Celebrating our CENMAC students
It is important to celebrate the achievements of our CENMAC students. If you would like to nominate a CENMAC student at your school who deserves special recognition for embracing their assistive technology to assist their learning and/or communication we would love to know!
Make a nomination for Student of the Month!
To make a nomination complete the short form (5 minutes).
March 2026
We are delighted to announce that our Student of the Month for March is Hashir at Ashcroft Technology Academy.
About Hashir
CENMAC Deputy Head Mary Long said “I have worked with Hashir since the start of 2021, when he was in year 8, and quite a reluctant user of assistive technology tools to support his access to learning. He is now in year 13, and almost at the end of his school and CENMAC journeys. Hashir now has a very open mind about trialling tools which can support him with his learning, and can confidently express which tools he finds helpful and why. He has achieved exceptional results in GCSEs and in his AS- levels, and will soon be sitting his final A-level exams, before heading off to read Philosophy at university. This is a testimony, not only to the hard work that Hashir himself has put in, but also the support from his family and the wider team around him, in encouraging use of technology and building this in as an integral way of working for Hashir. CENMAC wishes him every success as he continues his learning journey at university and beyond!
Student of the Month awarded to Hashir at Ashcroft Technology Academy
Feedback from Ashcroft Technology Academy
Hashir has ongoing medical and additional learning needs which have had both educational and practical impacts. He is registered as severely sight impaired, and has very limited use of his right eye. He relies primarily on his left eye for learning tasks. In addition Hashir has permanent sensory hearing loss and wears hearing aids. He is also diagnosed with autism and has an EHCP in place to support his educational needs.
CENMAC has been an invaluable source of support throughout Hashir’s sixth form journey, working closely with him and the wider team to ensure he has the tools and confidence to thrive. With the consistent guidance of the professionals around him, Hashir has flourished both academically and personally.
He is now a highly capable and committed member of the Sixth Form community. Hashir demonstrates exceptional intellectual curiosity and a genuine dedication to his studies. His academic achievements have been outstanding.
Beyond his impressive results, Hashir has developed a clear passion for learning that extends well beyond the classroom. With the right support structures in place, he has grown in confidence, independence and academic maturity. He shows initiative, resilience and a willingness to challenge himself, embracing opportunities to deepen his understanding and broaden his thinking.
Hashir’s continued progress is reflected not only in his predicted 3 A* grades at A Level, but also in the university offers he has received from UCL, King’s College London, Royal Holloway and the University of Warwick. These achievements are a testament to his hard work, determination and the collaborative support of the dedicated professionals who have worked alongside him.
Feedback from Hashir – Student of the Month
Student of the Month Hashir said “Being selected as Student of the Month is a distinction that signifies not just dedication, but profound personal growth. Over the past 2–3 years, access to a CENMAC laptop has fundamentally redefined the way I conceptualise and engage with my education. During a period when my academic path encountered unforeseen adversity, the support and accessible technology provided by CENMAC became an instrumental inflection point in my journey. Rather than allowing temporary challenges to define my potential, I resolved to recalibrate, persevere, and advance with intentionality. The laptop was not simply an academic tool; it became a mechanism for autonomy, resilience, and self-determination. It enabled me to reclaim ownership of my learning and transform what could have been limitation into momentum. That pivotal shift has shaped the ambitious and upward academic trajectory I am privileged to be on today. I extend my sincere gratitude to CENMAC not only for the provision of technology, but for their unwavering commitment to equity, empowerment, and opportunity. Their support has served as a catalyst for tangible transformation, and I am deeply honoured to stand as a testament to the enduring impact of their work.”
