Jack Petchey Winners (January – June 2025)

January 2025 - Nazrul (Mohammed) Chowdhury  

Nazrul has had a fantastic 3 years at St. Charles. He has gone from strength to strength during his time in sixth form demonstrating significant progress and maturity. Having started on a L2 Business course, he successfully progressed to the L3 Diploma in Business and took up A Level History alongside. In History Mr. Sharratt describes him as an outstanding student who has shown real leadership skills. He has been actively involved in peer mentoring within the department helping his fellow students perfect their writing and analytical techniques through proofreading their coursework and generally acting as a positive role model for all, motivating and supporting peers to apply and access Russell Group universities. He himself has been offered a place at Oxford to read history (Foundation degree), an offer he has worked incredibly hard for and is a real credit to him! As part of his love of history, Nazrul admirably represented the College on the Lessons from Auschwitz programme organised in conjunction with Holocaust Education Trust.  The project included a one day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in February 2024 in Poland, the most notorious of the Nazi concentration camps. Nazrul found the experience incredibly moving stating “it was a harrowing experience but humbling experience”. This visit was a real turning point for Nazrul. Equally so his Business teachers sing his praises; he has been a conscientious student and reported as being meticulous with his work which is always produced to the highest standard. He consistently supports his peers with their understanding of challenging business concepts and all his contributions are delivered professionally which in turn inspires his peers. His tutor also states that his contributions stand out in debates as he articulates insightful comments.  He is on target for top grades!  In addition, Nazrul completed a successful work experience in the Hilton Hotel in South Kensington where he worked in all the different departments. This experience helped him see first-hand how a high quality business such as the Hilton operates. And as part of his Personal Development he completed his volunteering at his old primary school, St. Peter’s working Year 1 to Year 6 as a teaching assistant where he was reported to be fantastic!

A young man of impeccable manners, Nazrul has positively contributed to the college community in numerous ways during his time here. He is both ambitious and pragmatic and destined for a bright future! We wish him well.

Nazrul used his award winnings to subsidise the cost of attending the show “The Raisin in the Sun” for next year’s Year 12 History students.

February 2025 - Navinu Thanakotuwe  

Nav is a very worthy winner of the Jack Petchey Award. A well respected member of the College community, Nav has shown commitment and perseverance throughout his 3 year journey in sixth form. Having started on a L2 Art & Design, which he successfully completed as well as GCSE English/Maths, he progressed to L3 Diploma in Art and testimony to his dedication to his studies, he also completed an Extended Project (EPQ) alongside his demanding Art studies this academic year.  His Art teachers cite his “great attitude in lessons and his ability to respond to feedback to achieve his potential”. He has been a dedicated student in the subject. With excellent attendance and punctuality, Nav has proven himself to be particularly skilled graphically and in the use of 3D materials. He is precise and meticulous and takes pride in his work. His EPQ focused on AI and its effects and uses in Education, Business and Health. Ms Lancaster and Ms Gard stated how impressed they were with his commitment to the project and how his research skills had gone from strength to strength throughout. His final EPQ presentation was “exceptional”. He handled questions confidently and knowledgeably highlighting just how much Nav has grown intellectually and personally by the end of his studies at St. Charles.

Nav is popular with peers and staff. He has always been willing to get involved in cross -college activities whether it be social action projects, charity work, enrichment activities, cultural capital visits, volunteering and not to forget his bowling prowess, availing of all the opportunities on offer. His enthusiasm and helpful approach are truly commendable. As well as Art, Nav also has a real love of IT. He successfully completed various work experiences in the College’s IT Department where he was a valued member of their team. Reliable and trustworthy, Nav is now exploring the option of an IT apprenticeship building on his experiences to date. An extremely polite and versatile young man, Nav is now destined for a rewarding future where his conscientious and determined approach will serve him well.

Nav used his award winnings to fund an end of year meal out (photos on our social media) for all his LS Year 13 peers/leavers and key support staff to Nando’s Bayswater, which he helped plan. The event was a much looked forward to and fitting closure to their time at St. Charles.

March 2025 - Sara Sanabria Flores

Sara has demonstrated real focus and determination during her time at St. Charles. She has repeatedly impressed her L3 Health & Social Care teachers with her conscientious approach and desire to succeed. With an impeccable attendance and punctuality record during her time in sixth form, she is cited as a hardworking and resourceful student by all her Health & Social Care teachers.  Ms Olanya commends her perseverance with the more challenging aspects of her units. Similarly, Ms Cahill states that Sara has shown great resilience, persistently seeking out help when necessary to ensure she achieved her Distinction grades. A hardworking and resourceful student, Ms Torrado echoes the same sentiments as her colleagues commenting that Sara has demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience this academic year, overcoming all challenges with a consistently positive and determined attitude. Sara is reported to pay great attention to detail and a genuine interest in Health & Social Care as a subject. One of her noticeable areas of progress is that Sara now has impressive oracy skills, expressing herself with clarity and confidence and contributing insightful ideas in discussion. Her unwavering commitment and willingness to act on feedback to improve has served her well. To quote her teachers; “Her journey is a powerful example of how effort, resilience and a growth mindset can lead to real success”.  Miss Tsangaris who supported her outside the classroom stated “She’s one of the most conscientious students I’ve ever come across!”

