2012 has proven to be another year of outstanding success at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form, where students have continued the College’s tradition of excellence to achieve some of the best results in the country. On Thursday 13th September the College held a glittering Awards Ceremony to honour the success of its A Level and Vocational student stars.
This year’s A Level students were justly proud of a 100% pass rate, Our statistics this year are also outstanding, 86.1% of our A Level students have achieved high grades A*-C, and 60.2% have achieved top grades A* – B. In addition, 135 students gained the coveted A* or A grades, with an amazing 72 students gaining 2 or more A* or A grades!
100% of our Advanced Level Vocational students passed their programme, with record numbers achieving triple Distinction, which is equivalent to 3 grade As at A Level, meaning that a high percentage of our students not only progressed to university, but to their first choice university!
This year our students will be able to progress to the Imperial College London, University College London, The University of Glasgow, The University of Manchester, The University of Liverpool, The University of Leeds, The University of Warwick and other prestigious institutions. Amongst tough competition, students will join the elite of British education, taking up places to read Medicine, Mathematics, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, Architecture, English Literature and Pharmacy. Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form class of 2012 will be leading the way in innovative industries to become the next generation of world leaders in their field.
Local Primary and Secondary School Head Teachers were invited to attend a pre-event which was a celebration of the educational excellence in Pendle. Following on, the main Awards Ceremony, held at Nelson’s ACE Centre, was a celebration of the achievements of the past year. On arrival, students and their families enjoyed a Bucks Fizz reception with sumptuous canapés. They also had the chance to mingle with other special guests, including their former head teachers and have professional photographs taken.
Once all guests were seated, Principal Amanda Melton talked about the various achievements of the year, not only in examinations, but also in national competitions against other large colleges and expressed the pride all staff at the College feel for their students.
Special guest for the evening was BBC The Apprentice competitor and highly successful entrepreneur Azhar Siddique, who is a former student of the College. He spoke to the guests about his own educational background and gave inspiring words about how he has gone on to achieve such success.
Also in attendance was the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Asjad Mahmood and Mrs. Samina Khan, Head Teachers of local High Schools who returned to celebrate the achievements of their former pupils.
The winners of the 2012 Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form Awards were as follows:
The Division of Business, Sport and Public Services
Thomas Allen – Outstanding Achievement in – Public Services
Zach Saltau – Outstanding Achievement in – Public Services
Lucy Woods – Outstanding Achievement in – A Level Business
Alexander Bottomley – Outstanding Achievement in – A Level Business
Demi Lockett – Outstanding Achievement in – Vocational Business
Benjamin Rhodes – Outstanding Achievement in – Vocational Business
Abigail Fallows – Outstanding Achievement in PE
Suliamann Feeaz – Outstanding Achievement in – Sport
Jessica Harrison – Outstanding Achievement in – Sport
The Division of Arts, Humanities and Languages
Alexandra Bailey – Outstanding Achievement in – Art & Design
Hannah Alderson-Bythell – Outstanding Achievement in – Art & Design
Heather Callaghan – Outstanding Achievement in – Art & Design
Imogen Horner – Outstanding Achievement in – Art & Design
Naomi Quinn – Outstanding Achievement in – English Literature
Tobias Yoh – Outstanding Achievement in – English
Laura Hirons – Outstanding Achievement in – Theatre Studies
Philipa Warford Outstanding Achievement in – Film and Media
Lucy Hartley – Outstanding Achievement in – Modern Foreign Languages
Jeremy Cong – Outstanding Achievement in – History
Rosie Farrar – Outstanding Achievement in – Politics
Nichole Watson – Outstanding Achievement in – Sociology
Khaleel Mahmood – Outstanding Achievement in – Psychology
Usman Khan – Outstanding Achievement in – Law
Max Ireland – Outstanding Achievement in – Geography
The Division of Hospitality, Hair and Beauty
Richard Foster – Outstanding Achievement in – Catering
Samuel Marks – Outstanding Achievement in – Catering & Hospitality
Sandra Marusak – Outstanding Achievement in – Hairdressing
Hannah Wood – Outstanding Achievement in – Beauty
Abbey Venn – Outstanding Achievement in – Beauty
Melissa Harker – Outstanding Achievement in – Hairdressing
Division of IT, Computing, Child, Health and Social Care
Laura Frankham – Outstanding Achievement in – Child Care
Jonathan O’Connor – Outstanding Achievement in – Computing
Maaria Ashraf – Outstanding Achievement in – ICT
Jennifer Holt – Outstanding Achievement in, Health and Social Care
Anthony Smith – Outstanding Achievement in – Vocational IT
Anna Romanska – Outstanding Achievement in – Child Care
Wayne Greenaway – Outstanding Achievement in – Vocational IT
Lauren Anderson – Outstanding Achievement in – Health and Social Care
Division of Science, Maths and Engineering
Jonathan Ormerod – Outstanding Achievement in – Engineering
Heather Morley – Outstanding Achievement in – Further Mathematics
Mina Makram – Outstanding Achievement in – Engineering
Samantha Pease – Outstanding Achievement in – Biology
Isaaq Mohammed – Outstanding Achievement in – Chemistry
Michael Rowan – Outstanding Achievement in – Physics
Hannah Petty – Outstanding Achievement in – Vocational Science
Michael Rowan – Outstanding Achievement in – Further Mathematics
Mahak Shah – Outstanding Achievement in – Mathematics
Sam Lawson – Outstanding Achievement in – Engineering
Nicolle Williams – Outstanding Achievement in – Mathematics
Division of Skills for Life
Mary Makram – Outstanding Achievement in – Vocational Life Skills
The Pre-Professional Medicine Award went to Mahak Shah. A former pupil of Pendle Vale College, Mahak studies A Levels including Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, together with an AS Level in Psychology. She gained outstanding results including 1 A* and 3 As. She also completed the Extended Project, where her topic was ‘Should Organ Donation be Compulsory’, where she gained a B! Her exceptional results mean that she has been able to take up her place to read Medicine at the Keele University. Her tutors said, “Mahak joined the Pre-Med group immediately on joining the College and attended every session; she understood that not only did she have to commit herself to high academic performance, but also that she needed to build up wider skills and increase the range of her experience. She completed 6 months of voluntary work in the NHS, and helped us out brilliantly on many occasions as a Science Ambassador. We know that Mahak will make a wonderful doctor and look forward to hearing of her success in the future.”
