We hosted our annual Further Education Student Awards evening on 20 June, and it was a splendid celebration recognising the exceptional achievements of our dedicated students. This event serves as the cornerstone of our academic calendar, honouring students who have excelled in their studies, overcome significant challenges, and contributed to the success of their peers.
Tracy Aust, CEO & Principal said: “I am so proud of all of our students and tonight’s award ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate their amazing achievements. This is definitely one of the highlights of my year and one of the reasons I feel incredibly privileged to do the job that I do.”
The Mayor of London Borough of Hounslow, Councillor Karen Smith, Seema Malhotra MP for Feltham and Heston and Shadow Minister for Skills, and Cabinet Member for Education, Children, Skills and Employment, Councillor Samia Chaudhary were in attendance, along with College governors, multiple VIPs and sponsors of our awards.
Reflecting on the event, Mayor Karen Smith said: "It was just wonderful to see the students up on the stage, having their hard work recognised. Recognising their achievements is incredibly important. These moments celebrate not just individual success but also the community's collective effort in nurturing talent and ambition."
HSBC representative and award sponsor, Justin Ho, emphasised the significance of such events.
"It's really important because every organisation is deeply embedded in the local community. We've always invested in the future—students, opportunities, potential jobs, and diverse career paths. We've been sponsoring these awards for a few years now and hearing the stories of what students have overcome to achieve these qualifications is truly inspiring," he said.
The evening began with a stunning musical performance from two of our very talented Level 3 Music students, Ashley Jequinto and Reira Koyama. Their captivating renditions set a celebratory tone for the event, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity nurtured at the College.
Adding a touch of inspiration to the evening, was our special guest speaker Hamid Ibrahim, an esteemed alumnus of West Thames College. Graduating in 2012 with a distinction star award in the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animation, Hamid has since made remarkable strides in the field of creative leadership and innovation.
Hamid was thrilled to be back at his old college, bursting with motivation and pride.
"It's surreal to think that not too long ago, I was in your shoes. This feels like a powerful ‘circle of life’ moment. My advice to every one of you is to seek out life’s lessons before they come looking for you. Embrace challenges and push yourself through them, because when you do, you'll be prepared for anything. Don’t shy away from difficult paths—those are the ones that will forge your strength and resilience."
The ceremony highlighted the achievements of students across a wide array of disciplines. Each award, generously sponsored by our supporters, recognised the unique contributions and exceptional dedication of our students.
The award categories and winners were as follows:
- ESOL Threshold (Sponsored by HSBC) - Safia Elnaiema
- English & Maths (Sponsored by HSBC) - Naseep Ahmed
- 14-16 (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Billy O'Dwyer
- Business (Sponsored by HSBC) - Iziah Laylor-Greeves
- Computing & ICT (Sponsored by 2Toucans) - Anna Polishchuk
- Travel, Tourism & Aviation (Sponsored by West London Chamber) - Rhea Fernandes
- Sport & Uniformed Public Services (Sponsored by Brentford Community Sports Trust) - Harmanpreet Kaur
- ESOL Adults (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Ndoye Seynabou
- Partnerships (Sponsored by Mindful Education) - Elina Saveljeva
- Health & Care (Sponsored by Young Hounslow Sexual Health) - Crissilda Fernandes
- Science (Sponsored by HSBC) - Melwart Demelo
- Art & Design (Sponsored by Jelly) - Izzy Kearsley
- Media & Music (Sponsored by Papa Joe’s) - Leon Paulo
- Beauty Therapy (Adults) (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Sahar Salman
- Beauty Therapy & Hairdressing (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Ciara Chan
- Dance, Performing Arts & Makeup (Sponsored by St Mary's University) - Avneet Sandhu
- Supported Learning Student of the Year (Sponsored by Thorpe Park) - Manmit Saini
- Construction & Building Trades (Sponsored by Telford Homes) - Ayah Thomas
- Electrical & Motor Vehicle (Sponsored by West Thames College) - SPK
- Logistics (Sponsored by TVS Supply Chain Solutions) - Ross Martin
- Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Aaron Barnett
In addition to these awards, special recognition was given to students who have shown remarkable creativity, perseverance, and contributions to the college community:
- Andrew Ward Creative Award (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Deivydas Pacesas
- Ernest Harrison Award - Adult Learner of the Year (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Chiok Kuol Kuany Kulang
- The Contribution to the College Award (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Manmit Saini
- The Determination Award (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Izzy Kearsley
- The Academic Achievement Award (Sponsored by West Thames College) - Iziah Laylor-Greeves
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors who made these awards possible: HSBC, 2Toucans, West London Chamber, Brentford Football Club, Jelly, Papa Joe’s, St Mary's University, Thorpe Park, Telford Homes, TVS Supply Chain Solutions and Young Hounslow Sexual Health. Their support is invaluable in helping us recognise and celebrate our students' hard work and achievements.
The Further Education Awards evening was a testament to the vibrant and supportive community at West Thames College. We are immensely proud of all our students and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive and succeed in their future.
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