Students and staff dressed to impress on Wednesday 21 June, to celebrate academic and personal achievement at the student annual awards ceremony, held at Alive Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn. The evening was hosted by Paul O’Shea, head of marketing and student services. As always, the hall was decked out with award-style seating, balloons and canapés. Those in attendance were recognised for their hard work and commitment in numerous subject areas and special awards were given for personal accomplishments and work in the community. These awards are not to simply recognise the high-flying achievers but encompass the wider college community, acknowledging personal achievements and commendable improvement and commitment. CWA Principal David Pomfret opened proceedings with a review of the academic year mentioning individual triumphs, campuses success stories and overall academic achievement. Last year’s cohort produced more than 250 Norfolk Scholars, an accolade given to students achieving top grades in A levels or vocational examinations. Many of these Norfolk Scholars are also included in the more than 300 students who went on to study at university this year, with many attending top Russell Group universities such as Cambridge, Warwick, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow. CWA’s own higher education programmes saw more than 150 students graduate from Anglia Ruskin University validated programmes, across a range of disciplines including Veterinary Nursing, Childhood Studies, Early Years Education, Teacher Training, Computer Science, Psychosocial, Construction, Engineering, Business Management, history, English Literature and Sociology.   Mr Pomfret expressed his pride and gratitude to all for their achievements over the last 12 months. He said: “Our award winners tonight have been selected from our body of thousands of students. They should be very proud of their achievements. I am extremely proud and congratulate you [the students] on your commitment and standard of work – you’re all an inspiration to others, well done.” Art and design student Annabel Homewood was announced as the College of West Anglia’s overall Student of the Year for 2017. Annabel is a level 3 student at the Wisbech Campus. She specialises in photography and has just showcased her work in the art and design exhibition held at the campus on Ramnoth Road.     The senior management team awarded the overall Student of the Year Award for 2017 to Annabel for her determination and dedication to her studies, which has enabled her to achieve on many different levels. After being told at school she would never get to university, Annabel is leaving CWA with a Distinction Star, the highest level of achievement, in her art and design diploma. Head of faculty for art and design at Wisbech, Penny Sully, said: “Annabel is very positive towards her subject, as well as her student cohort, and gets involved in practical studio work quickly. With dyslexia and home schooling having played a big part in her initial poor confidence when she arrived at college, Annabel has clearly shed this persona and is now ready for new challenges and further study in a subject she is passionate about.” Annabel, 19, from Tydd St Giles, Wisbech, said: “To win overall student of the year is literally mind-blowing. I think I might wake up in the middle of the night and think ‘what just happened?’ - I never expected this at all! It’s an honour to get the recognition.” Annabel is starting De Montford University in September, studying photography and video. She said: “It’s going to be an amazing adventure; it’s something I have worked towards for years. I’m itching to go!” This year’s Serving the Community award went to Ross Bennington, a level 2 childhood studies student from the Wisbech campus. This is the second year Ross has been nominated for the serving community award. His tutor Tara felt that he should be recognised for his continued support to his local community. At the moment, Ross is volunteering for several community groups including the Salvation Army, where he puts on performances in the local town to raise money and awareness for the charity. Ross also volunteers at a rest bite support group for children with additional needs. He completes his volunteering in the evenings, alongside completing a full time course within the care department. As a result of this consistent support that Ross offers to the support group, he has been offered employment as a recognition for his time, on completion of his studies. The Personal Achievement award was given to Summer Roberts, a Level 1 student at the CWA supported learning provision, Providence Street. Summer was nominated because of the “tremendous progress she has made since she first started at The Bridge to Inclusion”. She has now been at the Out-Centre for three years and her progression has been “outstanding”. She even has art work displayed at the centre; a subject she is really passionate about. As a result of her hard work, she will be progressing to a main-site course in September and will no longer require a 1:1 tutor. Her course director Erica Laws, says she is “exceptionally proud of this young lady and how far she has come”. She said: “Despite the many challenges Summer has had to deal with, she stills has the unique ability to put a smile on everyone’s face and demonstrate kindness. We wish her every success for the future.”

Full list of award winners and runners up:

Sport, Public & Caring Services sponsored by Double G Clothing Grzegorz Nieweglowski Millie Hopkisson Willow Norris - winner

Technology sponsored by Pick Everard Ruston Pyle – winner Jamie Savage Cameron Carr

Apprenticeships sponsored by Greenyard Frozen UK ltd Ethan Crown Abbie Tuddenham Joshua Peel - winner

Foundation Studies sponsored by Booker Wholesale David Litton - winner Hayden Cleverley Ellie Montague

Creative Arts sponsored by Your Local Paper Annabel Homewood - winner Frazer Stanford Sharnia Soden

Land-based Studies sponsored by Village Vet Charlotte Gilbert Jade Asbury - winner Zyta Tunley

Business, Humanities, Science & Computing sponsored by Kenneth Bush Anthony Palfrey – winner Ellie Carter James Lowery

Outstanding Performance in Maths or English sponsored by The Vancouver Quarter Ashlea Eade Jack Jackson Sophie Hewlett – winner

Serving the Community sponsored by Leslie Almond Jack Savage Ross Bennington - winner Natasha Willows

Personal Achievement sponsored by Lloyds Bank Christine Kvedas Hannah Whitlock Summer Roberts - winner

CWA Student of the year 2017

Annabel Homewood