THE annual Royal Forest of Dean College awards evening had a distinctive feature this year – it began with the award of 25 higher education qualifications achieved by part time students in the electronics department.
These students, resplendent in their academic gowns, hoods and caps, received their HNC and Licentiateship awards from Roger Crouch, executive director of Gloucestershire Learning and Skills Council.
The main awards featured achievements from all sections of the college. The first group of students were from those in the second year of the new 'Curriculum 2002' courses, some of whom have already gained high grades in combining vocational and traditional AS qualifications.
The new curriculum has also encouraged 'straight' A-level students to follow broader courses of study.
This has certainly been embraced by Alice Saunders, a former deputy head girl of Whitecross School, who achieved five grade A passes in her first year AS exams. Alice's success has been capped by the offer of a place at St Peter's College, Oxford, to study English.
Amongst the vocational prizewinners, it was particularly gratifying to recognise the achievements of the large number of mature students, whose lives are often significantly changed by their experience of college.
For example, Sandy Lang achieved five distinctions on her Administration course and is now employed at the college as part of the Student Services team.
Catharine Frost returned to study on the BTEC Electronics course and has entered fully into college life, including having her head shaved for charity.
Ferne Shaw studied AS Chemistry while working full time as a nurse in a care home and successfully gained a place to study Forensic Science at Hull University.
A growing number of hairdressing and beauty therapy students are setting up their own businesses, while Emma Matthews is currently working at Whitemead Park with four other RFDC trained beauty therapists.
Students who have had to work particularly hard to fulfil their potential included two award winners who joined the college with very little English.
Jonephine Kethro came from the Phillipines and successfully completed an Intermediate Health and Social Care course, while Pui-Ee Wong, from Hong Kong, gained a distinction on her Intermediate Business course.
Another prizewinner who worked particularly hard to achieve his ambition was Russell Thompson. Russell joined the college with only a GCSE pass in Music. He finally left the college with a distinction in his GNVQ Advanced course in Performing Arts (equivalent to two A-levels) and a grade A pass in A-level music.
He had also gained a considerable reputation as an inventive composer, talented pianist, accomplished clarinet player and versatile actor. This talented and modest young man is now studying Music at Bath Spa University College.
The academic honours went to two young ladies who both gained four grade A passes in their A-level exams last summer and are now both studying English at university. Rowan Spray is at Cardiff University and Eleanor Packham is at Mansfield College, Oxford.
As usual, the prizes were interspersed with entertainment from the Performing Arts students, featuring excerpts from their forthcoming production of 'How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.'
A very enjoyable climax to the evening was provided by the winner of the 'Learning Support Drama Gold Cup,' Neil Hodges, who performed 'Dance the Night Away.'