Eastern Education Group holds annual ‘Celebration of Achievement’ awards ceremony at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, in Bury St Edmunds, during centenary year
Students from Bury St Edmunds and surrounding areas have been recognised and honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
Held on Monday, Eastern Education Group’s ‘Celebration of Achievement’ awards shined a light on student success across the group’s further education colleges, including West Suffolk College and Abbeygate Sixth Form College, both in Bury.
This year’s celebration carried special significance as West Suffolk College and Eastern Education Group marked their 100th anniversary.
In total, 32 prizes were handed out, with categories including principal’s choice, character strength, equality, diversity and inclusion, outstanding progress, rising star, educational excellence, young leader, outstanding young adult learner and remarkable student.
Out of all of the winners, Dr Savvas and his team of governors chose an overall learner of the year - and this accolade went to Lewis Hall, 18, a One Sixth Form College A-level student from Ipswich.
Dr Nikos Savvas, chief executive of EEG, said at the event: “It is always a pleasure to celebrate our students; across Eastern Education Group, we are proud to have more than 7,000 16–18-year-old students - each with their own story, their own journey, and their own achievements.
“While every one of them deserves an award, tonight we shine a spotlight on 32 students who have gone above and beyond.
“These students represent the very best of what we stand for. They have shown remarkable strength of character, intellect and compassion.
“They have overcome personal challenges with courage and determination.
“They have made outstanding contributions to their communities - through charity work, environmental action, as young leaders, and more.
“In short, they have exemplified what it means to be truly outstanding.”
Winners include:
Abbeygate Sixth Form College
Will Tillett from Red Lodge - outstanding young adult learner
Ethan McKenzie-Vince from Bury St Edmunds - educational excellence
Elen Williams from Haughley - character strength
Poppy Harding from Bradfield St George - outstanding progress
Jessica Bhandreshwar from Stowmarket - rising star
Ottalie Lindquist-Lines from Bury St Edmunds - community champion
Rebecca Espin from Bury St Edmunds - young leader
Celeste Doward from Combs - remarkable student
Martha Parmee from Hopton - principal’s choice
West Suffolk College
Charlotte Bond from Buxhall - principals choice
Teri Banham from Great Livermere - character strength
Leighton Gale from Bury St Edmunds - rising star
Amelia Ockmore from Beyton - educational excellence
Nephi Evans from Lakenheath - community champion
One Sixth Form College, in Ipswich
Olly Rush from Thurston - rising star
DJ Mudziviri from Needham Market - community champion