The prize for Pre-Professional Law was awarded to Rosie Farrar who is a former pupil of Colne Primet High School to study for A Levels in Law, Government and Politics and History. She gained excellent grades; 1 A*, 1 A and 1 B and has been able to take up her place at Oxford Brookes University where she will read Law.
The Principal’s Award for Outstanding Achievement went to 23 year old Philip Davie, in recognition of outstanding achievement in his A levels and his determination to overcome barriers to obtain a place to study Medicine at the University of Liverpool. He obtained A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics and an A grade in AS Physics.
Head of Division for Science, Maths and Engineering, Joan Peagam said, “Phil’s journey is an unconventional and inspirational one. Seven years ago he began Apprenticeship training in Engineering and progressed to HNC level. However Medicine was always a dream and in 2010 he took the courageous decision to resign his job and return to college as a full time A Level student. He dedicated himself to the task of gaining a place at medical school, acted on all advice given and organised a long term volunteer work placement in Pendle Community Hospital. Phil was a model student and the list of positive attributes is very long – self-disciplined, independent, committed, organised, incredibly focused and reliable in every way. He was a role model to the younger students who shared his classes and a joy to teach.”
The Overall Occupational Student of the Year was awarded to Sam Marks, who is a former pupil of Blessed Trinity RC College who completed a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership. His tutors said, “Sam is fully deserving of this award. Sam had a really nice and pleasant nature and would do anything to help students, staff and customers. a real role model for students to work with.
Sam also volunteered to do many other things within College to enrich his CV. He was a Student Ambassador and a member of the Student Council. He was also involved in the Equality and Diversity events group, where the student charter was redesigned and developed.” Sam is now working at Roganic, a restaurant in Cartmel owned by Michelin Starred chef Simon Rogan.
The Vocational Student of the Year (The D J Moore Prize) was awarded to Demi Lockett, who is a former pupil of Colne Park High School who joined us to study for a BTEC Extended Diploma in Business. Demi gained the top grades for this subject, a triple Distinction*, which allowed her to take up a place to read International Business and Management at Aston University, one of the top in the country for Business related degrees. Her tutors said, “Demi was a leading figure in arranging and participating in financial mentoring training which means she was able to offer financial advice to peers and other college students. In addition to this Demi acted as a representative for the Business department at a range of events including year 10 and year 11 open evenings. She achieved a hugely impressive grade profile of 18 distinction grades from the 18 units studied; this gained her the maximum number of BTEC points which can be awarded to a Level 3 student. Purely as a result of her work ethic and dedication, Demi fully deserves this award.”
The Overall A Level Student of the Year (The Fort Prize) was awarded to Nick Parkin. Nick is a former pupil of Colne Park High School who chose to study A Levels including Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics. He gained outstanding results; 3 A*s and 1 B. This has allowed Nick to take up his place to read Chemical with Nuclear Engineering at the Imperial College London. His tutors said, “Any discussion with Nick will always be thought provoking and often challenging, he has an unending curiosity to delve into topics deeper. We were delighted when Nick was offered places at both Cambridge University and Imperial College London to study Chemical Engineering following very successful interviews. When the college was awarded STEM Assured status and we were invited to the Houses of Parliament to contribute to the Science and Technology Select Committee Nick was an obvious student to represent us – he was amazing! Nick and another student were stopped as we were getting off the train by a passenger who had been unable to get on with her work because she was so distracted by the superb quality of the conversation! This delightful young man with a quirky sense of humour is a truly worthy recipient of the Fort prize.”
College Principal, Amanda Melton said, “I am delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of so many of our students. Last year was another extremely successful year for the College and we were thrilled to learn that the Government’s latest success data placed us as the Sixth Highest Performing College in the country!
I joined the College in March 2012, and it quickly became clear to me that Nelson and Colne College is a wonderful place to learn, where firm foundations are laid for students to succeed and gain the confidence to progress in their future studies or careers. I am immensely proud of what Nelson and Colne College students go on to achieve and am sure that they have bright futures ahead of them.”
