After 2 years of no physical award ceremonies, the prestigious UCW Awards returned in style for 2022.
The spectacular evening marks the celebration of astounding students and staff, who were nominated to receive the coveted subject awards and special prizes to acknowledge excellence.
Students and staff accompanied by friends and family arrived at the glamourous gala, greeted by canopies and prosecco to kick start the celebrations at Weston’s grand Winter Gardens Pavilion.
Before enjoying an amazing meal courtesy of the talented chefs at the neighbouring Lasster’s Restaurant, Musical Theatre BA (hons) students took to the stage. Having recently performed the UK premier of Experience Marianas, the outstanding students sang ‘Magic to do’ from their upcoming musical ‘Pippin’ and ‘Brand New You’ from ‘13 The Musical’ much to the audience’s delight.
The elegant event continued with a crescendo of clapping with the audience applauding the achievements of our award winners as they donned the stage when announced.
All of the nominees were put forward by students, lecturers and support staff, so we’d like to thank and congratulate all of this year’s nominees for impressing others and for standing out from the crowd.
The 2022 UCW award winners are as follows:
- Animal Care, Business and Public Services Student of the Year: Amy Taylor (BSc Public and Environmental Health)
- Art Media and Design Student of the Year: Jamie Moore (Film and Media Arts Production Foundation Degree)
- Digital Technologies and Engineering Student of the Year: Jack Kimmins (BSc Applied Computing, our Computing)
- Counselling and Healthcare Student of the Year: Anna Murray (Integrated Mental Health and Social Care Foundation Degree)
- Education and Early Years Student of the Year: Leanne Coldwell (BA Early Years Education)
- Performance and Production Arts Student of the Year: Ndumiso Mabasa (BA Musical Theatre)
- Student Ambassador of the Year: Eilisha Ward (Applied Computing)
- Student Representative of the Year: Carl Gibbon (Biological Laboratory Sciences Foundation Degree)
- The Heather Moreton Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering and Work Placements: George Edmond
- Team of the Year: Early Years Lecturing Team (Susan Score, Lauren Pring, Sally Tazewell, Liz Provis, Kirsty Webber)
- Outstanding Lecturer of the Year: Christian Morgan (HE Programme Co-ordinator/Lecturer in Uniformed & Public Services)
- Outstanding Support Staff: Vicki Moth (Technical Science Demonstrator)
Sadie Skellon, Assistant Principal and Director of HE added:
“In 2021 we had an impressive 39% of our Honours students achieved First Class degrees in 2021, and I’ve personally heard so many stories about our recent graduates going on to start and progress their careers in so many sectors and industries.
“Tonight we celebrated those successes as well as some incredibly inspiring achievements.
“We are so appreciative for the vital contributions made to the continuing success of higher education in Weston by our university partners at Bath Spa University, Hartpury University and UWE Bristol, and also by our friends and colleagues in the wider UCW community.”
Amongst the awards for student and staff were also special acknowledgments for local business partners that we work closely with. Weston College Group Chief Executive and Principal, Dr Paul Phillips commented:
“One of the things that we do very well at University Centre Weston is collaboration with other organisations, and we do this to offer our students the best possible opportunities for learning and professional development.
“Awards such as this are our way of saying thank-you to those who give back to the Weston community by supporting our excellent degree learners.”
- Link Tutor of the Year: Mick Palmer (University of the West of England)
- Work placement provider of the year: Avon and North Somerset Police
The evening finished off with the principal’s gold awards. These awards are chosen specifically by Dr Paul Phillips CBE to recognise outstanding commitments to study, ethos and community.
The principal continued:
“Through the nominations, we were told of outstanding academic achievements; of students overcoming personal challenges to succeed; and of selfless acts, putting others first and helping to shape the nurturing culture and community of UCW.
“It was therefore exceptionally difficult to choose the winners in each category, particularly the outstanding contributions from our gold award winners…”
Our 2022 Gold award winners were:
- Outstanding Student Contribution to UCW: Eilisha Ward
- Outstanding Contribution to the Student Experience: Sue Day/Mandy Dewer/David Knapp
- Higher Education Student of the Year: Jack Kimmins
The audience’s thunderous applause throughout spoke for itself. Thank-you to our catering and entertainment teams, as well as all of this years guests for their support.
We cannot thank all of our learners and staff enough for their continuous hard work and determination.
Everyone should be extremely proud of all they have achieved whilst studying through the pandemic / interrupted studies. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and award winners – your tenacity, resilience and hunger for success never ceases to impress.
The future is very bright indeed!
