Celebrating Success 2024

The outstanding achievements of South Essex Colleges Group students have been celebrated at the college’s annual awards ceremony, Celebrating Success.

The event, held at the Maritime Room at The Cliffs Pavillion, Southend, saw nearly 50 students from across the college’s departments and campuses receive Student of the Year awards.

The awards recognised those studying on further education and adult programmes as well as apprenticeships. Higher education students studying at University Centre South Essex were also recognised.

Students were nominated for a variety of reasons, including outstanding achievements, overcoming barriers to learning and positive contributions in the classroom.

The awards were presented by guest speaker and  college student James Rose who is studying a Level 3 Business course at the college and was last year’s Celebrating Success Student of the Year.

James has overcome many hurdles during his studies. His tutor said: “He has shown exceptional aptitude and embraces every lesson knowing it holds relevance to his end goal.  James is a HNS student who has ASD but he doesn’t let this hold him back, and he is one of the higher performing students on this course. He asks probing questions, contributes in every lesson and frequently asks to attend additional sessions with other teachers in order to get a different perspective on theories and concepts. James hopes to one day open a restaurant in Italy and has studied both catering and business at the college to make his dream come true.”

James said: “I am ecstatic at being asked to be guest speaker. It is really rewarding to see others get wards and it is an honour to be present.”

The winners and guests were treated to a performance by the ‘The Motherfunkers’ a group who were formed at the college and includes Music Student of the Year award winner, Charlie Edwards.

T Level Digital Support Services student Luca Jaworski was the worthy Student of the Year award winner and IT Student of the Year.

Luca is currently on the second year of the T-Level Digital Support Services course and has an aptitude for enduring learning and is dedicated to reach the highest level within his course work in college. Luca will endeavour to obtain attention to detail at all times and the work he produces is always accurate and precise and with constant verbal contact with his tutors to maintain structure and prominence.

His tutor said: “Luca will always be involved in group discussions with his group and can also work well on his own initiative when required with skilled answers and knowledge.  He works well with everyone and really tries to include and help struggling students participate and understand the concepts being covered in sessions. Recently he has won a competition ran by Sharp IT with another FE college on a Cybersecurity project. This is a huge achievement for Luca and he has been highly recommended by the senior leaders at Sharp IT to apply for apprenticeship opportunities within their organisation.

Group Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team, Denise Brown, who handed out the awards, added her congratulations to all award winners.

She said: "Celebrating Success is a  special night and we are all extremely proud of our students’ achievements this year and wish them all the best for the future.”

All the photos from the event can be found on our facebook page.

List of winners:
Digital Media Student of The Year - Carly Hayden
ESOL Student of the Year - Yordanos Hilemicael
Foundation and Supported Learning Student of the Year - Daniel Lewis
Engineering Student of the Year - Madaleine Williams
Building Services Student of the Year - Mason Porter
Construction Student of the Year - Cameron Clark
Motor Vehicle Student of the Year - Lewis Mason
Travel and Tourism Student of the Year - Connie Hubbard
Early Years Student of the Year - Olivia Heath
Hospitality and Catering Student of the Year - Patrick Sawyer
Beauty Student of the Year - Sydney Moore
Hairdressing Student of the Year - Lacy Fisher
Business Student of the Year - Ryan Clark
Building Services Student of the Year - Dale Fletcher
Construction Student of the Year - Ethan Ferrans
Performing Arts Student of the Year - Lola Ringer
ESOL Student of the Year - Yassin Mohammed
Foundation and Supported Learning Student of the Year - Kaitlin King
Pre-16 Student of the Year - Daniel Naphtali
Music Student of the Year - Charlie Edwards
Public Services Student of the Year - Amy Smith
Science Student of the Year - Maxwell Buzer
Sport Student of the Year - Harry Chaplin
Animal Care Student of the Year - Thomas Graham
Hairdressing Student of the Year - Freya Chart
Travel and Tourism Student of the Year - Jacob Saunders
Hospitality and Catering Student of the Year - Billy Watson
Beauty Student of the Year (Southend) - Grace Balcombe
Business Student of the Year (Southend) - Charlee Thorn
ESOL Student of the Year (Southend) - Yuliia Kolisnycnenko
Early Years Student of the Year - Victoria Gregg
Foundation and Supported Learning Student of the Year (Southend) - Billy Stubbs
Pre-16 Student of the Year (Southend) - Phoebe Ryan
UAL Student of the Year - Elliot Reid
UEA Student of the Year - Eden Wallace
Teaching and Learning Student of the Year - Katie Turner
HTQ Student of the Year - Jack Quinn
Apprentice of the Year - Pal Lengyel
Adult Learner of the Year - Stacey Everitt
Fortitude Award - Hayley Ashworth