Eighty Public Services students from Brockenhurst College took part in a Graduation Parade at the College recently.
This was followed by an awards ceremony during which individual achievements were recognised by representatives of various public service bodies.
Around half the students involved were graduating from their studies at the event, which was attended by distinguished guests, parents and college staff.
Before the parade, the Commandant of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force Colonel Andrew Dawes, inspected the parade, who were all members of the College’s Army Cadet Force Unit.
Once re-assembled in the Gymnasium for the awards ceremony, members of the College’s Community Action Volunteer Group (CAV) gave a presentation about their activities over the last year.
These included spending a day with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, and performing landscaping duties at Furzey Gardens in Minstead alongside adults with learning difficulties.
The CAV Group also presented a cheque for £630 to Elisa McEwen, who is the sister of former Brock Public Services student Andrea Kennedy, from Bransgore, who died from bone cancer in 2014 aged 40.
The money was raised through a sponsored overnight rowing event in the Sports Hall, and will fund activities at the Kent hospice that cared for Andrea under an initiative set up in her memory known as Andi’s Gift.
Award-winner and graduating student, Olivia Phillips-Timlin, said: “The past two years have been really hard work, but I’ve been able to take part in some really good charity and volunteering campaigns.
“I’m already half-way through the recruitment process to be a medical assistant in the Royal Navy, but I’m hoping my Police application will be successful and takes me in that direction instead,” she added.
Colonel Dawes said: “Brockenhurst College’s Army Cadet Force Unit is the largest detachment in the county and makes up 80 of the 1,200 cadets in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“Witnessing their passion and professionalism gives me high hopes for the future of this country’s armed forces, blue-light services and other public service organisations.”
Here are the awards in full:
AWARD: The Royal Navy Shield
GIVEN FOR: Overall improvement
RECIPIENT: Elliot Peach
PRESENTED BY: Chief Petty Officer Jack Goozee RN
AWARD: The Royal Air Force Shield
GIVEN FOR: Most outstanding student on Level 2 Diploma in Teamwork and Leadership
RECIPIENT: Ollie Hart
PRESENTED BY: Flight Lieutenant David Sinclair RAF
AWARD: South Atlantic Medal Association
GIVEN FOR: Leadership and physical and mental determination
RECIPIENT: Callum Angus
PRESENTED BY Deputy College Principal Anne Johnson
AWARD: The Marchwood Shield
GIVEN FOR: Achieving Distinction in studies
RECIPIENT: Cameron Sey
PRESENTED BY Major Alison Shields RLC
AWARD: Hampshire Constabulary Award
GIVEN FOR: Dedication, loyalty and achievement
RECIPIENT: Maciej Zynkowski
PRESENTED BY: Acting Inspector Alison Jones
AWARD: The Normandy Veterans’ Trophy
GIVEN FOR: Best overall military skills
RECIPIENT: Megan Brewer
PRESENTED BY: Group Captain Richard Connelly
AWARD: Hampshire Fire & Rescue Shield
GIVEN FOR: Consistently high standard of work
RECIPIENT: Hayden Beale
PRESENTED BY: Commander Paul Reddish
AWARD: Dorset Police Award
GIVEN FOR: Excellent academic results
RECIPIENT: Kelly Blachford
PRESENTED BY: Special Inspector Mark Bussell
AWARD: Community Action Volunteers Award
GIVEN FOR: Positive approach
RECIPIENT: Olivia Phillips-Timlin
PRESENTED BY: PCSO Richard Williams
AWARD: The Army Cadet Force Shield
GIVEN FOR: Commitment
RECIPIENT: Kieran Read
PRESENTED BY: Colonel Andrew Dawes ACF
