Stafford College Celebrates Inspirational Students with October '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 October round of nominees collect their awards. The presentations included a number of inspirational stories from staff about their nominees, including: selfless volunteer work, overcoming personal challenges, going above and beyond on their chosen courses, exemplary attendance and hard work. A massive thank you to Chris Plant, Deputy Chief Executive of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce for joining us and presenting the awards.

Owen Stockley - Skills & Technology Award

Owen’s positive attitude, excellent attendance, and timekeeping have earned him this well-deserved recognition. Currently studying for his Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair after successfully completing Level 1, Owen’s dedication shines through both in and out of the classroom.

He recently impressed his tutor by staying behind after lessons to complete car repairs, even identifying a fault no one else had spotted. Outside of college, Owen works at Halfords, has passed his driving test, and enjoys maintaining his own car. Adding to his achievements, Owen has secured a job as a Trainee Technician at Wolverhampton BMW.

Millie Foster - English & Maths Award

Millie’s journey at college has been one of resilience and transformation. Since joining in 2022, she has overcome significant barriers to learning and shown remarkable growth in maturity and determination to achieve her goals.

Initially studying Performing Arts, Millie struggled with discipline and engagement. However, a year later, she took ownership of her actions, apologised for her past behaviour, and committed to making positive changes. Her dedication has paid off, with her moving from a grade 2 to a grade 3 in maths, attending revision sessions, and practising consistently. Now in her third year of the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design, Millie plans to pursue Fine Arts at university.

Evie Wallace - Academic and Creative Studies Award

Evie has been recognised as the overall winner of this year’s Stafford Campus Year 11 HP Essay Competition. Her essay, focusing on the impact of the chemical industry, stood out for its exceptional research, balanced arguments, and evidence-based conclusions—qualities that are rare even among seasoned researchers.

A former student of The Hart School, Evie is now excelling in A-Level Chemistry, Maths, and Physics at NSCG. Although she’s still exploring career paths, her interest in maths and physics has led her to consider options in engineering. She has also proactively applied to the prestigious Cambridge STEM SMART support programme.

Harry Wright - Professional Studies Award

Harry’s dedication to his T-Level Digital course has been remarkable, excelling both in college and on placement while balancing a part-time job at Sainsbury’s. Initially unsure of his abilities, Harry’s confidence grew after achieving a Grade B in his exams, proving his capability to succeed.

On placement with Ascendency, Harry has been described as a valuable asset to the team, contributing to website tasks like content population, development, and software updates. His willingness to help, eagerness to learn coding languages, and ability to complete tasks independently have impressed his supervisors. They also noted his confidence, quick wit, and ability to bring humor to the team.

Faye Wallis - Professional Studies Award

Faye, a dedicated second-year student, has shown incredible perseverance, overcoming personal challenges to excel academically and personally. Her engagement in class is outstanding, and she actively supports her peers while seeking help when needed, even in areas where she feels less confident.

Her professionalism shone during the NSCG Remembrance Day Service, where she set a confident standard as the first cadet to deliver a reading, earning praise from guest speakers for her calm and composed demeanor. Outside college, Faye has represented the Police Cadets for four years, participating in crime prevention, community events, and public awareness campaigns.

Jessica Preece - Vocational Studies Award

Jess’s journey at NSCG began with uncertainty after being referred to the Level 1 programme following GCSE results day. Initially hesitant about the course, as it wasn’t her first choice, Jess has turned this opportunity into a remarkable success story.

With 100% attendance and a mature, enthusiastic mindset, Jess has fully embraced the chance to gain academic qualifications and vocational skills. Her positive attitude and willingness to ask questions have made her a well-liked and respected member of her peer group. Her hard work is paying off, with project work already reaching a Level 2 standard. Her tutor has no doubt that Jess will continue to excel, especially as she focuses on achieving her goals in maths.

Thomas Brookes - Academic and Creative Studies Award

Thomas is a highly motivated and dedicated student who consistently demonstrates exceptional focus, preparation, and commitment to his coursework. With excellent attendance and punctuality, Thomas has made remarkable progress, achieving a D grade in his first year and continuing to deliver high-quality work in his second year.

A standout achievement includes his Commercial Photography assignment, where he redesigned, shot, and produced vinyl record packaging. Beyond the classroom, Thomas has excelled in work experience, documenting key town centre development projects for Stafford Borough Council, contributing to publications for local libraries and the Stafford Heritage Centre. With growing confidence, professionalism, and technical skill, Thomas is an outstanding representative of his course and college.

Lachlan Hutchinson - Apprentice of the Month Award

Lachlan’s dedication and passion for carpentry have made him stand out in his learning journey. His assessor and tutor both praise his enthusiasm, exceptional knowledge, and willingness to share and refine his skills. Beyond the classroom, Lachlan demonstrates his commitment by crafting items in his own workshop, constantly exploring new techniques and ideas.

Tutor Adam Sutton commends Lachlan as one of the most skilled, polite, and hardworking students he has taught, saying, “Teaching this young man will forever be a rewarding memory.” Lachlan’s honesty, respect, and determination are evident in all he does, making him a pleasure to work with. With such drive and talent, a successful career in the industry surely awaits him.