STAFF, students and guests marked the end of a "fantastic year of achievements" at the West Somerset Community College's post 16 presentation evening last Thursday.

Minehead mayor Val Welch, governors and local rotarians were among those who saw more than 50 awards presented to the college's top performing sixth form students.

They were also treated to an evening of musical performances and speeches, with catering provided by the college's hospitality students, assisted by students from Foxes Academy.

Awards were given to students who had achieved both academic and vocational excellence as well as those who had made outstanding contributions to college life.

Guest speaker was ex-student Adam Mills, who now worked as the manager of Lloyds Bank in Minehead.

He spoke of his time at the college and how the encouragement he had received as a student had helped him to succeed.

Subject leaders spoke about their students' exceptional achievements and dedication to their chosen subjects and many said they had found it difficult to make a final decision on who should receive an award.

One of the evening's top performers was Alex Christmas, who picked up three subject awards in science and maths as well as the prestigious Alan Bright Award for the most outstanding sixth form scientist.

She will be going on to read medicine at the University of Dundee and said she was thrilled to receive her awards.

The evening was not just about celebrating academic success, as the college's vocational students were also recognised for their outstanding achievements in their chosen fields.

Marguerite Bowden, assistant principal for vocational studies, said: "The levels of achievement in vocational areas from this year's students have been inspiring and the standards of the college's vocational courses complement those of the academic with many students going on to highly successful careers."

Mrs Bowden was joined by Minehead Rotary Club treasurer Peter Conrad to present the Rotary Centenary Award for Excellent Achievement in Vocational Enterprise to hospitality student Charlee Todd, who had since secured a job running the college's mobile kitchen.

The prestigious Governors' Award, which recognised exceptional achievement and contribution to college life, was presented to Megan Peeks, whose participation in numerous college groups, together with commitment and achievement in her academic studies, was praised by chairman of governors Martin McNeill.

Earlier in the evening Megan had collected subject awards for art and geography. She will be going on to read architecture at the University of the West of England.

Megan said she had enjoyed her time at college and thanked her teachers for going "the extra mile" to help her.

Mr McNeill rounded off the evening by speaking of the college's pride in its students and his delight with the record number of university applications this year.

Post 16 Awards 2013

Business double - Gemma Trunks; business studies - Harley Everett; economics - Chris Hunt; applied ICT - Jake Wilkins; English - Rebecca Willmetts; media studies - Gabriella Routley; textiles A and D - Keziah Sanderson; drama - Ellen McCausland; art - Megan Peeks; music - John Knight; functional skills - Rebecca Day; history - George Buckingham; geography - Megan Peeks; religious studies - Chris Hunt; design technology - Matthew Neal; mathematics -Mark Westcott; further maths - Alex Christmas; French - Ben Howes; German - Harry Symons; PE - Callum Langley; sport BTEC - Lucy Deary; psychology - Lauren Pound; science BTEC - Sophie Armstrong; biology - Alex Christmas; physics - Mark Westcott; chemistry - Alex Christmas.

Beauty therapy - Gracie Legg; CACHE Level three - Martha Day; health and social care double award -Aimee Jackson; health and social care single award - Adam Johnson; health and social care Cambridge technical - Tia Vanderborght; hospitality - Charlee Todd; brickwork - Danny Robson; construction and building services - Robert Bassford; outdoor education -James Gibson; public services - Frances Jones; agriculture - Katie Gabb; animal care - Sammy Cook; animal management - Gaby Powell; motor vehicle - Robert Overall; hairdressing - Jessica Marriott.

Outstanding contribution to college life - Alice Hirst, Amy Webber, Gabriella Routley and Zak Wood; Nikki Archer Award for most outstanding progress in art - Tom Hawkins; Nikki Archer Award for most outstanding progress in English - Harry Duncan; Alan Bright Award for most outstanding sixth form scientist - Alex Christmas;

Outstanding apprentice award - Josh Bristow; A Level Award - Alex Christmas and Mark Westcott; vocational studies - Hatty Tucker and Jeremy Clark; Rotary Centenary Award for excellent achievement in vocational enterprise - Charlee Todd; Exmoor Trust Farm Student of the Year - Hatty Tucker; Nick Swann Endeavour Award - Scott Gurnett; Governors' Award - Megan Peeks.

Photos: Steve

Guscott