From a cohort of over 10,000 students, the College chose forty-one winners in areas as diverse as Visual Arts, Business, Hairdressing, Horticulture, Carpentry, Sports and Catering.

The overall ‘City Achiever 2009’ was named as Jack Taylor, a 21-year-old Motor Vehicle student from Hove who has Asperger Syndrome and Dyslexia. The prize, sponsored by Red Seven Leisure, was a 5 star Theatre Break for two. Jack’s mother, Sue, says: “I’m so proud of Jack. In the past, he’s really struggled so this is absolutely wonderful. Being at City College has made a big difference to his life. He’s spent four years here and has just really come on.

Jack’s had excellent support and would never have got to where he has now without the help. I’d recommend the College to anyone with a disability … it’s amazing.”

Jack says: “My tutors and the Learning Support team at City College have been excellent and winning this award has made me feel that all my hard work has paid off.”

Steve Philliben, Curriculum Team Leader of the College’s Motor Vehicle Department where Jack completed Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Motor Vehicle, says: “Jack was a great student to teach and to work with. It was a real team effort between Jack and his tutors but ultimately it was down to him making the most of the opportunities that City College offered him.

Jack’s an inspiration to any student setting out to study and everyone here at City College would like to wish him all the very best for the future. “ Phil Frier, Principal of City College, says: “Jack is an outstanding student and he shows what can be achieved by hard graft and the sheer determination to succeed.”

There was also a double win for twins Scott and Charlotte Gloster (17) from Brighton for the Carpentry and Childcare Achiever of the Year Awards respectively. Their mother Dawn says: “It was fantastic for the twins because they’ve been through a hell of a lot with me being in hospital this year for six months but they’ve stuck at their studies. They’ve grown up a lot since they’ve been at City College, they’ve achieved a lot and I’m very proud of them.”

The Fine Art Sculpture Achiever of the Year was named as Cadi Froehlich, a mature student. Cadi has been at City College for the last two years, completing her Diploma in Visual Arts last year with a run of distinctions and successfully completing her Diploma Foundation Studies this year with another distinction. Cadi has recently got through to the second round of the Chichester Open Art competition and is going on to do a Foundation Degree in Art at City College. Cadi (36),says: “It was overwhelming to win. It’s my first ever award like this and I’m very proud. I worked really hard and it’s amazing to have that recognised. Without the tutors I wouldn’t even have completed the course, they were amazing and so supportive. Without them I wouldn’t have learnt what I did and wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I did. I was also in a great team of students who all pulled together.”

“As a mature student, I definitely did better than I would have done if I’d done it when I was a young school-leaver. I’ve got a young family and have many things to juggle so I’ve got to be good at managing my time but being at College meant I could focus my energies on something for me. This course was my salvation. It was a lifelong dream of mine to study art and to have been given the opportunity at my age and for it to have gone so well, I finally feel like I’m in the right place for the first time in my life.”

The Film-Making Achiever of the Year was named as Chantelle Carter (17). Before coming to City College, Chantelle had been a non-attender at school and her report was mainly unsatisfactory in most subjects. She has also had a difficult personal life and lived at several addresses during her first and second term. Despite this, she excelled on her course. Chantelle says: “It means everything to me to win this award. I’ve never won anything before and to see how proud my mum was, was brilliant. I’ve had a lot of upheavals in my home life but if someone presents you with an opportunity you need to take it. If you feel like you need support, you should definitely come to City College. No matter what you need, you know you can always rely on the staff to help you.”

There was also a sad note to the proceedings when the winner of the ‘Train to Gain’ Achiever of the Year was announced. Sue Page was one of the College’s most successful students, undertaking an NVQ in Business Administration in the workplace on Brighton Pier.

From the beginning, Sue demonstrated outstanding dedication, always producing high quality work that exceeded expectations. Sue never missed an appointment with her Assessor and worked steadily on her progression towards the NVQ. She was a highly motivated individual working hard to achieve, whilst balancing a busy work and home life.

Sadly Sue, who was only 39, died suddenly a few weeks ago. She leaves behind her young daughter Katie (4) and the award of the £1000 Spencer Bulkeley Schofield bursary will to go towards Katie’s future education. The stage set for City Achievers 2009 was painted by Alex Young, founding member of the world-famous Heavy Artillery graffiti art crew whose stunning murals have become a celebrated part of Brighton’s urban landscape.