As part of their course students at Newbury College took part in a Skills Project providing them with valuable life skills. New faces at Newbury College were shown around exhibits of current students work at Taster Day and took part in a quiz regarding the projects in order to give them a flavour of what College life has in store.
Principal Dr Anne Murdoch presented certificates and awards to students who have shown exceptional dedication and hard work in both their project and their College course throughout the year.
Skills Project Co-ordinator Sian Ellis is delighted with the efforts of the students and said, "Students have worked incredibly hard on their Skills Projects producing outstanding results. The Level 2 Carpenters built a Wendy House for a local charity; the Level 2 Animal Care students planned and held a successful dog show; the Level 1 Cookery students have led an exceptional food and beverage service and this is just a snippet of what the students have achieved. All of these projects have allowed students to build on their knowledge and skills and develop their confidence in leadership, communication and teamwork. The standards of their projects are fantastic and I am confident that the skills that they have developed will stand them in good stead in their futures".
All students on a full time course have been working on vocational projects designed to build on the skills that they have acquired during their course and help to enhance their employability, giving them the confidence to talk about their achievements.
Budding readers at Newbury College were presented with awards and certificates for their achievements in the 'Six Book Challenge'. The awards were presented by College Principal Dr Anne Murdoch and Head of West Berkshire Library Service Mike Brooks.
The challenge is run in partnership with West Berkshire Libraries and is now in its sixth year. It is designed to encourage adults who are not confident with reading to read six books, articles or even digital content of their choice and record this in a diary. Forty students completed the challenge and certificates and prizes were presented at two award ceremonies held at Newbury College earlier this month.
Hilary Cole, West Berkshire Executive Councillor for Culture said; "I am delighted to hear that so many students took up and completed the challenge this year. Reading is an excellent life skill and is also one of the most effective ways to relax."
Feedback has shown that readers who had previously not enjoyed reading before taking up the Six Book Challenge now feel inspired to read. Lauren Peters who has previously taken part wanted to do the challenge again this year and said; "The challenge was great fun and I would recommend taking part to all my friends".
Learning Resources Centre Assistant Hector MacEachen, who helped organise the event said, "The Newbury College reading challenge runs alongside the National 6 Book Challenge and has been very popular with our students. They have enjoyed taking part in the reading challenge and borrowed a wide range of material to read".
Newbury College will be celebrating Adult Learners Week by offering a range of FREE taster courses throughout the week of 16th June and opening up all existing evening adult leisure classes for learners to come along and try out a subject of their choice, free of charge!
The College will be hosting a variety of courses throughout the week at various venues. Courses will include, Flower Arranging, Counselling and Coaching, Public Speaking, Digital SLR Photography, Windows 8, Spanish and Italian for your Holidays, Nail Art and many more. Venues will include: Newbury College's Monks Lane campus, Newbury College's Calcot Community Learning Centre and Greenham Community Centre.
Community Learning Manager, Sarah Hughes said, "We look forward to Adult Learners Week here at the College and are excited about putting on a large variety of free taster sessions for the general public ranging from Jewellery Making to a taster session on Creative Writing. It is a fantastic opportunity for people to try something new and to see what Adult Learning at the College has to offer. We will also be attending Thatcham's Lifelong Learning Adult Learners Week Celebration in Thatcham Broadway on Saturday 14 June, where we will have lots of free activities for all the family including a demonstration from Newbury College's Ballroom dancers, Arts and Crafts activities, an interactive flower arranging demonstration and much more".
To see a timetable of courses taking place throughout Adult Learners Week and to enrol on any of the workshops, please visit our website at www.newbury-college.ac.uk or telephone the Community Learning department on 01635 845213. Throughout Adult Learners Week there will be an enrolment stand at the Newbury College Monk's Lane Campus should you wish to speak to subject specialists or sign up for a course. Courses can be joined throughout the year by calling 01635 845000 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The importance of skills and employability is a key focus for young people and their parents and Newbury College have developed a new programme of IGCSEs, which offer skills beyond just academic achievement. The College will be offering the new international programme from September 2014 and welcomes Jilly Carrell as the new Curriculum Manager for both IGCSES and A Levels
As former head of English and Modern Foreign Languages faculty at a local International School, and with international teaching experience in six countries, Jilly is well placed to develop this international academic programme. Cambridge International Examinations is the world's largest provider of international education programmes and is part of the University of Cambridge, one of the world's top universities and trusted for excellence in education.
On her appointment Mrs Carrell expressed her enthusiasm about the new role and said, "I am delighted to be working for Newbury College. We are, for the first time offering international GCSEs and I am committed to enriching the education of our students and encouraging global citizenship with Newbury College. At the heart of our new sixth form will be global citizenship, identity, belonging, sustainability and rights and responsibilities, giving our students a better understanding of their local area in relation to the wider world".
Jilly has a keen interest in contemporary and world literature and languages and is a volunteer in teaching women's adult literacy. Jilly has previously worked in international finance and public affairs. A mother of two, who is married to an army officer, she enjoys spending her spare time in the countryside and regularly goes camping with her family, and is also as a brownie leader. The position will see Jilly developing the A Level provision along with IGCSEs. Newbury College will be offering Cambridge programmes and qualifications in subjects including; English (First Language), English (Second Language), Mathematics, French, German, Literature, Biology, Enterprise, ICT, Geography, History and Performing Arts.
Michael O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cambridge International Examinations, said "We are delighted to announce that Newbury College has joined our global community of Cambridge schools. We look forward to a long a productive relationship which will be of great benefits to learners throughout the region".
Cambridge programmes and qualifications are recognised and valued by universities and employers around the world. Cambridge helps schools deliver the best education possible by providing comprehensive support, including teacher training, classroom resources and membership of a global learning community.