NSCG Marks Higher Education Milestone with Graduation Ceremony and ‘Student of the Year’ Awards
08 July 2025
Each year at our Higher Education Graduation we make a number of awards to recognise the outstanding achievements of our learners on our university-level courses.
In a joyful and uplifting afternoon, our HE graduates enjoyed their well-earned moment in the spotlight, receiving their qualifications in Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes studied at NSCG.
The atmosphere at Newcastle College’s Performing Arts Centre was filled with pride and celebration, as family and friends looked on with admiration while learners crossed the stage to accept their certificates. Graduates represented a variety of subject areas including Business, Computing, Digital Content Creation, Engineering, Health and Social Care, and Performing Arts and Hair and Media Make-up.
NSCG Principal and Chief Executive, Craig Hodgson, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to graduates, their guests, staff, employer partners, and governors. The event also featured a keynote speech from Hannah Ault, Managing Director of Valentine Clays, who inspired attendees with her words of encouragement and wisdom for their future careers.
Graduates from both Newcastle and Stafford Colleges were recognised, many of whom had remarkable stories of resilience—overcoming health challenges, returning to education after time away, and balancing studies with work and family responsibilities. Their journeys served as powerful reminders of dedication and perseverance.
As part of the celebrations, several HE Student of the Year awards were presented to both graduating and continuing learners, in recognition of their outstanding commitment and achievements throughout their studies.
These accolades were awarded to:
Joanne Marks: Foundation Degree in Education (Early Childhood Studies)
Having chosen to study the Foundation Degree in Education (Early Childhood Studies) - awarded by the University of Staffordshire. Joanne is a truly inspiring individual whose commitment, perseverance, and passion for working with children set her apart as an exceptional student and future educator. Despite juggling a busy work life in a nursery at a local primary school, Joanne has consistently received exceptional grades on the course and her ability to connect and support her peers is inspiring.
Joanne has consistently demonstrated a tireless work ethic and a genuine love for learning and doesn't let her dyslexia stand in her way. She has approached her studies with determination and resilience, never allowing obstacles to define her. Instead, she uses them as motivation to grow, adapt, and thrive - qualities that will no doubt make her an exceptional teacher.
Natasha Guryeva: Certificate in Education
Natasha has shown that she is an outstanding example of resilience, dedication, and growth, and her journey is inspiring. In a field that remains underrepresented by women, Natasha has excelled in engineering. She has now also chosen to pass this dedication, knowledge and passion for the subject onto young people in a teaching role. Whilst studying to gain a teaching qualification, her academic growth has been particularly evident in the classroom, where she has developed her confidence, participation and skills.
Natasha has been noted by her tutors as being articulate, thoughtful and precise and displays a high level of critical thinking. Despite English Being Natasha's second language, she has tackled significant challenges with determination and a strong work ethic. Natasha embodies the spirit of perseverance and strength of character and her journey reflects just how hard she has worked to get to this point.
Lauren Allcock: HNC Health Professions Support for England
Making the switch from a business course to the health pathway to pursue a career in children's nursing was a positive move for Lauren, who has excelled course and has a bright future ahead of her.
Noted as being dedicated and caring with a flawless attendance record even when she was on crutches with a ligament injury, Lauren is a positive role model for her peers. In addition to her busy schedule and placement in a special school, she also gives up her time to volunteer with children in the community.
Ebony Robinson: HND Computing
Ebony is employed at NSCG as a trainee developer and juggles her studies with her full time job. Originally joining us as a full time student six years ago, Ebony flourished on her Level 3 Computing course before progressing onto the HNC and HND on a part-time basis. She has continually impressed her lecturers with her ability, professionalism and commitment to her studies taking on every challenge with the focus to achieve the highest grades possible.
One of Ebony's most notable strengths is her ability to see the 'big picture' while remaining highly organised and detail-oriented. She possesses a thoughtful approach to problem-solving, which is complemented by her dedication and reliability. She recognises the needs of managers and professionals at all levels in the organisation and is able to produce content and reports that meet or exceed these needs. Ebony is a natural team worker who collaborates effectively with peers and contributes positively to group dynamics.
