Hartlepool Sixth Form recognises staff and student achievements with online awards ceremony

A North East sixth form college recently hosted its first virtual awards ceremony to celebrate the hard work of its students and teaching staff.

Wanting to end the term on a positive note following the suspension of face-to-face learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hartlepool Sixth Form’s senior staff decided to take the Easter Value Awards online to an audience of more than 100 staff and students.

Presented by head of Hartlepool Sixth Form Mark Hughes, via Microsoft Stream, the awards celebrated learners who recorded 100 per cent attendance and demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their studies, as well as those who represent the core college values of authentic, respectful, innovative and ambitious.

Physics tutor Lisa Hall and student progress and development tutor Lucas Renney also received awards for their commitment to the education and experience of each student.

Mark said: “Given the current situation, we wanted the Values Awards to go ahead and have normality, reward our students during these difficult times and end the term in a positive way.

“Even though we were not celebrating together, it was fantastic to have the opportunity to speak to our students, their parents and our staff personally.”

Following the virtual awards’ huge success, Hartlepool Sixth Form will look to use the platform to host parents’ evenings and assemblies for its Year 12 and 13s whilst face-to-face learning is suspended or minimised in the future.