Bridgend College celebrates outstanding student success at the 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony

Bridgend College recently held one of its most anticipated events of the academic year, celebrating the achievements of its students.

The 2023 Annual Awards ceremony, held in the College’s STEAM Academy on 8 June,  acknowledged and honoured outstanding success amongst its student body.

During the course of the evening, 26 awards were presented to students who had not only demonstrated significant skill, passion and motivation for their studies, but to those who had also contributed in a greater capacity to College life.

Over 100 people attended the event, including family members, College tutors and governors, councillors and the newly appointed Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Council, Councillor William Kendall. Also supporting the student celebration were Members of the Senedd, Luke Fletcher MS and Altaf Hussain MS.

Following the award presentation for individual curriculums and College roles, two final awards were given in consideration of attainment and impact at a College-wide level.

This year, the ‘Commitment to Study Award’ was presented to Lesley Lewis, a student who has shown extraordinary determination and focus throughout their studies over the past two years, whilst also supporting their peers. Having studied the Foundation Degree in Psychology, they have produced work of an outstanding calibre, and will go on to complete the full BSc (Hons) Psychology degree at the University of South Wales in September. 

The ‘College Learner of the Year’, otherwise known as The Principal’s Award, was given to Kimberley Thomas. This prestigious award was granted in recognition for their exemplary attitude and accomplishments on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Digital Arts, Animation and Graphic Communication, as well as their significant contribution to College life as a student ambassador. 

In addition to the student awards, phs Group was presented the Employer Partnership Award. The College first partnered with the organisation in 2021 as part of DFN Project SEARCH, a charity that helps young adults with additional learning needs, autism or both gain onsite training and work experience. The level of support that phs Group has provided both our students and the College has been extraordinary, and the enthusiasm with which they have approached the internship scheme is of considerable benefit to the young people involved. 

We would once again like to congratulate the following winners on their well-deserved awards:

• Megan Davies – Learner of the Year in Health and Social Care, The Idris Jones Memorial Award
• Rio Thomas – Learner of the Year in Childhood Studies, The Elizabeth John Award
• Rebecca George – Learner of the Year in Land Based
• Carina Miggiano – Learner of the Year in Art and Design
• Kimberley Thomas – Learner of the Year in Digital Media
• Cole Crossfield – Learner of the Year in Performing Arts and Music
• Aled Willan – Learner of the Year in Sports
• Esmie Guild – Learner of the Year in Public Services
• Jessie Uppington – Learner of the Year in Hair, Beauty and Complementary Therapies
• Abigail Thorne – Learner of the Year in Tourism and Hospitality
• Alisha Daily – Learner of the Year in Information Technology
• Ross Gonzales – Learner of the Year in Business and Accountancy, The Tony Dyke Memorial Award
• Ignacio Enrique Garcia Anaya – Learner of the Year in Skills
• Joshua Evans – Learner of the Year in Science and Engineering
• Samuel Veasey – Learner of the Year in Construction
• Dylan Bevan – Learner of the Year for Step Up
• Alasdaire Davies – Learner of the Year for Community Learning
• Luke Bayliss – Learner of the Year in Independent Living Skills
• Callum Morgan – Learner of the Year for Work-Based Learning, The Dominic Award 
• Aleisha Darlington – Learner of the Year for Weston House
• Payton Ware – Junior Apprentice of the Year
• Abigail Warren – Welsh Champion of the Year
• Kimberley Thomas – Ambassador of the Year
• Lesley Lewis – Learner of the Year in Higher Education, The Sandra Francis Memorial Award
• phs Group – Employer Partnership Award
• Lesley Lewis – Commitment to Study Award
• Kimberley Thomas – College Learner of the Year, The Principal’s Award