A graduate from South Thames College has hit the big time, touring with the likes of Jessie J and Wretch 32.

Nathaniel Fuller (20) went to South Thames College on an entry level course with no formal qualifications. His tutor described his school days as a “write-off” but during this time he found his calling as a drummer. Music was a natural choice for the young star.

“I was always musical and played the drums at the age of three. When I got a bit older I learnt how to play the drums properly and started to play for my Church each week. Through his talent, Nathaniel has been lucky enough to meet the likes of Tinie Tempah, Example, Yasmin, Ms Dynamite and even Ed Sheeran.

Nathaniel said of the course at South Thames College: “It was a really good starting point and helped along the way and ensured I kept learning. It was also good from a performance angle because I was playing everyday and helped me to make contacts in the industry.”

South Thames College tutor Nick Osbourne said: “Nathaniel had a great attitude towards his work and a good feel towards music. He did very well on his course and progressed due to his great musical abilities. South Thames College has a track record of success with its students and is proud to offer courses which act as a springboard, launching the talent of tomorrow into their chosen industries.

Wearing blue jeans helped fund raising students collect more than £100 for Jeans for Genes Day at Weston College.

Staff and students from the Care and Early Learning Department swapped their usual clothes for blue jeans to raise £105 for the national charity which helps fund research and care for children with genetic disorders.

Health and social care co-ordinator Sarah-Jane Lewis said: “They did so well for a brilliant cause. “It’s important students contribute to charity projects and they learned about the effects of genetic disorders.”

In the UK one baby in 25 is born with a genetic disorder. Although individually these disorders can be extremely rare, together they are the biggest killer of children aged fourteen and under.
This year is the charity’s 15th anniversary and to date it has raised £35 million to help change the lives of children with genetic disorders.

Sport students at Priestley College enjoyed a splashing good time as they earned success at their first ever competition.

The college’s newly formed swimming team, which is made up of 11 students, donned their goggles and swim caps to participate in the English Schools Swimming Association’s North West Finals at Everton Park in Liverpool.

Team Priestley entered both male and female teams and it was the girls who led from the front landing second place in the freestyle relay and third place in the medley relay.
Not to be out done, the boys finished second in the medley relay.

The students are now eagerly waiting to hear whether they have done enough to qualify for the national championships in Southampton.

Curriculum manager Nigel Howells said: “All our students excelled, especially taking into account they were up against a lot of talented opposition including teams from private and independent schools and colleges. We are sure this is just the beginning for the team and hope to participate in Southampton, should we get the opportunity to go the national finals.”

Meanwhile, young sports coaches (pictured above) at the college were given an insightful presentation on the nature of disabled sport. Jordan Raynes and Mike Smith, from Stockport County’s community programme, and Dawn Georgeson from the Cheshire FA were on campus to prepare the students for their own up and coming roles in the local community.

Jordan, captain of the Cerebral Palsy England football team, had the students transfixed by his story, as he described overcoming adversity to realise his dreams.
He has since gone onto represent his country at World and European Championships, Paralympic games and will also be part of London 2012.

Priestley tutor Danielle Toward said: “Jordan’s story was truly empowering and a source of inspiration for our students who are working towards a range of coaching, fitness and leadership awards that run alongside our main academic programmes.”

Graphic design students from Burton and South Derbyshire College have scooped three top awards at a prestigious Young Creative Chevrolet Awards night. Laura Hobson (19), from Mickleover, in Derbyshire, was the biggest winner of the night, winning first place in the UK Visual Arts Category and second in the European leg, thanks to her special ‘100 years of Chevrolet’ poster design.
Fellow BSDC students Charlotte Saunt (21), from Derbyshire, and Joe Ellison, (18), from Derbyshire, gained second and third places respectively in the UK category, attracting praise for the high standard of their work.
The international awards take place every year and celebrate the very best in young creative talent. This year more than 550 projects were submitted for entry to the competition, from 155 educational institutions in 22 countries.
The awards were judged by a respected international panel of industry leaders from the fields of fashion, music, photography, video and visual arts design. Chris Beech, programme area manager at the college, said: “Throughout her studies Laura worked as a freelance graphic designer and web designer for several local studios, yet never missed a lesson.
“She has been a model student often achieving above what was required and working professionally with the College on a number of projects, completing all course work to Distinction level.”
Laura now plans to continue her freelance work whilst studying for a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University. She said: “My time at the college has taught me how to explore my ideas more, and to always challenge myself.”

