstey sponsors of this important award.
Award winners from the Michael Caines, Reach, Music, Journalism and Sports Academies were also honoured with Kate Gardiner, formerly from Clyst Vale winning the Sports Academy award for her commitment to the college's Netball Academy and for juggling the sporting demands of playing for British Colleges Netball team as well as focusing on her A level programme enabling her to progress to the University of Manchester.
Playing of a different type was the strength of Joanna Cartwright who won the Music Academy Award, who was described as 'totally committed to music combining enjoyment and achievement through the appreciation, performance and creation of music.” Formerly from Queen Elizabeth's in Crediton this student joined the Chamber Orchestra, Jambassadors, Inspiration Choir and Chamber Choir and said that “Studying at Exeter College was the best two years of my life.”
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. The highest standards of vocational achievements were also celebrated with winners recording top class industry standard achievements in Business and IT, Construction, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Beauty Therapy, Media and Performing Arts and Tourism and Leisure – many of the Awards being sponsored by local and national industry partners.
Former St Peter's School pupil, Shannon Small, is now studying at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing in London and won the Healthcare, Childcare and Public Services Award for achieving triple Distinction stars in her BTEC course as well as being offered employment in every placement she worked at during her time at college.
Another former St Peters' pupil, Emma McLarin, won the Hospitality, Hairdressing and Beauty Award and is destined for a career in Spa Management being described as having an enthusiastic and engaging attitude, becoming an effective team leader during her BTEC programme.
Karl Schultze, formerly from Axe Valley Community College, won the prestigious Flybe Student of the Year and was described as an outstanding student giving 100% in all aspects of his work, gaining triple distinction stars for his Extended Diploma in Engineering in the innovative partnership between the airline and the college and was congratulated by Matt Roach, Managing Director of Exeter's International Airport as he collected his award.
A student celebrating success and progression nearer to home was Habib Rahman, winner of the Business and IT Student of the Year who achieved triple distinction stars in his BTEC programme leading to a BA Hons in Accountancy and Finance at the University of Exeter. Nominated for taking on additional responsibilities with the Young Chamber of Commerce and with the Lloyds Money for Life Programme Habib, formerly from St Lukes School, was described as a fine example of a hardworking, conscientious and reliable student.
Another winner proving that employability is key to success was Chelsea Crossman, another former Queen Elizabeth star student, who was awarded Apprentice of the Year. After excelling in her BTEC Healthcare course, Chelsea became the first Clinical Health Care Assistant taken on by North Devon NHS Trust and is praised by her deputy matron for her enthusiasm and commitment to the role whilst continuing to update her training at the college.
Exeter Chamber of Commerce were at the glittering event sponsoring the Spencer Dale Economics Student of the Year Award but unfortunately the winner Emily Daugherty, originally from Maynards, was unable to be at the event since she was already living up to her lecturers' predictions of a future in the corporate environment since she is working at Barclays HQ in Canary Wharf before going to University in October.
Whilst young people 16-18 featured greatly in the 'honours list' the college also showcased its breadth of provision with awards for 14-16 Students, Adult Learning and Higher Education Awards.
Laura Cutting, 16, originally from West Exe of the Year, was the youngest of the winners and after completing her NVQ1 Hairdressing one day a week at the college whilst at school is now continuing training as she hones her skills as an apprentice at Head Start salon in Exeter.
Many of the adult learning success stories spoke of determination and positivity. Sino Bennett from Exeter juggled the demands of the Access to Higher education courses as well as raising a young family and a new job in care but as her tutor described “her commitment and determination to achieve her full potential were impressive.” Worthy winner of the Access to Higher Education Student award she is now at the University of Bath studying social work.
Also recording impressive progress was Nicola Hall from Exeter who joined the college's level 1 ITQ course but quickly moved onto level 2, gaining confidence and self-esteem and as Adult community Education and employability Student of the year proved a true role model gaining success with her first job interview as NVQ assessor during her course.
Sophie Simmons, from Exeter, also gained confidence as a result of adult learning at the college citing 'meeting new people and lovely staff' as one of the many reasons for her success in achieving English and Maths qualifications and winning the Adult Essential Skills Student of the Year Award.
The sponsors joining the college at the glittering evening were: Alcoa Howmet, Balfour Beatty, City and Guilds, Devon County Council, Exeter International Airport, Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Exeter City Council, Exeter City Football Club, Express and Echo, Foot Anstey, Jones Lang LaSalle, John Lewis, Met Office, Pearsons, and Saxon Spence.
John Lee, High Sheriff and guest speaker continued the praise of the achievements of the winners saying “Exeter City is a vibrant and young city and Exeter College plays a huge part in that.” Comparing the impact of college students as similar to the positive impact of the Olympic Gamesmakers he went on to say “We can see on our doorstep the difference students make and the real gems we often miss.”
