Students honoured at awards night

Hopwood Hall College ‘Star of the Year’ Harrison Cooney with Principal Derek O’Toole

Forty-two students from across the Borough have been honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Middleton Arena.

The Hopwood Hall College students had been selected from thousands of students to receive awards for their achievements.

Hundreds of people including VIPs and friends and family of the award winners packed out the Arena to celebrate the achievements of the learners. VIPs in attendance included the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Alan Godson, Principal Derek O’Toole and the College’s Chairman of the Board of Governors Councillor Robert Clegg.

One of the most important awards to be given out was the ‘Star of the Year Award.’

The winner was Harrison Cooney of the College’s Fitness Academy.

Mr Cooney started at the College on a ‘NEET’ programme (a course for young people not currently involved in education, employment or training) and progressed through his studies with speed and determination; he is now qualified as a gym instructor, circuit instructor, spin instructor and hopes to become a combat instructor in the near future.

Mr Cooney, said: “It was completely unreal; I just can’t believe it. When the Principal started talking about the Fitness Academy, I thought ‘Oh no, it’s me!’ and I was shaking like a leaf when I went up to collect it.

“Next year, I am going to stay at Hopwood to do my Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification to help me with my career.

“The courses I have studied Hopwood have got me this far and I’m so grateful to them.”