MATHS teacher, Mensa member and former Farnham Girls Grammar School and Farnham Sixth Form College student Lesley Voice joined award winners for this year’s Celebration of Achievement evening at Farnham Sixth Form College, encouraging students to push themselves and never say no to an opportunity.

Principal Jacki Hughes opened the ceremony, highlighting the incredible achievements of students from the college throughout the last year, including the college’s 98 per cent A-Level pass rate and the 52 per cent of students who achieved high A* to B grades, two per cent higher than last year. 

She also shared stories of students who headed off to South Africa in the summer to take part in a scientific research project, as well as media students who broadcasted live when they secured work-experience opportunities with a local radio station.

With the support and generosity of trustees of the Farnham Educational Foundation and the Old Farnhamians’ Association, the college celebrated the achievements of 45 students who had won awards recognising their outstanding achievement.

One notable winner of the evening was Patricia Medina-Capilla, who secured the Geoff Hooker Award for outstanding achievement in mathematics as well as the Old Farnhamian’s Student of the Year Award.

Patricia achieved exceptional results in her A-Level exams this summer, gaining four A* grades in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics.

She is now studying maths at the University of Warwick.

But the highlight of the event was former student Lesley, who spoke to the audience about what she had achieved in the years since leaving the college and emphasised the need to always have a ‘Plan B’ in life.

She spoke passionately about how the choices she made in her education and career ultimately led her to fulfilling her true vocation of teaching maths.

She also credited having a back-up plan for every decision, as giving her the confidence to take advantage of every opportunity and to always push herself to achieve more.

Neil Brookes, head of Farnham College, said: “Congratulations to all of our outstanding students who received awards and prizes at the ceremony.

“I’m always hugely impressed by the talent, hard work and commitment of all of our students at Farnham Sixth Form College, and these awards recognise the achievements of just some of them.

“My colleagues and I feel immensely privileged to be able to work with young people who show such great enthusiasm and talent in their chosen fields.

“I’d like to thank the excellent team of teachers and support staff at the college for their unrelenting hard work in supporting our students to achieve their ambitions.”