Uxbridge College students celebrated their achievements at the Annual Awards 2011 with The Apprentice's Melody Hossaini (centre in orange, right of Laraine Smith, Principal).Uxbridge College students were honoured for their achievements by one of the stars of the BBC’s The Apprentice, Melody Hossaini.
Achievers of all ages celebrated with friends, family and staff at the Annual Awards Ceremony 2011 on 22 September, at The Beck Theatre in Grange Road, Hayes.
The winners were chosen from among the College’s 10,000 full-time and part-time students.
Awards included Achievement Awards for each of the College’s teaching areas, Star Awards, and Special Awards.
Special guest Melody Hossaini talked about her career and presented the awards, as well as answering questions and posing for photos with students afterwards.
The overall winner, who received the Super Star prize sponsored by Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, was Sabyha Khan of Uxbridge. Sabyha was also winner of the Academy Star Award, sponsored by Chartwells, the College’s caterers.
Sabyha (18), achieved two A* grades and two A grades at A level this year, making her one of Uxbridge College’s best performing students ever, and is now going to Cambridge University to read Medicine.
She also helped lead the College’s public speaking team to victory in heats of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition, and volunteered as campaign manager to the winning candidate during College elections. She also tutored other students during ‘maths clinics’ and supported them in class.
Other award winners included:
Basel Al-Saraf (21) of West Ealing
Business Star Award
As class representative, his leadership and support led to his group having the best results and attendance in his department. He also achieved distinctions in all nine units of his course, and had impeccable attendance despite his long journey to college.
Daniella Ashley Bennett (18) of Northolt
Creative Studies Star Award
This student achieved extremely high standards in her practical, creative and academic work, as well as being a great team member on her BTEC Performing Arts course. She has given performances she choreographed herself which have moved audiences to tears. And as well as being an excellent dancer, she also has superb musical theatre skills and strong singing and acting abilities. She is also always happy to help others who do not find the academic side easy.
Abby Tearall (22) of West Drayton
Comfort Simoyan Award (Sponsored by Dennis Williams Ltd)
A hairdressing student who had a serious car accident at the beginning of the year so had to juggle hospital and physio appointments, college and work experience throughout the year - as well as looking after her young family. She then had her appendix out, after which she broke her leg! She was still the first person in her class to complete her qualification, even adding an extra unit to her qualification also completing Level 2 barbering.
Jasmine Salvador (19) of Hillingdon
Ian Hebditch Memorial Award
A media student who turned her attitude around to make the best of her potential. After a shaky start, she worked hard to improve, gained excellent marks, and even won a local photography competition. She is now going to university.
Mariusz Jakobicki (17) of Hounslow
David Keating Memorial Award
An extremely committed and determined student who also supports others. He had to work very hard in physical training on his Public Services course due to starting with low levels of fitness, making major improvements in this area. He was also very helpful to others and a good leader who fellow students turned to for support and guidance during expeditions. English is not his first language, but despite this he achieved Distinction grades.
Laura Burbaite (24) of Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead
Higher Education Award for Business (Sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire)
Laura won the award because of her outstanding work and attitude throughout her two-year Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business. She completed the qualification, which has enabled her to enter a university degree in the third year, despite the demands of working as a Manager in a pub-restaurant. Although English is not her first language this did not stop her producing excellent work, contributing well to class discussions, and representing the student body during inspection processes.
Sunita Dhaliwal (21) Southall
Travel & Tourism Higher Education Award
Sunita spent five years studying at Uxbridge College and progressed from GCSE level to Higher Education standard, achieving a qualification which enabled her to enter a degree course in the third year (Higher National Diploma in Travel & Tourism). A committed and determined student who has never missed a deadline and has achieved distinctions.
Louise Ovard (19)
Advanced Apprentice Award (Sponsored by Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce)
As a member of staff at Uxbridge College she completed her Apprenticeship at Level 2, then moved on to a new post with Business Travel Direct in West London, where she progressed to the Level 3 – Advanced – Apprenticeship. Her great attitude, commitment and excellent attendance enabled her to complete early.
St Swithun Wells Primary School, South Ruislip
Employer Award (Apprenticeships)
This school worked very closely with Uxbridge College to enable its eight teaching assistants to gain a professional qualification, the Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools certificate. The school played a key part in delivering the training, making it possible for staff to study and learn during normal working hours, and for everybody to complete their certificate early.
