South Staffordshire College Celebrates Student Success

The grandeur of Lichfield Cathedral provided the perfect backdrop for a day full of celebrations as South Staffordshire College honored their outstanding students in a memorable ceremony on Friday, June 21st. The event, attended by student winners, college staff, family, and friends, was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of our student community. 

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from the Chief Executive Principal, Claire Boliver. Her inspiring words set the tone for the event, highlighting the remarkable achievements and contributions of our students. Claire also praised the college staff, stating, “Your unwavering support, dedication, and belief in our students have been crucial to their success.” 

Following Claire’s welcome, our Deputy Chief Executive, Kirk Hookham, took to the microphone to announce the student winners of three award categories: Student of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, and the Achievement Award. The audience showed their support with loud claps as students came forward to receive their awards. While most students shook hands, the excitement of the day also saw some high-fives and air punches. 

Many students were put forward for these awards due to their remarkable efforts in helping others, their dedication to their studies, and the personal obstacles they have overcome. 

Adding to the event’s ambiance, two rising music students, Sophie Fellows and Charlie Asbury-Richardson, performed acoustic songs. Their soulful renditions, with Sophie as the singer and Charlie as the guitar player, captivated the audience and showcased the diverse talents within our student community. 

We are also delighted to announce the establishment of a Special Fellowship award in recognition of the generous support provided by Carnell, a valued local business. Carnell has made a significant impact by volunteering their time to help paint the Visitor Centre, clear enclosures, and build a new path at Rodbaston Animal Zone. Steve Penn, Business Improvement Manager, was present to collect the fellowship award on behalf of his team at Carnell. 

The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgment from Claire, who said, “I always get really emotional at these events. I have worked in further education for a very long time, and it’s seeing your achievements day in, day out, year in, year out that makes my job the best in the world. I see you all come into college at the beginning of the year quiet and nervous and watch as you develop the talent we have seen today. That’s what gets me up every morning. I am so proud of you and what you have achieved, so proud of all of our students across the college, and especially proud of all the staff who support you to get to this point.”

Thank you to everyone that attended this special celebration. We are immensely proud of our students and look forward to more student celebrations in the future. 

To view the full gallery of the event please use the below link and password:

Student celebration 2024
Password: Cathedral