Photos by Peter Green Photography

Prizegiving 2011

West Suffolk College’s Prizegiving Ceremony took place in St Edmundsbury Cathedral in June.

 

This year, the event was supported by Pearson, the world’s leading learning company.

 

Fifty one prizes were awarded to students who have excelled in a range of achievements. Many of the prizes are sponsored by local businesses.

 

College Principal Dr Ann Williams said: “I feel our Prizegiving is always made extra special because the majority of prizes are sponsored and awarded by local businesses or individuals who feel a special commitment to our College. The College is very much part of our community.”

 

Prize winners were supported and applauded by around 300 guests, made up of family, friends, College staff and employers.

 

College Principal Dr Ann Williams, opening the proceedings, said that it had been difficult to choose the 51 winners among the College’s 20,000 students. In reading through the reasons why they had been selected as winners, a number of words stood out; words like commitment, enthusiasm, leadership, resilience and a positive attitude. She said that these are the attributes employers are looking for.

 

The keynote speaker was Harry Berry, Chairman of the East of England Enterprise Hub. He said: “I like nothing better than celebrating success and seeing people win prizes. Success makes us look inside ourselves, and realise we can do more.

 

He talked about his own experience of starting as an apprentice with BT and becoming a successful businessman and venture capitalist. He said: “Personal confidence is very important; having the confidence to take a risk and believe in yourself and your own ideas, deep down.

 

“My advice to the students would be: if you really have a passion in life, and you believe in what you are doing, the world will conspire to help you and you will have happiness and fulfilment.”

 

Closing the ceremony, Chairman of Governors Richard Carter invited the audience to join him in congratulating Dr Williams on the OBE, awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

 

Our official photographer, Peter Green, took presentation pictures of prize winners and sponsors. Copies of these photographs are available to buy from his website www.petergreenphotography.co.uk