City of Westminster College hosted its annual Staff Awards ceremony in the first week of the New Year, recognising the dedicated professionals who inspire our students, as well as the hardworking teams and individuals who ensure that the College runs smoothly. The Staff Awards are particularly highly valued by recipients as all winners are nominated by colleagues and by students. These Awards took place in the Sarah Siddons Theatre at the new Paddington Green Campus - the first event hosted in this professional specification performance space.

The Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was presented to Bina Howard and Sonia Burgess. Bina Howard, who lectures in the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, received a high number of nominations for her energy, enthusiasm and hard work. Students describe her as hardworking, supportive and caring. As one student put it: 'She has been the reason that I am going on with my studies'.

Sonia Burgess, who is a GCSE and A-level lecturer in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Humanities and Leisure was nominated for her outstanding patience, empathy and support for her learners. She covers a full range of issues - including UCAS, fees and funding and academic guidance - and colleagues and students say that she is an outstandingly dedicated tutor.

The Award for Excellence in Support for Students was presented to Joel McDonald and The Student Enrichment Team 2009-10. Joel McDonald is one of the College's highly valued Learning Services Facilitators, working in the Learning Centre. Praise was heaped upon him by staff and students for his helpful and supportive attitude - and for going the extra mile to help others.

 As one nominator put it: 'I hope one day I have all his attributes'. The award-winning Student Enrichment Team, comprising Ryan McGillivary, Lindon Wallace Lennox Brown and Levi Miller, received their award for their tireless service on behalf of our students.

They were praised for their proactive and creative approach and for creating an environment that encourages students to participate in activities and keeps them informed - as well as for making College more fun! As one nominator put it: 'They are a pleasure to work with and are the ears and voice for the students.' The Award for Excellence in Promoting Student Diversity was presented to Iqbal Ali and to the Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD) Support Staff Team. Iqbal Ali is a Learning Support Assistant within the Disability Support group and was honoured for his tremendous support to students with a range of disabilities and learning needs.

He has been described as an exceptional role model - to both staff and students - and someone who inspires admiration and respect in equal measure. The SLD Support Staff Team - one of the largest teams ever to receive a Staff Award - comprises Kavish Abbas, Grazyna Baron-Primiceri, Mark Castree, Vinay Chauhan, Keong Chay, Michelle Christmas, Kate Coleman, Lauren Hall, Rachel Heppenstall, Gary Ho, Chris Homewood, Joseph Jones, Sarah Matthews, Charlie Penrose, Geoffrey Simpson, Mariusz Slawinski, Rosanna White and Christian Wilton-King.

They work with some of the College's most challenging students and one of the many nominations sums up the huge amount of respect they command from their peers: 'The care and support they give to our SLD students is unlimited and it is obvious to anyone who sees them together how much affection the students have for them and vice versa'.

The Award for Excellence in External Customer Services was presented to Peter Vaughan and Chantelle Williams. Peter Vaughan is Quality and Management Information Development Coordinator and receives this Award for his development of a new employer database to assess the level and success of our vital employer engagement strategy.

Originally begun as a favour to a colleague, this grew into a personal crusade to create a tool that is now invaluable to the whole College and to the employers and customers we serve. Chantelle Williams began as a student with the College, came back as a Learning Support Assistant and then trained as a teacher. Now a lecturer in the Faculty of Community Studies, she is honoured for the outstanding results which she has consistently produced on the School Links GCSE Health & Social Care course. Combining a positive attitude, endless hours of marking and feedback, and excellent teaching, she has demonstrated the positive effects of a committed teacher on the lives and future careers of learners.

The Award for Excellence in Internal Customer Services goes to Hilary Matthews and Marie Cunningham. Hilary Matthews lectures in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Business and Leisure and has been nominated for her massive support to her colleagues and to the College. She successfully led the Access to Business team through a new qualification and moderation framework last year, ensuring everyone understood the new regime. This resulted in excellent feedback from the external moderators. She is a team player who willingly shares her expertise. One nominator said: 'Her standards are extremely high and she motivates other team members to work to these same high standards'. Marie Cunningham is Administration Services Manager for Paddington and has worked her utmost to ensure continued high service to all students and staff. Dedicated to her job - and recognising the importance of good customer care - she has been nominated for her professionalism and commitment to the College and everyone she works with.

In addition to these Awards for Excellence, the College presented a number of awards to long-serving staff and to those who have retired from the College. For the first time Very Long Service Awards (30 years plus) were presented to staff who have served over three decades. Recipients were John Dennison, Dareth Gillard, Rob Homewood, Paul Philips, Mike Read, Des Reardon, Ian Smith, Mike Smith, Barry Stevenson, Andy Treadwell and Vic Trendler. Between them, these staff members have clocked up almost 330 years' service!

Long Service Awards were presented to staff who have been with the College for 20 years plus. Recipients were Gareth Chester-Jones, Zac Chouman, David Pigden, Phil Flanders, Tom McBrien, Kamlyn Ramkissoon and Pat Squires.

Finally City of Westminster College honoured staff who took retirement in 2009-10 - many of them after two decades or more of service. They were Ray Brennan, Peter Clifford, Kate Jervis, Carl Lowe, Alex McClure, Aslam Pervez and Sudha Soni. We thank them for their exceptional contribution to the College community and wish them all a very happy retirement.