IT was a night of celebration as students and teachers revelled in the glory of their hard work over the past 12 months.

Smiling from ear to ear each award winner from Eastleigh College was cheered as they picked up their awards in recognition of their exceptional achievements and career success.

The college’s annual awards ceremony is the highlight of the academic calendar, giving both students and staff the chance to take a well earned break and celebrate their triumphs.

And offering words of inspiration to those gathered at the main campus in Chestnut Avenue was former bodyguard to the late Nelson Mandela, Chris Lubbe, who shared his stories of overcoming struggles to help make a difference in the world.

More than 40 awards were presented last night, including the prestigious Exceptional Achievement Award, which highlights a former student whose achievement has led them to exceptional industry recognition and career progression.

This year’s winner was Steven Burge, a refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice, who has had great success at local trade awards, right through to International WorldSkills competitions – known as the Olympics of the trade world.

Mr Lubbe said: “It was exciting for me to come here and see how the college is doing and how young and older people have got a second chance to do well. It is just phenomenal.

“Mandela always told me: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon that we can use to change the world’ and it was nice to see here so many people rewarded for their hard work and effort.

“I am continuing Mandela’s legacy. This is what he would have done and he lives on through me.”

The evening ended with the audience being treated to an entertaining dance piece performed by the college’s dance students to Hairspray’s You can’t stop the beat.

 

Roll of Honour
FdA Student of the Year, sponsored by the University of Southampton – Caroline Bell
Cert Ed/PGCE Student of the Year, sponsored by the University of Portsmouth – Carol Preston
Professional Diploma Management Studies Student of the Year, sponsored by Barclays PLC – Jamie Snell
HNC Construction Student of the Year, sponsored by Southampton Solent University – Lucy Hockney
David Baird Prize, sponsored by the British Dental Association – Katie Wild
Exceptional Achievement Award – Steven Burge

Students of the Year for each course were as follows:
Access – Mark Shaw
Art and Design – David Richards
Hospitality and Catering – Charlotte Nowark
Professional Studies –
Holly Dalmas
Skills for Life –
Volodymyr Tkachenko
Adult and Community (Floristry), sponsored by City & Guilds – Jessica Hale
Travel and Tourism –
Lucy Sykes
Care – Isobel Morrison
Hair and Beauty –
Melissa Caals
Public Services – Ross Eldrige
Sport – Joe Sole
Foundation – David Saunders
Construction – Karl Bench
Engineering – Filip Petrik
Motor Vehicle – Nick Tuck
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning – Joe Conroy
Plumbing and Gas, sponsored by Plumb Centre –
Lewis Beckingham
Tony Brooks Award for Endeavour – Joe Lovett
Counsellor of the Year – Caroline Willis
AAT Student of the Year – Daniella Dennis
HE Student of the Year – Lorraine Pardy
Margaret Kyrle Prize –
Martin Blake
Governors’ Prize for Endeavour – Chance Lillywhite
Staff Team of the Year – Exams: Roz Browne, Julie Beaumont, Malcom Fry, Lynn Adams
Initial Qualified Teacher of the Year – Shaun Creech
Teacher of the Year –
Karl Billington
Vocational Student of the Year – Victoria Lowdell
Links Student of the Year – Courtney Hills
Student Team of the Year – Level 3 Business and Enterprise: Catherine Sachdev, Katrina Diaz, Amy Taylor
Partner of the Year – Lean Education and Development (LEAD)
Work Experience Provider of the Year – NHS Hospitals Winchester
Work Experience Student of the Year – Emma Ralph
Apprentice of the Year –
David Lockhart
Employer of the Year –
Yellow Dot Nursery
Governors’ Prize for Outstanding Achievement – Louisa Wright