Students bring home multiple wins at GMCG competitions

Oliver Forman, who won first prize in Senior Plastering with tutor Rob Wilson

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Students won numerous awards for Hopwood Hall College at the Greater Manchester College Group competitions.

GMCG’s skills competition was hosted by colleges across Greater Manchester, with students from Hopwood Hall placing in seven different categories.

The college came third overall in Sport (hosted by Salford City college), second in Hospitality (hosted by Bolton College at Choices, Event City) and came first overall in Public Services (hosted by Oldham College), Digital & Media (hosted by Wigan & Leigh College at Choices, Event City) and Construction (hosted at the college’s own Technology Centre in Middleton).

Uniformed Public Services student Laceylee Stringer described her pride in the UPS team’s first place: “I’m so proud of me and my team, there was some really strong competition but I am glad we did our tutors and college proud with the win. All ten of us gave it our all and I am glad we’re coming home with something to show for it.”

Outside the overall wins, there were also numerous individual category awards brought home by the college’s students.

At Music & Performing Arts (hosted by The Manchester College), Jordan Loonam, Bury, and Mara Tavares won Musical Theatre Level 2 with their ‘Big, Blonde and Beautiful’ performance. Loonam also won the Acting Level 2 category along with Kurtis Dipple with their ‘Two Guys on a Stage’ performance.

“I’m really surprised to have been involved in two wins for our Performing Arts class. My fellow students all did really well as it was very close in each of the categories, our tutors did a good job of preparing us and gave us plenty of confidence going into the competition.

“I’d like to thank Kurtis and Mara too, I wouldn’t have been involved in a win if not for their quality performances.”

Another student that left the awards with a first place was Hair and Beauty’s Christine Witter. The Level 3 Hairdressing student bagged the Level 3 category for hairdressing (hosted by Trafford College at Choices, Event City) after impressing judges with her cut and colour plus a drastic change in style.

“It’s funny I won as I wasn’t going to enter the competition at first.” Explains Witter. “I only entered after my friend volunteered to be the model at the competition and my tutor Anna Lockwood suggested I go for it.

“The competition was really strong, I didn’t see the work the rival competitors had produced so I had no idea how extreme they went with their styles.

“Naturally my parents have plastered the result all over social media so I am glad I have made them proud. I never thought I would win, I just thought it would be a nice day out!”.

As well as winning the overall Construction competition, students also used the home advantage to take home three individual category wins.

Mosam Ramzan won the Senior first prize in the Electrical category, Oliver Forman won first prize in Senior Plastering and finally Cian McGilloway locked out the Plastering top prizes with his first place in the Junior Plastering Competition.

Cian described his emotions after taking home top spot: “I’m very proud of myself, I didn’t see me winning coming at all. My tutor Rob Wilson has been really encouraging and I am glad I was able to please him too. The other competitors produced some really good work so I was surprised I won, despite my tutor’s confidence in me.

“It’s nice to be recognised for my work, hopefully it is a good sign for my future prospects.”