On Tuesday 16 September, Uxbridge College showcased the achievements of its extraordinary students, celebrating and acknowledging their successes at the annual Student Awards ceremony, held at The Beck Theatre, Hayes.
Celebrating our student achievements
Over 100 students were nominated, for Achievement Awards within our curriculum schools with an overall winner chosen from each area, who received a Star Award. In addition, there were Higher Education Awards, memorial awards, and employment and apprentice awards. Finally, our overall silver and gold Super Star awards chosen from our Star Award Winners were announced. These achievements were either academic achievements, overcoming personal challenges or embracing student life and all it can bring.
Recognising our links with employers
The ceremony also recognised the importance of industry links and employability skills, which enable our students to gain the skills they need for their future careers. The work we do with employers and our many industry partners is essential in delivering this and with their support we offer incredible experiences to our students and deliver the skills that industry needs through our vocational courses, T-Levels, Apprenticeships and the West London Institute of Technology.
This year we were proud to acknowledge our work with Mace Group as Employer Industry Placement of the year and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust who won our Apprentice Employer of the Year.
Oh what a night!
Over 300 guests attended the event, hosted by Dylan McTaggart, Deputy Chief Executive and Group Principal, and they included The Worshipful Mayor of the London Borough of Hillingdon, Councillor Philip Corthorne, as well as students, parents, staff and other members of the local community.
The awards started with a spectacular performance from 104 of our very own Uxbridge College students that study as part of our Praxis Performing Arts courses. Showcasing their skills with a Les Misérables medley for the opening, they really set the scene for a wonderful evening.
Our guest speaker: Britain’s first female jet pilot
We were delighted to welcome special guest speaker, Jo Salter MBE, Britain’s first female jet pilot! She flew the Tornado GR1, then one of only five women fighter pilots in the world. Jo shared her journey and truly inspirational story with the audience, focusing on how she worked hard to achieve her goals, showing resilience and determination along in her way. Through her experiences she provided insights into personal development, meeting challenges and succeeding in the face of adversity.
And the award goes to...
Our well-deserving Star Awards winners included:
- Uxbridge College 6th Form Centre: Oleg Ignat
- Business: Ahmad Ali
- Cross-College English and Maths: Yaroslav Diahovets and Jonathan Brown
- Health and Social Care, and Creative Arts: Ibrahim Abdolrhman
- Computing and IT: Asaf Giron
- Engineering: Javid Noori (Mechanical and Electronic) and Francisco Javier Serrano (Technology and Innovation)
- English Language Teaching and Foundation Studies: Ashron Carvalho
- Hair, Beauty, Hospitality, Early Years and Performing Arts: Anastasiia Andrushko (Hair, Beauty, Hospitality, Early Years) and Leah Jenkinson (Performing Arts)
- School of Sport, Travel and Aviation and Uniformed Services: Riona Rexhepi
Higher Education Awards
- Business: Karina Pal
- Computing and IT: Neil Miranda
- Engineering: Toby Fletcher
- Beauty Therapy: Manushka Hutton
- Performing Arts: Jamie Capon
- Travel and Tourism Management: Valora Pereira
Special Awards
- The Comfort Simoyan Award: Veronika Voloshchuk
- David Keating Memorial Award: Millie Badham
- International Student of the Year: Aye Chan Phyo
- Level 2 Apprentice of the Year: Florance Bandrabur working at First Impressions Salon
- Higher Apprentice Award: David Harrison working at Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd
- Student Industry Placement Award: Cameron Pratt
- Student Overseas Industry Placement Award: Nicolae Lazar
Group Principal, Dylan McTaggart, presented the Silver Superstar Award to Oleg Ignat, highlighting his academic achievement - securing a well-deserved place at University of Cambridge - and how his love for mathematics has enabled him to compete in national Olympiads, further recognising his achievement, dedication and intellectual drive as inspirational.
The final award of the night was the Gold Superstar Award which went to Anastasiia Andrushko. Her tutor commented saying; she has shown true commitment to her whole study programme and deserves to fulfil her ambitions. She will be an asset to any organisation.
Dylan also commented on the evening saying: “I hope you have enjoyed this celebration as much as I have –it is wonderful to hear all these extraordinary student stories. Our students are a real inspiration.”