College News

Future Leader and Rising Star Awards for Inspirational QE Students

An aspiring human rights lawyer who set up a group to celebrate diversity at QE has won an award for her inspirational work. Hannah Malik, 17, from Ingleby Barwick, led the group to help highlight and celebrate cultural and ethnic diversity at the College. Her leadership work was recognised at Darlington Business Club’s recent Celebrating Women in Business Awards where she was awarded the Future Leader accolade.

Fellow QE student Jessica Fairley, from Darlington, had also been shortlisted in the Future Leader category for her extensive volunteering work, while Amelia Macmillan, from Thirsk, won the Rising Star award for her commitment to wellbeing work at the college. ‘All three girls should feel exceptionally proud that their inspirational work among their peers has been recognised and applauded,’ said Nancy Wall, a teacher and Interact Club Co-ordinator at QE who nominated each student for an award.

Hannah, a second year student studying History, Politics, and Fine Art, held the post of President of QE’s Student Association. She said: ‘After leaving QE I intend to study law at university and my dream job is to become a human rights barrister. My work at QE has really helped me to develop my confidence and the leadership skills which I will need to become a successful lawyer.’

Amelia, 17, was awarded the Rising Star award for going ‘above and beyond’ in her work with QE’s Wellbeing Team. During her time at college, she has produced and shared material to help educate students on areas such as managing stress and understanding eating disorders. She also established a ‘free hygiene’ scheme to ensure every student has access to essential hygiene items. ‘Amelia’s level of commitment to wellbeing has been outstanding; she has thrown herself into helping with college life,’ said Nancy. ‘She leads by example and is always hands on.’ Amelia is studying Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, English literature, and Spanish at QE, as well as taking an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). She said: ‘I love helping people out – I don’t see it as something that’s a chore as I enjoy it. When I was presented with the award, I felt honoured and a little overwhelmed as I’ve never received recognition like this before. I’m grateful to Nancy for all her support and inspiration.’

Tim Fisher, Principal of QE, said: ‘Hannah, Amelia and Jessica are shining examples of students who go above and beyond on a daily basis to support others at college and volunteer in their free time, around their studies. They are very deserving of the recognition they have received, and I’d like to thank them for the work they do here at QE.’