Newbury College held its annual Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday 13 December 2011 to celebrate the success of learners who achieved Higher Education qualifications at Level 4 and above. The College was delighted that, Neil Cater, Centre Manager at the new Parkway Shopping Centre in Newbury, was the guest speaker at the ceremony and presented the graduates with Newbury College graduating certificates.
The evening was attended by College staff and Governors as well as a host of VIPs, including the Deputy Mayor of Newbury, Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council and Newbury Colleges Chair of Corporation Nick Carter, Councilor Peter Argyle, Geoff Knappett and many more. Graduates from a variety of courses including Computing, Accounting, Engineering, Teacher Training, Marketing, Quality Assurance and Management will graduate in front of their family and friends. There were also Army Instructors from Dennison Barracks celebrating their graduation success at the ceremony, although they were wearing their Newbury College graduation gowns they were also proudly wearing their Army uniforms displaying their magnificent collection of badges on their chest.
Anne Murdoch, Newbury College Principal said The Newbury College Graduation is a wonderful celebration of the achievements of our hardworking students and staff. This year, the Graduation celebrates news of our outstanding higher education inspection report which is a great achievement for all those involved at the College. The Graduation event is an opportunity not only for family and friends to recognise the achievements of all the College Graduates but also for special awards to be given to recognise the outstanding achievements of some students who graduated this year. We are very grateful to Neil Carter, Parkway Centre Manager for presenting the certificates and awards.
Newbury College's Higher Education Department has been awarded this year with a result of Confidence' by the Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review. The result Confidence' is the highest level of rating that a Higher Education provider can be awarded with. Newbury College is very proud of their Higher Education department and the level of quality their Learners receive; this is also reflected in the Graduation Ceremony celebrations.
This year three students were presented with awards to recognise their exceptional commitment and achievement: the AWE award' for Most Improved Higher Mechanical Learner', the AWE Most Improved Higher Electronics Learner' and the Newbury College, Outstanding Learner Award'.
The Students dressed in academic robes, appropriate to their course and others will wore the Newbury College hood colours, which were designed for the College by the specialist gown company, Ede and Ravenscroft. After the Ceremony, graduates and guests enjoyed a celebration with a buffet and drinks reception. Neil Carter is the Centre Manager at the Parkway shopping centre, which is a new and exciting 475,000 sq ft shopping destination and residential scheme that has been built in the heart of Newbury town centre. Neil brings over 17 years of retail experience to the role, following four years as General Manager at County Mall Shopping Centre in Crawley and prior to this, Neil held a number of retail management positions at Debenhams and Marks & Spencer.
For further information about Newbury College's Higher Education and professional development courses please call Learner Services on 01635 845000 or visit www.newbury-college.ac.uk