Riverside College of Higher Education celebrates their annual Graduation.

On Tuesday 16^th October, successful students from Riverside College’s Higher Education courses were honoured at the annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony.

The event, which took place at St Paul’s Church in Widnes, celebrated the success of graduates from the College’s degree level courses and those students who had achieved their Access to Higher Education qualifications.

The event also recognised exceptional students who achieved outstanding grades and demonstrated commitment and dedication to their course with Student of the Year Awards. Annmarie Smith and Alex Scott where presented with Student of the Year Awards for Access, and Louise Hill who achieved the Foundation Degree in Counselling was awarded overall Student of the Year for Higher Education.

The event was attended by the Mayoress, Mrs Angela McInerney, Reverend Jeremy Duff, Chair of Governors, Alan Bennett and Vice Chair of Governors, Peter O’Donnell.  They were joined at St Paul’s Church by College Principal Michael Sheehan, staff and students from Riverside College of Higher Education and their family and friends.

Reverend Jeremy Duff, Vicar at St Paul’s church said, “St Paul’s was delighted to host Riverside’s awards ceremony, as part of its growing partnership with the College. We want to celebrate the talent and hard-work of the students. With people like this, the future is looking bright in Halton.”

Michael Sheehan, Riverside College Principal said, “Our annual graduation is an important event in the College calendar which celebrates the achievements, hard work and determination of our students.  It also affirms the College’s commitment to providing opportunities for local people to gain access to higher level qualifications.”

Peter Wood, Head of Access to Higher Education said, “It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the success of our Access to HE students who have completed a challenging, but exciting, course at the college and have now progressed to university.”

Joanna Frith Jones, Higher Education Manager at Riverside College said, “I am extremely proud of all of our students who have graduated this year.  They have worked extremely hard to achieve qualifications at this level and I am delighted to have celebrated with them at this prestigious event.”

Many of the Higher Education students who collected awards are taking their skills and expertise into the workplace and into the local community, with some students continuing in education and starting their masters.  The Access students are now progressing to university with many students starting degree courses at various institutions including Nottingham Trent University, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Salford and Edge Hill University and are now training to work in the National Health Service, education and in the care professions.