Former St Augustine’s student and Grenfell Tower victim remembered at college prize day

Vincent Chiejina in the 70s and then in later life

A special prize, donated by the Society of Old Augustinians, was presented at the Ursuline College Prize Day on Friday (July 12) in memory of Vincent Chiejina, who sadly lost his life in the Grenfell Tower Fire in West London two years ago.

Vincent had been a student at St Augustine’s College in Westgate between 1973 and 1976.  He excelled at Mathematics and won the St Augustine’s College Prize for Maths in 1976.  He went on to study Electrical Engineering at Sheffield University.

Vincent, who lived in a flat on the 17th floor of Grenfell Tower, tragically died along with  more than 70 other people in the fire that swept through the tower block on June 14, 2017. He was 60 years old.

Vincent was known for his kindness and went out of his way to help others.  His sisters Obi and Maria Chiejina said that Vincent was a selfless and caring individual who would never reject anybody just because they were less privileged than himself.

On behalf of the Old Augustinians, Andrew Sharp OBE, paid tribute to Vincent: “At school, friends and teachers remember Vincent as an intelligent, quiet, obedient and a hard-working student. Always kind and respectful to those around him.”

He went on to pay tribute to his family and congratulated the prize-winning students at the Ursuline College for their achievements.

Left to right (front) Maria Chiejina and Obi Chiejina – (back) Andrew Sharp, James Cole and Keith Fenton

The prize for Mathematics was presented by Vincent’s sisters, Obi and Maria Chiejina to Year 9 student James Cole.

Of the other Old Augustinian prizes presented, the Stephen Owusu-Ansah Community Cup for kindness to fellow students was presented by his widow, Ade Owusu-Ansah and Old Augustinian, Keith Fenton to Year 7 student, Emanuela Samadi.

Emanuela Samadi in front with Trophy. Left to right (back) Stephen Owuse-Ansah Jnr, Keith Fenton, Andrew Sharp and Ade Owusu-Ansah

The prize for Modern Foreign Languages was presented by Old Augustinian, Richard Caraccio, to Year 9 student Weronika Mastalerz.