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Hugh Baird College makes a BIG impact on students' lives!

STUDENTS and staff from Hugh Baird College have been celebrating recently after receiving a prestigious national anti bullying award. The national award scheme to recognise excellence in bullying intervention. The group helps all types of organisations and shares the latest in research, best practice, news updates, training and resources with members.

The Bully Intervention Group award (BIG Award) was awarded for the solid support systems and intervention policies that Hugh Baird College has in place for all its students and staff. The assessor commented that the College demonstrated consistent and embedded good practice and tailored bullying intervention solutions to suit the different needs of each student.

Janine Hopewell, Hugh Baird College Retention and Progression Coordinator, said:- "Hugh Baird College takes bullying very seriously and we are delighted to have been awarded the BIG Award. Many of our students and their parents complement us on the support systems we have in place at the College. We consider our wrap around support to be a unique selling point for the college that goes over and above for the benefit of our students' experience while here at Hugh Baird."

A Hugh Baird College student, said:- "When someone called me names because I'm a girl and I like girls, I felt so low and like there was something wrong with me. I found the courage to go and talk to the Student Services team and it was the best thing I did. They instantly had my back and helped me learn that it was the bullies' problem and not mine, they told me that nobody should ever make me feel bad about being me; they really helped a lot."

For more information on the student support services at Hugh Baird College, please their website or alternatively call:- 0151 353 4444.

Hugh Baird College students honoured at annual Awards Evening

HUGH Baird College recently held their annual Student Awards Evening which celebrated the success of students from across all areas of the College, recognising them for their hard work and dedication during their time inside and outside of the College. During this academic year, the College has achieved multiple milestones such as the completion of their new St Winefride's campus, the College's Sixth Form Centre being ranked the number 1 provider in the Liverpool City Region for A-level progress performance and the College's inaugural University Centre graduation ceremony being held. In addition, the College became the only provider in Merseyside selected by the Government to be part of the second phase pilot of new technical qualifications, T-Levels.

Those who attended the evening were joined by special guest speaker Christine Pyke. Christine, has been involved in the creative media industry for over 30 years. She combines her media career with education, being a qualified lecturer (PGCE, M.Ed.) with 19 years' experience. She trained at the BBC as a journalist, before leaving to setup 2 award-winning independent production companies where she produced documentary series and entertainment programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Christine shared with the students her story of starting out in a small terraced house, to becoming a television producer and running her own independent production company. She also spoke about the setbacks she'd faced throughout her life and how with determination and self-belief, she overcame them and never gave up on her dreams.

The awards presented to students featured 25 subject specific awards as well as 6 special awards that were announced on the evening. These included the Student of the Year award for the Travel and Visitor Economy, which was won by Elkie Anderson. Elkie enjoyed a fantastic journey at the College, she started at the Hugh Baird 14 to 16 College back in 2017 and demonstrated a very positive attitude through her studies.

Previously, Elkie had been awarded 'Student of the Term' for her positivity, attendance and excellent attitude to learning and achieving outstanding results. Recently she represented the College at the Skills Clash at Southport College, where her group achieved a 1st place.

Another award presented on the evening was the Award for Excellence in Work Placement. At Hugh Baird College, all full-time 16-18 students who study a vocational pathway follow a study programme. A study programme is a Department of Education initiative which combines education with work experience. A lot of students who start at the College have never had any experience in their chosen industry, such as award winner Kane Ward.

Kane lacked confidence when starting at Hugh Baird College and had never completed any work experience but had a passion for cooking and wanted to develop his independence skills. In order to prepare him for his placement, the Hospitality and Catering team worked with him to grow his confidence from technical skills to communication skills, working in the L20 Hotel School. After a couple of months Kane was ready, and he went on to successfully complete 2 weeks of work experience at Crossroads Community Café in Crosby.

The final awards presented on the evening were the Award for Personal Development and the brand new Principal's Award, both of which were won by Malcolm Thwala.  Malcolm arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe in 2013 and has since been in involved in multiple charities such as the 'Firefit Hub' Youth Centre and Savera UK in Toxteth, alongside studying his Level 3 qualification in Motor Vehicle. Whilst being a student at Hugh Baird College, Malcolm was an active member of the Student Council and also represented the College's football team. He is a keen team player and has a passion for helping those less fortunate than himself, this type of attitude is sure to take him far in his future career.

Yana Williams, Principal and Chief Executive of Hugh Baird College, said:- "The Student Awards Evening never ceases to amaze me, year on year we see students that personify the College's ethos of changing lives. The learners honoured tonight are all superb ambassadors and we are proud of the hard work they have all put in during their time with us. I wish them the very best for the future, whether that be going on to university, progressing onto an apprenticeship or gaining full employment within their chosen fields."

Full list of award winners:-

► Suzanne Lavelle, 14 to 16 College.

► Robert Pennington, 16 to 18 Maths and English.

► Laura Crellin, 19+ Maths and English.

► Mohammed Alnour, English for Speakers of Other Languages.

► Dylan Stephenson, Science.

► Michelle Kenny, Access to Higher Education.

► Jessica Lam, A-level.

► Kevin Simpson, Apprentice of the Year.

► Naomi Robb, Creative Arts.

► Samantha Williams, Business, Law, Administration and Accounting.

► Reece Turner, Computing and Digital Technologies.

► Benjamin Kitchen, Sport and Public Services.

► Chloe Fogg, Childcare, Teaching and Educational Development.

► Olivia Neild, Hairdressing, Beauty and Media Makeup.

► Olivia Moreman, Health, Social Care, Nursing and Dental.

► Jamie Claffey, Wet Trades and Professional Studies.

► Elliot Caddick, Carpentry and Joinery.

► Christina Dempsey, Building Services.

► Jack Blanchflower, Engineering, Energy and Advanced Manufacturing.

► Alice Johnson, Motor Vehicle/Motor Cycle.

► Annabelle Robson, Floral Design.

► Jade Ferguson, Hospitality and Catering.

► Elkie Anderson, Travel and The Visitor Economy.

► Kane O'Dea, Foundation Learning.

► John Muirhead, Learning for Life and Thornton College.

► Victoria Marshall, Award for Excellence.

► Kane Ward, Award for Excellence in Work Placement.

► Marie Hughes, Award for Outstanding Achievement.

► Malcolm Thwala, Award for Personal Development.

► Emma Davies, Taylor Prize.

► Malcolm Thwala, Principal's Award.