Guernsey Grammar School Student gets top marks

Monday 24 September 2018

Zoe Sneddon, a year 11 student from Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre, has won a competition held to mark International Women in Engineering Day.

Around 250 years eight to 11 year students from island schools attended the event at the Guernsey College of Further Education last term, where they had the opportunity to try a number of hands-on activities demonstrating the wide range of applications for which an engineering qualification can be used.

They also heard presentations from senior women working in engineering-related roles. 

Attendees then completed a challenging quiz questionnaire drawing on what they had learnt during the day. Zoe was the only student who answered all of the questions correctly and she was presented with an iPad at a school assembly last week, by Clare Packman, Communications Manager from event sponsor Guernsey Electricity.

Mrs Packman said: "There are some fantastic career opportunities in the engineering field and there is a recognised skills shortage in this area.

"This type of event is the perfect way to demonstrate to these girls the range of options available to them. Guernsey Electricity was delighted to be able to support the event and we are looking forward to being involved in 2019."

John Semenowicz, Guernsey College of Further Education’s Programme Leader for engineering added: "I was delighted that the event saw the college, schools and local industry working together to promote INWED. It was fantastic see so many girls attending this year with all secondary schools represented. We are particularly grateful to Guernsey Electricity for sponsoring the day and this prize, and also to Dr Karen Marshall from Ladies’ College for her invaluable support in preparing for the event."

Pictured: INWED was set up to promote different careers for women.

National Women in Engineering Day was set up by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) to celebrate its 95th anniversary. 

On 23 June 2014 WES wanted to focus attention on the great opportunities for women in engineering.

This year the scope of the day increased and the decision was made to change the name to International Women in Engineering Day, and schools, colleges and other organisations organised events around the UK.

Pictured top: Matthew Jamieson, Guernsey Grammar School & Sixth Form Centre, Zoe Sneddon, Joh Semenowicz Guernsey College of Further Education Herd of Engineering, Clare Packman Communications Manager Guernsey Electricity.