News

During the spring and summer term the English for Non Native Learners at Newbury College took part in a reading challenge, which aims to encourage reading books in English amongst learners for whom English is a second language.

Delivered by Newbury College Learning Recourses Centre and the English for Non Native Learners tutors, the reading challenge required participants to read six books, at an appropriate level for their English reading skills. They then completed a journal to describe the reading material and what they had gained from the experience.

A celebration event was attended by all the learners who took part in the challenge and certificates and prizes were presented by Dr Anne Murdoch OBE, Principal of Newbury College and Fiona Lees, LRC Manager for Newbury College.

Fiona Lees, Newbury College LRC Manager organised the event with her team and said, 'The award ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the success of the learners who took part in the reading challenge. It was wonderful to read all of the learners' dairies and see how the reading had helped to improve their reading and writing in English'.

The reading challenge was a huge success amongst the learners and staff and provided real benefits to the learners.

Newbury College held its annual celebration Awards Ceremony for all Foundation Learning students last week. Newbury College Principal, Dr Anne Murdoch OBE presented all the learners from groups Connect 1 to Connect 6 with their certificates of achievement, acknowledging the success of the past year.

The event took place on the 27 June 2012 between 1pm-3pm with students, staff, parents and carers attending the event. Anne Murdoch addressed the learners with a speech congratulating them on their achievements. Special certificates were given to learners who had achieved 100% attendance.

Curriculum Manager, Alan Cracknell was very impressed with the students and said "The students showed great support to one another on collecting their certificates, and their behaviour and ability to conduct themselves well was a credit to them".

This year has been an exceptional year for the students with a large group of them receiving 100% attendance awards, and some learners having achieved paid employment. It is also pleasing to note that the Connect 6 group all have great progression plans which include attending higher courses both at Newbury College, or other providers, as well as paid employment.

Honoured guests and visitors were treated to an afternoon of innovation and inspiration when Engineering Students at Newbury College put on an impressive exhibition of their end of year projects this week.

Hair and Beauty Students at Newbury College have been putting their skills and talents to good use in order to help raise money for West Berkshire Mencap.The Hairdressing and beauty students cut, styled and sculptured a range of hair and beauty styles for the West Berkshire Mencap Fashion Show, which took place at the Chequers Hotel at the end of May.  The glamorous show which featured belly-dancing and a raffle was organised in conjunction with Sainsbury's store in Newbury.  The shop's staff also joined in the fashion show which featured the latest designs from Sainsbury's TU clothing range. 

West Berkshire Mencap exists to provide high quality services for people with learning disabilities, their families, carers and professionals. Christine Copeland, Carers Champion from Mencap was really grateful for the students' hard work and said, "The models looked and felt beautiful and they really appreciated being pampered by the students. The show itself was a fantastic success, with everyone enjoying the occasion."

Hairdressing Lecturer for the College, Katrina Stedman was really pleased with the work of her students and said, "The charity event was a great thing for learners to be involved in and they all worked really hard.  The event will also be part of the Learners' 'Team Work' unit, which goes towards their final grade".

For more information on the fundraiser or information on Newbury College's Hair and Beauty courses offered please call us on 01635 845000 or visit our website at www.newbury-college.ac.uk.  The College offers a wide range of full and part time courses along with a large selection of professional courses. To find out more come along to our next Open Day on Saturday 16 June 2012; 10am to 1pm, at our Monks Lane Campus.