www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 17 March 2014 Issue 1289 Free
The Independent Voice of Newcastle Students
SIBLING RIVALRY Sartorial stand-off with the Olsens, Knowles and Delevingnes p.29
Est 1948
GOOD KIDS, MAD CITY p.28 GOT MILK? p.32
Campus crowns new NUSU officers By Anna Templeton and James Simpson News Editors A turnout of 20 per cent in the Student Union elections saw a new set of sabbatical officers and part-time officers elected. After four days of hard campaigning, over 4,000 votes were cast sealing the fate of the six new sabbatical officers and six part time officer positions. With the results revealed in the packed Venue, the respective current Sabbatical Officers announced the winners of their own positions. Editor of The Courier, George Sandeman announced the winners of the part time positions. The SU crowded basement of the Students’ Union first learned that the new Chair of Student’s Union Council was Thomas Wessely. RAG officers were Jessica Bayley and Emily Lloyd aptly named “RAG Dolls”. Scrutiny Officer was announced as Scott Thomas, Gender Equality Officer named as Rebecca Bates, the new LGBT officer called as Luke Allison and International Officer Jo Hoi Shan. The first Sabbatical position to be announced was Editor of The Courier, which was won by Tom Nicholson. Tom, running unopposed, received the most votes in the first round, of any position, receiving 1361 votes. Tom Nicholson, newly elected Editor of The Courier, expressed his excitement about his new position. “Extremely exciting. The paper has been a central part of my time at New-
castle for two and a half years now, and I intend to carry it on and try and maintain the standards at which George has set this year. It will be a challenge, but hopefully very rewarding, exciting and enjoyable!” When asked for his plans for the next year, Tom responded: “Mainly, I’ll be trying to vindicate the choice of the electorate in showing that I am quite literally better than nothing!” Next to be announced was Welfare and Equality presented by Emily Waller. The position was between three candidates with Olivia Jeffrey being successful, with a landslide victory receiving 820 more votes than her closest opponent Rich Parry. Olivia Jeffrey, Welfare and Equality Officer for 2014-15, said: “I don’t think it has hit me yet. I know that a clichéd thing to say but I just came in casually from the toilets thinking that I hadn’t been called. Then I heard Welfare and Equality Officer called – and it was me! “I’ve loved campaigning alongside everyone, they’ve been so friendly, and honestly I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to campaign with, all throughout the week we were wishing each other luck. “It was so close but I am so excited to work with the saab team next year.” Education officer followed, which was the most hotly contested position with seven candidates running. The winner was David Morris receiving nearly double the amount of votes of his nearest rival Tom Gordon. Continued on page 4
IN WITH THE NEW: Meet your new Students’ Union sabbatical officers. Image: Victoria Armstrong
Diver drives to win another national award By Sabine Kucher Deputy News Editor
Final year Business Management student Natalie Diver was crowned a winner at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards earning her award for Best Student Contribution to a small to medium sized enterprise. The national awards are the only national recognition highlighting undergraduate employability and attract high-profile support by PwC and The Guardian amongst others. Originally from Tynemouth, Natalie
was one of only four finalists for the award alongside fellow Newcas“I was delight- tle student, Alice McLinden. ed to receive Natalie said of such a high achievement: recognition for her “I was absolutely my contribudelighted to retion during my ceive such high recognition for placement.” my contribution during my placement year with Baggers Originals. “I always gave 100% effort and it’s so
rewarding to see that my hard work has paid off, not only in the company, but to be recognised for my achievements.” During her placement year, the 22-year-old helped secure £750,000 in free publicity and aided in gaining a £100,000 investment into the business. Commenting on her time with Baggers Originals she said: “I really enjoyed having the freedom to explore my own ideas and manage my own tasks and I think being involved in this type of work allowed me to develop my theoretical knowledge and put it into practice.”
“I believe that my main business skills include managing tasks efficiently, generating unique ideas and implementing them to completion and having the dive and motivation to always give my best to everything.” Her drive and motivation to succeed have been recognised at numerous occasions bagging the young entrepreneur National Overall Outstanding Student Employee of the Year last year as well as 10 other local, regional and national awards. The many achievements have opened new doors for the serial entrepreneur:
“In my placement year, I was selected by James Caan to be a Student Ambassador of the £112m Start Up Loans Scheme and I was appointed for this role at Buckingham Palace by Lord Young.” Natalie has shared her experiences and knowledge with those who want to follow in her path as the president of the Entrepreneur’s Society and a mentor to other student businesses Graduating this year Natalie is looking to the future: “I have just launched my new blog Orange Champagne and I have big plans to set-up my own business at some point in the future.“