A principal hopes to promote excellence in science skills after being appointed a founding Fellow of a new national organisation. Sheffield City College Principal Julie Byrne has joined the NEF Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange, which promotes excellence in science and innovation, and was launched at The Royal Society in London.

Mrs Byrne said: “I am delighted to be recognised on behalf of the college for the ground breaking work we have done in partnership with the New Engineering Foundation. This has involved developing greater innovation, and knowledge exchange and skills for our staff and students, particularly in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas of the curriculum.”

The appointment follows the college’s commitment to advancing the knowledge and science, dental, engineering and information technology skills of both staff and students.

In Sheffield, there has been a shortage of science, aviation and information technology technicians. The college has responded by increasing the number of course places available, and developing programmes to meet business and industry needs and maximise employment opportunities. The New Engineering Foundation is a science and technical education charity and think-tank. For more information, visit www.thenef.org.uk and www.theike.org.

A proud principal picked up her honour after being awarded an OBE from the Princess Royal. The official ceremony to award Stroud College principal Dr Beri Hare with an OBE took place at Buckingham Palace.
The award, which was presented by Princess Anne, recognises Dr Hare’s services to further education.

Dr Hare said: “It was a wonderful day and it was my privilege to represent our staff in accepting the honour. I hope the award will bring more recognition to everyone who works at Stroud College, for the difference they make every day to creating better life and learning opportunities for our students.”

Dr Hare became principal of Stroud College in 2006, having moved there from Bolton Community College in Lancashire where she was vice principal. A passionate believer in the role of education for changing young people’s lives, Dr Hare has steered Stroud College to a position of strength, with the college judged recently by Ofsted to be good with outstanding features.

Stroud College’s Chair of Governors, Mike Farmer said: “Beri’s award is richly deserved not only for all that she has achieved at Stroud College, but also for her achievements at her former colleges, as a member of the inspectorate, and for her time as a freelance consultant to colleges across the country.”

Staff and students are enjoying top class facilities after moving into Phase One of Northampton College’s new building at Booth Lane. Professional theatre spaces, state-of-the-art automotive spray booths and dedicated science labs with central floating teaching islands are just some of the latest teaching technologies in the building which opened for learning back in April.

The new 22,000 square metre structure is also on target to achieve an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating for best practise in sustainable design. With that aspect of the development complete, the second and final phase is well underway, with completion set for July and full access from late 2012.

Principal Len Closs said: “We have been working towards this exciting moment since we first sought the go ahead, back in 2006, for what was to become one of the country’s most innovative and ambitious FE College improvement ventures. “Since then we have extended our Lower Mounts site in the Town Centre and have moved into the first phase of our new landmark building at Booth Lane.

“The move marks a momentous period in our 38 year history and the Town and its students are set to benefit from the first rate facilities for generations to come.’
Ray Starkey, vice principal planning and business development, said: “I have worked at the college for 34 years so have seen lots of changes. The Booth Lane site was very small back in the 70s with only 300 or so students – today we have thousands.”

Lecturer Jan Bell (63) started working at Booth Lane in 1981 and has taught secretarial, business, IT, customer service, teaching, counselling and those with special educational needs. Looking back, she said: “When I think back the first thing that springs to mind is how the use of computer technology has moved on.

“In the new building we will have fantastic computer facilities and PCs and mobile phones are a way of life now but I remember when we used to use electronic typewriters and in a room where there were over 20 machines that was quite noisy.”