As part of their skills project Newbury College Art students set up an exhibition at The Green Park Conference Centre, Reading, where employers are voting for the pieces they would like to see displayed permanently on site.
Each year students at Newbury College carry out a skills project that meets the needs of a local organisation. The project is aimed to build students' knowledge and skills and develop their confidence in leadership, communication and teamwork. Students had been asked to produce art work on the theme of Spring' to refresh the corridors of the conference centre, Reading.
Art Lecturer Jackie Heggs said, This creative project has given students an amazing opportunity to showcase their work whilst gaining invaluable employability skills in working to a real brief. Students have really grown in confidence as a result of the experience and we hope that this project will become part of a cycle of opportunities to produce art work for the site.
Newbury College hosted the West Berkshire heat of the Rotary Young Chef Competition on Saturday 16 January in the College's excellent teaching kitchens.
A number of local schools in West Berkshire took part in the contest in which entrants, between the ages of 11 to 17, were required to prepare a healthy three course meal for two people costing no more than £15.
Curriculum Manager for Services at Newbury College Rachael Elsey said, We were delighted to host the West Berkshire round of the nationally run Young Chef of the Year Competition. There was a real buzz amongst the young competitors who enjoyed the chance to test their skills in a commercial kitchen.
The winner of the local heat was Newbury College student Martin Fisher who will go on to compete at the Regional Final in February.
Newbury College students were given the opportunity to take part in a writing competition with almost 70 students taking part from a variety of different courses. Students were invited to submit either a short story, poem, review of a book or film, or a play.
The annual writing competition provides real benefits to student. For some it develops their confidence in writing, while others use the competition as an extension of their curriculum work. Taking part in the competition also encourages students from different course areas to socialise with each other and become better acquainted with the College library.
Library Manager Fiona Lees who organised the competition said, We were very impressed with the standard of work submitted. As well as our outstanding winning entries, we had a large number of very highly commended' certificates to give out this year.
The pieces of writing were judged on originality, content and style. There were winners from a range of different courses and abilities who were; Eleanor Read, Lucia Miralles Valdivia, Chloe Goulding, Olga Helyar and Robert Marcinek.
Newbury College students have been participating in the Sport England campaign This Girl Can' throughout the autumn term with a variety of sessions including; pilates, boxing, and a favourite of the stars such a Kelly Brook, hula hooping.
During this term there has been a 50% increase in sports participation in comparison with this time last year. Sports Maker Aimee Kaur who works with Sport England to provide sporting opportunities for young people said, I am delighted with the increase in participation. Sports provides students with skills for life including team work, decision making and confidence which are all needed in the workplace.
Newbury College has a range of part time professional courses starting in January 2016 including Principles and Practices of Coaching Sport Level 2 Certificate which starts on 5th January, and runs on Tuesday evenings for 24 weeks 5.30pm ' 9pm. For more information about courses starting in January call 01635 845000.