While the achievements of the Atwea College community are celebrated annually, in 2020 the Adult Learner’s Week Awards have highlighted additional levels of resilience and commitment by both students and staff.

Atwea College Chairperson, Chris Seysener, and Executive Director, Rowan Cox, announced five awards on Thursday 4 September at a small event using video conferencing for an online audience reaching into the Hunter Valley and Mid North Coast regions.

The awards recognise people within the Atwea community who have shown commitment and dedication in their engagement with education and training.

As a community college, Atwea specialises in providing learning and educational pathways in niche and mainstream vocational and skills areas but it is also well recognised for its ability to assisting disadvantaged and marginalized learners.

There were three awards announced in honour of people who have played a significant role in the Atwea story:

• Ray Sandy Memorial Award – supporting a trainer in business or IT, which was awarded to Barrie Wilson.
• The Paul Mather Memorial Award – for a student of the Alesco Senior College, was awarded to Joel Gilmour who overcame significant obstacles to complete his final three years of high school.
• Alan Melling Memorial Award – Deborah Mercer was named the winner for her dedication to the outcomes of students studying health and community services.

Business, leadership and medical administration trainer at the Atwea Coast campus, Pauline Bergin, was named the Atwea Outstanding Tutor.

Tayla Peters, who has completed vocational training in Individual Support (Disability), was named Atwea Outstanding Student of the Year.

Atwea College Chairperson, Chris Seysener, commended the commitment of students and staff.

“I am incredibly proud to be a part of an organisation that, despite the challenges of COVID-19, continues to find better ways for people to access education,” he said.

“Atwea College has adapted and continues to develop new ways of working and delivering education safely and effectivity.”

Atwea Executive Director, Rowan Cox, said that Adult Learners Week was of significance in 2020 because of the resilience of their trainers and students.

“We had to develop ways of engage and connect students in a different format,” she said.

“This could not have happened or been effective if it wasn’t for the innovation of our trainers and the commitment of their students.

“This year there are 385 students undertaking their high school studies with Alesco and hundreds of students in vocational, skills set training and in our lifestyle courses who are supported by more than 100 trainers and teachers. Each person should be very proud of their commitment to education in challenging times,” she concluded.

IMAGE | Outstanding Student of the Year, Tayla Peters, with her family.