Students recognised for going above and beyond in their studies at College Award Ceremony

Weston College celebrated the successes and accomplishments of its students at a glamorous awards ceremony at the Winter Gardens Pavilion.

The annual ‘Celebration of Success’ recognises the students who have gone above and beyond in their studies, and have achieved results greater than their own expectations. Over 40 awards were presented during the ceremony.

Many of the students celebrated at the event previously had challenging experiences of education or personal struggles that they had to overcome to facilitate their success.

College staff nominated students who had gone beyond what was expected. A panel of the College’s governing body and leadership team, including its Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Paul Phillips CBE, then judged the nominations.

The award winners and their families were treated to a three-course meal, entertainment from University Centre Weston’s FDA and BA Musical Theatre and Professional and Commercial Dance students, followed by a presentation ceremony which saw winners take home certificates and prizes.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive said: “These awards seek to highlight the fantastic achievements of College students and learners from our link schools.

“Many of our students have inspiring stories and personal accomplishments, our Celebration of Success recognises the students who have gone the extra mile and far surpassed their expectations, and the expectations of their significant others.”

Following these awards there is then a winner of winners’ award, which this year went to the Adult Learner of the Year - Zoe Chamberlain.

Dr Phillips said: “Zoe is proof that it’s never too late to learn new skills and we are delighted that she has taken this journey with our support.

“Zoe was 30 year old single mum, with no GCSEs, and no work experience or knowledge of the care industry when she joined the College’s Alliance Care Academy. Her confidence grew massively during the course and she passed all the elements with flying colours and secured a job with Alliance Care. She now visits the Care Academy to tell new learners about her journey and is a big inspiration to others.”

The Weston College Celebration of Success 2019 was sponsored by Midas Group, Derek Quinn - Executive Director, presented the certificates and prizes on the night. Midas Group worked with the College to renovate and enhance the Winter Gardens Pavilion and also developed the new Construction Training Centre and Health and Active Living Skills Centre for Spring 2019. Other sponsors for the evening included, Skylight Properties (drinks reception sponsor); Pace (publication sponsor); Hayes Parsons, Honeyfield Property Services, Sedgemoor Publicity, T.O.C.S.LTD, The Royal Hotel and Zest Media.

Please find below some of our winners from this year’s Celebration of Success:

School Link Students of the Year: James Goodyear-Evans, Nathan Northey, James Young and Jayden Pilgrim

Charlotte Cooke - Foundation Learning Student of the Year

Jack Mayhew - Weston Bay Student of the Year

Charlotte Saunders - Access to Higher Education Student of the Year

Leah Richards - Animal and Equine Studies Student of the Year

William Smith - Business and Tourism Student of the Year

Gabriel Bell - Hospitality Student of the Year

Gemma Logan - Hairdressing and Beauty Student of the Year

Nicole Powers - Law Student of the Year

Luke Grice - Media and Music Student of the Year

Laura Sparrow - Performing Arts Student of the Year

Chloe Collier - Production Arts Student of the Year

Beth Norton - Early Years and Education Student of the Year

Caitlin Gardner - Health and Social Care Student of the Year

Georgia Ferdinando - Sport and Public Services Student of the Year

Cameron Bailey - Advance Engineering Student of the Year

Thomas Griffin - IT and Computing Student of the Year

Aryan Foroughi - Civil Engineering Student of the Year

Ryan Pullen - Construction Student of the Year

Oliver Bessant - Electrical and Plumbing Student of the Year

Alessandro Tessitore - Motor Vehicle Student of the Year

Zoe Chamberlain - Pre-employment Student of the Year

Michael Brooks - Work Experience Student of the Year

Zoe Chamberlain - Gold Award: Adult Learner of the Year

Sandra Bull - Tony Suner Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution (staff award)

Gopal Gomathinayagam - Significant Achievement in Teaching and Learning (staff award)