GIFTED ex-students were saluted for outstanding work.

Former students from Colchester Sixth Form College received certificates and awards at a presentation ceremony.

Special guest was former student Cariad Findlater, who went on to study a medical degree at UCL, becoming a specialist anaesthetist.

She was the ship’s doctor on the British Antarctic Expedition in 2012 and 2013 and next year is to work in Haiti with Medecins Sans Frontieres.

College principal Ian MacNaughton praised the former students for their academic, charitable and sporting achievements.

He said the college’s A-level and International Baccalaureate results were above national averages, with the top 100 academic achievers getting an average UCAS point score equivalent to two A*s and 2 grade As at A-level. Mr MacNaughton said: “We understand this is a higher score than the top 100 students in any school in the country, including grammar and independent schools.

Special awards went to:

  • Rupert Boyce-Bown, who received the college award for academic achievement and department awards for geography and chemistry. Rupert also won a national award, the Salters’ Institute prize for individual investigation
  • Sophie Chujor, college award for overall achievement in International Baccalaureate
  • Sam Chumbley, Colchester Hospital University Foundation NHS Trust award for achievement
  • Katherine Cudmore, Essex County Standard’s award for communications
  • Jayde Hubbard, Syd Kent award for achievement
  • Duygu Karatay, departmental award for religious studies
  • Stephanie Knight, departmental award for economics and business studies and college award for academic progress and achievement
  • Mitzi Munuo, college award for determination to succeed
  • Cecily Nicholl, college award for academic achievement,departmental award for chemistry and the Simon Barber award for geology
  • Heather Rodwell, college award for academic progress and departmental award for biology
  • Chloe Rutland, college award for academic achievement and departmental award for academic achievement in geography
  • Bryony Shuter, college award for academic achievement
  • Alastair Simbarasi, Lloyds TSB award for consistent effort
  • Sarah Wayman, college award for overall achievement in International Baccalaureate.