Degree Level Students Honoured at Special Graduation

Riverside College students who graduated from Higher Education courses in 2020 and 2021 have been honoured at a combined Riverside College Graduation Ceremony.

This year’s prestigious event took place at the Cronton Playhouse in Cronton Sixth Form College and celebrated two years of graduating students who were not able to celebrate due to the Covid restrictions.

An audience of proud family members, friends and College staff were joined by representatives from Staffordshire University, Nick Dearden, Director of Learning and Teaching, and Anne Harbisher, Collaborative Academic Partnerships Manager, to witness the Deputy Mayor of Halton, Councilor Mark Dennett, present the graduates with their certificates.

Special congratulations to Elizabeth McGarry who was awarded the Higher Education Student of the Year for 2020 and Joleigh Berry who was presented with the award for Higher Education Student of the Year for 2021 by Riverside College Chair of Governors, Mr. Neil McGrath.

Elizabeth, who completed her QTLS professional qualification after her Certificate in Education at Riverside College, now works as a drama teacher in a local high school. She was described by her tutors as a ‘very hardworking and dedicated student who made tremendous progress while studying for her qualification and always produced work to the very best of her ability.’

Joleigh graduated from the Foundation Degree in Education (FDA) in 2021 and is currently studying the Top-Up BA (Hons) Education at Riverside. As well as studying for her qualification Joleigh has successfully secured employment within education and was described by her tutor as ‘a focused and driven student, who is a valuable member of the class with an unwavering dedication and commitment to her course.’

Ryan Turner, Head of Higher Education at Riverside College said, “It was fantastic to be able to celebrate the amazing achievements of our Higher Education students with their friends and families at this wonderful event. “I am so proud of all of the students graduating this year, they really deserve it after the hard work they have put in throughout their studies to achieve their qualifications.”