Top-achieving students have shared prizes worth nearly £10,000 at Barrow Sixth Form College’s annual Prize Fund Awards Evening.

Thirty-six students were recognised for their academic and personal achievements at the annual prize-giving ceremony. (January 3)

Congratulating the prize-winners Andrew Wren, Principal and Chief Executive of Furness College, said the students had shown exceptional talent, commitment and dedication of all kinds – not just academic.

“Our students develop into hard-working and determined adults, understanding what it means to succeed and become someone who contributes to society.

“I have never failed to be impressed by the maturity you bring to the college, your passion for education and your drive to become the best you can. I am genuinely proud of your all.”

This year, awards for the academic year 2017-18 were given as monetary prizes ranging from £100 to £1,000 with £9,800 handed out on the evening from the Prize Fund.

Jeff Chadd, who retired as Assistant Principal and Head of Sixth form a year ago, returned to Rating Lane as guest speaker.

He urged the students to remember three things – to always be positive, be rigorous and to be someone who volunteers and steps up.

“You are part of a cohort who are able, bright and successful and you are the very best of those,” he said. “This country needs a generation of intelligent, articulate and principled young people like yourselves. In these very uncertain times, it is easy to get divided and we need people with the skills to bring people back together.”

Prize winners were selected by specialist Sixth Form staff on the basis of their academic excellence, commitment to their chosen courses, attendance and personal achievements during their time at the College.

Students nominated for more than one prize received the highest value award from the Prize Fund, which was established years ago to support the education of young people in Barrow. Everyone attending the awards paid tribute to Jake Davies who died last month. He studied A levels at sixth form before continuing his apprenticeship at Channelside.

Jacob McSweeney and Robyn Halcrow, won the top prizes of £1,000 each after scooping the Student of the Year awards.

Robyn, 18, of Lowick, who is studying Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University, said the independent learning techniques she had mastered at college were helping her in her university course.

Jacob, 18, of Barrow, who is now studying Medicine and Surgery at Lancaster University, said he enjoyed setting his own goals at college which was helping his degree. “My course is really good, I’m doing lots of different things and learning new skills and by next year I’ll be doing days in the hospital putting those into practice.”

Many sixthformers have now gone on to study at universities around the country or started their careers with local employers such as BAE Systems. Eighteen-year-olds Olivia Gonzalez and Ellie Nicholson work at BAE as higher apprentices in finance and supply chain and won awards.

Ellie said: “I am loving the responsibility and am working with some really senior people. Sixth form gave me the confidence and self-motivation to go into this professional environment.”

Full list of winners