Winter
BUILDING FUTURES, ACHIEVING AMBITIONS
edition 2018
Celebrate The termly newsletter of Richmond upon Thames College
More inside RuTC awarded Microsoft Showcase College Status —————————— Celebration at 2018 Student Awards Ceremony —————————— Construction students visit our new campus —————————— Apprentices graduate with flying colours
RuTC students receive prestigious Jack Petchey Award Congratulations to our students Ben Hamilton, Bethannie York and Isaac Skrzypczyk, who won this year’s Jack Petchey Award! The award scheme recognises outstanding young people between the ages of 11-25 throughout London and Essex and allows students and staff to celebrate their efforts, endeavours and achievements. The winners were presented with the awards by the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond Cllr Ben Khosa. The winning students demonstrate dedication to their courses despite challenging personal circumstances, are great role models and make a significant contribution to the local, college community or participate in enrichment groups and campaigns.
Message from our Principal Richmond upon Thames College (RuTC) is a vibrant, diverse and friendly community with outstanding students and staff. We have a wide range of subjects and courses at different levels, a strong support team plus a range of facilities and enrichment activities that allow our students to fulfill their potential and achieve their ambitions. I am incredibly proud of the successes and achievements of our students and in this edition of our termly Celebrate newsletter, you can read about the wonderful and inspiring stories from the past few months. Robin Ghurbhurun Chief Executive and Principal
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Celebrate
RuTC awarded Microsoft Showcase College status We are delighted to announce that we are now a prestigious Microsoft Showcase College. The Microsoft Showcase College programme is part of Microsoft’s Education Initiative – a global network of institutions using technology to improve teaching and learning. Showcase colleges are supported by Microsoft to focus on personalised learning for students through the use of one-to-one devices and Office 365 Education, Teams, OneNote, Skype and more. Our principal Robin Ghurbhurun said: “I am delighted Richmond upon Thames College has been designated a Microsoft Showcase College. Our commitment to innovation in technology for learning and business will be enhanced by this partnership with Microsoft and its family of other pioneering institutions across the globe. Membership of the group will undoubtedly match our 2020+ journey for learning and skills, creating a smart campus for our students and staff.” He added, “Becoming a Microsoft Showcase College is a great honour for the college and an exciting and important step for Richmond upon Thames College’s future. With ever-changing technology, it is vital that as a leading education and training provider, we provide our students with the latest cuttingedge technology that will enhance their learning experiences and better prepare them for their future careers.” “It is a great privilege to be working closely with one of the world’s leading technology corporations and Microsoft’s commitment to digital skills and education aligns closely with Richmond upon Thames College’s purpose to drive aspiration, ambition and achievement.”
Art and Design launches innovative exhibition In September, past and present students’ designs and illustrations from the past 50 years were celebrated at a private viewing held at The Exchange in Twickenham. RuTC alumnus and co-founder of Blue Zoo Animation Studios, Tom Box, presented a showreel of recent company work along with his BAFTA nominated short animation film, Mamoon. Among the exhibited designs were also pieces of RuTC alumnus Pennie Smith, including the iconic ‘London Calling’ album cover by The Clash, which she photographed in 1979.
National Colleges Week at RuTC During October, we actively participated in this year’s Colleges Week, part of AoC’s ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign. This year’s campaign highlighted the brilliant work colleges do every day and raised awareness for the decrease in college funding. Colleges help people of all ages and backgrounds to make the most of their talents and ambitions. To keep up this amazing work, colleges are calling on the Government to urgently increase college funding to sustainable levels.
