Let's Celebrate

Professor Ken Spours from the Institute of Education was guest speaker helping 176 students from Godalming College celebrate their success at an awards event on Friday evening. Students were nominated for awards from all areas of the college in recognition for their effort and determination, outstanding achievement or their contribution to the College, the community or sport.  Amongst this number are students who are the first to receive the SFBac (Sixth Form College Baccalaureate) with Commendation.   

The Sixth Form College Baccalaureate accredits students for their all-round breath of knowledge, skills and values and takes into consideration not just their studies but also their personal development and contribution to the community and citizenship. This can be through a range of activities such as voluntary work or charity fundraising. Students who have received the SFBac with Commendation will have shown commitment to a wider range of subjects and activities and made an exceptional contribution.  Godalming College is one of the first College’s in the country to take part in this very worth-while award.

A promising star who received the Toby Burgess Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to College productions is Natalie Bryant.  She has performed in Spring Awakening, Pornography, The Godalming Nativity, Everything In Colour and Spring Awakening at Guilfest and Germany Live at the Lyric Theatre, West End whilst at the College. Natalie’s route to a professional career on the stage will be made via Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London where she has been offered a Dance and Drama Scholarship.  

She comments that “The Drama and Performing Arts Department at Godalming College has been an exceptional place of learning and has given me a wide variety of opportunities to perform”

Another exceptional student is Josh Hodgson who received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Biology. This summer Josh will be travelling to Singapore to take part in the International Biology Olympiad after winning the national finals.  Josh will be taking a place at Cambridge to study Natural Sciences in the autumn. 

In contrast, Katie Hine dreams of working for British Airways after she was inspired on a College visit to the airline.  She has worked consistently hard and has emerged as a responsible, mature and dependable team leader; she picks up two awards for Outstanding Performance in Travel and Tourism, and Effort and Determination in World Development.  

Another double award winner is Preslava Ivanovna, who’s Effort and Determination is recognised in both Travel and Tourism and Spanish.  Pres, as she is known to her friends, had very little understanding of English when she first came to the UK in her GCSE year. She has worked extremely hard at her studies and has also found time to volunteer, teach dance classes and hold down two part time jobs.  She has been a top student at both AS and A2 and will continue her studies at Bournemouth University with an ambition to work in the tourism industry in Dubai. 

The Let’s Celebrate event was host to 400 students and family members who were to the evening by drinks and canapé on the lawn and entertained by the College Jazz Band and a dance performance entitled We are Young. Once inside visitors will be serenaded by Michael Oram with a classical guitar performance. Artwork for the invitations and backdrop to the event was designed by another award winner Eleanor Potter who receives an award for Effort and Determination in English Language. 

Hugh Pile, the Chair of the Godalming College Corporation says “the students at the College never cease to amaze me with their talent, commitment and maturity.  I am delighted to be a part of a celebration of their success and am glad that they have found their experience at the College fulfilling and rewarding”