QUEEN Elizabeth's Community College hosted its annual sixth form Extension Award Evening, which was attended by more than 200 year 13 students, parents and staff.

Alongside their formal academic studies, sixth form students spend their two years working towards an Extension Award, which recognises achievements in the areas of Creativity, Action and Service (or CAS@QE) as well as independent learning and work related learning.

Paula Smith (head of sixth form) said she was thrilled to be able to present more than 75 Extension Awards on the evening.

In total, sixth form students contribute more than 5,000 hours of volunteering service in the school and wider community every year.

The evening began with speeches from Kate Lethbridge and Ollie Smith, who spoke of their work related learning.

Kate, an aspiring vet, spoke of the three years she has volunteered with local veterinary surgery, "Wolfgar", where she experienced what the job involves first hand.

Ollie spoke of his experience at a doctor's surgery, where he "shadowed" a GP. He reflected on how this experience would help him in his pursuit for a career in medicine.

He was followed by Hollie Conabeare and Jon Down, who had both taken part in the Bar Mock Trial competition with other sixth form students.

They shared their experience of the court room with the audience and said this was an invaluable experience to anyone who wanted to pursue a career in law.

Other students have passed the Extension Award Qualification this year, such as Jess Laver, who completed her Extended Project on Schizophrenia.

Jess performed an extract from the play she had written about Schizophrenia.

The audience was entertained by a performance of "Hit the Road Jack" from the QE Jazz Band, followed by Hannah Bryant, who read her sonnet about, "Summer".

Many sixth formers get involved in the Ten Tors venture and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Amy Platt and Imogen de Valero spoke about their eventful practice walk across the Yorkshire Dales.

Sam Rowe, Devon Greenslade and Charlotte Peters then went on to speak of the many sporting achievements of the Year 13s.

The sixth form works closely with the organisation V Volunteers, which recognises students' volunteering efforts.

Duncan Cherrett, from the organisation, came in to present Jack Gibson with his Vimpact Award, which is given to young people who have completed more than 150 hours of volunteering.

Jack is only one of a handful of people in Devon who have achieved this Award and received it for the work he has done in the Age Concern charity shop in Exeter.

Throughout the year, students have been fundraising for an expedition to Tanzania.

Dani Spring and Paddy Joyce spoke of their experience working in an Orphanage, where they worked to improve living conditions in a rural village.

The group also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, which took six days.

Esme Jones and Reuben Hill also spoke of their fundraising efforts for Amnesty International.

The pair explained how the sixth form group had been in the top 10 nationally for their fundraising, which involved them holding cake sales and a fashion show.

The fashion show was organised by Rosie King, who spoke with Beccy Nuthall about the stressful time they had organising it.

They successfully raised more than £600 from the event, which was split between Amnesty International and Children's Hospice South West.

The evening ended with a speech from Sam Munday (chair of college council), who thanked the Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Governors for their generous contributions towards the evening and thanked the sixth form support team for all their hard work and support.

The evening gave a glimpse of the many and varied group and individual achievements of QE students over the past two years and a chance to say goodbye as they prepare for university or work.