Telford College celebrates another year of student success
Inspirational students were presented with a string of accolades at Telford College of Arts and Technology’s annual ‘Celebration of Success’ ceremony.
The event was held to mark the achievements of learners and apprentices across every aspect of college life during the last academic year.
Aaron Furey, 18, from Stirchley in Telford, a BTEC Extended Diploma Health & Social Care student, won the college’s highest individual accolade, the Victor Ludorum trophy.
The trophy, first presented to the college over 80 years ago, was exhibited at the World Fair in New York in the 1930s and spent the second world war in New York - as it was felt too dangerous to ship it back to Telford!
Deputy principal Bev Jackson said: “Aaron has shown an outstanding mix of academic, sporting and work experience achievement, together with an exemplary attitude to work, staff and peers.
“Working hard on assignments has ensured he has achieved the highest level of progression and gained entry to the University of Wolverhampton. Aaron has often taken the lead in representing the course team, being an active member of both the School and College Council.
“His tutor regards him as an exceptional student, mature, reliable and able to balance many competing demands on his time and resources, whilst proving again and again that young people can excel in multiple fields and produce outstanding achievements.”
The Apprentice of the Year award went to Alex Sheldon, who started at Telford College in March 2013 when he enrolled on a level two intermediate apprenticeship in Highways Maintenance.
Alex, 21 earned a full-time job as M6 Toll Motorway Technician, and his ‘outstanding’ coursework meant he was able to take on the role three years earlier than either his employer – Midland Expressways Limited – or the college had expected.
Telford College’s ‘Second Time Around’ award, for people looking to update their qualifications and build confidence and self-esteem for a return to work, was won by 24-year-old Lauren Bond, from Stafford.
Bev Jackson added: “Lauren is an inspiration to her colleagues. Since commencing her Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification, she has gone from strength to strength with her role in displaying her knowledge and skills.
“She has given commitment to the qualification, ensuring she completes in a sufficient time frame alongside the demands of her role supporting a key and ever changing function in the South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
“Lauren recently undertook a Rapid Process Improvement Workshop and successfully improved admin processes, cutting significant amounts of waste from processes.
“She received outstanding feedback, and is now taking a lead role in developing a Sharepoint System with an external provider to support changes made to the Job Evaluation Process.”
The winners of this year’s Citizenship award, for young people who make sacrifices to get involved in the local community, were the Level 2 Health & Social Care group.
The awards ceremony heard how, after a brief visit to Lakeview Residential Care Home in Stirchley, students invited residents to a Christmas Party at Telford College, allowing them to showcase the catering facilities at on-site restaurant, The Orange Tree.
In their free time, the students raised over £200 by dressing up, arranging a tombola, a name the bear competition and collecting loose change at the canteen tills. They provided 20 residents, along with five staff and some family members, a three course Christmas meal and a hamper of goodies.
Their tutor, Elaine Colley, said she could see how much they had developed into enthusiastic, respectful and inspirational young carers and citizens. “The residents had a lovely fun filled afternoon and the reaction from them was heart-warming and humbling.
“They are an amazing hard working group of students and all of them have positive plans after completing the course. Some have jobs in care, some are returning to Level 3 studies and some are seeking apprenticeships within the hospital setting.”
Telford College principal Chris Scott said: “We have had a lot to celebrate this year, as the achievements of these learners on such a diverse range of programmes has been truly outstanding.
“We always endeavour to promote and provide a rich and rewarding experience for all our learners – the opportunities they have are second to none, and they have all taken full advantage of them.
“They have earned their awards through hard work and determination, ably supported by college staff, employers, family and friends.”