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Celebrations at the annual Student Awards Ceremony Together with over 160 guests, we celebrated the exceptional achievements and successes of our students at the 2018 Student Awards Ceremony. Students from every department received recognition for their great achievements. We were pleased to welcome RuTC alumnus, Jack Eldridge, who inspired the audience as he spoke about his journey since leaving RuTC in 2011. Today, he is the Head of Business Planning at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Principal Robin Ghurbhurun said: “It was amazing to recognise the efforts of our students. Many of them will be progressing to university, apprenticeships or the next level of their course. All of our winners have a unique story that makes them special and we are incredibly proud of them.” Music student and award winner for Greatest
Contribution to College Life, Michael Fuller, performed his own composition and is now studying Music at Royal Holloway University. Dance students, including award winner for Performing Arts Ellie-Rae Andrews, performed a piece from The Wizard of Oz. Ellie-Rae has continued her studies at Stella Mann Performing Arts College. Jonathan Corfield won the Outstanding Achievement award for an academic pathway, gaining four As in Government and Politics, History, Maths and Further Maths. Jonathon is now studying Mathematics and Economics at the University of Nottingham.
‘Shooting Star Chase’ is our chosen charity for 2018
Construction students tour our new campus
Over the last 12 months, students and staff raised over £770 for ‘Shooting Star Chase’, the leading children’s hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. We are excited to continue supporting a worthwhile local charity, as they offer medical, practical and emotional support to families 365 days a year. This donation was raised through a 5p Challenge, Christmas Jumper Day and Bake Sale and a raffle organised by the Supported Learning Life Skills C group.
Some of our Construction Crafts and Construction and the Built Environment students recently visited the site of our new campus. ISG, the construction services company responsible for the redevelopment, gave the students a safety induction, discussed the construction process and gave a tour of the new campus building. Alison Jones, Employment Skills Co-ordinator at RuTC, said: “ISG were great hosts and equipped the group with a copy of the designer report which will aid students as they are doing work on this now as part of their course.”
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Aleksandra Piechocinska, Art and Design Level 2 student at RuTC, recently had the honour of seeing her creation come to life. In November, a new sculpture was unveiled at Heathfield Recreation Ground in Twickenham to raise awareness for dementia. The Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond Cllr Ben Khosa performed the cutting of the ribbon of the giant-sized chair sculpture at the opening ceremony. The Alzheimer’s Society Richmond asked RuTC Art and Design students to design a piece of work for the dementia-friendly park. After much consideration, the winning design by Aleksandra was chosen. The design of a Chesterfield armchair stood out amongst many others as it represents home comforts and peace.
Know someone who wants to join RuTC? Apply now at www.rutc.ac.uk/apply or visit one of our Open Events: Tuesday 26 February 2019, 5.00pm-8.00pm (last entry 7.30pm) - presentations: 6.00pm & 6.45pm Tuesday 26 March 2019, 5.00pm-8.00pm (last entry 7.30pm) - presentations: 6.00pm & 6.45pm Tuesday 25 June 2019, 5.00pm-8.00pm (last entry 7.30pm) - presentations: 6.00pm & 6.45pm
RuTC’s apprentices graduate with flying colours Congratulations to our nine apprentices who work at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and celebrated the end of their apprenticeship programme with a graduation ceremony, held at NPL’s offices at the end of November. During their 12-18 month courses, all of the apprentices were supported by our specialist employer engagement department, Training Solutions. Seven graduated in Business Administration, one in IT and one in Digital Marketing. They have all been offered positions with NPL, which means RuTC has now seen 21 apprentices graduate with them. JT Janssen, NPL’s Director of Research, gave the opening speech at the ceremony, followed by Robin Ghurbhurun, Principal and Chief Executive of RuTC. Both spoke highly of the graduates’ hard work. Robin Ghurbhurun said, “It was a fantastic event as ever but what really struck me was how impressive our apprentices are and the experience NPL has provided them with.”
Celebration of Black History Month During October, RuTC Students’ Union organised activities to celebrate Black History Month. A workshop from Cambridge University kicked off celebrations by allowing students to get to know the renowned university and its work on ethnic minority representation. The college’s refectory offered menu options inspired by African and Caribbean dishes. Display boards gave information about black history heroes and students pinned their heritage on an interactive map. The month concluded with a screening of Black Panther and a social action group in support of students from ethnic minorities was launched.
For more information visit
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