Excellence Awards Downpatrick Campus

Students, staff, friends, and family gathered at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) to celebrate the best of the College community at the annual Excellence Awards for Downpatrick and Newcastle Campus (30 March).

Guests were welcomed with a drinks reception before 90 certificates and awards were presented in recognition of outstanding student achievements and staff success.

Awards were presented by guest speaker, Lynne McCabe, entrepreneur and owner of boutique accommodation Lisnacurran in Dromore, Ralph's in Moira and Arthur's in Royal Hillsborough. Lynne, a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and past student of SERC, was delighted to share with guests her varied career path and how important it is to work hard and keep learning, having studied part time throughout her adult life on courses such as accounting and interior design. She said, “My educational journey is not over, and I am looking forward to further courses that both interest me and add value to my business.”

Lynne congratulated everyone nominated and receiving awards and wished them every success in their future studies and careers. She added, “I hope the variation and deviation throughout my career path inspires students who may be undecided that all will be apparent when you work hard and keep learning.”

This year, the College was delighted to have headline sponsorship support from Newry Mourne & Down Labour Market Partnership, along with category awards supported by Fusion Heating for the Apprentice of the Year Award; and Inspired 2 Care for the Champion of Health and Wellbeing Award.

Following the presentations, a Vote of Thanks was given by Laura Wright Student’s Union Officer.

Alan McCrum, SERC Governing Body and MC for the ceremony said, “I want to congratulate everyone here for their effort and achievement, and their commitment to giving their absolute best.   Some will have worked hard to tackle and overcome personal challenges. All deserve to be highlighted and rewarded."     

“The students’ awards are not only for those who have excelled in their coursework, but also for those showing entrepreneurial skills, or dedication to bettering their community or our environment.  So tonight, we see a great example of the breadth of experience offered at SERC."

“At SERC, our continuing success depends on the skills, expertise, and personal commitment of all our staff. So, we are delighted to be able to recognise not only the best learners, but also the staff who go the extra mile to deliver excellence – in or out of the classroom.”     

Photographs from the Reception and Awards Ceremony will be on Facebook shortly.

SERC would like to thank everyone who made the evening so special, our guest speakers, master of ceremonies, the judging panel, our hospitality team and the student engineering company Cutting Edge who engraved the trophies.