The Great Big Student Thank You | Edinburgh College Students' Association

At ECSA we know this year has been tough for everyone, but we also know there have been incredible people across the college who have made a real difference to students, to classmates and to the overall college experience.

Throughout May, students were encouraged to pass on a bit of positivity after this difficult year, and what better way to do that than to thank those who have had an impact. 

More than 300 “Thank Yous” were submitted, recognising 216 individual people from across the college, including students, lecturers and support staff. 

  • 142 Lecturers
  • 53 Students
  • 12 LDTs
  • 9 Other staff

Take a break to read through all the positivity and support in the submissions below, you can simply read a random selection or search for someone you know. 

A favourite of ours was the below message for everyone at Edinburgh College: 

“I would like to take this opportunity to pass my thanks to all staff from Student Services, Cleaners, facilitators, learning support staff and lecturers for all their hard work for making sure we experience the best at Edinburgh college. Thank you all so much! You all deserve to be nominated”

Although submissions have closed, after the year we’ve all been through, it is never too late to say a simple “Thank You” to someone who has helped you through. Maybe you know someone who needs to hear it. Why not go and say it or drop them a message. 

You can read all of the submissions below, or use the search box to search for the name of someone and read all of their Thank Yous.

Name Thank you message
Adelle Smillie

I want to say thank you to Adelle because, I’ve moved here all alone, I knew nobody on my course and there’s not been one time where I’ve felt unwelcome or out of place because she’s been there, she constantly supports me every day, pushing me to the best of my ability. She notices if I’m having a bad day and always makes sure I am ok. She’s more than just a lecture to me, she’s absolutely amazing and I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done for me this year and can’t wait to continue college life with her has my lecturer. So Adelle thank you so much for everything and never giving up on me x

Angie Thomson

She is very understanding of my support needs and has helped and taught me so much over the past couple years.

Becky Galbraith
Clara White

Clara always goes above and beyond! She is an incredibly kind person & is always there to listen. She makes college a much more welcoming & comfortable environment to be in. She’s truly wonderful.

Colin Briggs

Collin is a great lecturer. He is always very understanding and very obviously enjoys his job and wants his students to excel. He made the course more enjoyable and when ever I was struggling, he was always available to answer questions and give extra support.

David Buchanan
Del Williams
Denisa Dashi

Denisa always brings so much joy and positive energy to the room. She makes every lesson engaging and fun, and you can tell she really cares about every single student. She listens to questions and gripes, she's understanding and kind, and she creates the best learning environment.

George Mason

Great teacher easy to have a laugh with while learning.

Gill Hogg
Isela Shipton

Thank you, Isela Shipton, for your brilliant work, incredible dedication, and strong effort in teaching people in our group English.
I even couldn't imagine, how difficult to keep a person's attention every time and every day, provided that everyone in our group had their own lives, problems, etc.
You incredible person.
Your explanation of grammar is wonderful, and the tests and tasks are very precisely. Probably it's the hardest kind of work for me, and I'm glad to know you and I can study English in your group. Edinburgh College is much stronger with you. Thank you so much. I appreciate you and your work.

Jackie Hughes

She is such a delightful teacher. She motivates me everyday! Thank you Jackie for making Sociology interesting!

Jane Botros

You were very patient with us and your explanations were very clear, I have aprooved my English and I wish to continue with you at next level.

Jo Cockburn

Thanks for helping us and letting us have fun with our lessons

Jo Cockburn

Thanks for being a great lecturer and debuting your dog Leonard on our online classes :)

Jon-Luke Kirton
Julia Stark

I want to say thank you as she has helped me very much this year with my sociology unit. And been a massive support to myself and other students. Im a older student so the support has been very helpful.

Julie Dementjeva

Julie is absolutely lovely. She is so nice and every class of hers is so interesting. Julie is also so fun to talk to as well, i love being in her class and being able to talk to her about anything, such an amazing woman

Karolina Smoter

Karolina has been a rock over my first year at the college. She’s always willing to go an extra mile and help whichever way she can! I can absolutely say she is a hero.

