After a memorable academic year which has included success rates confirming it as the highest achieving further education college in Sussex, City College Brighton and Hove celebrated some of its best achievers at the annual City Achievers 2013 student awards ceremony.
From a cohort of around 10,000 students, 38 deserving winners were chosen spanning areas including art and
design, business, hairdressing, music, digital arts, carpentry, sports and catering.
Hosted by Juice FM’s Guy Lloyd at the Sallis Benney Theatre on Wednesday, the evening was a chance for staff to reward some of the college’s hardest workers.
The overall winner was confirmed as 17-year-old motor vehicle student Anthony Booth from Haywards Heath, whose commitment to his studies was described by his tutor Phil Hill as “truly inspirational”.
Mr Hill said: “Most days, Anthony arrives as much as three hours before his first session to revise.
“His mentoring and peer-to-peer teaching work with a potentially volatile group of our pathways learners is a great example of his commitment to helping and working with others while developing his own mechanical knowledge and expertise.
Formula One team McLaren have expressed an interest in taking Anthony on as a trainee mechanic.
Anthony said: “This is such a big thrill for me because I know how hard I’ve worked to achieve it.
“City College deserve to be considered the best College in Sussex because they’ve really done everything they can to help me succeed, whether it’s giving me support with my dyslexia or any extra help I’ve needed to become the best mechanic I can be.”
Lois Budd was picked as the Catering City Achiever and also received the Savoy Trust Award.
After achieving merits and distinctions throughout Level 1 of the catering course, Lois is headed for distinction grades in Level 2.
She also earned acclaim through winning the National Bupa British Bake Off competition.
Many of the chosen award winners have overcome difficult circumstances, making their achievements even more inspiring.
In spite of a difficult start to the course, Rosie Verrall was selected as the 2013 Photography City Achiever.
After her mother sadly passed away, Rosie, 21, of Brighton,was overcome with stress and anxiety, but with support both inside and outside of the college, Rosie was able to stay on the course and successfully achieve her qualification.
Her tutor Bee Holmes said: “Rosie’s ability has developed immensely throughout the year and it is clear that she has relished every newskill taught to her.”
The Plumbing City Achiever was Gary Noakes, 43, of Southwick, who was described as an outstanding student with a highly professional attitude to hiswork.
His tutor John Kempshall said: “Gary completes his practical assessments to a very high standard, completing his entire theory exams ahead of schedule.
“A disability in his right hand has never hindered Gary’s progress and he always displays an ability to find a way to achieve all the skills required to be a qualified plumber.”
Mr Noakes said it was an emotional event. “I’ve never got much recognition for some of the struggles I’ve had to overcome.
My tutor John Kempshall was really supportive and thisaward will look fantastic on my CV as I embark on a career as a plumber,” he added.
Following a successful period of work experience with Sky Sports, Tom Copeland has now secured a freelance contract with Sky, working in their production department.
The first student to achieve 60 words per minute shorthand on the year-long journalism course, Tom was named as this year’s Journalism City Achiever.
Renzzo De Souza moved to Brighton from Brazil three years ago andwas given the title of Carpentry City Achiever.
Tom Dowds, carpentry team leader, described her as a conscientious and motivated learner who is always willing to help others.
“Renzzo is self-reliant, able to work on his own initiative and is a pleasure to teach,” he added.
Lynn Thackway, headteacher at Brighton and Hove City College, said: “It was an emotional occasion and one that provided a wonderful reminder of how further education colleges such as ours can transform people’s lives and provide life-changing opportunities.
“I felt so proud of all the students tonight and also, of course, our amazing teaching staff who have helped them succeed, often against the odds.”
Overcoming tragedy
Ibia Nteyoho, 20, is an exceptional example of a student who has overcome huge, emotional personal barriers to gain success.
In October 2009, his brother was murdered in an unprovoked attack on the Thamesmead estate in South East London.
Moses Nteyoho, 22, was attacked with a knife and a hammer by four teenagers in a 90-second attack that claimed his life.
Despite the tragic event, Ibia used the course to give him a fresh start and commuted to the business course
in Brighton on a daily basis with “outstanding attendance”.
He put behind previous records of disruptive behaviour and impressed the group with his polite manner.
‘Course helped me so much’
Terence Sadler, chosen as the Visual Arts City Achiever, had suffered a major stroke in recent years which significantly reduced his mobility and his ability to speak.
But painting became his saviour and showed him the road to recovery.
Slowly but surely, he was to become mobile and decided at the grand age of 76 to embark on the part-time foundation course at the college.
His tutor Phil Tyler said: “Terence has been an exemplary student over the last year and has put some of his peers to shame. He’s produced some outstanding work and has made a massive contribution to the course.”
Mr Sadler said he was absolutely proud of his award.
He added: “I was struggling with speech and mobility, I’ve had such help from my tutors Wendy and Phil and it’s just been a pleasure to go to the college.
“There are wonderful facilities, I’ve met new friends and it’s helped me in every way, mentally and physically.”
FULL LIST OF CITY ACHIEVERS
BUSINESS – Ibia Nteyoho
TRAVEL AND TOURISM – Rosie Pink
PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS – Nicola Carter
ACCESS TO HE – Josie Lucas
SCIENCE – Daniel Bird
ADULT ENGLISH AND MATHS – Ann Packham
ESOL – Amira Galal Mahrain
COMPUTING – Ashley Chalmers
LEARNING SUPPORT – Faye Soutter
FOUNDATION LEARNING – Harry Taylor
TEACHER EDUCATION - John House
MOTOR VEHICLE – Anthony Booth
INTENSIVE SUPPORT – Harrison Morgan
14-16 STUDENT OF THE YEAR – Beau Salanson
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – Edward Hartfield
CATERING – Lois Budd
BUILDING TRADES - Matthew Fox
BEAUTY & HOLISTICS – Giusy Marfella
CHILDCARE – Chrisann Taylor
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – Lily Norris
HAIRDRESSING – Gabriella Minall
ELECTRICAL – George Ashdown
ART AND DESIGN – Vadim Dilion
ART FOUNDATION – Rosie Whiting
DIGITAL ART – Zoe King
JOURNALISM – Tom Copeland
FILM-MAKING – Tom Jackson
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY – Kevin Johnston
PLUMBING – Gary Noakes
PUBLIC SERVICES – Ashley Foster
SPORT – Craig Pooley
VISUAL ARTS – Terence Sadler
ACTING & DRAMA – Nick Corpe
ENTERPRISE – Tom Jackson
DANCE – Amanda Wilson
PHOTOGRAPHY – Rosie Verrall
PRINCE’S TRUST – Stephen Turtle
CARPENTRY – Renzzo De Souza
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