Nine members of staff from Havant & South Downs College were recognised for their hard work and commitment at the Staff Star Awards Dinner 2018.
Nominations were made for several different categories, including ‘Outstanding Manager’ and ‘Outstanding Lecturer’, and the winners were invited to a VIP dinner at the College Restaurant on 23 May with Principal and Chief Executive, Mike Gaston.
The winners are:
- Outstanding Lecturer – Dawn Richardson, Nicola Jones & Suzanne Pakes
- Outstanding Contribution to the College – Andy Corcoran & Kate Heaton
- Outstanding Learning Support – Colin Webb
- Outstanding Manager – Donna Wilmshurst
- Outstanding Contribution to Student Development – Will Bowerman
- Outstanding Newcomer – Will Sparrow
All nine winners enjoyed four courses cooked by former students, one of whom is now the head chef of Angela Hartnett’s restaurant Murano, as well as current students studying at the College.
Speaking about the evening, Learning Manager Donna Wilmhurst said: “It was a lovely evening with excellent food and company. The chefs and students did an amazing job.
“I was very surprised and honoured to be nominated for my award. Being a manager is easier when you have a fantastic team working for you and the staff in the Business department are second to none.”
Lecturer Will Bowerman said: “I’m extremely grateful and humbled to win a staff award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Student Development’.
“GCSE English is an extremely challenging subject but also an extremely rewarding one when you see those successes outcomes. I would like to offer my profound thank you for my nomination.
“I think it’s great that the College focuses positively on the determination and resoluteness of staff.
“It was a really great evening, being provided the opportunity to not rush around for a short while, but to meet people I may pass so quickly on a daily basis.
“It’s so important that we see everyone as people and not as roles. I would like to accept this not for myself but on behalf of all the GCSE English Lecturers who have worked so tirelessly this year as they always do. Thank you.”
Andy Corcoran said: “I was both surprised and delighted to have been nominated, I think it’s a wonderful way to show appreciation for employees and their efforts, in addition to raising morale.
“It was a wonderful evening with good company and excellent food. “All credit must go to the staff and students for their hard work in making it a special evening for everyone, big thank you.”
Read more about our incredible staff here.