Kerry Knight

While studying the Early learning and Childcare course, Kerry truly made my time there unforgettable. I most comfortable with her as my lecturer than any other. She engaged and included me in every lesson and made me want to continue attending the lessons. She is an extremely kind and caring person.

Leisa Poole
Lennie Lawson

Amazing person! So funny and made learning as exciting as it could possibly be. I’ll pass his lessons and advice onto my children

Linda Douglas

So positive and supportive. Very kind, friendly and approachable! Love her so much

Linda Paechter

I Want To Thank Linda For All The Help She’s Gave Me In Class As She’s Very Kind And Supportive She’s Always Willing To Help You With Anything Big Or Small

Liz McCafferty

I arrived on the Costume for Stage and Screen course with so little experience of making anything that everything was new but Liz made it so much fun and was so supportive. I really don't think I would have achieved half as much without her being our lecturer - she believed that I could do more ambitious designs and helped me do it.

When I was having a difficult time personally she was very kind and took practical steps that really made a difference. I have loved this first year at Edinburgh College and that's down to Liz.

Mark Walker

It took a good six months but Mark has been the first person in ten years that has been able to get me trust him enough to open up and share my struggles ect. The weight that has been lifted has truly changed me as a person for the better, I’ll never forget him and I’ll be forever grateful.

Martin McLean

Been our best tutor this year.
Goes over things, helps individuals, helps with other subjects.
Highlights key points as well as the skills needed to pass exams.
What's more he is nice, approachable and down to earth.

Matt Sinclair

He’s genuinely an incredible lecturer. Always inspiring us to take art and illustration seriously and he’s just as excited as us when it comes to our projects. I don’t think I’ve had a lecturer who has given such good constructive feedback before and I want to strive to be a better artist because of it.

Melanie Grier
Morag Murray

Really helped me getting my application through where the previous attempts had failed and didn't give up on me.
I would not have been able to do as well as I have without a laptop and things she did for me.

Muriel Stirling

You always helped me when I didn't understand a certain area of the course, but most of all, you always gave me a smile and brightened my day. So thank you.

Muriel Stirling

You always helped me when I didn't understand a certain area of the course, but most of all, you always gave me a smile and brightened my day. So thank you.

Neil Russell

I would not be where I am academically without Neil, he is such a supportive & lovely person. He takes the time to listen & support all of his students even those that aren’t in his specific classes anymore. Thank you Neil!!!

Nicki Van De Kerkhof

Nicki was such a supportive lecturer and always gave us great resources and made sure we always understood the content and made my year at college very enjoyable!!

Nicola Paterson

Nicola is a caring, motivational lecturer. She wants the best for her students She genuinely cares. This shows in her approach.

Nicola Paterson

Nicola is a caring, motivational lecturer. She wants the best for her students She genuinely cares. This shows in her approach.

Rebecca McKinney

Rebecca has been teaching our year 1 HNC Counselling for the past year. With every lesson she encourages active and open discussion, sharing of opinions, interactive group and case work. Her lecturing style is engaging and patient, her lessons are varied, and she marks all of our assignments thoroughly, with encouraging feedback. I believe the entire class feels understood and encouraged when being taught by Rebecca and she would be an excellent nomination for this award.

Richie Harrison

I wanted to say thank you, your lessons were music to my ears,…..most of the time!
Truly appreciate your passion and patience.
GGG G-Unit

Rocio Banyuls-Bertomeu

For the whole 3 years I’ve been at Sighthill, Rocio always went above and beyond to accommodate my needs and was a friendly face I could go to with anything.
She always made sure we understood what we were doing and made the tasks enjoyable so it didn’t feel like “lessons”.
Thank you for being so amazing at your job Rocio xox

Sharon Hall

So supportive and reassuring! Amazing lecturer

Shaunna Elliott-Hook

She did a great job the whole time she had our class!

Susan Wren

You helped me a lot to improve my English and you were there always when we need the help and I will not forget your kindness and politeness. I was lucky to be one of your students.
Thank you very much
Awad Hassan

Susie Sutherland

Very kind and soft spoken. Makes you feel at ease even before a closed book

Theresa Lyons
Victor Mira
Wojtek Gardela

Great lecturer! Funny, kind and very understanding.