After two years of not being able to hold an in-person event, the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College has more than doubled in size and grandeur of its annual Prize Presentation Evening, celebrating the achievements and hard work of over 150 prizewinning students and staff.

 

The awards were held at The King’s Hall in Stoke on Thursday 7th of April, showcasing students with an array of impressive talents and skills, aspiring to become everything from solicitors to accountants, nurses, and designers.

 

The Sixth Form College is very pleased to see students continuing to achieve such academic accolades and being able to reach their full potential with guidance from teaching and support staff and specialist programmes such as the High Achievers Programme.

 

The ceremony was attended by guests including students, proud parents, and representatives from local business and community groups. VIP guests in attendance included the Deputy Lord Mayor, Faisal Hussain. The event featured over 150 staff and student awards, with over 34 sponsored by leading educational establishments and employers. The event started with an inspirational keynote speech delivered by Kamal Hyman from Aim A Little Higher.

 

Assistant Principal of the Sixth Form College and Safeguarding Lead for the Potteries Educational Trust stated “It gave me great pleasure to attend the awards evening and I would like to offer huge congratulations to all award winners.”

 

This year the College continued to recognise students from academies within the Potteries Educational Trust. The Potteries Educational Trust prize, shared by students from Biddulph High School, Moorside High School, Werrington Primary School and a student from Stoke Sixth Form College, celebrates those that embody the values of the trust.

 

Second-year Sixth Form College student, Mia Atherden whose rare health condition leaves her in chronic pain won an award for ‘Going The Extra Mile’. Mia who studies BTEC Health and Social Care commented “I feel absolutely ecstatic to get this award. It’s nice to be recognised after all the work I’ve put in. I have to put in two or three times as much work as most people just to get to the same point.”

 

Another award winner, first-year student Kurt Pascua, is studying a T Level in Adult Nursing and was nominated for an award for ‘Going Above and Beyond’ in his studies and for helping his peers and supporting college events. Kurt said, “I feel very proud of myself and somewhat accomplished for achieving such an award.”

 

Martin Tideswell, Communications Director of Port Vale Football Club and Honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University compered for the evening. Martin was also joined by two second-year student comperes, Sam Harrison and Amy Sproston. Martin Tweeted “Congratulations to the staff and students at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College; it was great to see so many friends in the audience.”

 

Students who run the Sixth Form College’s Tea and Baking Societies set up stands and sold a selection of speciality tea/coffee and handmade bakes. Local businesses also donated prizes to a raffle; the proceeds from this and the college societies raised an impressive total of £536.20. This was donated to Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

 

Creative and Performing Arts students performed at various intervals during the ceremony to entertain guests. The performances were a dance solo, two bands, a male acoustic singer and the Musical Theatre Society.

 

The evening was a great success celebrating our many talented and wonderful students and staff.

 

Please watch our highlights video below.