Newcastle College celebrates inspiring students with February 'Student of the Month' Awards

Each month Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group hold a ‘Student of the Month’ awards presentation that highlights and recognises the individual effort, progress and dedication of students who go above and beyond throughout the year.

This month saw the January round of nominees collect their awards. The presentations included a number of inspirational stories from staff about their nominees, including: overcoming personal challenges, going above and beyond on their chosen courses, exemplary attendance and hard work.

Muneed Amjab - Academic & Creative Studies Award

A hardworking and dedicated student, Muneed’s passion for learning is unmatched. Whether arriving early to study or supporting his peers, his commitment is clear in everything he does. After switching from A-Levels to BTEC Applied Science at the end of Year 1, he has excelled - achieving Distinctions in every unit and working towards the highest possible grade of D*D*D*. His passion for Biology fuels his dream of studying at Keele or Birmingham University before pursuing a career in teaching. Beyond his impressive academics, he teaches Urdu to younger members of his community and enjoys cricket & football!

Amie Booth – Vocational Studies Award

Amie is a dedicated and conscientious student, always making meaningful connections between her studies and future career. Despite the challenge of progressing from Level 2 to Level 3, she has excelled, supporting her peers along the way. Her placement feedback speaks volumes - she transformed from a nervous student into a confident practitioner, leaving a lasting impact on the children she worked with. Having already completed her required placement hours, she continues to seek out new opportunities, including an upcoming placement at UHNM.

Eva Recto – Vocational Studies Award

Eva is an outstanding student, giving 110% every day - not just in her studies but in the way she uplifts and supports those around her. Her commitment to learning is exceptional, consistently achieving distinctions and always pushing herself beyond expectations. As class representative, Eva leads by example, showing kindness, compassion and fairness. She creates a sense of community and is always looking out for others. Her generosity and positivity make the classroom a better place, to many of her peers she is someone they can turn to for advice, support or a friendly chat.

Carmen-Maria Grigoruta - Professional Studies Award

Since starting the Level 2 Travel & Tourism course in September, Carmen-Maria has shown exceptional dedication, producing outstanding work and excelling in her work placement at the Portmeirion retail store in Trentham. Her enthusiasm, motivation and professionalism have impressed both her tutors and employers. Her placement managers praised her confidence and customer service skills, calling her “an asset to any business.” Staff at Portmeirion were so impressed they offered her a part-time position! Looking ahead to her studies, staff are confident Carmen-Maria will exceed her target grades to secure a place on the Level 3 course next year.

Danielle Orme - Professional Studies Award

Danielle’s journey is one of resilience, determination and incredible strength. Despite facing significant challenges, she has returned to education with a clear goal - to advocate for children in the care system, giving back and supporting those facing difficulties. As class representative, she is a respected leader, always listening and supporting her peers. Balancing college, working at a local nursery and family life, she is deeply passionate about early childhood development and the impact of the early years due to personal experiences. Having completed the Access Diploma and now excelling in Level 3, Danielle has overcome personal and health challenges with courage. Now focusing on her physical and mental strength, she is on track for a bright and meaningful future.

Lewis Bariana – Professional Studies Award

Currently in his second year of BTEC Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services, Lewis has shown outstanding engagement and maturity throughout his studies. With excellent attendance and punctuality, he is exceeding expectations, working at D*D*D* against his initial target of DDD. Beyond the classroom, Lewis is a student rep, a team manager at McDonald's and a panel member for the Youth Offending Service, where he helps shape rehabilitation plans for young offenders. Balancing his work, study and independent living, he has demonstrated incredible resilience. His hard work has already secured him a firm offer to study Social Work at the University of Leeds, setting him on the path to a career in youth social work.

Olly Davis – Skills & Technology Award

A second-year T Level Engineering student, Olly has demonstrated exceptional work ethic and problem-solving skills. His core grades are among the best in his cohort and he consistently strives to improve, never settling on his work and always looking for a way to develop his skills. During his placements, Olly earned high praise from Middleport Pottery for his proactive approach and is now excelling at Michelin, working on CAD drawings, maintenance and project management. Alongside his academic success, he has also found time to represent NSCG in basketball, helping his team win the league!

Aaron Hancock – Apprentice of the Month

Since starting his apprenticeship, Aaron has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a constant drive to improve his skills and knowledge. He’s always professional, polite and communicative in the workplace, working well with colleagues and seeking guidance when needed. His meticulous note-taking and proactive attitude ensure that he’s always prepared for any challenge that arises. Beyond his apprenticeship, he has also become a National Apprenticeship Ambassador, promoting apprenticeships as a valuable education route. Aaron is a fantastic example of how the apprenticeship journey leads to success and everyone is confident that his hard work will continue to pay off.

Jamie Hillman – Art Award

Jamie’s achievements in the BTEC L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design and Foundation Diploma have been nothing short of exceptional. His outstanding grades reflect his dedication, but what truly sets Jamie apart is his incredible resilience and passion for his craft. Jamie has faced significant personal challenges and despite these hardships, he has remained positive and deeply committed to his art. His talent as an illustrator is undeniable, with his "Jam Land" project showcasing his ability to create characters and stories from his own unique perspective. Not only is Jamie building a personal brand with his artwork, but he’s also expanding it into handmade merchandise sold in the course’s pop-up shop!