West Lothian College students mark success at graduation ceremony

Nov 26 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

MORE THAN 250 students from West Lothian College celebrated passing their courses at their graduation ceremony.

Held in the college itself, students from HNC, HND, vocational and professional development courses accepted awards in front of an audience of friends, family and VIP guests.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop, Lord Provost Tom Kerr, and West Lothian Council Chief Executive Alex Linkston watched as West Lothian College Principal Mhairi Laughlin presented certificates to the graduating student body.

Principal Mhairi Laughlin said: “Graduation is a landmark day in the lives of these students as they end one chapter and go on to begin another.

“As a college we strive to provide the highest quality of learning and support to our students making their educational journeys as beneficial as possible.

“All students graduating today should be immensely proud of themselves, and on behalf of the college I would like to wish each and every student well in their future endeavours.”

Besides graduation certificates, there were 28 special awards presented to students who had demonstrated exceptional hard work, or overcame personal difficulties, during their time at the college.

Among the special recipients was 23-year-old Emma Sharland from Broxburn, who completed her HNC in Early Education and Childcare in June and received the College’s SQA Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Emma came to West Lothian College in 2007 to undertake the NQ Early Education and Childcare course.

Prior to this she was a full-time mother caring for her little girl Aimee.

It was during this time that she made the decision to return to education and pursue a career in childcare.

Emma said: “Although it was a daunting prospect returning to education as a full-time mum, I knew that it was what I wanted to do.

“Shortly after beginning the NQ course, my daughter was assessed as having mild cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

“As I attended a number of support meetings for this my attendance at college was inevitably affected, however, my lecturers and classmates were fantastic, making me even more determined to succeed with my qualification.

“I progressed to the HNC in August last year and thoroughly enjoyed my placements at local nursery schools.

“Part way through the course I discovered that I was pregnant, but rather than taking time out, I was adamant that I was going to complete the course.

“My little boy, Kaiden, is now 11 weeks old and Aimee is now four. Although it was a challenge juggling family life with college, it was definitely worth it and I am hugely proud of myself.

“Looking ahead, I would like to return to college to complete my HND with the ultimate aim of working in hospital or in the local community.”

West Lothian College would like to thank sponsors of the graduation and award ceremony, including West Lothian Education Services, Chamber of Commerce and City and Guild Motoring.

For more information on West Lothian College call01506 427605 or visit www.west-lothian.ac.uk

The full list of winners are:

Kathleen Anne Baxter – Best VQ Childcare Learning and Development student for West Lothian Education Services;

Neil Gray – Best VQ Care student for West Lothian Education Services;

Geraldine Pickwell – Business Partnership Centre Award for Best Customer Service student;

Gail Stark – L’Oreal Award for Best Full-time Hairdressing Student;

Marie Fowler – L’Oreal Award for Best Part-time Hairdressing student;

Jenna Redpath – Chamber of Commerce Managerial Award;

Heather Janet Brewster – Media Corp e-Learning Award;

Teresa Ann Dunn – Business Partnership Centre Award for Outstanding Achievement;

Steven Sneddon – Master Builders Federation Award for the best First Year Apprentice Joinery student;

Andrew Hall – Master Builders Federation Award for the best Second Year Apprentice Joinery student;

David Hilditch – Terrace Restaurant Award for best SVQ Hospitality student;

Barry Nelson – City & Guilds Motor Vehicle Student of the Year;

Jennifer Richardson – Fake Bake Retail Student of the Year.