SOME of Luton’s brightest youngsters stepped up for their moment in the spotlight when Luton Sixth Form College held its 13th annual awards evening on Thursday.
More than 130 awards were given out on the evening, recognising academic, sporting and extra curricular achievements of students during 2010-11.
Principal Simon Kitchener, who will retire this summer, told the audience of students, parents and governors: “It’s a joyous occasion to celebrate the success of our wonderfully talented students. They have worked tremendously hard and have shown great determination.”
Reflecting on what he said had been a “momentous year” for the college, Mr Kitchener said the new £56 million campus was a “wonderful” place to work and study, and thanked the Wolfson Foundation for its £83,000 grant for science equipment.
He said the 80 per cent of students that went on to university from the college in 2011 was “an incredibly high proportion”.
Among the award recipients on the night were Robert Grant and Rachel West, who were jointly given the Chair of Governor’s Award for the Best Achieving Student of 2011. Both of them were awarded three A* grades and an A in their A levels, the best results seen by the college since the A* grade was introduced.
Maahwish Mirza, now studying at Warwick University, was given the Principal’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to College Life. While at the college she set up a politics newsletter and blog, taught supplementary lessons for AS and A2 politics students and represented the college as part of the Debating Society team.
Sam Kingham was named student of the year for outstanding contribution to sport, while Emma Daubeney was student of the year for outstanding contribution to creative arts.
The University of Hertfordshire Award went to Eisha Simmons, who arrived at the college with very few qualifications and is now studying for a degree in social work, and the University of Bedfordshire Award was given to Nahdiya Miran, who had just one pass at GCSE when she started at the college, and is now studying accounting and finance.
Privilege Saungweme received the UKCAF award, sponsored by Luton Lions, after impressing Lionheart Security with her leadership, creativity and enthusiasm during her six week internship.