Two talented Islington students were invited to Islington Town Hall last night to celebrate their achievements which were all the more impressive because of their personal circumstances.<br><br>Irina Parsina, 19 and Shivraj Singh Rathour, 21 who both attended City and Islington College were presented with certificates and £1000 towards their studies from the Mayor Jonathan Dearth. <br><br>Irina, who lives near the Angel came to England five years ago from Estonia and couldn't speak English. She attended Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School before going on to City and lslington Sixth Form College in 2002 to study Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and English Literature A-Levels. Now in 2005 she has been offered a place at the University of York where she hopes to go to study Physics and Philosophy of Science. <br><br>She said: "I was really shocked to be invited here today. I'm really looking forward to going to university and the money is fantastic it will really help towards the books I need."<br><br>Shivraj, who lives in Holloway, and is now is in his second year at London Metropolitan University studying a HND in Business Management said: "I wasn't even going to go to university, it was my tutor who encouraged me. Now I'm really enjoying it even though at first it was very different and I'm hoping in the future to set up my own business."<br><br>Shivraj went to Holloway School before joining the Centre for Business, Arts and Technology, City and Islington College in 2001. He completed a GNVQ Foundation in Business and went on to Intermediate and completed the Advanced Certificate in Vocational Education (AVCE) with a B/C grade. Despite personal problems, his attendance and punctuality as well as his behaviour were exemplary and an example to other students. He was also a City and Islington Student Award winner 2005.<br><br>The event also gave the council the opportunity to celebrate the continuing partnership between the council and the college and to celebrate their recent excellent OfSTED report and the position as one of the leading further education colleges in England. <br><br>Councillor James Kempton, executive member for children said: "I'm delighted that we have launched this annual award by recognising the achievement of two students from Islington schools - Irina and Shivraj. I'd like to congratulate them and wish them luck for the future. When the college and council put their heads together as to how to recognise the colleges huge success and special partnership, we couldn't think of a better way of doing this than by giving something towards the cost of going to university.<br><br>"We are lucky to have one of the best further education colleges in the country on our doorstep. City & Islington really makes a difference to people's lives - not only is it a place where young people learn and achieve but it's a launch pad for many students including older learners who are encouraged back into education." <br><br>Frank McLoughlin, principal at City and Islington College said: "The achievements of these students represent just two of the success stories from our college during the past year. There could be no better demonstration of the opportunities that are open to everyone at this inner city college or, above all, of the ways in which further education can change people’s lives and aspirations”<br><br>OfSTED gave the college an excellent report in February this year highlighting a number of things including outstanding support for students and consistently good teaching and learning and a high retention and pass rate for students aged 16 to 18. <br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009