Hartlepool college celebrates students' success with first ever virtual awards ceremony in lockdown

The college has been effectively shut since mid March when the Northern Education Trust suspended face to face learning at all its sites due to the pandemic.

But it held its first ever virtual Easter Value Awards ceremony to end the term on a positive note.

Head of Hartlepool Sixth Form Mark Hughes presented the ceremony using the internet streaming service Microsoft Stream and had an audience of over 100.

The awards celebrated learners who achieved 100% attendance and demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their studies, as well as those who represent the college’s core values of being authentic, respectful, innovative and ambitious.

Mr Hughes said: “Given the current situation, we wanted the Values Awards to go ahead and have normality, reward our students during these difficult times and end the term in a positive way.

“Even though we were not celebrating together, it was fantastic to have the opportunity to speak to our students, their parents and our staff personally.”

Physics tutor Lisa Hall and Lucas Renney, a student progress and development tutor, who recently moved to Sunderland College to become a higher education academic support tutor, also received awards for their commitment to the education and experience of each student.

Following the success of the virtual awards, the college is looking to use the same technology to host parents’ evenings and assemblies for its Year 12 and 13s, while the coronavirus continues to restrict or limit face to face learning.

The Winners

Blessing Ihoama – 100% Attendance Award:

Madison Wilson – Outstanding Achievement Award:

Lisa Hall and Lucas Renney – Staff Award

Health, Sport and Business

Kevin Connor – Respectful

Ben Smith – Innovative

Leah Lynn – Authentic

Kasey Mason – Ambitious

STEM & Digital

Shakeel Crowe – Respectful

Ellis Huntley – Innovative

Trudie Dodsworth – Authentic

Saule Narsutye – Ambitious

Humanities, Social Sciences and Creative

Bethany Strain – Respectful

Lucas Hogg – Innovative

Hannah Richardson – Authentic

Jasmine Garthwaite – Ambitious

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