UCOL U-Skills success celebrated and scholarships awarded at events in Whanganui

Nicholas Toyne (far left) and Roimata Hooper (far right) received the George Boulton Trust Scholarship. They are pictured with Kate Smith and Max Restieaux. Photo / Supplied

Three Whanganui High School students were the big winners at UCOL's U-Skills Academy Award Evening.

Eden Ruissen won the award for outstanding student, Jamie Campbell received a dedication award and Ulani Hall picked up the prize for improvement.

Ruissen and Campbell studied hair and beauty while Hall changed gears studying automotive.

Communications adviser for UCOL Jeremy Bryson said Wednesday's event held at the Central Baptist Church on Wicksteed St went really well.

Eden Ruissen studied hair and beauty through U-Skills and was named as the outstanding student for 2018. Photo / Supplied

"We had 42 students attend the ceremony and about 70 students did U-Skills programmes in Whanganui in total," Bryson said.

"It's expected that a few don't make it to the prizegiving because of work commitments and such."

U-Skills gives secondary school students the option of learning through UCOL for one day per week and focuses on giving them industry-relevant skills as well as NCEA credits.

Manager of 100% Sweet Whanganui, Jason Shailer, was a guest speaker at the event, as was second year bachelor of nursing student Ashleigh Kauika.

"She had a really great story about how she wasn't too focused on her education and where she wanted to go on terms of a career until she started in U-Skills," Bryson said.

"U-Skills put her on a path to becoming a nurse and helped her find her passion for helping people."

The following day on Thursday at the Whanganui UCOL Campus on Rutland St, a scholarship ceremony was held.

Akoranga Education Trust scholarship recipients are Arama Tuka, Eva Harkness, Natalia Paki, Opal Downes, Mia Campbell, Kristine Lott, Teresa Wakefield and Angela (Poppy) Rowe.

Arthur Wheeler Leedstown Trust scholarship recipients are Alexandria Morder and Leah Akkerman.

George Boulton Trust scholarship recipients are Roimata Hooper and Nicholas Toyne.

The Grand Hotel scholarship recipient is Anita Sutherland-Herbison.