HIGHLANDS College last week celebrated the achievements of its sixth-form students of 2024.
Held on Thursday 20 June, P.R.I.D.E. of Highlands College Sixth Form Awards – the P.R.I.D.E. standing for potential, respect, imagination, diversity and excellence – took place in the main hall of the St Saviour school and saw dozens of students being recognised for their achievements over the last year.
The annual event was compèred by Highlands lecturer Simon MacDonald and included speeches by several guest attendees, among them Ganache Jersey owner and former Highlands student Glenn Noel and Minister for Education Deputy Rob Ward.
Joanne Terry-Marchant is the principal at Highlands College and told the JEP: “The P.R.I.D.E. Sixth Form Awards are a major event celebrating the success of students in our annual calendar. The sixth form is at the heart of Highlands College – it is where young people start their lifelong learning journey with us. Often, they come back to study for degrees, apprenticeships or professional qualifications.
“This awards ceremony is so quintessentially Highlands: relaxed and inviting, but also professional and student centred.”
Many of the awards are sponsored by local businesses and organisations, such as the Jersey Arts Centre Award for Excellence in Performing Arts, which was awarded to Jasmine Morley; the Dandara Award for Excellence in Mechanical Services, Engineering and Welding, which was awarded to Oliver Dawkins; the Classic Kennels Award for Excellence in Animal Management, which was awarded to Emily Morris; and the All Island Media Award for Excellence in Digital Media Production, which was awarded to Raissa Reis Anolasco. Others sponsors include Active, Voisins, Pentagon, Ruellans Garage and Jersey Finance.
There were also five additional awards, each representing a letter of P.R.I.D.E., with the Dr C Mortlock Memorial Award for Potential being awarded to Mickael Pestana; the Franz Schindler Award for Respect being awarded to Rodrigo Fernandes; the Highlands College Award for Imagination being awarded to Kane Le Monnier; the Katarina Setubal Memorial Award for Diversity to Finlay McInerney; and the Principal’s Award for Excellence being awarded to Mary Phillips.
Discussing her favourite moments from the evening, Ms Terry-Marchant said: “One of the highlights for me was the speech by Glenn Noel, who is a former student and the owner of Ganache. His international work, setting up a business and leading training in the Middle East, shows students just what they can do with a high-quality technical education.
“Also, I love to see the expressions on the students’ faces when they collect their award. Their families and friends are so proud and the whole event has a strong sense of community. I love my job and am lucky to work with such great people – both staff and students.”