February 2026
We are delighted to award our Student of the Month for February 2026 to Sabrin. CENMAC Speech and Language Therapist Abeer Essa said “Sabrin is an extraordinary young person whose positivity, resilience, and joy shine through in everything she does. She approaches learning with an unwavering positive attitude and a fearless willingness to trial new communication devices and access methods, embracing every challenge as an opportunity to grow. She is an exceptional self-advocate, always knowing exactly what she wants and confidently expressing her thoughts and opinions. She greets every professional she meets with a beaming smile, a warm sense of humour, and a genuine love for social connection, effortlessly lifting the spirits of those around her. She confidently learns and uses her communication devices in both Arabic and English and is never afraid to attempt communication interactions, even when access methods feel challenging.
Following joint input from the Guys and St Thomas’ AAC Hub team, it was agreed that Sabrin will use Voco Chat in both Arabic and English, further supporting her communication across environments. Sabrin has also expressed a keen interest in developing her independence by beginning to use WhatsApp to communicate with others.
Having been a valued student at Cenmac for seven years, she continues to inspire everyone around her with her determination, hard work, and strength of character. She is also supported by a wonderfully encouraging family who consistently champion her independence and empower her to voice her opinions, which clearly shines through in her confidence and self-belief. Lively, joyful, and endlessly brave, she always wants to have a go — and it has been an absolute privilege and a true pleasure to work with Sabrin and witness her incredible growth.”
CENMAC’s Student of the Month
awarded to Sabrin
December 2025
Our Student of the Month for December 2025 is pupil Samar at Grange Primary School. Advisory Teacher Carly Adkinson nominated Samar because she was really impressed with Samar’s positive attitude and ability to advocate for herself. Carly was also really pleased to see how she had been using her equipment and how much she has embraced it. She was completely open to the review and spoke very confidently with Carly about what assistive technology she thinks will help and what she may need for the future.
Samar’s Class Teacher at Grange Primary said “Samar has been doing really well with the AT equipment from CENMAC. She uses it confidently every day and has made great progress, especially with her typing speed, which has improved a lot. She is curious and eager to try out new features, and she isn’t afraid to ask questions when she needs help. It’s clear that the equipment is helping her learn and work more independently. Samar’s positive attitude and willingness to make the most of the technology are really impressive, and she’s a great example of how assistive tools can support learning.”
Well done Samar!
Student of the Month awarded to Samar at Grange Primary School
November 2025
We are delighted to award our November Student of the Month to Kendrick a pupil at R.J Mitchell Primary School.
Kendrick was nominated by CENMAC Specialist Teaching Assistant Lesley Mier. Lesley said “Kendrick has an iPad Pro and stylus pen to support his learning and he is doing a good job of concentrating and staying at his seat in class. He is now proficient at working his way around his device. He was able to show me the Education City app on his ipad which he enjoys and the number blocks app is his favourite. I am very impressed with his progress and congratulate him on his determination”.
Sonia Sylvester, SENDCo at The Aspire Learning Federation said “Kendrick is very enthusiastic and works very hard in school, despite his visual challenges. He is very keen and eager to use his AAC device for his learning. It helps him feel included and independent while completing tasks. He is very confident and able to navigate around his device independently. The maths and literacy games are always greatly received.”
Student of the Month awarded to Kendrick a pupil at R.J Mitchell Primary School
October 2025
We are delighted to award our October Student of the Month to Tianna a Yr 11 student at Charlton Park Academy. Tianna uses power based AAC to support her communication. The CENMAC team have been so impressed by how Tianna embraces her talker and has such a positive attitude.
Class teacher Amber Moore said “Since being introduced to an AAC device, Tianna has shown great enthusiasm in exploring and learning how to use it effectively in various contexts. She not only uses her device during lessons but also during playtime, actively engaging with her peers. Tianna’s spoken language has improved significantly – she is now communicating more both at school and at home. Realising that she has a voice and can express herself has boosted her confidence, enabling her to use her communication skills in the wider community, such as ordering drinks in a café and talking to distant family members.
Congratulations Tianna!
Student of the Month awarded to Tianna at Charlton Park Academy
Find out more about CENMAC’s Students of the Month
> Student of the Month September 2024 to July 2025
> Student of the Month September 2023 to July 2024