Laura Watts to receive second chance student bursary from Joyce Watson AM at Senedd24 years old LAURA WATTS from Haverfordwest has won the first Joyce Watson AM bursary to help an adult student return to learning at Pembrokeshire College.
This bursary will be presented to Laura by Education Minister JANE HUTT at 1pm today (Monday 17th December) at the Assembly Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
Pembrokeshire-based Labour Welsh Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM sponsored a £1,000 bursary to help an adult student return to learning at Pembrokeshire College. The annual bursary can assist towards fees, transportation, childcare or other expenditure to help the student complete his or her studies.
Joyce has offered this bursary as she was a former Pembrokeshire College student who returned to learning whilst bring up a young family.
JOYCE WATSON AM said:
"Pembrokeshire College made a huge difference to my life, encouraging me to get qualifications. It was hard but rewarding studying while bringing up a young family.
"I’m delighted that the award had such an excellent response, with a high standard of applications to choose from. The choice was tough, but I know we have an excellent and well-deserving winner in Laura.
"She is a highly motivated and hard-working student. Laura is an exceptional young woman, returning to studies after several years away from education. She has shown a mature, enthusiastic and diligent approach to her study programme. She is the Student Parliament representative for her tutorial group this year, and she takes this seriously, liaising with her peers and passing information back to her group.
"I hope she achieves the straight A grades predicted by all of her subject tutors. I was impressed that she said she was keen to work for a charity like Amnesty International where she can give something back to society."
Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Minister JANE HUTT said:
"The opportunity provided by Joyce Watson AM to support an adult student returner is a clear indication of her commitment to promoting equality of opportunity in education. I am delighted to present this Award in recognition of the determination and potential of our adult learners in Pembrokeshire."
Pembrokeshire College's Director of Learner Services, MAXINE THOMAS said:
“It is pleasing that Joyce Watson valued her education here at the college so highly that she has chosen to offer this scholarship on an annual basis to a successful mature learner. Laura Watts has proved to be an outstanding A-level student with strong ambitions to succeed and help others, and therefore, is very worthy of the award."
