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BBC Breakfast's sports presenter, Mike Bushell, was guest of honour last night at Newbury College's graduation and award ceremony. The event celebrated the achievements of students completing higher education courses (level 4 and above) and rewarded some of its exceptional further education students.

Students were invited on stage to accept their certificates and awards from Mike Bushell and Newbury College Principal and Chief Executive, Anne Murdoch and representatives from many local organisations who helped sponsor the event.

Our event enables students to celebrate their successes and achievements with their family and friends and each year we invite a special guest speaker, explains Anne.

Mike spoke about his career and how he got started in journalism, he also explained how the educational experience can be enhanced by trying a range of different activities and how this can often open up new career avenues and possibilities. He also talked about how sport and education go hand and hand, highlighting that it's never too late to try something new.

Other guests in attendance included Ellen Crumly, Town Mayor of Thatcham, Quinten Webb, Chair of West Berkshire Council, Shaun Wood, Hungerford Town Council, and members of Newbury College's governing body.

Sponsoring companies included: AWE, Bluebird Care, Busy Bees, Conservatree, Corn Exchange Newbury, David Lloyd Clubs, Heart, Hitachi Capital, IED, Jewson, M&B Hair & Beauty Supplies, Midguard, MWS Media, Parkway, Resonates, Salon Services, The Castle School, The Living Rainforest, The Vineyard and West Berkshire Council.

Click here to view the photographs from the event.

 

On Saturday 19 November, Newbury College played host to Thatcham Rotary's Young Chef Competition.

This national competition is open to young people aged 17 years and under. Contestants must create a healthy meal for two people for no more than £15. Everyone who takes part has the opportunity to experience what it's like working in a commercial kitchen. As part of their entry, contestants must also be able to show the judges their work sheets and costings. The winners of each of the regional heats are put through to a national final.

The winner was Harry Hutchins from Trinity School.

Commenting on the standard of the entries, judge and Newbury College catering tutor, Malcolm Baggott, said: The contestants used some advanced skills to produce their menus, including the filleting of fish and removing meat from the bone, and under the tight time constraints of the competition, this was an impressive achievement. The food was presented to a professional standard and it was very apparent that the contestants had plenty of practise beforehand.

Sheila Ellison, Thatcham Rotary, said: We are very grateful to Newbury College for once again hosting our competition and for giving the entrants a taste of what it's like to be a professional caterer. It was clear that all those taking part (including their families) enjoyed the experience thoroughly.

See more photos on our Facebook page.

 

 

Newbury College HNC students, George Collins and Christopher Prozzo, have both been awarded the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED) annual student award for their final year projects.

The Newbury College Lake Conservation Group has won a Dorothy Morley Conservation Award and a £500 grant.

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Julia Hawkins, the Lake Conservation Group project leader and lecturer at Newbury College, said: The award recognises the hard work of two groups of students with learning difficulties who have, over the course of two years, transformed the lakeside environment. The Health Walk' is used by students, staff and members of the public as somewhere beautiful to walk and enjoy the wildlife. 

The students worked with the Wildlife Trust on Crookham Common, learning how to use tools such as loppers and saws to clear scrub and allow species such as heather to thrive.  The students also learnt about the wildlife that would benefit from their work. 

Our students then applied these skills to work at the lakeside, clearing overgrown trees and shrubs and allowing light to penetrate. A pond dipping survey carried out together with BBOWT in May, revealed that the lake was teeming with species including smooth newts, dragonfly nymph and water stick insects.

This year's First Skills group will continue the work as part of their Project in Sustainability. The prize means we can now buy more tools and perhaps join forces with our multi trades department to build benches and nesting boxes.

Dan Akam, Community Wildlife Officer for Berkshire with the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust praised the Newbury College group. The Newbury College Lake Conservation Group showed us they are carrying out important conservation work for wildlife with great enthusiasm and ambition. The lake is a welcome area of tranquillity and bird life, and is a focal point on the College campus for a health walk, encouraging students and local residents to enjoy being close to their local wildlife.

The Award judges were impressed with how the volunteers have learned new skills and practical conservation techniques, and put them to good use on the Lake Conservation project.

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust runs the Dorothy Morley Conservation Awards scheme, which highlights all the superb work done by volunteers in Berkshire for the benefit of their local community and wildlife.

The bi-annual Dorothy Morley Conservation Award scheme is a tribute to the memory of dedicated conservationist Dorothy Morley who lived near Newbury. It was set up in 2000 and continues to support local groups and their projects thanks to the outstanding generosity of the Morley family.