Six years ago, Fathima Francis Stephen joined South Thames College as an adult learner. She has consistently shown focus, commitment and a genuine desire to develop her skills and knowledge. Throughout her time with us, she has worked steadily toward improving her employability, gaining confidence, and expanding her understanding of both business administration and digital skills.
Despite experiencing personal challenges, including the loss of her father, Fathima completed the Business Administration and Digital Skills qualification with 100% attendance in the past academic year. Throughout this difficult time, she continued attending her classes and remained engaged, supportive, and positive. Her tutors describe her as punctual, hardworking, and always willing to encourage others — qualities that had a meaningful impact on the learning environment.
Fathima also dealt with significant health issues, which were later identified as symptoms of a serious medical condition requiring brain surgery at St George’s Hospital. Her commitment to learning and her strong work ethic was evident when she returned to College soon after being discharged and continued to progress with her studies.
Fathima’s dedication is further shown by the variety of courses she has completed during her time at the College, including a Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Business Administration, Essential Digital Skills for Business Administration, Word for the Workplace, Excel Beginners and a Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care.
Fathima's hard work has recently been acknowledged beyond the College when she was nominated for the Wandsworth Council Learner of the Year Award and proudly placed in the top five finalists — a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and progress.
Fathima's willingness to keep learning, year after year, highlights her motivation to improve her skills and create new opportunities for herself. Her story is one of perseverance and steady progress. She has:
- Successfully completed several accredited programmes
- Shown commitment through excellent attendance and active participation
- Demonstrated resilience, positivity and a strong work ethic
- Continued to grow personally and professionally despite significant challenges
- Earned recognition for her achievements within the wider community
Her journey shows that consistent effort, even during difficult times, can lead to meaningful achievement. Fathima’s determination and positive attitude make her a valued member of our learning community, and her experience serves as an encouraging example for others working toward their goals.
