THE glitz, the glam and the goodbyes! Celebrating Success at South Essex College’s Southend Campus had them all as it recognised its student’s achievements, big or small, over the last 12 months.
Over 120 further education students from across the College’s 7000 final year students from campuses in Southend, Basildon and Thurrock were up for a whole host of awards in their specific areas of study.
COMMUNITIES minister Brandon Lewis praised the apprenticeships scheme launched by DP World London Gateway and South Essex College as he visited the site on Monday morning. Showing a head for heights, Mr Lewis joined by local mp, Stephen Metcalfe, principal of South Essex College, Angela O’Donoghue and chief executive of DP World London Gateway, Simon Moore as they ascended the 200 metre cranes at the port.
SOUTH Essex College will safeguard the quality of teaching and learning despite the latest round of Government funding cuts, insists Principal and Chief Executive, Angela O’Donoghue.Angela said: “These are difficult times, but our focus and our top priority is our students. None of us will allow Government funding cuts to prevent this College from offering a fantastic education to the thousands of people who walk through our doors every year.”
ACTOR, comedian and successful graphic designer David Brown returned to his former College recently to inspire the next generation of creative professionals. Over 200 Media and Creative Arts students from the Southend Campus of South Essex College were treated to a talk by The Mighty Boosh actor and director of London-based creative studio, APE.
SUPPORTED Learning students from South Essex College were awarded the top prize in the Best Green Solutions category at the Next Top Boss awards in Thurrock.
Next Top Boss is a Thurrock based initiative that encourages students to make a contribution to finding solutions that face businesses in Thurrock today in an environmental or operational context.
Of the day Angela said Her Majesty had clearly done her homework: “The Queen asked me where I was Principal of and said it must be a very tough time in Further Education at the moment with all the funding constraints. It was a really special day and a real privilege to be awarded the CBE and have my work in education recognised.”
Gabrielle Forster-Still, Education Manager, Royal Opera House, added: “The judging panel has been very impressed with the high standard and variety of the entries for the Tosca Design Challenge. We are excited to be working with such talented, young creative students from the widest network of NSA Founder Colleges since the challenge began in 2011.”
NEARLY 60 construction students from South Essex College took advantage of a careers event recently, which featured guest speakers from the UK’s top construction companies. The event gave students a valuable insight about how to get into the industry and the wide range of different careers opportunities and training available after college.
A PAIR of webcams have gone ‘live’ to give local residents their first views of South Essex College’s new £45 million Thurrock Campus site, which will replace the current Woodview Campus. The new Campus is set to open to students and the public in September 2014. It might not look like much at the moment but the site, which is currently being prepared for building work to start by Skanska, the main contractor constructing the new college, will soon take shape and give people a real sense of what is going to be delivered in Grays town centre.
The theft took place on the afternoon of Thursday 3rd January, just before the start of term. The College, who are working closely with police, has released a clear image of the two young men in the hope of apprehending them.
SPEAKING of the accolade, she said: “I feel extremely honoured but most of all I feel privileged that someone has taken the time to nominate me. It is extremely heartening to be recognised but because I love my job and enjoy it so much, I don’t often acknowledge the work that I do makes a national contribution.”
THERE IS one challenge in undertaking a catering course in college and there is quite another, to have to prepare everything in the middle of a shop floor! Well, that is what the brave students at South Essex College did recently, when they went to Ikea to prepare a swedish smorgasbord of delicacies.
HEAD of Estates for the College is Geoff Stedman and his team have been instrumental in putting sustainability measures in place. He said: “When you think about being energy efficient at home you might think about changing to energy efficient lightbulbs or adding loft insulation but we’ve had to think on a much grander scale across three sites.
SKANSKA has won the £33m contract to design and build the 2,500-place Thurrock Campus in Grays, Essex. Construction will begin immediately, with the campus set to be ready for 2014. The 15,000 sq m campus will include a three-story and a four-storey building. The firm worked with Persimmon Homes, South Essex College and Thurrock Council to agree financial, land sale and construction terms.
The new College buildings are to be located at the end of Grays High Street and are planned to be open to students and public alike for September 2014. New Principal and Chief Executive, Angela O’Donoghue, met with Thurrock Council’s Chief Executive, Graham Farrant, for the first time to discuss the important project.
Vice Principal Nathan Hunnisett said: “Students sometimes find it difficult to make a sudden move from school into a new college. This gives them the opportunity of maintaining a presence in very familiar surroundings, yet at the same time developing confidence in a new college environment where they can work up to degree level.”
Non-EU students wishing to study in the UK need to be sponsored by colleges and universities before being allowed to enrol on UK based courses. The recent Border Agencies ban on the universities ability to sponsor students could mean up to 2000 overseas students could be left without a course. In a call to the Vice Chancellor’s office at London Met South Essex College offered to sponsor students and assist wherever possible.
I probably felt relieved when I first saw my results. I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights wondering whether I’d got the grades to get into uni and then when it sunk in I was speechless and overjoyed. I’m going to Warwick University to study English Literature and I’m really excited because the course looks exciting and detailed.
Not so, Clearing as it is known is the process that people have to go through if they find themselves without a place after their exam results have been received. Applicants without a place, or who are late deciding that they wish to apply to university or college can use Clearing until the middle of September.
THEY say that crime doesn’t pay, but it may well pay to study crime as Essex’s first BSc (Hons) Criminology & Forensic Investigation degree is hoping to prove, beyond reasonable doubt of course, when it begins this October at South Essex College’s Southend Campus.
Its highly qualified course team includes experienced former police personnel, enthusiastic forensic scientists and a head of digital forensics for a prominent city firm.
Chanelle Hewitt and Jessica James, both 19 from Basildon and Annie Atkinson, 19, from Grays, will work alongside Wella professionals at the Procter & Gamble pop-up salon in London to offer complimentary hair beauty and grooming treatments to athletes, their families and members of the media.
The award was given in recognition of the College’s outstanding training provision and commitment to its catering Apprentice scheme. The scheme enrols nearly 30 students and gives young local people an opportunity to earn while they learn in a real working environment.
HAIRDRESSING staff from South Essex College were amongst the first in the world to see a brand new hair colouring technique set to revolutionise the hairdressing industry.
Dr Sophina Asong, Headteacher of Gable Hall School, said: “This partnership is a very welcome development for all young people in Stanford and Corringham. It makes possible an enriched skills and qualifications offer which further strengthens the ability of the three Academies in the North East of Thurrock (Gable Hall, St Clere’s and Hassenbrook) to provide a richer and more inclusive, work relevant curriculum.”
