Students from Media, Performing Arts and Hospitality & Catering curriculum areas assisted lecturing staff at the event and those guests in attendance were treated to performances by the student choir and soloists throughout the morning.
Congratulating all the award winners, as well as those nominated, Chair of the Governing Body, Ken Nelson MBE, paid tribute to staff for their unwavering dedication, resilience and commitment. He highlighted the importance of the Staff Awards as a key College event, recognising the outstanding contributions of individual staff members and teams across the College.
The awards received an impressive 106 nominations across 13 categories, showcasing the depth of talent, dedication, and teamwork within the College. There were two new categories this year, Good For ME Good For FE and Inspirational Role Model Awards, recognising that there are many ways to positively impact colleagues, our students and the College.
Principal and Chief Executive Mel Higgins praised the event’s success and the strong sense of community reflected in the nominations.
“It is inspiring to see how well-supported our Staff Awards have become, with colleagues recognising and celebrating each other’s hard work. Their passion, support for students and commitment to their colleagues make Northern Regional College a fantastic place to work and learn.”
He continued, “Our staff work tirelessly to ensure that every learner is supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. This year’s winners exemplify the values at the heart of Northern Regional College, excellence, collaboration and a deep commitment to education. With our Ballymena campus development well underway and our new Causeway campus recently opened, we are entering an exciting new chapter, one that will provide world-class education and training opportunities. By fostering talent, embracing new technologies, and strengthening industry partnerships, we will continue to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving world and contribute to Northern Ireland’s economy.”
The Staff Awards provided a well-earned moment of recognition for the individuals and teams who go above and beyond to create an inspiring learning environment. With the College’s ambitious plans for growth and innovation, these dedicated staff members will continue to be at the heart of its success.
The 2024 Staff Award Winners & Highly Commended Recipients were:
Curriculum Team of the Year
Winner: Level 3 Information Technology Team
Highly Commended: Level 4 HNC Early Childhood HNC Team
Inspirational Role Model of the Year
Winner: Sharon Eatwell
Highly Commended: Adele Brennan
Excellence in Teaching Innovation
Winner: Sandra Hamilton
Highly Commended: Martin Hay
New Start of the Year
Winner: Catherine Mooney
Highly Commended: Rhiannon Conlon
Project-Based Learning Champion
Winner: Victoria Smyth
Highly Commended: Sarah Thompson
Team Player of the Year
Winner: Fiona Gault
Highly Commended: Fionnuala Devlin
Best New Course
Winner: Level 2 Youthwork Team
Highly Commended: Level 3 Nail Tech and Entrepreneurship
Professional Services Team of the Year
Winner: IT Services
Highly Commended: Admissions and Campus Services Team
Excellence in Supporting Students
Winner: Emma Mason
Highly Commended: Anne Marie McAleese
Good For ME Good For FE
Winner: Hair and Beauty Team
Highly Commended: Admissions and Campus Services Team
Entrepreneurship
Winner: Hayley Millar
Highly Commended: Beauty Therapy Team
Professional Services Team Member of the Year
Winner: Kerry Reilly
Highly Commended: Vanessa Tyler
Lecturer of the Year
Winner: Stuart Cullen
Highly Commended: Chris Keating