Students were last week recognised for their outstanding achievements at City of Westminster College’s Student Awards ceremony. The event, which was held at the College’s Sarah Siddons Theatre, took place in front of fellow students, guests, sponsors, stakeholders and members of College staff.

A number of success stories further emphasised the worthiness of this year’s student award winners. School of Construction and Engineering Technologies winner Ben Brisco is predicted the highest possible D*D*D* grade for his full BTEC Extended Diploma and, having been involved in a work experience project with Overbury (part of the Morgan Sindall Group), has been offered a salaried scholarship to study a Construction Management Degree part-time at a university of his choice. Student Council Award winner Clara Pedro is a Student Governor who always acted as a torch bearer for the Learner Voice. From attending Governor meetings to all Student council meetings, she understood the role that she took on this year as Governor, making sure the student voice was always heard and becoming involved in numerous activities around the College.

Several students from a wide range of courses gave fantastic presentations in between the awards. ESOL students Douangdala Khamphanthong and Deivy Avila Ospina spoke about the work they have completed on their course this year, while BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science student Dee Sandal talked to audience members about her experience taking part in the WorldSkills UK Forensic Science Competition heat which was held at the College in June. Several Forensic Science students took part alongside learners from other London Colleges and were judged by a team of forensic scientists and practitioners from Orchid Cellmark, one of the biggest forensic companies in the company.

BTEC Level 3 Sports student Chennell Fennell’s presentation focused on visit by Taekwondo England which took place earlier this year. The coaches who visited invited the students to take part in practical demonstrations, fitness tests and were shown the various skills needed for the sport including balance and co-ordination. Guests were also treated to two performances from Performing Arts student Dayna Pearson who sang Etta James’ ‘At Last’ and ‘Suddenly Seymour’ from Little Shop of Horrors.

There were 21 awards handed out during the evening, including the coveted Principal’s Award and an award from the Board of Governors. Following the presentation of the awards, guests were served canapés and drinks.

2016 Student Award winners

• Peter Besant
• Mollie Wilson
• Ramzeen Mohamed Sakkaf
• Catalina-Elena Dutu
• Ben Brisco
• Gabriela Ordonez
• Evita Budaviciute
• Prashanth Kanagaratnam
• Hematullah Khurasani
• Dion Ferati
• Shane Johnston
• Kristina Zazaite
• Thi Lan Huong Nguyen
• Thi Thuy Nguyen
• Lena Cullen
• Geneva Peters
• Methusilla Thomas

Enrichment Award winner
• Louis Holder

Governor’s Award winner
• Marwa Malangyar

Student Council Award winner
• Clara Pedro

Principal’s Award winner
• Peter Besant