Bradford College

Staff Awards for Excellence 2008

Bradford College proudly celebrated success with its annual Staff Awards for Excellence 2008.  The awards ceremony was held at the College’s Level 6 Restaurant, to mark the achievements of individuals and groups of people who play a vital role in making the College a fantastic place to work and study.

During the evening our 2008 award winners were honoured for showing true dedication and real pride in their work, scooping awards in the following categories:

• Teacher of the Year Award
• Team Award
• The Person That Makes Me Smile Award
• Customer Service Award
• Directors Award for Change and Innovation
• Line Manager Award
• Leadership Award
  

Paying tribute to the award winners during the presentation ceremony, Bradford College Principal and Chief Executive, Michele Sutton, OBE, said: “It is a great privilege to be the Principal of Bradford College.  We probably have some of the most talented students in the country and some of the most committed and dedicated staff that go the extra mile to make the College an outstanding place to work and study.  That’s why tonight's ceremony is really important to us; enabling us to recognise the fantastic work our staff do within the College.”

Mr Richard Wightman, Chair of the Corporation, commenting on the memorable staff awards evening said: “It is a real pleasure and a privilege to be here tonight, to understand better the various different contributions staff have made to the College and its continued success.”

Executive Director of Finance, Mr Doug Stott was the Master of Ceremonies at the memorable event.  Speaking to award winners and guests, Doug said: “Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues and friends, a very warm welcome to this our Staff Awards night.  It’s an evening for celebration and recognition for 2008, when you consider that 2008 was a particularly successful year for the College in so many ways.”

Michele presented the award winners with the Staff Excellence Awards, congratulating each worthy winner as she handed over their prize money and accolade.

The Person That Makes Me Smile Award was scooped by Cleaning Supervisor, Pat Templeman.   Master of Ceremonies, Doug explained:  “Pat tells everyone she is happy with her work and loves her job. She is bouncy all day from 5:30 am when she starts, right through to the end of the day. She always has a cheery ‘good morning’ for everyone. Her smile is infectious.  Colleagues report that she always ‘perks’ them up even if they are feeling a bit down.  The warmth she generates and her bouncy personality rubs off on everyone around her.”

The Customer Service Awards went to: Dee Vining, Admin Assistant Enrolment and Assessment, Margaret Appleyard, Head of Student Finance Team and Tony Hanley, Building Supervisor.

Dee expressed her delight at attending the ceremony, she said: “I’m really pleased to have been invited here this evening.  I’m really shocked that I’ve received this award as there are so many people who do a really good job at the College.  It’s a real privilege and so nice to be appreciated!”

During the evening’s formal dinner our award winning staff and guests were treated to outstanding performances from students from the Performing Arts Department. The three course dinner was also prepared, cooked and served by our students from the NVQ Level 2 & 3 Hospitality and Catering Course.

The Directors Award for Change and Innovation was awarded to the Trinity Green SID Staff: Pam Moore, Elizabeth Lawson, Kath Ashington and Anna Pawlowska.  The Line Manager Award went to Stacey Jacobs, Higher Learning Assistant.  The Leadership Award went to Ronan O’Beirne, Assistant Director Learning Resources.  Accepting the award Ronan said:  “I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this award.  I put all of this success down to my team, who have really contributed a lot during the last year. I look forward to making further contributions to the College in the next year.”

Doug paid a touching tribute to the unforgettable and remarkable Innovation and Business Development Lecturer, Richard Kunc.  Richard was recognised for his outstanding work with a Teacher of the Year Award. Doug said:  “It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of our colleague Richard in November last year. Richard will be remembered for his wit and humour as well as his courage in dealing with his illness. He continued to work tirelessly to help his students despite his illness, providing encouragement, feedback, advice and guidance, bringing a personal touch to his role. Students talk of his ability to motivate them and to help them to complete their work through his help, support, his insight and experience of particular value.”

Doug continued:  “In the morning of December 16th 2005, Richard had his PhD Viva from York University.  He was told he had passed and would be awarded his Doctorate.  In the evening he went with Sue, his wife, to see his Consultant in Bradford to be told he had Motor Neurone Disease. As Sue has said, it was a day to remember with joy and horror. He then decided that as he loved his teaching he would continue and did so for most of the next three years, even teaching in the two weeks before he died. Richard was a true gentleman and a sad loss, not only to the College but to his colleagues and friends and to me personally.”

Doug added:  “Sue is to donate Richard’s £100 to the charity The Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease, to add to the £1500 collected from family and friends.” Richard’s wife and daughter Helena attended the ceremony.  Doug asked Helena if she would come forward and accept the award for her father.

In a poignant tribute to her father, Helena said:  “On behalf of my mum, my brother and myself we’d like to say how extremely proud we are of him.  We miss him dreadfully.  He had an inspirational work ethic, working throughout his illness.  He was a wonderful man.”

Colleagues who were also recognised for their remarkable achievements in the category for Teacher of the Year included: PCET Lecturer, Martin Compton and Engineering Lecturer, Saeed Alamandari.

PCET Lecturer Martin, modestly attributed his achievement to team work, adding that the award meant so much to him as the nomination had come from his students. Martin remarked:  “I was a bit shocked to be honest. The first thing that occurred to me when I found out about the award was mild embarrassment. The next thing I thought was that it was really nice for someone to have expressed their appreciation.  When something like this happens, it really does get to you… it really touches you. The fact that students have taken the time to nominate me makes me feel very honoured!”

Lecturer, Saeed Alamandari explained why receiving the award meant so much to him when he came back after the Christmas holidays. Saeed said:  “I’d had a bit of a bad time over Christmas.  My house was burgled. Two days after the burglary they came back and stole my almost new car.  I felt terrible over Christmas.  So when the 5th January came along I came into the office first thing and found an envelope on my desk, stamped private and confidential.  I thought to myself, is this a redundancy notice?  With great trepidation I opened the envelope and realised I’d won the award. It really cheered me up!”  Saeed added:  “Knowing the students had voted for me makes it all the more worthwhile!”

Director of Corporate Services, Andy Welsh commenting on the evening which recognises staff achievements said:  “It’s fantastic to see all the talent we’ve got here at Bradford College.  It’s great on an evening like this to celebrate and to be able to say thank you to such a wonderful group of people.”

Kath Oldale the Executive Director for Performance Management at Bradford College added:  “Its been absolutely fabulous!  Last year was great.  It was the first time we’d had an awards ceremony. I think we’ve gone from strength to strength.  It’s even better tonight.  The staff are excited and so pleased with their awards.  They’re proud to work at the College. It’s absolutely fantastic!”

The Team Awards went to the Painting and Decorating Lecturing Team and the Quality Improvement and Performance Team.

Principal Michele Sutton, OBE was the vision behind the Staff Awards for Excellence.  Summing up the evening, with pride Michele said: “I’d also like to say a heartfelt thanks to the people who have been involved in this evening, including Doug for being an excellent Master of Ceremonies, Christian McGrath our Staff Development Officer, and Pam Sheldon our Project Support Officer for organising this event from start to finish.”  

Michele continued:  “We’ve had a fabulous evening here tonight. We’ve heard some fantastic stories about staff from all areas of the College and about why these staff have received their awards. Hearing their stories makes me feel extremely proud and privileged to work for the College, knowing that there are so many staff that show true dedication and real pride in their work and go that extra mile.”

• Staff Awards for Excellence 2008 – Gallery
• Performing Arts Students – Gallery