Professional Cookery Students at Newbury College were rewarded for all of their hard work throughout the year with a presentation from the Principal, Dr Anne Murdoch, at the end of last term Students were awarded a certificate of 'Outstanding Performance and Participation on the Level 1 Diploma in Professional Cookery Course'.
The course has seen students cater for a number of large events including a charity event for Breast Cancer in Collaboration with Hermitage Army Barracks, College Graduation, and a host of functions for local businesses. Students have also had the opportunity to visit the Army School of Catering in Worthy Down and local hotel, Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa, where they were given a tour and talk on expectations of life within the Catering and Hospitality industry.
Course Leader for Professional Cookery, Annmarie Farr, said, "I am so proud of how much the students have achieved this year and what they are now capable of. The learners have worked extremely hard with long working days, which would be expected in the industry, to meet the demands of a fully booked restaurant twice a week while coping with the learning required to accomplish such high grades with nearly 90% of the learners achieving merit grades or above in their qualification."
The course has been supported throughout the year by Michelin Star Chef Roger Jones from The Harrow at Little Bedwyn who officially opened the new fine dining restaurant in October last year. Speaking at the opening Roger said "What Annmarie has achieved in so little time with the students is a testimony to her amazing teaching ability - I was proud to stand there and watch those canapés come out". Roger has held a number of cookery workshops for the students thorough out the year.
Williams Apprentice, Conner Murphy, who has been undergoing his Engineering studies at Newbury College, received the runner up award for Outstanding BTEC Apprentice of the Year Award for learners 19 and over at the end of last term.
BTEC is the world's most successful and best-loved applied learning brand, and has been engaging learners in practical, interpersonal and thinking skills for over 25 years. Teachers, tutors, schools, colleges and training organisations involved in the delivery of BTEC's are asked to nominate students who deserve to be recognised for their achievements.
Engineering Lecturer at Newbury College, Duncan Willis, is delighted that Conner has achieved the 'Runner Up Outstanding BTEC Apprentice of the Year Award', and said "Conner is an all-round outstanding Apprentice. After successfully completing the first year of his Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, with five distinctions out of the five first units, he decided that he would endeavour to complete the second year of the Level 3 Diploma and start the first year of the Level 4 HNC Diploma in the same year. So far he has completed three of the five Level 3 units with distinctions and is well on his way to completing the other three, again with distinctions. In all his Level 4 assignments to date he has managed to achieve all of the pass, merit and distinction criteria. He is also undertaking a work-based Level 3 NVQ in Engineering and is expected to achieve the highest grades. He is expected to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship in 2015, by which time he will have attained all three qualifications. This is a list of truly remarkable achievements and he truly deserves this award".
Newbury College held their own Apprenticeship Awards earlier in the year where Conner was nominated and successfully won the Peter Atkinson Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement. At work Conner has consistently maintained a positive approach to all the tasks assigned to him. He has demonstrated his flexibility and commitment by regularly working overtime. His efforts and assistance have been much appreciated and despite his long hours has never let work affect his College performance.
Conner was very pleased to hear of his success and said "I was thrilled to hear that I had been nominated for 'The Outstanding BTEC Apprentice of the Year'. I would like to thank both Newbury College and my employer, Williams, they have provided me with the opportunities to develop my knowledge and understanding of engineering, especially with my practical NVQ at Williams. I am thoroughly enjoying my course and I hope to further my qualifications and go onto Higher Education with a hope of doing a degree in Mechanical Engineering".
Williams Apprentice, Conner Murphy, who has been undergoing his Engineering studies at Newbury College, received the runner up award for Outstanding BTEC Apprentice of the Year Award for learners 19 and over at the end of last term.
BTEC is the world's most successful and best-loved applied learning brand, and has been engaging learners in practical, interpersonal and thinking skills for over 25 years. Teachers, tutors, schools, colleges and training organisations involved in the delivery of BTEC's are asked to nominate students who deserve to be recognised for their achievements.
Engineering Lecturer at Newbury College, Duncan Willis, is delighted that Conner has achieved the 'Runner Up Outstanding BTEC Apprentice of the Year Award', and said "Conner is an all-round outstanding Apprentice. After successfully completing the first year of his Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, with five distinctions out of the five first units, he decided that he would endeavour to complete the second year of the Level 3 Diploma and start the first year of the Level 4 HNC Diploma in the same year. So far he has completed three of the five Level 3 units with distinctions and is well on his way to completing the other three, again with distinctions. In all his Level 4 assignments to date he has managed to achieve all of the pass, merit and distinction criteria. He is also undertaking a work-based Level 3 NVQ in Engineering and is expected to achieve the highest grades. He is expected to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship in 2015, by which time he will have attained all three qualifications. This is a list of truly remarkable achievements and he truly deserves this award".
Newbury College held their own Apprenticeship Awards earlier in the year where Conner was nominated and successfully won the Peter Atkinson Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement. At work Conner has consistently maintained a positive approach to all the tasks assigned to him. He has demonstrated his flexibility and commitment by regularly working overtime. His efforts and assistance have been much appreciated and despite his long hours has never let work affect his College performance.
Conner was very pleased to hear of his success and said "I was thrilled to hear that I had been nominated for 'The Outstanding BTEC Apprentice of the Year'. I would like to thank both Newbury College and my employer, Williams, they have provided me with the opportunities to develop my knowledge and understanding of engineering, especially with my practical NVQ at Williams. I am thoroughly enjoying my course and I hope to further my qualifications and go onto Higher Education with a hope of doing a degree in Mechanical Engineering".
Winner of the BBC television series 'I'd do Anything', Jodie Prenger and former Emmerdale star, Tom Lister, have recently been rehearsing for The Watermill Theatre's latest show, 'Calamity Jane', at Newbury College. The company of actor-musicians has been using the College's state of the art theatre space to prepare for the show that runs at The Watermill during the summer.
Newbury College has recently launched its new IGCSE and A Level programme with a real focus in performing arts. The College will be offering GCSE in Performing Arts and A Level in Drama and Theatre studies from September.
Both Jodie and Tom, who didn't have the opportunity to take drama at school, are delighted that the College will be offering performing arts and theatre studies. Jodie said: "It's a no brainer. Acting is an excellent way to build confidence and allows you to express yourself!" Tom added: "Everyone leads such busy lives these days; acting takes you away and provides a great distraction. It's about listening and reacting to one another and working together as a team".
The College will be working in partnership with The Watermill Theatre and The Corn Exchange in order to support students and provide them with valuable experience.
Theatre Assistant at The Watermill Theatre, Neil Bull, who chose to rehearse at the College's facilities and said "It has been wonderful being here at Newbury College in the Forum space. With a cast of 13 professional actor-musicians rehearsing a show like Calamity Jane, the space has been an ideal size with the added bonus of a sprung floor and mirrors. Added to that, the staff have been so helpful and supportive".
'Calamity Jane' is at The Watermill Theatre until Saturday 6 September and then tours the UK. Visit www.watermill.org.uk or http://www.calamityjanetheshow.com/ to book tickets or for more information.