Today, HSDC is very proud to announce that a former student at Havant Campus has placed as the runner-up in a prestigious national award for Young Student of the Year (16-18).
Mackenzie Bird, who went to Priory School, studied A Levels in Law, Politics and Classical Civilisation at Havant between 2023-25. Out of hundreds of nationwide nominations, Mackenzie was one of just three students shortlisted for the Association of Colleges (AoC) Young Student of the Year Award.
Mackenzie Bird with Deputy Principal Suki Dhesi at the AoC Awards.
Mackenzie’s nomination for the award came about as a result of her tireless youth advocacy over the past few years. After overcoming personal adversity, Mackenzie was referred to Motiv8, a charity at which she became their first Youth Adviser. This role allows Mackenzie to give her peers a fresh and insightful perspective on the challenges facing young people today.
Soon after joining the Portsmouth Youth Cabinet, Mackenzie was elected Chair! She has used this role, along with being a Youth Ambassador for Solent NHS, to advocate for Portsmouth’s young people on issues of mental health.
Earlier this year, Mackenzie won the Inspirational Young Person of Portsmouth Award, a well-deserved honour in recognition of her excellent work. Placing as the runner-up in the AoC’s Young Student of the Year Award is a further testament to Mackenzie’s incredible journey and the power of youth resilience and advocacy.
Suki Dhesi, HSDC’s Deputy Principal for Curriculum and Quality, is immensely proud of Mackenzie’s achievements, saying:
“I’m absolutely delighted to celebrate Mackenzie Bird, who has been awarded runner up at the national AoC Student of the Year awards, a truly well-deserved recognition for an exceptional young woman. Mackenzie has met her own struggles and adversity with courage, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to turning these experiences into advocacy, allyship, and leadership. Her voice lifts others. Her actions create change. And her resilience inspires everyone around her. Mackenzie embodies HSDC’s values of kindness, respect, inclusion and success. The world definitely needs more of what Mackenzie brings!”
Everybody at HSDC is incredibly proud of Mackenzie’s achievements, and wishes her all the best in the future.