13/01/09

STAR students have been rewarded for their hard work at Exeter College’s annual Student Awards.

The ceremony was held at Exeter’s Thistle Hotel to recognise the outstanding accomplishments of high-achieving pupils in subject areas ranging from maths and science to catering and hospitality.
Top pupil Kieran Sweeney was named International Baccalaureate (IB) student of the year, scoring 44 points out of a possible 45 in his IB Diploma – the highest score ever achieved at college and the equivalent of six A* grades at A level.
A former St Peter’s student, Kieran, of Upton Pyne, is now studying medicine at Manchester University.
Alfie Pugh, from St Thomas, was named student of the year in media and performing arts. He gained 298 marks out of a possible 300 in his AS music exam. Before joining Exeter College, he studied at West Exe Technology College.
Alfie is a pianist, plays bassoon and drums and composes his own music. He is now taking a gap year before studying music at university.
The student of the year award in English went to former St Peter’s pupil Alyx Barker, from Mount Pleasant. She achieved outstanding results in A level English language, law, philosophy and the national award in journalism and is now studying law at Oxford.
Lucy Garrett, of Crediton, was named humanities student of the year. The former Queen Elizabeth Community College pupil excelled in geography and gained an A at A-level.
Lucy is taking a gap year and is to travel to South America, Asia and Australia. Next year she will study environmental geography and international development at the University of East Anglia.
Pippa Howell, from Heavitree, was given the Met Office-sponsored maths and science student of the year award.
In her maths A-level, Pippa, who went to St Peter’s, scored 597 out of 600 points and received top marks for physics and chemistry. She is now at Cambridge studying natural sciences.
The motor vehicle student of the year award went to Otterton resident Paul Greenaway, who completed the demanding two-year programme in just eight months. Paul came to Exeter College from Exmouth Community College and achieved his advanced apprenticeship in heavy vehicle maintenance.
Hard-working Matthew King, of Newton Abbot, received the determination to succeed award, sponsored by Lloyds TSB.
During his time at the college, Matthew, who has cerebral palsy and previously went to St James School, never let anything get in the way of furthering his career.
He studied hospitality and catering, gaining NVQ levels 1 and 2 in food preparation and cooking and level 1 food service. He now works at the Passage House Hotel, in Newton Abbot, and in the kitchens of the Royal Marines’ Lympstone base.
Christy Vigor, from Exmouth, was named student of the year for access to higher education. Although she was pregnant and had a baby while studying, she worked with determination to finish the course and is now studying law at Exeter University.
Former student union president and ex-Chulmleigh Community College pupil Ross Stanley, of Uplowman, earned the governors’ award for contribution to the college community.
During his time at the college, Ross worked to promote the welfare of others and was the driving force behind a number of high-profile campaigns.
Dedicated to helping others, Amy Salter, of Countess Wear, was named student of the year in care and public services, sponsored by Exeter City Council.
Amy achieved a distinction in the BTEC National Diploma in health and social care and completed voluntary work in Eastern Europe during the summer. The former St Peter’s High School pupil is planning to study paediatric nursing at Cardiff University.
Alexis Heal from Ebford and John Eustace of Lympstone both won accolades for teacher education students of the year under the Ted Wragg award, which is sponsored by the University of Exeter.
Former King’s School pupil Ben Cann from Ottery St Mary received the award for the most promising 14-16 student.
Zarina Rich who used to go to Exmouth Community College was named hospitality and catering student of the year.
Amy Clark from Dartington was named the art and design student of the year. The former pupil from Sands School, Ashburton, faced a number of challenges during her time studying the National Diploma in photography but achieved a distinction for her course. She is now studying a photography degree at University College Falmouth.
Emma Redwood from Hemyock won the accolade of higher education student of the year for excelling on the Foundation Degree in Coaching and Fitness. A former Uffculme School pupil, Emma is now doing a third-year top-up of her Foundation Degree at Marjon, which will lead to a full Honours Degree in Coaching and Fitness.
Kim Fletcher from Halberton was named the sports leisure and tourism student of the year. The former Uffculme School student was a carer to her family and overcame many difficult challenges to gain three distinction grades in BTEC National Diploma in Travel & Tourism and a university place at Bath Spa.
Anne Oxborough, assistant principal at Exeter College, said: “This is the major awards’ evening in the college calendar because it celebrates student achievement right across the college. Alongside traditional, academic and vocational achievements, we are also recognising such factors as students overcoming obstacles and returning to education as adults.
“The event also celebrates our work in the community and with partners outside the college such as employers and schools.
“We hold the awards’ evening at this time of year because we hope to be able to attract ex-students away at university during their Christmas vacation. We hope that such events do inspire others to see just what can be achieved at the college.
“Last week was a busy one for celebrating achievement at the college as we also held our first-ever degree graduation ceremony at the Cathedral on Friday for students who have completed degree-level courses here at college.”