‘OUTSTANDING’ students from Barnsley College were recognised in the education hub’s annual Excellence Awards last Thursday.
The college crowned student winners in various categories spanning accolades such as Student of the Year and Apprentice of the Year, to more specific achievements such as those in public services and sustainability.
The event - held at the Metrodome - was awash with talent featuring performances from the college’s very own students and included a powerful keynote speech from mindset coach and Barnsley College alumni Tom Dickinson, founder of Tom’s Talks.
Various VIPs were in attendance to share in the celebration, including Lady Rowena Montagu Stuart Wortley DL, Dan Jarvis, Stephanie Peacock, the Mayor and Mayoress of Barnsley and many others.
Winner of the Overcoming Adversity Award and the Principal’s Award, Shireen Connah, said: “I had such a lovely evening at the awards and I can’t thank those who nominated me enough.
“My time at Barnsley College has been truly special and I can’t encourage anyone enough to return to education if they are considering it. It really has changed my life.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to people for putting me forward for both of these awards, particularly my tutors Viv Herbert and Vicky Whittaker.
“It was a huge surprise and I’m very grateful.”
Principal and CEO of Barnsley College, David Akeroyd, added: “The evening was truly inspirational.
“Each of our winners thoroughly deserve the recognition they have received and I’m very excited to see what they do next.
“There was certainly no shortage of spectacular achievements celebrated at this year’s ceremony, and it’s not every year that these awards bring me close to tears.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our wonderful students.”
The 20 award winners were...
Emily Hanson for Barnsley College Student of the Year
Henry Robinson for Barnsley Sixth Form College’s Student of the Year
Jessica Rushforth for Barnsley College University Centre’s Student of the Year
Dakota Ross-Cox for ITS Student of the Year
Harrison Clegg for 14-16 provision Student of the Year
Eleanor Rayner for Apprentice of the Year
Jamie Baines for the Work Placement and Internship Award
Thomas Sharp for the Work Placement and Internship Award
Suzie Rasnak for the Talent United Award
Noah Luhrs for the Enterprise Achievement Award
Radomir Stamatov for the Societies Award
Jessica Sutton and Sarah Peet for the Equality and Diversity Award
Chloe Hutchinson for the Sustainability Award
Jan Piwowarski for the Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust Award
Daniel Burgin for the Townend Tribute Award
Billy Cowley for the Student Voice Representation Award
Shireen Connah for the Overcoming Adversity Award
Grace Caves for the Brian Glover Memorial Award
Jessica Rushforth for Overall Student of the Year
Shireen Connah for the Principal’s Award
