Outstanding student achievements celebrated at Fareham College Annual Awards 2019

Fareham College invited parents and employers from across the South to celebrate the exceptional successes and accomplishments of its students across the 2018-19 academic year.

Among the 19 award categories this year, were: ‘Higher Education Student of the Year’, ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’, ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’, ‘Outstanding Achievement’, ‘Outstanding Technical Skills’ and ‘Academic Excellence’. Esteemed members of the Fareham community including the Deputy Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Mike Ford, as well as representatives from BAE Systems, Coopervision, Knights Brown Construction and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains presented the awards to the winners.

Sponsors included BAE Systems, Coopervision, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, University of Portsmouth, The Society of Old Priceans, Mountjoy, the Royal Navy, IET Solent, Blanchard Wells, Solent University, Bettavend, Knights Brown Construction, Hendy, Glanvilles Legal Services LLP, Carswell Gould and Peter Marsh Consulting. Many of the businesses work closely with the College to provide exceptional apprenticeship training and employment opportunities for its students.

Student David Crossland, who scooped this year’s ‘BAE Apprentice’ award, said:

“I’ve just completed my HND and am now hoping to progress onto a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Portsmouth. The night’s been great. It’s good to be valued within the workplace for the hard work you’re doing.”

Leonie Dennett, who won an award for outstanding achievement and has secured a place at the London College of Fashion to study Fashion Marketing in September, said: “Winning this award was very unexpected, and it’s amazing to be acknowledged.”

The big award of the evening, ‘Student of the Year’, went to catering and hospitality student, Lucas Kelly. Lucas, who has just completed studying for his Level 3 Diploma in Food & Beverage Service Supervision, received the award for his exceptional commitment to his studies and for being recognised as an incredible asset to the College by his tutors and peers. Lucas also won a second award for his outstanding contribution to the reputation of the College.

After collecting his awards, Lucas said:

“It was my last day at the College today, my last service in fact just a few hours ago. I went straight from there to come here, so this night feels like a real goodbye celebration; one made even more special by me winning these two awards.”

Lucas was recently named the Institute of Hospitality Southern Front of House Student of the Year and has now secured a job with the Exclusive Hotels chain.

Fareham College’s Principal and CEO, Andrew Kaye, added:

 “We are very fortunate to have so many students succeeding at Fareham College, therefore it is important that we stop to take the time to recognise and celebrate their achievements. That is why these awards were created. It is our way of rewarding our students for their hard work, dedication and professionalism, which has helped us to raise the reputation of the College, win national awards and create invaluable links with industry, nationally.”