FORMER Godalming College student made-good Sam Jackson struck a high note as guest speaker at its ‘Let’s Celebrate’ event for high-achieving students.

A talented musician who studied at Godalming College from 1999 to 2001 and met his future wife playing a clarinet duet with her, he went on to gain a first-class degree in music from the University of York, and is now the managing editor of two national radio stations, Classic FM and Smooth Radio.

Mr Jackson (pictured centre, back row) has won awards, including UK Radio Brand of the Year at the Sony Radio Academy Awards and has been named The Radio Academy’s Best Young Talent for two years.

He is also author of ‘Diary of a Desperate Dad’ and the online blog of the same name.

In a motivational speech, he urged students not to feel anxious or worried, but to go forward and take the opportunities and challenges when and where they can, and make the most of them.

As guests gathered before the ceremony, they were treated to drinks and canapé and were entertained by performing arts students, who performed a song and dance routine entitled ‘Another Day of Sun’ to accompaniment by the College Jazz Band.

The audience also enjoyed a clarinet duet by students Frankie Gale and Elizabeth Knatt during the ceremony and a performance of ‘Validation’ by Richard Perceval.

The evening was the first awards ceremony for new college principal Emma Young – and the last for Brenda Jenner, the retiring chairman of the corporation.

A grand total of 89 students received awards, notably mathematician Rashid Talha, young carer and physics tutor Robert Honey, access student Gear Pinmuanglek and Joseph Hettrick, who won The Anstice Fearon Memorial Prize for outstanding contribution to the life of the college.

Ms Young said: “The evening is a key one in the college calendar as it is the opportunity to come together to celebrate the achievements of some of our brilliant students that we are so fortunate to work with here at the college.

“It is also important to celebrate and recognise the contributions of our highly talented and dedicated staff who work extremely hard to ensure that the students achieve their potential.

“It was also good to be able to pay a public tribute to the work Brenda has done as a governor and chair of the corporation.

“Her dedication to ensuring the college provides the best possible experience of students and staff is second to none.”