Working with local businesses has long been upheld as a value at Newbury College. Some of the relationships it has with organisations in the Newbury area span many decades.
Once such relationship is with Hungerford-based Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS). KCS sponsors one of the College IT rooms and has worked for many years supporting students on work placements, attending careers events and offering employment to those seeking a career in IT. For example, ex-student Polly Theobald now works at KCS as a Trainee Software Engineer.
To celebrate their long-term partnership, Ian Bendelow, CEO, and other employees from KCS, including Polly, joined the College Principal and CEO, Anne Murdoch and other members of College staff for lunch last Friday in the newly-decorated room.
Talking about the importance of building links with the community, Anne said: We fully appreciate the support that local businesses give us. It helps us to offer a more engaging curriculum and aids student progression. In turn, employers gain access to a pool of talent and can work with us in other areas such as apprenticeships and management training.
Not working with Newbury College? Our business team would like to hear from you. Give us a call on 01635 845229 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how we can support each other.
Staff and students have been busy constructing exhibitions for the annual Newbury College Christmas Display with "Santa got stuck up the chimney" by the Information Services Team announced as this year's winner.
"The 12 Days of Christmas Tree" by MIS came in second place followed by "Sock Snowmen" by the Foundation Learning students.
Other notible exhibitions were a snowman made of books from the LRC and a Wild-West take on the traditional nativity scene.
Newbury College has announced the replacement for outgoing Principal, Anne Murdoch, who is retiring in February 2018 after 17 years in post. Currently the Deputy Principal at Farnborough College of Technology, Iain Wolloff will join the College on 1st February and take over as Principal on 10th February when Anne officially retires.
Commenting on the appointment, Corporation Chair, Geoff Knappett, said: Governors, staff and students were all involved in the selection process, and we were fortunate enough to have a high number of strong applicants to choose from ' a testimony to the excellent reputation Newbury College has in further education circles. Anne will be a tough act to follow, but we are confident that Iain has the experience and skills necessary to continue the College's upward path to outstanding.
Farnborough College of Technology is an outstanding institution and has been in the top 10% of all colleges nationally for the last seven years. In his role as Deputy, Iain has been instrumental in all aspects of quality improvement and established the University Centre at the College, which offers 43 foundation and honour degrees in a range of subject areas.
Newbury College, which was confirmed as a Good College' by Ofsted in May this year, plans to open a new primary school ' Highwood Copse ' in 2019.
I am delighted to be joining Newbury College at such an exciting time, said Iain. After the recent inspection confirmed the high quality of the College's work, I look forward to working alongside the fantastic students, staff and governors to continue the success story.
Iain holds a first degree in social science and postgraduate degrees in Politics, Teaching and Management. He began his career in child protection and has taught at Havering College in East London and worked as a curriculum manager at Bromley College in South London. He joins Newbury College having gained extensive experience as Deputy Principal at Farnborough College. Once an enthusiastic rugby and hockey player, Iain now keeps fit by running.
We are delighted to announce that the student governor for the 17-18 academic year is Hazel Cassel.
The role of the student governor is to ensure that the students have a voice on the corporation board and also to chair the student council.
Hazel is on the first year of her Level 3 Child Care course and attends College three days a week (Tue, Wed and Fri) and a work placement in Thatcham for the other two. Hazel previously attended Newbury College as a Public Service student a few years ago and has returned to retrain so that she can go on to university and become a family support worker.
Already a student ambassador with responsibility for anti-bullying, Hazel is keen and enthusiastic about her new role. Her particular passion is student mental health and well-being, and she hopes that she can help promote awareness of these matters at board level.
Students can contact Hazel on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.