THE success of young people in Grays has been celebrated with a special evening dedicated to them.
USP College Palmer’s Campus welcomed leavers from this summer and last at its prize-giving event.
The celebration – which had to be cancelled last year due to the death of the Queen – brought together former students, their friends and family and tutors to celebrate their achievements.
Awards were given out during the evening, with William Palmer College Educational Trust among the organisations sponsoring awards and giving prize money to recipients.
There were a total of 300 winners, with many attending the event – including one former student who travelled from Portsmouth to celebrate their achievements.
Louis Stouchbury, who won the William Palmer Achievement Award, said: “I am shocked to be an award winner. This award recognises the progress I made and the effort and drive I put in throughout the year.
“My teachers and the staff I have met along my journey have supported me all the way to success and have helped me tremendously. They were there for me and I cannot thank them enough. They truly shaped my mindset into what it is today.”
The college offers a career-focused learning strategy to ensure students leave with the knowledge and skills needed to stand out for high-end careers.
Students are able to work with industry experts in various career sectors, learning career-specific skills not covered in the traditional curriculum, boosting their employability and study skills.
Former student governors Nicole Dragos – who attended after landing from her holiday at 4am that day – and Maisie Crosby congratulated winners. Nicole, who now works in publishing, said: “The skills and opportunities gained from being a student governor have really supported me. It was a great opportunity and helped me with my confidence as I was able to attend corporation and senior management meetings.”
Clare White, deputy principal corporate and student services, said: “The prize-giving ceremony celebrating our Palmer’s Campus students was a fantastic evening filled with joy, fulfilment and celebration. Throughout the evening, we celebrated both academic success and personal development from the students’ time with us.
“These evenings are a reminder of what they have overcome and can achieve before they progress onto their next steps.
“We thank all our continued sponsors and the William Palmer Educational College Trust for supporting events like these and our students.”
Find out more about USP College Palmer’s Campus at an open evening on Thursday October 5. A full list of courses on offer – almost 100 options – and booking for the event can be found at uspcollege.ac.uk
PANEL
Awards given by William Palmer College Educational Trust included –
- William Palmer Achievement Award…for outstanding effort in the first year of their course, showing resilience and dedication to improve their grade.
- William Palmer Prize for Endeavour…for outstanding achievement in light of adverse personal circumstances.
- Work Experience & Volunteering Award…for exemplary attendance, attitude and professionalism in the workplace.
- William Palmer Prize…for students achieving a minimum AAA at A-level and/or DDD at BTEC National Diploma or 144 UCAS points or above.
Other awards presented on the night included –
- Audrey Leworthy Prize…for achievement in sport.
- Calor Gas Eastern Region Prize…for excellence in biology and/or chemistry.
- Commemorative Prize For Phillip Robbins…for a student who has shown the greatest commitment to excellence in the performing arts.
- David J Millane Award…for a disadvantaged student achieving a pass at A-level (or equivalent) in a design and technology subject.
- Edward Moorehouse Prize…for enthusiasm and outstanding achievement in the study of English literature.
- Elsie French Prize…for sporting excellence.
- Florence Leworthy Prize…for achievement in ICT/computing.
- Friends of Martin Savage Award…for a disadvantaged student achieving a pass at A-level (or equivalent) in business.
- G A Corby Memorial Prize…for achievement in social science.
- Old Palmerians’ Association Prize…for a student who has demonstrated the college’s values and behaviours during their studies, and has studied the Extended Project Qualification or an Accredited Course at the college.
- Palmers Solicitors Prize…for the best achievement at A-level by a student going on to university to study law.
- Rowland Hall Prize…to the best student studying related subjects and going on to university to study accountancy or economics at degree level.
- Stephen Clear Criminology Prize…for demonstrating the college’s values and behaviours, specifically showing resilience and dedication to improve the grade in criminology.
- Stephen Clear Law Prize…for demonstrating the college’s values and behaviours, specifically showing resilience and dedication to improve the grade in law.
- The Anthonia Afelumo Prize…awarded to a student who has achieved excellence in health and social care and has shown the most effort and commitment to the course.
- The Dr Biman Dutta Medical Prize…for the best achievement at A-level by a student who is going on to university to study a medical subject.
- The Hew Watt Family Charitable Trust Prize…for students who have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural and social life of the college and have shown kindness to others.
