Sunlight breaking through the trees in the New Forest
Sparsholt College celebrated the class of 2014 at their annual Presentation Awards as students were proudly looked on by their families, friends and lecturers. The prestigious event, held at Winchester Cathedral last week, recognises the hard work, outstanding academic achievements and vocational accomplishments of the College’s Higher Education and Level 3 students.
ITV national news anchor and Sparsholt College advocate Alastair Stewart OBE, was guest of honour who, before presenting the Diplomas, Certificates and Degree Awards said: “I was born in Hampshire, I live with my family in Hampshire and the College is one of its most precious assets – for what it does and for what it stands for.” Having praised the College, Principal Tim Jackson and ‘brilliant’ staff he said: “Education matters, enormously. None of us can do much without it. But there is a world of difference between acquiescing to it and grasping it with conviction and ambition to take from it what you want, to do what you want to do and to be who you want to be. That is what you have done. That is what you will do.”
Alastair joined a number of special guests including Chairman of Governors, John Charles, College President, The Earl of Malmesbury, The Very Reverend James Atwell, Dean of Winchester Cathedral and the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Eileen Berry.
Principal Tim Jackson presided over the two ceremonies which awarded Further Education certificates and diplomas, Foundation Degree and BSc Honours students with their qualifications. During his address he reflected on the College’s achievements throughout the year and said: The past academic year has been another highly successful one for the College. Over 2000 qualifications have been awarded with around 750 of these being presented at today’s two ceremonies. Many of our students are already in employment, often hundreds of miles from Winchester and many overseas. During the year Ofsted awarded the College either Good or Outstanding in all areas and our Higher Education review was also very successful.”
During the morning ceremony Alastair presented Diplomas, Certificates and Degree Awards to Fishery, Conservation and Wildlife; Agriculture and Game Management; Arboriculture, Forestry and Horticulture; Sport, Outdoor Education and Public (Uniformed) Services; Engineering and Motor Vehicle; Andover College Higher Education and Learning and Academic Achievement.
For the afternoon ceremony Alastair presented to Animal Management, Veterinary Nursing and Equine Studies.
Degrees awarded to students from Sparsholt College were conferred by the University of Portsmouth, while Higher Education qualifications at the Andover campus are awarded by Southampton University, the Chartered Management Institute and the Association of Accounting Technicians.
