2004 TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute Student Achievement Awards

Major Awards

STUDENT OF THE YEAR – KELLY ROBINSON

Kelly Robinson not only showed outstandingly high academic achievement in gaining her Diploma in Graphic Design, but also demonstrated the “Right Stuff” when it came to the particular career that she had set her heart on; unrelenting focus, a flexible and empathetic team player and a consummate professional who balanced family community and career extremely effectively.

ATSIC STUDENT OF THE YEAR – JADE GILMONT

Jade Gilmont showed consistently high levels of academic achievements in gaining her Certificate II in Business Administration, excellent class participation, extremely enthusiastic contributions to the student association activities on and off campus and to voluntary work with children in the community. She is now employed in Real Estate.

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – JASON KINGSMILL

Jason Kingsmill is a very high-achieving, but modest student who has not let anything get in the way of doing his best. In achieving his Certificate III in Electronic in only two years, he maintained very high academic results, despite demanding travel requirements. He also managed to fit in WorldSkills competitions into this time, including a silver medal in the 2004 National competition.

TRAINEE OF THE YEAR – RAYNE SMALL

Rayne Small fast-tracked her learning and gained the 12 month Certificate IV in Business Administration in 8 months. She showed outstanding abilities in marketing and promoting, is an enthusiastic community worker and sportsperson, and is now studying a degree by distance through Southern Cross University.

TVET STUDENT OF THE YEAR – SARSHA WOOLNOUGH

Sarsha Woolnough impressed the judging panel deeply in all three criteria of academic achievement, campus participation and community involvement whilst studying Certificate II in Business as a TVET student at High School.

Her grades were consistently high, and her involvement both in campus and community activities were exemplary.

Faculty Awards

ADMINISTRATION SERVICES – SARSHA WOOLNOUGH

Sarsha Woolnough was consistently in the top 5 at high school in business studies, Legal Studies, English and Maths, and gained passes at distinction and credit grades in Business Studies as a TVET student at High School. She was the recipient of a District Education Week award and the Minister’s Award in 2003.

She was also enthusiastic and pro-active participant in campus events like Big Morning Tea fundraising and Campus Open days, despite school commitments.

ARTS AND MEDIA – KELLY ROBINSON

Kelly Robinson stood out in a very competitive field because of consistently high academic achievement, culminating in a Diploma in Graphic Design with nearly all distinctions. She had a outstanding record in meeting deadlines, showed a positive ‘can-do’ attitude, leadership and team-oriented behaviour and extraordinary commitment despite financial and family demands

BUSINESS SERVICES – CATHERINE TENNANT

Catherine Tennant was chosen because of an exceptional academic record and very active class participation, particularly in group assessments, tasks, role plays and so on. Community involvement was also very impressive, with a lot of voluntary work for the local school over a 3-year period. The judges were also impressed by the balancing of short-term and long-term career aspirations.

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH – CARLA WILSON

Carla Wilson was chosen because of her distinction grades in her Diploma of Community Services (Welfare), an inspiring level of class participation, supportive and empathetic leadership and teamwork and outstanding community involvement in work placement leading to finding employment prior to completing the course. She also showed extraordinary perseverance in the face of adversity, including raising a family and suffering extended serious illness during study.

CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORT – AARON GAMBLE

Aaron Gamble showed consistency right across all judging criteria, with high grades in gaining a Certificate III in Plumbing, exceptional teamwork and group participation, a supportive and ‘leading-by-example’ approach to classmates, extensive community involvement in the local child care centre and sports club, and sharp focus on full qualifications and starting a successful business.

GENERAL EDUCATION – ROS COLE

Class and campus participation was exemplary, including busy involvement with the Student Association clearly demonstrating support and constructive team behaviour with other students.

There was active and enthusiastic community involvement by this student, ranging from voluntary work in entertainment to organizing the local bazaar.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – ELAINE KELLY

Elaine Kelly was selected for impressively high quality of assignment work, consistently high standards, creativity, attention to detail, top student awards in two previous years, and 10 years voluntary work in the local school.

MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING – JASON KINGSMILL

Jason Kingsmill won the award because of a combination of a long list of distinction grades in gaining a trade Certificate III in Electronics, outstanding success in the regional and national WorldSkills competition, and extraordinary commitment to learning, completing three years of training in two years and travelling a long distance to get to the campus and yet still finding the time to perform in a band and compete in three eisteddfods.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND NATURAL RESOURCES – KEITH HELLYER

The judging panel awarded Keith Hellyer for an outstanding academic achievement in the Certificate III in Horticulture, exceptional team-oriented behaviour and helpful attitude to all the physical tasks required, unstinting involvement in community bushland re-generation projects and focused application to furthering a career in horticulture.

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY – TAMMY PAEWHENUA

Tammy Paewhenua was selected because of her distinction average achieved in successfully completing the Certificate IV course in Tourism Operations, her extremely people-oriented personality, great enthusiasm for organizing student events including the end-of-year dinner, continual involvement with Kids Helpline and fundraising for childcare causes, and focus and attention towards building a career in Tourism and Hospitality.

Cassegrain Wines sponsored the Celebration Supper at the conclusion of the Awards presentation