NSCG Celebrates Student Success Across Three Nights
17 June 2026
Throughout the month of June, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) have been celebrating the hard work of students, staff and employer partners across three dazzling nights of awards.
NSCG Stafford College returned to the Stafford County Showground and NSCG Newcastle College to bet365 Stadium to present awards to students across all subject areas. And with NSCG Leek College having their first ever celebration awards, from vocational and academic studies to skills and technology, over 90 awards were presented to NSCG learners and employers alike, recognising their hard work and contributions over the last academic year.
Each awards ceremony ended with the presentation of the prestigious Principal’s Awards categories, where attendees heard some inspirational stories of resilience.
The first ever Leek Principal’s Award winner was Sam Shields who is currently studying the Level 3 T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control. Sam quickly secured a placement at K Tech Machinery, where they were so impressed by her contributions and work ethic that they invited her to continue working for the company.
At Stafford the category saw two winners: Viacheslav “Slava” Marynychenko and Evie Wallace. Slava established himself as one of the most exciting young culinary talents at NSCG through his passion, professionalism and relentless drive to succeed within the hospitality industry. Having been previously named as a finalist in the Nestlé Toque d’Or 2026, and shortlisted for the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards 2025/26 Rising Star Award, there is no doubt he has an incredibly bright future ahead.
Evie has been recognised as one of the most academically gifted and intellectually curious students at NSCG Stafford College and her efforts have secured her progression to Wadham College at the University of Oxford where she will study Chemical Engineering.
And finally, the Newcastle celebration saw vocational student Alexia Chambers-Dean and academic student Daryan Othman crowned the Principal’s Award winners. Showing consistent commitment, resilience and professional growth throughout her journey, Alexia is now preparing to progress to the University of Staffordshire to study Primary Education, with the clear ambition of becoming a primary school teacher.
Recognised as an exceptionally talented and academically driven student with a strong passion for engineering, Daryan is set to progress to study Engineering at Mansfield College, University of Oxford and is an outstanding example of a student whose academic excellence is matched by genuine intellectual curiosity and ambition.
Highlighting employer partnerships, awards were sponsored by a variety of local and national organisations. From Pearson, Keele University and the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Institute of Technology to Can Print, Trenton Construction and Stoke City F.C. the NSCG community was supported by every sector.
Shelley Brown, Deputy Principal of NSCG said, "Every year the Celebration Awards are about celebrating people. We heard some remarkable stories of talent, resilience and ambition and every award winner should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. As a college, we are privileged to work with learners and employers who continually inspire us and events like this provide a wonderful opportunity to recognise their successes and thank the staff, families and partners who help make those successes possible."
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