Report and photos: Lizzie Orr

Edge Hill Students’ Union’s ‘Celebration Fortnight’ has seen staff and students’ achievements celebrated through a series of awards nights on and off campus.

The annual “Student Led Staff Awards” saw over 450 students nominate teaching and support staff at the University who have made a huge impact on students’ personal and academic lives.

From preventing students from dropping out of University, to outstanding teaching, nominations highlighted the immense number of staff who play such an important role in students’ lives at Edge Hill.

John Cater, Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University told QLocal: "These awards recognise sheer dedication to excellence in both teaching and support, motivating staff to shine and students to reflect on what they truly appreciate in a good University experience. The response from the student body this year has been wonderful, and reflects the enormous amount of enthusiasm to recognise the hard work of all staff at Edge Hill.

“I’d like to congratulate all of this year’s outstanding winners, as well as everyone who was nominated. The comments made by students about all of our staff’s teaching, tutoring and general support were absolutely fantastic. Many thanks to the Students’ Union for hosting a truly inspirational evening, which I hope will continue for many years to come”.

Sports and Societies Award nights also saw a number of student teams, groups and individuals praised for commendable actions over the past year, including the Edge Hill Sign Language Society, who saw their live signed broadcast of Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” go viral last year as part of a Disability History Month campaign.

The ‘Celebration Fortnight’ also gives special recognition to Edge Hill Student Reps and Part-Time Officers, who create a vital link between students, teaching staff and Edge Hill Students’ Union, and play a huge part in ensuring students are happy with their courses and running campaigns on student issues.

commented Luke Myer, VP Academic Representation: “It’s really important to recognise the hundreds of students who not only work hard on their degree, but also put a huge amount of time into extra-curricular activities, whether it’s sports, societies, or representation. Students at Edge Hill are incredibly passionate about the quality of their education and student experience, and we’re really lucky to have so many students who want to get involved with helping us make Edge Hill University an even better place to study”.

*Edge Hill Students’ Union is a charity that sits independently from Edge Hill University, based on Edge Hill University’s campus. Its mission is to ensure Student voices are heard, valued and acted upon, and aims to improve the Student experience at every opportunity. We sit on a number of University Committees to ensure Students are always at the forefront of decisions, and support Students with academic appeals and issues through our popular Advice Centre. We also offer free, independent advice for students on landlord and housing problems, benefits and debt, mental health and welfare issues, driving campaigns across campus around topics such as consent, sexual harassment and personal wellbeing.

The organisation runs Team Edge Hill sports teams and over 70 societies, and generates income to fund its activities through operating a campus-based SU Bar and ‘Venue’ nightclub, SU Shop, and new-for-2017 SUBWAY restaurant.