Awards Evening 2006
Posted on Wednesday 20 December 2006
Government Exams Watchdog praises Students and the College
Praise for College students from UK's Exam Chief
(Click here for photographs)
Over a thousand students and their parents packed Farnborough Sixth Form College's new sports hall on Monday evening for the Annual Awards Evening. The principal guest was Dr Ken Boston, the government’s exam watchdog who is responsible for the maintenance of standards over all the country’s examinations. Before presenting their certificates and awards, he told the students that they should be extremely proud of their achievements.
Over a thousand students and their parents packed Farnborough Sixth Form College's new sports hall on Monday evening for the Annual Awards Evening. The principal guest was Dr Ken Boston, the government’s exam watchdog who is responsible for the maintenance of standards over all the country’s examinations. Before presenting their certificates and awards, he told the students that they should be extremely proud of their achievements.
Dr Boston singled out the College for particular praise. “Farnborough Sixth Form College is noted not only for the high achievements of its students but also as a College which is leading the country in innovative ways to improve teaching and learning”, he said.
“There is no finer institution in the country at which you could have studied for your A levels”, added Dr Boston.
Earlier, College Principal Dr John Guy had welcomed the students and their parents back to the College. “We are extremely proud of all you have achieved, not only in your examinations but also in the enrichment activities you undertook”.
Dr Guy paid particular tribute to the many students who had been awarded College Travel Scholarships to undertake voluntary work abroad and he wished Becky Warnock, 18, of Farnham, well as she was about to set off to teach for three months in a village school in Tanzania. “These are life-changing experiences and we admire your commitment and selfless approach to life”, he said.
An award for Outstanding Contribution to the College was made to Millie Schurch, 18, of Guildford. She is currently on holiday in Australia and the College made the presentation by live video link to her in an Australian studio to the astonishment and delight of the audience. Millie said, "This is just amazing - I am really, really proud to receive this award and I am sorry I can't be with you all".
The Dell Student of the Year award for the most outstanding achievement was made by Dell’s Director of Software and Peripherals, Mrs Maggie Willis.
She said, “Dell UK is proud to be associated with this Beacon College but it is extremely difficult to identify just one winner to be Dell Student of the Year”.
The award was made to Mark Johnston, of Fleet for his outstanding A level results, all at grade A, which he had been achieved despite missing two years of schooling in his secondary career because of health problems. Mrs Willis presented Mark with a top of the range Dell Inspiron laptop computer, saying he was an inspiration to us all.
Speaking afterwards, Mark said “I am astonished to have won the Dell award – and I really grateful that Farnborough Sixth Form College believed in me despite not having any GCSE qualifications on entry!”
Dr Guy said, "Mark has been an outstanding student - we try to identify potential rather than base everything on exam results but his progress has been remarkable. He is very worthy winner of the Dell Student of the Year Award".
Award Winners
Outstanding Academic Achievement: Helen Burn, Caroline Dixon, Krissie Ellis, Jack Green and Emma Smith
Outstanding Personal Achievement: Rebecca Atherton, Jonathan Brice, Daniel Cordina, Hannah Davies, Dereck Hood and Laura Welstead.
Outstanding Contribution to College Life: Andrew Barnes, Becky Pratap.
Outstanding Contribution to College Life and Academic Achievement: Millie Schurch and Philip Gradwell.
University of the Creative Arts Recognition Award: Amy Taylor.
Sportsman of the Year: Roy Cockram
Sportswoman of the Year: Sophie Tanner
Justin Scregg Memorial Award: Harriet Anscombe
Alistair Panter Memorial Award: Philip Harmar
NJ Clarke Award for Accounting and Business: Robert Scott
Dell Student of the Year: Mark Johnston
Photo Captions (right)
Dell Student of the Year, Mark Johnston, flanked by other award winners at Farnborough Sixth Form College, and (centre, l to r) College Principal Dr John Guy, Government Exams Chief Dr Ken Boston, and Chairman of Governors William Bagnall.
Dell Student of the Year, Mark Johnston, 18, with his Dell Inspiron Computer.
Sophie Tanner, 18 of Frimley, College Sportswoman of the Year, receives her award from Dr Ken Boston (left) and Principal Dr John Guy.
