Top performing students from a Tees Valley college's Further and Higher Education courses had their achievements celebrated at its annual award ceremony recently.

 

The Celebration of Achievement Awards at Redcar & Cleveland College saw students studying courses across all of the subject areas on offer awarded for their achievements and endeavours whilst at college.

 

Amongst awards were handed out were the prestigious Further Education Student of the Year, Higher Education Student of the Year and Work Based Learning Student of the Year, which were awarded to sports student Nicky Askew, Early Years student Diane Baird and Advanced Apprentice Rachael Robinson respectively. 

 

Nicky, who took the decision to return to college after some time out of education to further his career, successfully completed his course before spending time in the USA working as a soccer coach.

 

He is now studying on the BSc in Sport and Exercise (Applied Science) at Teesside University and continuing his work as a coach in football development classes in Middlesbrough.

 

During his time at college he balanced the needs of his studies alongside a part time job to fund his course and he is now hoping to develop a career in the industry as a coach. He said:

 

“I’ve always had a passion for sport, but an injury meant that I stopped playing football and took a job in an unrelated area. After doing this for a while, I realised how much I wanted to work in sport and took the decision to go back to college to get the qualifications that I needed to do this.

 

“Coming back to college was daunting at first, but having had some time away from education made me realise how important it is to work hard and gain good grades, which was something I tried to pass on to my fellow students.

 

“Taking the course at Redcar & Cleveland College has opened up so many opportunities for me and it’s fantastic to be recognised for my achievements.”

 

Diane, who completed a Foundation Degree at the college played an active roll in college life throughout her studies, acting as a course representative and Development Working in addition to completing her course. She is now studying for a BA (Hons) at the college and hopes to land a job at the college on completion of her studies. She said:

 

“I can’t praise the staff at the college enough for all of the help and support that they have given me whilst I’ve been here. There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t have won this award without their contribution as well as the support of my family.

 

“Being recognised in this way is a real honour and has spurred me on to challenge myself further and in new ways which I hope will eventually give me the opportunity to return to the college as a lecturer or assessor and be able to give something back to future students.

 

Winner of the Work Based Learning Student of the Year was Rachael Robinson. Rachael has worked her way through college, having started on a Level 1, course to eventually complete an Advanced Apprenticeship with Coast & Country Housing and has now landed a full time permanent position with the company.

 

Speaking after her win, Rachael said:

 

“I feel very privileged and overjoyed to have won the Work-Based Learning Student of The Year Award.

 

“It came as a surprise and, although I would never have made it if it hadn’t been for my family, the tutors at Redcar & Cleveland College and colleagues at Coast & Country.

 

“I have gained numerous amounts of qualifications, skills and confidence over the past 4 years that I never expected, but I have achieved.

 

“Ever since joining Coast & Country on the Apprenticeship programme not only did I gain my NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration, I also gained respect, confidence, communication skills and a permanent job, which I hope will prove to bring bigger accomplishments.”

 

Gary Groom, Principal of Redcar & Cleveland College, presented the winners with their awards. He said: 

 

"The students here tonight have all worked extremely hard to make it into the nominations and the winners who we have recognised have proved themselves to be outstanding in their chosen subject areas. 

 

"The college works hard to inspire all of our students and we are extremely proud of the achievements of all our winners and nominees." 

 

 

Other winners on the night were:

 

Beauty & Holistics Student of the Year: Nikki Harrison and Faye Robinson

Hairdressing Student of the Year: Paul Lane

Sport Student of the Year: Nicky Askew

Art & Design and Travel & Tourism Student of the Year: Liam Wiles

Business, Management, Administration & Accounting Student of the Year: Jessica Taberner

Computing, IT & Media Student of the Year: Craig Cockerill

Engineering & Science Student of the Year: James Pickersgill

Public Services Student of the Year: Ashleigh Harvey

The Paul Stott Memorial Trophy First Prize: Jack Moody

The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors Shield: Robert Hansen

Built Environment Student of the Year: Lisa Gardener

The Cliff Houlding Memorial Trophy Level 1: Robert Pearson

The Cliff Houlding Memorial Trophy Level 2: Jack Brignall

Wellbeing & Education Student of the Year: Emma Dobie and Rachel Lillystone

Achievement Over Adversity Award: Kirsty Dearnley

Enthusiasm and Contribution to College Award: Ashleigh Harvey

The Sir William Turner Foundation Vicki Lawrence Memorial Award: Hannah Measey