Students celebrate success at the Student Celebration Awards 2025

Each year we come together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students at the EKC Folkestone College Student Celebration Awards.

This year, we marked the occasion with a fantastic Student Celebration Awards Ceremony held at the Burlington Hotel on Wednesday 2 July, hosted excellently by Chair of the Local Governing Board, Ella Brocklebank.

All student winners smiling under a balloon arch — All student award winners for 2025

Guests, including students, staff, and supportive parents, enjoyed a selection of canapés prepared by our talented Catering department before gathering to recognise the dedication, resilience and success of our student award winners.

Staff nominated one student from each pathway who has impressed and gone above and beyond throughout the year, before selecting one stand-out student from each department to win the coveted ‘Department Award’.

Students posed with our impressive balloon arch

Speaking with Jez Giddings, Head of Department, who was in attendance to support students from The Edge, he commented on the importance of recognising individual achievement and the hard work his students have demonstrated this year. He added: “I am incredibly proud to see so many students from Creative and Business at the ceremony, receiving well-deserved recognition for their hard work.

“In our fast-paced education sector, it is essential to take time to pause, reflect, and honour the dedication and accomplishments of our students. Events like this not only celebrate success, but also bring our community together, allowing us to connect with families and share in these memorable moments.”

All award winners were presented with a trophy, certificate, gift voucher and additional prizes kindly donated by our generous sponsors. This year’s trophies were once again sustainably made in-house by our Construction department using MDF and precision CNC machinery, reflecting our group-wide commitment to sustainability.

Creative Media and current Students’ Union President, Dylan Komaromi, was amongst the award winners, celebrated for his successful work with Fosbury Lighting Studio, shared: “I really didn’t expect to win this evening. I knew my friend, Luca, was nominated and had assumed there was one award for the department. I’m very proud of the work I’ve produced this year, so it’s wonderful for that to have been recognised.

“I’d like to thank Daniel at Fosbury Lighting Studio and my lecturer, Jez, for all of their support. I wouldn’t have won this without either of them.”

Dylan smiling with his trophy and certificate

Dylan is looking forward to progressing onto the second year of his course in September, and is keen to continue honing his creative skills.

During the evening, it wasn’t just full-time learners being recognised. Mature learner, Angela Parson took home the pathway award for Supporting Teaching and Learning. When asked how she was feeling, she commented one word: “Overwhelmed”.

Angela posing under the balloon arch with her husband and tutor

Angela continued to say she was delighted to have won, and that all of the late nights and extra research had been worth it.

Onsite Construction student, Max Rynehart was awarded the overall department award for Construction and Built Environment. Upon collecting his trophy, he commented: “I’m really, really happy to have won and for my hard work to have been recognised.

“I feel like I’ve learnt so much more during this past year than I have previously. I’ve gained a lot of experience and been offered so many opportunities which have all had a great impact, and helped prepare me for a career in the industry.”

Deputy Principal, Rob Roy, effectively closed the ceremony by addressing all student winners. He commented on their fantastic achievements throughout the year, saying: “Congratulations to each of our students this evening, you should be incredibly proud of your achievements, as are we.

“Also, a massive thank you all staff and employers who have supported our learners this year, and to those who have assisted in the organisation of tonight’s awards.”

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our sponsors, with whom many of our departments work closely. We look forward to continuing our partnership with these businesses in the future. We extend gratitude to: