Olympic hopeful inspires youngsters

 Olympic hopeful Kate Dennison visited students at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) to chat to students as part of the Colleges commitment to sport.

Kate Dennison, aged 27 is a Pole Vaulter and held the British Record for two years between 2009 and 2011, taking it from 4.45m to 4.60m.  She said: “I’ve had a brilliant day at the College and I’m very impressed by the facilities the students have here.  It has been great to chat to young people and hopefully inspire them to take a career in sport.”

Kate spent the day at the College where she toured the £60 million campus on Knutton Lane and gave workshops with a number of students from subject areas including Sport, Public Services and Foundation Studies.

Foundation Studies students were particularly interested in picking Kate’s brains as they prepare to compete in the Special Olympics this Summer.

During the day pupils from Seabridge Primary School were also invited to meet Kate who made time to chat to the pupils individually and provide them with information about diet and nutrition.

NULC is a member of the London 2012 Get Set network, in recognition of its commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

Kate's first World Final resulted in a 6th placed finish at the 2009 IAAF World Championship in Berlin with a height of 4.55m. She then went on to win a Bronze medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Championships in Delhi.

To find out more about the range of courses available at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

To read more about Kate Dennison visit her website by clicking here.

Foundation Studies students meet HRH the Duke of York

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of York to its campus.

The Duke of York visited NULC to help promote the work of colleges in providing high quality apprenticeships, work-based learning and business skills development.

After meeting local dignitaries in the College reception area, His Royal Highness was given a tour of the College by NULC Principal and Chief Executive Karen Dobson, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir James Hawley.

During his tour of the College, the Duke took time out his scheduled tour to wave and meet with Foundation Studies students who were part way through a sport lesson in the the Gordon Banks Sports Centre.

The visit formed part of The Duke of York's work to encourage and inspire young people to develop the right skills, and to recognise and support the many apprenticeship schemes that are developing as a part of the Government's Skills and Innovation agenda.

He told students he hoped the College could help inspire them to "be more than you think you can be". The Duke of York added: "I can assure all of you young people that you have a great deal more potential than you probably realise or understand. Over the last 10 years I've been doing a huge amount for British business and I will continue to do so, because I believe in it, and I also believe you young people are the future of it."

Principal Karen Dobson said:"I am very proud of the staff that helped pulled everything together and of course all the students who have done themselves real credit."

Find out more about the wide range of courses available for students of all ages, interests and skill levels at NULC at www.nulc.ac.uk, email info@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254254.

Pyjama day helps Special Olympics

NULC student Cerys Johnson and her fellow students from the Early Years group A (E3) organised a Pyjama Day in aid of charity .

The group invited fellow students to come to College on Friday 10 February dressed in their pyjama's in exchange for £1. 

The group raised a brilliant £42.00 which will be donated to the North Staffordshire Special Olympics.

Well done to everyone that took part in the event.

Staff and students invited to wear Pyjamas

NULC student Cerys Johnson and her fellow students from the Early Years group A (E3) have organised a charity fundraiser.

On Friday 10 February a Pyjama Day has been organised to raise money for the Special Olympics.   Staff and students are being invited to come to College in their Pyjamas for the day in exchange for £1.

Money will be collected by tutors in the first morning class and at 1.00pm for students who are only in college for the afternoon and the money should then be taken to the staff room for collection.

Join in football games for charity

NULC student Zac Cooper has organised a range of events to help raise funds for the Special Olympics.

Zac aged 16 from Newcastle is studying the BTEC Diploma in Vocational Studies (E3) Sport at NULC and along with his fellow students has organised the following events which are open to all NULC staff and students.

• Penalty Shoot Out – 5 shots; everyone who scores 4 or more will be entered in a prize draw.
• 
  Kick-Up challenge – How many can you do in 1 minute? Prize for the winner.  

The events will take place on TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY ON THE 3G PITCH outside the Gordon Banks Sports Centre from 1:00pm until 2:30pm.

To take part it costs £1 per game or £1.50 for a go of both games.  Please come along and help to raise money for this very worthy cause.

Students raise money for Children in Need

Students studying the Vocational Studies Entry Level 3 in Hair and Beauty set up a stall to raise money for Children in Need on Friday 18 November.

The kind hearted students gave up their time to sell raffle tickets and cupcakes to fellow students and staff members outside the Food Hall.

The money raised will be added to the grand total raised across college by staff and students.

Pictured: Vocation Studies Entry Level 3 in Hair and Beauty student Ronnie Frost manning the Children in Need stall.

Students speak out for change

Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) are among those from only eight colleges nationally to be taking part in a project designed to boost their skills in public speaking.

NULC is part of the Speak out for change - public speaking for active citizenship – scheme, delivered by the LSN,  Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) and supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

A total of nine students from the College’s Foundation Studies department are taking part in the project, which will see them get the opportunity to speak publically at a range of events organised by the College.

The group includes entry level students who may not have achieved their full potential at school, as well as those with autism and other learning difficulties from the College’s Life Skills and Employment Training course. 

Students recently took part in a workshop with Jennifer Mackay from the Speakers Trust and this week put their questions to the MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, Paul Farrelly. The College invited Paul along to meet the students and offer guidance and advice in public speaking.  The students were then offered the opportunity to question Paul.

The two year pilot scheme aims to promote inclusivity and enable the youngsters to develop and practice their public speaking skills through a blend of relevant and stimulating real world experiences.

MP Paul Farrelly said: “This is a really good project; it’s fabulous to meet such enthusiastic students.  In life confidence is half the battle and this is exactly the sort of work we should be doing with young people to prepare them for life.”

Lorraine Myers, Foundation Studies lecturer, said: “The students involved are finding the whole scheme very inspirational. I’ve already seen a change in their confidence and they are beginning to believe in themselves.”

She continued: “One of the students is now considering joining the Students’ Union, where they will get the opportunity to speak on behalf of all students. This was not a consideration until he engaged in this project and started to believe in himself.”

Alice Wooldridge aged 18 from Stoke said: “I’ve enjoyed talking to Paul today and he’s taught us to be yourself which gives you confidence.  My confidence in public speaking is growing already and in the future I would like to go into acting, so this type of project will help me with my career goals.”

The ultimate goal for the students is to speak publically at a presentation evening to be held in the New Year.

To  find out more about the range of entry level and Level 1 courses on offer at NULC, contact the College Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk