NEWS IN DETAIL...
College 'Stars' Shine at Awards Ceremony
Deserving students are beaming with pride after receiving awards at the Cornwall College Student Star Awards.
Outstanding student achievement and effort throughout the academic year is celebrated at the annual event for students across all Cornwall College sites in Camborne, Newquay, Saltash, St Austell, Duchy College Stoke Climsland and Rosewarne, and Falmouth Marine School.
The sparkling awards ceremony, which took place at the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay, saw a total of 13 awards being presented, including those for Student of the Year, Progress, Sporting Achievement and Volunteering. In most categories three candidates were shortlisted from over 250 nominations, with the winners each receiving a trophy and £100, and the runners-up receiving a certificate of commendation and £25.
AWARD WINNERS
SHAUN PENGELLY, 18, won the award for Excellence. This award recognises students who have consistently produced work of the very highest quality across their course. Shaun lives in Callington and is studying towards an Animal Care Level 2 Diploma at Duchy College Stoke Climsland.
Animal Care Course Manager and nominator Bea Hawker said: "Shaun started with the College last year and was the model student. He was enthusiastic, hardworking and often asked for extra work to feed his interest in the subject matter being covered throughout the course. This year Shaun has continued to be a fantastic student. He is very committed, often taking on extra jobs so he can be of help at the animal unit at the College. I cannot support Shaun highly enough for this award, he is very modest and does worry that he doesn't do enough to be the best he can be! It will mean the world to him and myself and will really help towards him believing in the truly wonderful ability that he has.”
EMMA OUGH, 26 from Saltash, achieved the Endeavour Award for the student who has evidenced real commitment, determination and perseverance. The Beauty Therapy student, who studies at the Saltash campus, has persisted with her work to a high level despite illness.
Pamela Davies, Beauty Therapy Course Manager, explained: "Emma is a mature learner with four small children. In order to be able to attend college Emma has made sacrifices which have included trying to work night shifts in addition to college. She is one of the most hard working, determined, positive students I have ever had the pleasure to teach. Recently Emma has been diagnosed with a serious illness which has still not deterred her from continuing her course, missing to date only one week after a major operation. Her spirit is incredible and she still smiles and offers help to others when needed. I have never once heard her complain even when I know how hard life is for her at the moment. She has even told the hospital that she is not missing college! Emma is a true inspiration and greatly deserves her qualification which I hope will secure the future she is hoping for.”
JACK GREEP, 18, from Buckfastleigh, received the Progress Award. Jack, who studies the Horse Management Advanced Diploma at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, was nominated for his ability to move forward in his academic studies and in his own life.
Yvonne Cunliffe, Equine Programme Manager, said: "Jack has come a long way since starting at Duchy nearly three years ago. He has always shown steady progress, since beginning his time here as an inexperienced rider and someone who did not particularly enjoy his academic work. Over the years he has shown vast improvement in his riding ability and practical skills, demonstrating real determination to reach the standards of other members in the group.
“Not only has Jack shown such improvement in his general practical skills but his attitude has also changed and he is now regarded as a very reliable worker on the yard and can be trusted to assist the yard staff in a supervisory role. He is employed by the College on a regular basis and will leave Duchy as a very employable young man. The difference in Jack this year is commendable and the distance he has travelled since starting college, and particularly this year, needs to be acknowledged.”
BECKY TREVENA, 18 from Redruth, was named Further Education (FE) Student of the Year. Becky, who is studying towards a Childcare and Education CACHE Diploma in at Cornwall College Camborne, offered the best all-round commitment to the college experience within and beyond the classroom.
Early Years lecturer and nominator Rhisiart Tal-e-bot said: “This is the second and final year of Becky’s FE studies and from the beginning she has shown herself to be outstanding in all areas. Becky’s attendance at college has been excellent and she has consistently achieved high grades in all her assignments because she has sought out feedback and taken a full and active part in class. She has received glowing reports from her work placements, especially for her work with children who have special educational needs, to the extent that she was offered part time employment at one of her placements. Until recently Becky was very active on Cornwall’s sports scene but ill health has meant she has had to give up on her sporting ambitions. Becky has been offered a place on a university-level course at Cornwall College this September, which she is planning to take up as the first member of her family to go to university.”
Higher Education (HE) Student of the Year went to KATIE SAMBROOK, 32, from Penryn. Katie is working towards a Marine Science Foundation Degree at Falmouth Marine School. She was recognised for best demonstrating an all round commitment to her College experience within and beyond the classroom.
Pip Hayler, Student Liaison Officer at Falmouth Marine School, said: "Katie has been an amazing asset to the College, showing drive and determination not only in her college work, but through the active roles she has taken, as a Student Ambassador and Secretary for our Students’ Union team at Falmouth Marine School. Throughout her Ambassador role she has promoted the College at road shows, open days and supported staff in the FE/HE interview process. She also chose to take on an extra commitment this year by supporting and mentoring a group of Level 3 FE students through a mentoring scheme. Having taken on the position as secretary on the CCSU team she has had the thankless but extremely important task of writing up the minutes for the weekly meetings. She always has a positive attitude and happily supports any student or members of staff who need it. Being so driven with her course she plans to continue her studies at one of the many universities that have offered her a placement.”
Cornwall College St Austell student STEVEN MITCHELL, 19, claimed the Sporting Achievement award, following a hugely successful year. Steven, from Bugle, is studying towards a Public Services National Diploma.
Trampolining coach Petra Rowden-Harvey said: “I have been teaching Steven trampolining for the last three years and I can honestly say it has been a pleasure teaching him. He has been a massive asset to the team over that time. He is a very talented student and is not afraid to get stuck in with our hard training regime. He has a great attitude towards his peers and is always offering advice to new students in the group. Steven has competed in various competitions representing and winning for Cornwall College at both regional and national British Colleges Sport Championships. I think Steven deserves this award a thousand times over.”
DEAN MURRAY, 23 from Newquay, was presented with the Volunteering Award. Dean is studying a Foundation Degree in Marine Conservation at the Newquay campus.
Lecturer Jason Birt said: “Dean has volunteered for at least the past couple of years for a charity called TABS International, a UK-based Christian charity that provides opportunities for young people to expand their moral, mental and spiritual development by volunteering in Christian aid projects around the world. Dean raised funds in a variety of creative and successful ways to volunteer in a slum area in a town called Thika near Nairobi. He came back filled with enthusiasm to raise money for the charity to organise trips to a backpacker hostel in Thika, so that people can spend part of their trip doing aid work and the rest of the time doing other activities in Kenya. He has potentially changed his career direction to look at combining charity work with marine conservation and would not mind setting up a similar project to the one he has been part of in a coastal town in Kenya, something that TABS is interested in doing.
“Dean has achieved a lot so far while looking after a young family with his partner. He fully deserves this award!”
KARL PERRIN, 21, from Mevagissey, was named Students’ Union (CCSU) Media Contributor of the Year.
Carly Foster, Students’ Union Communications Officer, said: “Karl has used the skills he has learnt on his Creative Arts Diploma at the St Austell campus to contribute a regular comic strip, ‘The Miximals’, to the Cornwall College Students’ Union magazine. He always has a professional approach to his work never failing to meet a deadline. He fully deserves this award.”
Cornwall College Camborne students DIONNE HAMPTON, 17, from Hayle, and BRANDON FORBES, 17, from Truro, jointly won the Innovation and Leadership Award. Both students, who are studying Public Services, demonstrated considerable inventiveness and personal drive in carrying through an enterprise to a successful conclusion.
Lecturer Richard Dryer said: “As part of the HotHouse project aimed at keeping students in education, Dionne and Brandon fronted a learner led project to promote and reengage students into education and future employment. Through learner led methodology the students elected to support a charity called Support Our Servicemen, making welfare shoe boxes which are delivered to service men and women serving overseas and on operational tours. The group set a target to raise in the region of 300 boxes with an approximate value in each box of £15. The students were responsible for the total organisation of the event. If it had not been for the drive, motivation, unselfishness, negotiating skills and professionalism of both Dionne and Brandon I have no doubt that the students would have struggled their goal. The pair then went on to complete and arrange a Public Service Challenge Day for Cornwall College’s schools provision from Hayle and Mullion schools. Feedback from schools pupils and staff was amazing especially when a staff member could not believe they had organised the running of the day within a week. They have clearly demonstrated innovation and leadership far beyond what would be expected from students at much higher levels.”
Cornwall College St Austell’s FRED GOODWIN-HAYWARD claimed the Students' Union (CCSU) Students’ Student award. Fred, 19, from Holsworthy, studies Food Service and Hospitality and was nominated by his peers for embodying the spirit of student life in Cornwall and making an outstanding contribution to the lives of others.
Toni Pearce, CCSU President, said: "Fred is a true activist and has been a member of the Students’ Union team for several years at St Austell. Although he is a non-portfolio officer on the site, he has worked tirelessly and shown more commitment than many other officers to improve the Union and support other officers, and has been dedicated to ensuring the smooth running of events and campaigns on site. Fred accompanied the SU to London in November for the National Union of Students demo against the raising of tuition fees and is always ready to get involved in campaigning at all levels.”
TOBY HALE, 19, from Falmouth, achieved the Students' Union (CCSU) Student Unionist award. Toby, who is studying towards a Foundation Degree in Boat Design at Falmouth Marine School, was presented with the award for his contribution to the Students’ Union in the last year.
Toni Pearce, CCSU President, said: "Toby has been a rock for the Students’ Union this year, both at Falmouth and corporately. Toby is dedicated to the Union and his work has been outstanding. He is one of the driving forces behind the exemplary student voice at Falmouth Marine School and he has been a huge support both to his team and the SU President.”
JAKE KENDALL, 17 from Truro, was named Apprentice of the Year. Jake, a chef apprentice at Cornwall College St Austell, has excelled in achieving his learning targets and has produced work of the highest quality.
Head Chef Richard James from The Nare Hotel on the Roseland Peninsula, where Jake undertakes his apprenticeship, said: “Within a few weeks of Jake working here I could see he had a passion for food, eager to learn and a natural ability to prepare, cook and present food to a high standard. He is receiving support and training here in the workplace to supplement the skills he is learning in college. He is an excellent student, already showing more passion and care than some more experienced chefs. I am expecting him to complete the apprenticeship well within the agreed timescale and have already discussed with his Liaison Officer progression to further courses. By this time he will have gained the experience to match his natural flair and skills to move on from here to a very high standard.”
Cornwall College Hospitality Lecturer Stephen Pearce said: “From the first skills lesson in the kitchen with my new group to see their individual culinary skills, Jake was the one to surprise me with the level of control and execution of the tasks set. His work ethic and passion during the lesson was excellent, demonstrating knife skills for such a young trainee chef was a delight to see. Since then all assessment dishes produced have been to a very high standard which stems from his appetite for learning and the standards set at his work place. The future is very bright for Jake and he has the natural ability to go far within the hospitality industry.”
The Green award was claimed by BRIAN HOSKING from Camborne. Mature student Brian, who is completing a course in Practical Horticulture Skills at Duchy College Rosewarne, received the award for students who have sought ways to reduce and minimise negative impact on the environment. They will have demonstrated this as part of their course or extracurricular activities.
Lecturer Andrew Gunderson said: “Brian has spent much of his time at Duchy College working with plants, especially in growing vegetables. His work rate for a part-time student has equalled many who take on full-time studies. He also maintains a large vegetable growing project in Camborne. The areas where Brain has made real contributions towards recyling and the greening of the college include: making use of Rosewarne's recycled compost to fill 10 very large raised beds for vegetables and fruit; planting trees around the campus; and distributing his own vegetables and fruit locally, amongst others. He also always walks to college from Camborne whatever the weather. I strongly recommend Brian for the Green award. He has an exceptional passion for sustainable gardening and food production.”
SPONSORS
The awards were presented by Toni Pearce, President of the Cornwall College Students' Union. Sponsors included Cornwall College Business, Flying Start Nurseries, Pirate FM, City & Guilds, Scottish and Southern Energy, NCFE and Cornwall College Students’ Union.
Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College, said: “The Star Awards give staff a chance to recognise exceptional students and celebrate their achievements. The students nominated truly are outstanding and the judges had a hard job deciding on the winners. The night was very enjoyable and I congratulate everybody who was nominated.”