Palm Tree Entertainment, Pinewood Film Studios, Iver Heath
Work Experience Employer Award
This film production company has been working with Uxbirdge College for three years and each year takes around 10 media students, each for a week, on work placements. Palm Tree has enabled the students to get involved in activities including sound editing, helping out on location, acting in a production, and providing artwork for a backdrop.
Melody Hossaini told the packed theatre: “Uxbridge College is a college which offers you more than just your grades – it’s about what life’s all about – and that’s one of the reasons I’m so pleased to be here tonight. Many people out there would envy you being an age where you have your whole lives ahead of you. It’s such an exciting place to be.”
Melody, who was born in Iran and has lived in Sweden and the UK, was a contestant in the BBC’s The Apprentice in 2011. Lord Sugar described her as “a woman of exceptional ability” and fired her “with regret” in week 10, two weeks away from the final. She also runs an organisation called InspirEngage International which provides training and support for children and young people to help them fulfil their potential.”
Principal of Uxbridge College, Laraine Smith OBE, said: “There is nothing like this event to demonstrate just how much the education and training at Uxbridge College means to the people who are part of it – and how the impact of our work spreads far beyond the classroom or workshop.
“Uxbridge College is here to do its very best for our students and to give everyone who joins us an opportunity, no matter what their starting point. We enable people of all ages to fulfil their potential, provide support across the board as well as excellent teaching, and aim to prepare our students to achieve the best possible progression when they leave the College.
“I would like to congratulate everyone who has been recognised tonight – they are all amazing in their own ways and richly deserve their awards.”
Star and Special Award winners were:
THE ACADEMY
Super Star Award (Sponsored by Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets) and Star Award (Sponsored by Chartwells, the College's caterers):
Sabyha Khan (18) of Uxbridge.
Gavin Taylor Bursary Award:
Mereshkanth Rajeswaran (21) of Harrow.
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Star Award:
Basel Al-Saraf (21) of West Ealing
Higher Education Award (Sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire):
Laura Burbaite (24) of Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead
“High Flyer” Award (Sponsored by British Airways):
Pratik Sheth (20) of Stonebridge, Brent
Intermediate Apprentice Award (Sponsored by the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce):
Anne Clark (57) of Ruislip
Advanced Apprentice Award (Sponsored by the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce):
Louise Ovard (19) of Hayes
Employer Apprentice Award:
St Swithun Wells Primary School, South Ruislip
Work Experience Employer Award:
Palm Tree Entertainment, Pinewood Studios
SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Star Award:
Mandeep Singh (19) of Harmondsworth
Higher Education Award (Sponsored by The University of West London):
Matthew Campbell (21) of Uxbridge
SCHOOL OF CREATIVE STUDIES
Star Award:
Daniella Ashley Bennett (18) of Northolt
Ian Hebditch Award:
Jasmine Salvador (19) of Hillingdon
SCHOOL OF EARLY YEARS, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Star Award (Sponsored by Buckinghamshire New University):
Ariam Okubabe (21) of Hayes
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Star Award:
Kieran Wallis (17) of Ruislip
Higher Education Award (Sponsored by Brunel University):
Jayant Babu (20) of Southall
SCHOOL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING AND FOUNDATION STUDIES
Star Award:
Ruby Sethi (17) of Southall
SCHOOL OF HAIR, BEAUTY AND HOSPITALITY
Star Award (Sponsored by Dennis Williams Ltd):
Shanie Howard (18) of Hayes
Comfort Simoyan Award (Sponsored by Dennis Williams Ltd):
Abby Tearall (22) of West Drayton
SCHOOL OF SPORT, TRAVEL AND PUBLIC SERVICES
Star Award (Sponsored by QPR in the Community Trust):
Jordan Cox-Thompson (19) of Harrow
Higher Education Award for Travel and Tourism:
Sunita Dhaliwal (21) of Southall
David Keating Memorial Award:
Mariusz Jakobicki (17) of Hounslow
TEACHER EDUCATION
Star Award:
Dermot McCarthy (52) of Watford
Young Ambassador Award:
Chess Team (First Team):-
Alizahid Alizada
Dauda Bary
Paul Dore-Smith
Giljan Estrella
Fiona Harding
Niroyan Jeevanantham
