Student achievement recognised at Selby Abbey Awards Evening

On Monday 16th December, Selby College welcomed staff, students, sponsors, governors, councillors and family to its 27th Annual Awards Evening at Selby Abbey. This year’s event was particularly special as the Abbey also marks the end of its 950th anniversary celebrations this month.

The festive occasion saw the successes of both A Level and Vocational students celebrated as they received awards for Student of the Year in their respective courses, including Art, Design & Media to Engineering, Science and Sport, as well as a number of Unique Awards.

Selby College’s Class of 2019 achieved a fantastic 99.7% A Level pass rate across all subjects. The college’s Level 3 Vocational qualifications also achieved highly, with a 100% pass rate in all subjects.

Many of this year’s award winners achieved impressive A Level and BTEC results and were returning home for Christmas after heading off to esteemed Russell Group destinations across the UK, including Durham University, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham and University of Oxford.

Emily Morbey, the winner of the Selby College Corporation Members’ Prize 2019 for her excellence in academic studies, was one of the top A Level performers this year. Emily, formerly of The Holy Family School, achieved triple A* grades in Biology, English Language and Mathematics. She is now studying Human Sciences at the University of Oxford’s Keble College. Emily was also awarded the prizes for Student of the Year for A Level Mathematics and English Language on the evening.

The winner of the Allan Stewart Award for Individual Effort and Achievement went to fellow A Level student Chloe Clark for her excellence in learning and work in the community. Chloe, who previously attended Goole Academy, spent many hours, independent of her studies, developing a website for the Osgodby Heritage & History Group, fully embracing the project and going above and beyond with the technical skills development needed to create an effective website. She was described as “a leading light in communicating with the community group on behalf of her peers” in her nomination.

The Soroptimist International of Selby Club decided to present two students with their Prize which recognises high-performing females, with both former Level 3 Art & Design student Lily Collins and Level 2 Electrical Installation student Kaydie Petch receiving the Soroptimist International Award.

This year’s awards were presented in association with main sponsor Doosan Babcock. For the past eight years, the college has been developing links with the world-renowned organisation, and Selby College is proud to work alongside them as the industry specialist in the delivery of engineering, projects, aftermarket and upgrade services to the thermal power, nuclear, oil and gas, petrochemical and process industries.

In addition, the College was delighted to have the support of a number of local and regional firms and groups who sponsored the Student of the Year awards. This year’s sponsors included BDO UK LLP, Drax Power, John Wright Electrical Ltd, Keith France Electrical, Rollits LLP, RSM Ltd, Russums, Soroptimist International of Selby, The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), The Skills Network, Thornes Independent and Wyke Printers Ltd.

Richard Stiff, Chair of Corporation, formally opened the ceremony, followed by a Christmas carol from the Selby Abbey Choristers. Councillor Malik Rofidi, Mayor of Selby was the evening’s key speaker and presented the Awards to the students, followed by a performance from acoustic singer-songwriter and guitarist Tom Bedlam. Newly elected Student Governor Jessica Smith helped close the event with her ‘Vote of Thanks’ from the Student Council.

Deputy Principal Liz Ridley congratulated each of the award winners, saying: "It has been lovely to see the support being given by parents and family members, and by our other guests tonight, and it is wonderful to see your delight and pride as the prize winners received their applause and collect their awards.

“The students who have been honoured tonight studied on many different Sixth Form courses with the college. Over the period of time they have studied with us they will have come to know their course, their tutors, their fellow students and their part of the college very well, as an extension of their family and our buildings becoming a home from home.”

The Deputy Principal also reviewed the College’s major achievements over the past 12 months, adding: “Over the last year, the College has been honoured to be an integral part of our community, whether this is hosting the annual Selby District Jobs Fair; building, racing and also winning the first Electric Car Street race in Hull or exhibiting our Higher Education students’ artwork here in the Abbey for the Selby 950 celebrations.

“We have also supported many charities in the locality through projects, fundraising and our students’ work experience, to name but a few examples… Selby College highly values the support it receives from our local communities and also works hard to give back in equal measure.”