News

As the United States has been electing their new president last week, Newbury College has been electing their new student Governor and are pleased to announce Munya Munyanyiwa has been selected for the post.

Munya Munyanyiwa, who formally studied at Park House School, came to the College to study Business Studies. After he has successfully completed his course he wants to go to University to study either Economics or Law.

On hearing of his election, Munya said, "I am delighted to have been elected for Student Governor. I believe that this will be a good opportunity to help me grow as a person, and feel that it will give me an understanding of business which is where I wish to build a career in.  I'm really looking forward to starting my role and have already been taking comments from students".

The Student Governor post will be for two years, acting as the student voice and playing a vital role in influencing change within the College. Munya will attend Governors meetings to discuss the constant evaluation of the College, and ways in which it can evolve and develop in order to serve its community.

Principal Dr Anne Murdoch said, "At Newbury College we believe that it is important to hear and respond to the views of our students, and having a Student Governor is a perfect way to gain student views first hand. We look forward to working with Munya, and congratulate him on his successful election".

Newbury College offers hundreds of courses for school leavers and adult learners. If you are interested in studying at the College, it's not too late to enrol for courses starting now or in January. Come to our Open Day on 15 November, 4pm-8pm.

Newbury College is reinforcing to its students the importance of staying safe. As part of Stay Safe week local authorities and organisations have been visiting the College to talk to students; some of these include the police, The Edge, the health zone and the ambulance service.

Students were engaged in activities during these sessions promoting the awareness of staying safe, and the College reinforced its drugs policy when a member of Screen Safe UK and their sniffer dog attended; highlighting the dangers of drug use.

Stay Safe week has become an annual event at the College after its previous successes promoting local services, and this year has been no exception. Lorna Sherlock, who is responsible for organising the event and activities said, "Once again it has been a huge success; it's a way of teaching the students the importance of staying safe and the services available to support young people, and we are grateful to see they are following our policies."

Newbury College offers hundreds of courses for school learners and adult learners. If you are interested in studying at the College, please come to our Open Day on 15 November, 4pm-8pm. Or alternatively for more information, call us on 01635 845000.

Newbury College is once again looking to expand their Monks Lane Campus, providing learners with the best possible environment to help start their careers.

The College has applied for planning permission this week for a 26 cover restaurant that will be situated in the college grounds, providing the community with a subsidised fine dining experience.

The new build is largely funded by a grant provided by the Education Funding Agency through West Berkshire Council. Various departments will see the benefits; Foundation Learning students will be able to gain work experience in a controlled environment, preparing them for work; whilst Hospitality and Catering students will have the ability to put into practice what they have learnt.

Newbury College Finance Director, Bill Blythe, who is also overseeing the project, said 'Our previous site had a restaurant, and after many requests for dining at the College we thought that it would be a fantastic opportunity to welcome in the local community, and will be a great experience for our learners. We hope to be open to the public for bookings from May 2013'

Subject to planning permission, the new restaurant should be completed by March; ready for the beginning of the new academic year.  If you are interested in Hospitality, Catering or any other subjects Newbury College has to offer, please come to our Open Day on 15 November, 4pm-8pm.

Staff and students of Newbury College are supporting Functional Skills College Tutor, Rachel Flynn-Delargy, who will be taking part in a death defying jump to support Sturge Weber Syndrome. She will be taking part in a Tandem jump at Netheravon airfield, near Salisbury for the disease on Sunday 14 October.

Rachel was inspired to raise money for this cause as her godson, Callum Waters, whose mother Sarah Waters (who formally worked for The College) has the very rare condition. Despite being incredibly happy and bright, Callum may have to face some real challenges later on in life.

Rachel is nervous but excited about the jump and says, "There is still not enough known about this rare syndrome and more advances in treatment need to be made. That's the reason I'm hurling myself out of an aeroplane, to raise money for this loveable little boy and worthy cause"

Sturge Weber syndrome becomes apparent at birth; the infant will have a large port-wine stain birthmark on their forehead and upper eyelid of one side of their face in which they will have muscle weakness. They're also at risk of seizure that begin at infancy but may worsen with age.

Please help Rachel, and those who are suffering from the condition, by sponsoring her. You can visit her website www.flynngoessplat.co.uk to make your donation, or alternatively for those who attend the college there will be a collection at reception.