Westminster-Kingsway College

Westminster Kingsway College held its second annual student awards at the King’s Cross Centre last week. Celebrating the achievements of all students, the awards were presented to those who had worked particularly hard throughout the year.

The awards recognised all students who are studying at the King’s Cross and Regent’s Park Centres and featured categories for those who had excelled in individual study, students who had achieved exceptional work under challenging circumstances and an award for the group who showed exemplary team work and achievement. This year awards were also presented following nominations by the Student Activities team and staff within the Learning Centre.

Kim Caplin, Vice Principal 14-19 Pathways, said: "We are extremely proud of our students so the Student Achievement Awards are Westminster Kingsway’s opportunity to celebrate the dedication, excellence and achievement of every single learner and the staff who work with them. They are a tribute to the hard work put in by everyone at the College and prove that, regardless of the challenges you face, with determination, a good College support system and the drive to succeed you really can see fantastic results."

The overall Individual Learner award was presented to Nicola Yermak who studies Access to Education Studies (Primary Teacher Training). Nicola won the award for showing an outstanding level of commitment to her studies. She was praised for her enthusiasm as well as her impressive course work. Nicola juggles her studies alongside being a mother of six children. She has proven to be an excellent role model to the other members of her class, especially the younger practicing Muslims who may lack the personal self confidence that Nicola has demonstrated.

Nicola’s son was studying for a Professional Chef Diploma at Westminster Kingsway when she decided that she wanted to go back to College. Having seen the progress her son made and the excellent support he received she knew it was the place for her.

Nicola said: "I am so glad I took the step to join Westminster Kingsway, it was the right choice for my son and it’s been the best thing for me too. I love learning and the teachers here have really made that possible. They have been so helpful and given me the motivation I needed to do it. It’s not always easy, especially with six children to look after, but I manage my time well and I have learnt how to adapt to make it work. I can’t imagine not being here now, my classmates feel like my family too; I’m so pleased that I took the step to study here."

Camilla Monck, second year BTEC National Diploma Fashion student, was presented with the overall Distance Travelled award for her personal and academic achievement in the face of adversity. Camilla joined the College’s level 1 Skills for Life programme having no qualifications and very little confidence. However, in just over a year she has progressed onto a level 3 course and produced an outstanding portfolio of work that has secured her a place at every art college and university that she applied for. Her confidence has soared and through sheer hard work and determination she has received commendations from all of her teachers.

Camilla (pictured left) said: "I can’t believe how well I have done; it really is an amazing College. I feel like I live in the Art Department but it is so brilliant with such great facilities for us to use. I’m looking forward to going to university but I will really miss this place."

Praised for their good behavior and positive attitude, the overall Group award went to BTEC National Diploma Business Group B. Nominated for their dedication and hard work, this team won the award for their effective work ethic and cohesiveness they help each other to ensure that the whole class is successful.

And the winner is...

Groups:

Overall winner:	BTEC National Diploma Business Group B
Runner up:	Entry Level 9E3b 14-19 ESOL Group B Relationships Pathway BTEC National Diploma Design Year 1 AS English Literature

Individual Learners:

Overall winner:	Nicola Yermak Access to Teacher Training
Runner up:	Saba Amanuel ESOL E1 (E1a) Justin Nanick Music Technology Rosy Brigante Next Steps BID HTT Glenn Kwakye BTEC National Diploma Art & Design (Digital) Nikoleta Kalaydzhieva AS Levels

Learning Resource Centre Individual Learner award:
Yasmine Aoubid Access to Social Work

Distance Travelled:

Overall winner:	Camilla Monck Skills for Life & BTEC National Diploma Fashion
Runner up:	Dahab Idris ESOL E3 Yasemin Andan Access to Combined Studies Ayesha Munro BTEC National Diploma Musical Theatre Shane Smyth First Diploma IT Dilan Fagella Basic Skills C Paul Constance BTEC National Diploma Art & Design Rhian O’Donnell AS Levels Toby Morrison BTEC National Diploma Health & Social Care

Student Activities awards:
Reliable Volunteers: Monet McCrae and Ayoola Alalade
Raising money for charity: Sherena Shepherd