City College Plymouth honoured its exceptional students at the annual Student Awards on Thursday 12 June.
The awards ceremony is the College’s largest celebration of the successes students have achieved over the past academic year and recognised the outstanding talent and hard work of students across all curriculum areas, with awards reflecting not only academic excellence, but also character, determination and community spirit.
Award winners, their families, College staff and employer guests enjoyed an address by guest speaker, Melissa Johns. Actor and disability advocate, Melissa is known for her roles in Adolescence, Coronation Street and BBC’s Life. She captivated the audience with her story of resilience, inclusion and breaking barriers in the creative industries.
Melissa Johns
Students from across the region and beyond were recognised for their contributions and achievements, spanning the College’s 36 curriculum areas. From Barbering Student of the Year, Rocco Whitehouse, who took initiative from day one by offering free haircuts to the homeless, to Construction Trades Student of the Year, painting and decorating champion Abigail Durrell, whose success at SkillBuild has landed her a spot on the international stage as part of the WorldSkills training programme.
Among the many inspiring stories, one standout was that of Fahima Shirzad, named English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Student of the Year. Fahima came to the UK from Kabul, Afghanistan, facing not only the upheaval of relocation but also the emotional and cultural challenges that came from fleeing a troubled homeland. Her lecturers describe her as ‘quietly brilliant’, with a kind, humble nature. Beyond her academic performance, Fahima acted as a bridge between staff and students, interpreting and translating, and showing incredible empathy for others navigating similar challenges to herself. Her story shows how education can be a force for both personal growth and community support. Embodying the spirit of the Student Awards, Fahima’s story is a reminder that true excellence comes from the courage and kindness that defines a person’s journey.
Eight of the curriculum award winners were also specially selected to receive additional merits by the College’s employer partners. These employers work closely with the College to create real-life learning experiences, develop training and curriculum programmes, and contribute to the College’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Student Award winner Adam Astle (middle) and friends
This year’s recipients of the employer sponsored awards were: Freddie Rhodes, Inspiration Award sponsored by Kier Construction; Abigail Durrell, Employability Award sponsored by China Fleet Country Club; Gracie Chamberlain, Endeavour Award sponsored by BIT Group; Levi Libbey, Leadership Award sponsored by Argyle Community Trust; Angel Lewis, Peer Support Award sponsored by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Adam Astle, Perseverance Award sponsored by Princess Yachts; Izzy Snape, Student Voice Award sponsored by Babcock International Group; Rowena Murphy, Volunteering Award sponsored by Taurus Events.
Awards were also presented to Rowena Murphy by the Students’ Union for her positive influence on her peers and dedication to College and community life and Harry Waterfield received the Governors’ Award in recognition of his commitment to his course, often taking the initiative to go above and beyond, fuelled by a genuine passion for making a difference.
City College Chief Executive Jackie Grubb, with Chief Executive Award winner, Carmen Archer
The final award of the evening went to Carmen Archer who received the Chief Executive’s Award. Carmen was recognised for their natural leadership and optimism, mentoring younger students, creating opportunities and breaking down barriers, always striving to make sure everyone feels seen, supported and empowered to succeed.
City College’s Chief Executive Jackie Grubb said, “These students are all shining examples of hard work, resilience and kindness towards others. It’s not just their qualifications that make them remarkable, but the way they’ve shown compassion, supported their peers and overcome real challenges. They all represent the very best of City College Plymouth.”
