Félicitations goes to language students after winning a quartet of awards

Language students from One Sixth Form College (ONE) have scooped a clutch of awards.

First up, a team won first prize in the Spanish category for the Languages Live talent competition.

They produced a comedy sketch about footballers and received a trophy and certificates for their efforts.

One of the group was Victoria Belkova, 17, from Ipswich who studies A levels at ONE.

She said: “It was nerve-wracking performing in another language - but it was fulfilling. I was shocked that we won.”

Secondly, Isla Thurlow, 17, from Harwich – who also studies at ONE - was highly commended for her 100-word short story in French for the Oxford University Flash Fiction competition which attracted 1,100 entries.

Then Tanzi Cobb, 17, from Ipswich and a fellow French A Level student, won a commendation in the Anthea Bell Young Translators competition, selected from 5,000 entries.

Delighted with the news, Tanzi said: “I translated a literary extract from a French classic into English. I sent it off online and didn’t expect to hear anymore. It was a nice surprise to be commended and receive a certificate.”

Then finally, a team from ONE entered an annual pop competition run by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni. They created a video having written the lyrics and composed a song Je t'aime: French Pop Video Competition 2026 - Je t'aime by One Sixth Form College

They reached the finals held in London but narrowly missed out on first place.

Hazel Hawkes-Wright, 17, from Hadleigh explains. She said: “Unfortunately we were unable to attend the finals in central London but coming second was already amazing. I take Music and French, so it was perfect for me (to be involved in this).”

Another team member was Mason Wills, 17, from Saxmundham studies A levels. Mason said: “We were all quite shocked to go that far.”

The group that also included Niamh Butcher, Tanzi Cobb, Jared Reeves and Eddie Always received book vouchers.

Jake Robson, Principal at One, said: “It’s been another incredible year for languages at One and across the group. These regional and national awards are testament to the brilliant work of our students and the amazing staff who support them.”