Ashbourne Independent Sixth-form College

Ashbourne students win prizes

Baroness Perry presented prizes to two Ashbourne students  at the March 2010 CIFE awards ceremony held in the House of Lords.

Elisha Mansuroglu (pictured right) joined Ashbourne College in September 2008 on a full-scholarship to study English Literature, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Media studies. She quickly became an integral member of the student body, not only impressing staff with her application to study, but also making a considerable contribution to the college's extra curricular activities programme. She helped to devise and perform several large pieces of drama for the annual College Revues, visited Barcelona on the annual school trip and helped set up our first college magazine, The Ashboumer.

Elisha approached all tasks with a fierce energy and a great deal of ambition. I am particularly impressed with the way that she came into college everyday after the end of her final term to practise exam essays. Whenever she failed at anything, she then found as much information as possible and devised a new angle of attack until she achieved her objective. Several members of her year were inspired by her technique and emulated her example by organising exam practice in their spare time. Elisha achieved 3 A grades at A Level and a further A grade in AS English language. She is now studying Drama and Theatre studies at Manchester University. It is worthwhile noting that she will be the first person in her family to go to university.

Melody Van Oosterom is Ashbourne Independent Sixth Form College Winner of CIFE award in Creative Arts. In joining Ashbourne from a very prestigious girls' boarding school Melody showed great independence and courage as well as determination and ambition. Her success with her A levels is particularly gratifying because it signals, not only Melody's commitment, but also the advantage of subject choice which most Cife colleges can offer. She achieved 3 A grades in Mathematics, French and Graphic Design; a remarkable set of results, in particular with regard to the scope of her subjects. At Ashbourne she was respected and admired by all of her teachers who use words such as: very, very hardworking, creative, generous, conscientious, self-possessed and adorable to describe her. I will add that she is charming and delightful and wish her all future success.