On a personal level Sara has a generosity of spirit that is second to none and she has been a loyal friend to her peers and a real champion of the College ethos.

Sara donated her winnings to the Health & Social Care Department who  are currently deciding how to spend it  eg for a Post-16 Campus university experience, providing invaluable taster subject session and campus experience.

April 2025 - Jonabel Taguibao  

Jonabel is in her first year here at St. Charles studying A Level PE, Biology and Psychology. Throughout the year her pastoral manager tells us that she has demonstrated excellent attendance and has a superb attitude to learning. She has proved herself to be a great addition to Aquinas, her A level Hall, where she is consistently polite and supportive to fellow students and staff. Her excellent work ethic has been evidenced through the many Student Achievements awarded to her by her subject teachers and her active participation in the College’s Personal Development Programme. Her Biology teacher describes her as a hardworking and respectful student. This is echoed by her PE teachers who cite her as extremely diligent and a pleasure to teach.

But it is not only her academic commitment and performance that she is commended for. Jonabel has skillfully managed to combine her academic studies with her extra-curricular pursuits in the field of table tennis. She has successfully completed and represented both her club and the College in local and regional competitions. She has been selected to represent England at International level. As Mr Hall, Head of Sport reminds us, this is by no means an easy sport to excel in, in the manner and level that she has. We are confident she will continue to excel in the sport and academically. We look forward to hearing all about it next year which will be her final year at St Charles.

Jonabel gave her £300.00 to the Sports Department who used it fittingly on Table Tennis equipment to enrich physical activity and participation in competitive games like Jonabel herself!

May 2025 - Ploichomphoo Sumalee  

St. Charles has had the pleasure of having Ploi studying with us for 2 years. Having come to the UK from Thailand with very limited knowledge of the English language, Ploi is described by all her teachers as an exemplary student in terms of her commitment and dedication to her sixth form studies. She displayed an excellent attitude to her work right from the start when she enrolled and excelled on Level 1 Vocational Studies enabling her to progress to Level 2 Travel & Tourism, which she is passionate about. Through persistent hard work and patience, she consistently produces work to a very high standard and is on target for the highest possible grade of a Distinction. Mr Morgan, Head of Travel & Tourism states Ploi’s positive approach is admirable and that she is an outstanding Level 2 student. She is cited as always bringing a happy and cheerful attitude to the classroom. Mr Chalcraft in Travel & Tourism comments that he has been thoroughly impressed with her fantastic attitude towards her studies. She is one of the hardest working and motivated students he has come across he said! She has shown exceptional resilience in overcoming language barriers to help her succeed and no time or effort is ever sacrificed in this feat. Ploi represented the college admirably on work experience at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London where her positive attitude and work ethic were commended as exceptional. What a great ambassador for the college. Ms Cotter describes her as a thoroughly reliable student with a fantastic attendance and punctuality record. She is always polite and helpful and a joy to have in lessons! Ms Thompson who taught Ploi English comments that Ploi always demonstrates a strong commitment to her studies. She consistently shows a genuine kindness, always going above and beyond to support her peers, creating a positive environment around her. Her tutor Ms Fensome states that she is a very diligent and caring student who is also a talented pianist!

Ploi’s polite and respectful manner has made her popular with both staff and students. She clearly epitomising the values of St. Charles.

Ploi gave her award winnings to the Travel & Tourism Department to support trips and visits of which there are many in the Department annually.

June 2025 - Odelia Dako  

Odelia is indeed a very worthy winner of the Jack Petchey award. Each and every one of her teachers cite her refreshing positivity in everything she does! Studying AL Business, Politics and Sociology at St. Charles, she is described as a remarkable young woman by her Business teachers who radiates positivity and inspires everyone around her. She is an extremely resilient young woman states her pastoral manager (GJE) who has overcome much adversity in her life with grace, determination and she has  a spirit that refuses to be dimmed!

Her Politics teacher agrees, citing Odelia as an extremely hardworking student whose presence always enhances the classroom culture with her exceptional behaviour for learning which her peers emulate. These sentiments are also echoed by Ms. Livingstone, her Ethics teacher who states she constantly demonstrates an outstanding attitude, eagerly contributing thoughtful and insightful ideas to discussion and she shows a genuine willingness to learn and grow both intellectually and personally.

Always kind and respectful, she fosters a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for her peers both in and out of the classroom. She is a great role model, always promoting co-operation and inclusiveness. In addition to her studies, she has engaged positively in extra-curricular activities. She courageously stepped into the world of entrepreneurship participating in major competitions (Young Enterprise, Big Idea Challenge; Hustle Lab) developing practical Business and presentation skills and growing in confidence as a leader. Her creative ideas and unwavering dedication made her a standout participant winning the admiration of judges and peers alike in these competitions. Her desire to achieve is driven by a genuine passion to learn and succeed.

It’s clearly not just her ability and ambition that sets Odelia apart but her positive energy is contagious uplifting others and bringing a sense of community and purpose to every team and activity she’s part of. We are confident we will hear a lot more about her contributions in the year ahead. Well done!

Odelia is organising with the Business Department an educational outing to London Sports Trust at Canal Side Activity Centre, Ladbroke Grove, London for a series of Business workshops and activities for start of new term – September 2025.