Trustees from Kennet Valley at War Trust visited Newbury College on Friday 27 February to present Media Students with a remote-control helicopter camera which will be used to help the students complete the new website they are working on as part of a lottery funded project.
Students at the College have been working with the Trust to preserve West Berkshire's wartime history and promote its heritage to future generations after it received grant money to conserve its collection of Second World War artefacts. Students have been photographing items from the museum to include in a database driven website that they have designed as part of their College course.
Newbury College's Interactive Media Course Leader Julian Bellmont said, "The project is of enormous educational benefit to the students, enabling them to get actively involved in the local community. The UAV Drone will allow students to take aerial photographs that will be included on the website".
Trustee Roger Day said, "This is a very exciting development. The innovative use of a remote-controlled helicopter camera to photograph Littlecote House, home to the 506th (US) Parachute Infantry Regiment from late 1943 until June 1944, and other areas of the Kennet Valley's Second World War heritage will add considerable value to the new website."
Media student at Newbury College Matt Steele said, "I've really enjoyed working on this project and have learnt a great deal."
The Kennet Valley at War Trust received £30,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for this exciting project to conserve and enhance the charity's collection of Second World War artefacts and to increase the number of ways in which the local community can access the collection and celebrate their local heritage.
The project also enables the creation of a new education pack (to be available online, and to be printed and distributed to 250 schools in North Wiltshire, West Berkshire and Swindon), the development of three walks exploring the Kennet Valley's war time archaeology, and the delivery of a series of 10 workshops to broaden access and enable great community involvement.
A Newbury College student's quick thinking in preventing a fire spreading has been marked with an award.
Newbury firefighters praised 20 year old Amber Kingham's presence of mind when she and fellow pupils from Newbury College's Enterprise Skills class for young adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities, were treated to a recent tour of Newbury fire station.
Red Watch manager, Bob Mitchell, presented Miss Kingham with a Certificate of Merit during the visit, commending her swift reaction to spotting a fire late last year. Mr Mitchell said, "Amber was putting her recycling out one day when she saw smoke coming from a bin store. She acted with great maturity to immediately call her dad who dialled 999. Well done Amber – you are a great example to all young people in this town."
During the visit, the stations Red Watch also gave a live demonstration with a hose reel and invited students to try on firefighters' protective clothes.
Miss Kingham has also been invited to collect a formal honour at the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Service Awards this month at Bearwood College, Sindlesham.
GCSE students at Newbury College were moved by an inspirational presentation and dance performance by local young dancer Frankie Rae when she visited the Monks Lane campus earlier this month.
Frankie gave a presentation to students about how she has remained motivated despite her disability and struggles with depression, and imparted the techniques she has learnt to help her deal with them. Born with a condition called Holt Oram Syndrome, that causes defects in the hands, arms and heart, Frankie has had to undergo ten operations and have major reconstructive surgery on both of her hands.
Talking of why she was happy to share her story, Frankie said, "I wanted to speak to the students today to share with them the battles that I have faced and show them that no matter what you face you can still achieve your dreams".
Frankie's difficulties have not stopped her determination to pursue her love of dancing as a career. Dancing from a young age helped to save Frankie from losing the use of her hands and arms and also meant that she spent less time in hospital undergoing physiotherapy. She has danced for a number of local dance organisations including Italia Conti Associates Newbury and after Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts she is well on her way of achieving her dreams.
GCSE student Dean Miller who attended the presentation said, "Her visit was truly inspirational and has motivated the whole course to always try their hardest. We no longer say 'we can't', we now say 'we can try'. We learnt this from Frankie".
The visit concluded with a special performance of 'Hold your dream'.
Newbury College students showcased their skills at this week's Open Evening; an event which welcomed around 500 visitors all interested in the wide choice of full and part time courses starting at the College in September 2015.
The event was very interactive with College staff and students promoting their courses with stunning exhibitions and 'have a go' activities. Public Service students aimed for a good score with an indoor archery competition, whilst Motor Vehicle students unveiled their latest project: a pedal powered smoothie cycle. Food and Beverage students, who are part of a brand new course complementing the existing Catering and Hospitality courses, mixed up non-alcoholic cocktails in the new restaurant. Not to be out-beaten, Beauty Therapy students treated visitors to manicures in the new Nail Technology Salon.
Newbury College Principal Dr Anne Murdoch said, "The evening was a great success. Our students ran fantastic activities to promote their courses and we are pleased that so many people came along and showed interest in the work of Newbury College".
Members of the public attending the Open Evening said how impressed they were with all the new facilities and how they felt inspired by the courses on offer. Students from the GCSE programme, Child Development and Business Management took visitors on tours of the campus, including the Sports Hall, Beauty Salons, Plumbing Workshop, Engineering and Motor Vehicle Workshops and the new Animal Care Centre, which is due to be officially opened later this year.
For those in Year 11, the evening was a chance to discover the options available when they finish school in the summer, either on full time courses, one of the many apprenticeship opportunities on offer, or a combination of training and education. Adviza was on hand throughout the evening to offer impartial careers advice.
Adult learners attending the event had an opportunity to find out more about how Newbury College continues to provide education and professional development opportunities for adults wishing to further their careers or develop a new skill.