In pictures: Southern Regional College celebrates Class of 2026 graduates

Family, friends and college staff gathered to help mark the important milestone.

Guest speaker Caroline McKenna inspired the audience with highlights of her career journey since obtaining her own educational qualifications. Caroline was primarily known for documenting her career journey in Australia as a teacher in the podcast ‘A County Down Under’ but has since returned to Northern Ireland setting up Nuturing Minds tutoring services, alongside more recently opening a pilates studio.

Caroline’s key message to graduands was to be curious to try new challenges, be brave enough to accept setbacks and being able to pivot and adapt as they move through life’s challenges.

Nine special awards were also presented during the ceremony. This included the ‘Outstanding Classmate’ award, voted for by fellow students and eight ‘Student of the Year’ awards, sponsored by local businesses across the college’s four faculties.

This year’s ‘Outstanding Classmate’ was Michaela O’Neill from Lurgan who undertook the Counselling Studies Level 4 Certificate at the College’s Banbridge campus. Michaela was highly regarded by her peers who commended her for the support she provided to each classmate. She was also highly praised for her personal growth and willingness to reflect on and apply what she had learnt throughout the academic year, demonstrating her commitment to her own development and that of those around her.

Other students recognised with Student of the Year awards were:

Faculty of Building, Technology & Engineering:

Full-time Student of the Year – Neil King from Warrenpoint (Engineering BEng (Hons) Degree), sponsored by MTM Engineering.

Part-time Student of the Year – Fearghal Murphy from Killeavy, Newry (Engineering BEng (Hons) Degree), sponsored by Newry BID.

Faculty of Computing, Design & Academic Studies:

Full-time Student of the Year – Matthew Peters from Newcastle (Creative Music & Audio Production Foundation Degree), sponsored by SRC.

Part-time Student of the Year – Aaron Mitchell from Donaghcloney (Creative Media Production – Film Higher National Diploma), sponsored by Deli Lites.

Faculty of Health & Science:

Full-time Student of the Year – Katie Bell from Banbridge (Health & Social Care Foundation Degree), sponsored by SRC.

Part-time Student of the Year – Lauren Toale from Jonesborough (Healthcare Practice Certificate of Higher Education), sponsored by Avondale Foods.

Faculty of Professional Services:

Full-time Student of the Year – Jasmin Cullen from Kilkeel (Sport & Exercise Foundation Degree), sponsored by Ellisons Hair & Beauty.

Part-time Student of the Year – Yousef Almahamed from Newry (Sport & Exercise BSc (Hons) Degree), sponsored by Stephen’s Catering.

Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College offered her congratulations to students receiving their degrees, saying: “Graduation is a significant achievement and a moment to reflect on the dedication, resilience and hard work that has brought our students to this point. On behalf of everyone at Southern Regional College, I extend my congratulations to our Class of 2026 and to the families, friends, employers and staff who have supported them throughout their journey.

"Our graduates leave the college with much more than a qualification. They take with them the knowledge, skills, confidence and experience to make a positive contribution to their communities, workplaces and wider society.

"As they take their next steps, whether progressing into employment, further study or new opportunities, I encourage all our graduates to be ambitious, embrace every opportunity and continue learning. We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved and wish them every success for the future.”