Shea Weston: HNC/D Digital Content Creation
Shea has shown outstanding commitment and achievement over the past two years of study on the HNC and HND programmes. Shea has been a consistently motivated, dedicated, and passionate member of the cohort. Having demonstrated a high level of skill across all creative areas of the course and having continually gone above and beyond in both assignment work and self-directed study, Shea's work reflects strong technical ability, visual sophistication, and creativity.
Throughout their time with us, Shea’s confidence has grown enormously. They have shown a clear commitment to learning and a drive to develop their technical skills. They have held themselves to high standards, producing excellent creative outcomes and taking on work with external clients, laying the foundations for professional relationships that will support them in their career beyond graduation.
Jacob Benton: HND Engineering
Jacob has been a dedicated and determined member of the group, even choosing to attend College outside of this timetable and during half terms to enable him to secure the best grades possible.Jacob has impressed his lecturers showing a strong knowledge of the subject area and offering up alternative solutions in class.
Outside of college Jacob has a full time job working for Moog, a global company specialising in precision control components and systems, particularly in the aerospace and defence industries. There, he ensures all equipment is fit for use and undertaking defect rectification on any poor performing equipment.
Aimee Cooper: HND Engineering
Aimee began her journey at NSCG in 2019 on a Level 3 apprenticeship. Since then, she has successfully progressed through Levels 4 and 5 demonstrating continued growth, dedication and academic excellence. From day one, Aimee has consistently produced work of an exceptionally high standard across all stages of her HND studies.
Her collaborative attitude and professionalism make her a valued member of the cohort and her research project has been noted as being one of the most impressive pieces submitted in recent years. It has been selected as exemplary material to demonstrate to prospective HND students the level of quality expected on the course. Aimee works full-time at Moog where she has passed her apprenticeship and now uses her own experiences to mentor apprentices.
Caitlin Howells: HND Engineering
Caitlin began her NSCG journey back in 2016 on the Level 2 Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations. Since then she has been studying part time, always aiming for the highest grade possible, fitting her studies around her full-time job.
By day, Caitlin works for Capula’s Energy Business delivering projects for National Grid and is a highly respected member of the team that supports the design, test and commissioning of substation control systems. Caitlin is also an advocate and champion of the engineering profession supporting schools and colleges with STEM activities that help to develop future engineers and contributes to wider forums that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
John Henry: HND Performing Arts
John exemplifies not only hard work and dedication, but creativity, resilience, and generosity of spirit. John is a name known to everyone in our Performing Arts Centre for good reason. He’s not just part of this community, he’s at the heart of it. Whether he’s on stage or working quietly behind the scenes, in the classroom or canteen or supporting others in performances John gives 100%.
During this studies, John has gone above and beyond. He created an atmospheric soundscape for the HNC devised piece of theatre for the Christmas performance and he's also written and performed his own poetry. Words straight from the heart. Everything John doe on paper, on stage, or behind the scenes is done with heart, thoughtfulness, and a quiet determination that inspires those around him.
Kenzi Shepherd-Moss: HNC Performing Arts (Makeup & Artistry in the Creative Industries)
During his time at NSCG, Kenzi has shown incredible growth and creativity and what a journey it's been! Starting at Level 2 before progressing onto the Level 3 Diploma In Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair & Media Make Up, he developed his talent in elaborate body art and eccentric makeup design, entering competitions and earning recognition across the industry.
This year, his dedication truly paid off, achieving full distinctions across all units and these outstanding results have secured him a well-deserved place at the University of Bolton to study prosthetics for film and TV.
Sophie Jones: HND Public Services
Sophie joined NSCG in 2021 and after completing the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Public Services, she chose to progress onto the HNC/D Public Services as she found the thought of moving away to university a daunting prospect.
Sophie really shone and grew in confidence on a trip to Krakow as part of her HNC studies. Her first time abroad and understandably nervous, Sophie took every opportunity to extend her learning away from the classroom, delving deeply into the history of the Second World War whilst visiting Auschwitz concentration camp. Sophie used this experience to develop friendships within the group and when attending an overseas trip to Berlin earlier this year, Sophie is a great team player and works to high professional standards which will stand her in good stead for her future career. Sophie is now focused on working on her physical fitness and other personal attributes as she strives for a career in the fire service in the near future.
