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Welcome year 11s! We hope you’re enjoying your time at school, and you’re looking forward to college life! We have put together this News Shout to help give you an idea of college life when you choose to study with us at Stockton Riverside College. Want to check out the college? Turn over to see our upcoming open event dates and pop in for a chat (subject to change depending on government guidelines). Please keep an eye on our website for any updates. Remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about your future. Apply with us today to secure your place. You can always change your mind at a later date. In this News Shout, we have detailed what you can expect if you do choose to study with us and highlighted some reasons as to why you should! Some reasons involve our APTA launch for all of you creative students! And then there’s The Girls Network that brings exciting opportunities for our female students!
COSTUME & PRODUCTION DESIGN
Are you a dab hand with a sewing machine? Do you like creating weird and wonderful costumes and designs? Our Level 3 Costume and Production Design course is perfect for those with a flair for fashion, art, and design. Set the scene with our Costume and Production Design course. It's new, it's creative, and it's a whole lot of fun! Learn all about set designs, which can prepare you for work within the fashion industry, theatres, films, and more.
LEVEL 1 ART, MEDIA, AND DESIGN Whether you see yourself as a budding artist or designer, a future filmmaker, make-up artist, fashion designer, or animator, we can help you develop the skills you need.
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In this course, you'll dabble with arts, textiles, photography, video editing, and so much more. You'll get the chance to explore your strengths and your creativity! You can apply on our website.
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MOTOR VEHICLE STUDENT DRIVES TOWARDS A FUTURE WITH PORSCHE James, a former Motor Vehicle student, completed his placement at Porsche last summer, and his employer decided to keep him in employment. James recently passed his bronze certification, which is the first of the 3 certifications Porsche gives to its technicians. James says: “Working with cars has always been a passion of mine. Now, working with one of the best supercars out there; it’s a dream job for me. I’ve loved every minute of working at Porsche Centre Teesside,
and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!” When asked if James would recommend Stockton Riverside College, he answered: “Yes, all this wouldn’t have been made possible without the help of Stockton Riverside College. Also, I would like to give a special mention to Dave Hobson for being an outstanding Motor Vehicle tutor and sourcing my work experience that lead to my apprenticeship and employment with Porsche Centre Teesside."
ART AND DESIGN STUDENT, AMBER, OPENS NEW CONCEPT STORE AT
Teesside Airport!
It's always amazing to see our students going on to achieve great things. Well done and good luck to former Art and Design student, Amber, on this exciting new venture! Young entrepreneur, Amber, is launching a new concept store at Teesside Airport. The store will stock around 20 local brands, covering everything from cosmetics, fashion and accessories. Amber, 26, from fashion boutique, House of Zana, is working together with another Darlington-based business owner, on the concept store. It will be named House of Zana and Rejoy, following the success of their other joint venture located on Darlington’s Grange Road. The new shop will stock around 20 local brands, covering everything from cosmetics, fashion and accessories, work from local artists, and perfect lastminute holiday essentials. Amber says: “We’re always on the lookout for exciting new brands that we can work with. If anyone likes what we’re about, thinks they’ll be a good fit, and wants to speak to us, I’d encourage them to get in touch via our social media!”
PAINTING AND DECORATING STUDENTS REVAMP FACILITIES AT LAKOTA TRAINING
Painting and Decorating students were invited to Stockton’s Lakota Training to help revamp their new facilities. Tasked with decorating the training room, hallway and offices, students worked together to complete the project, with a helping hand from Construction students. Lakota’s managing director, Paul Marriner, said: “We recognise that students need real practical experience, but those chances have no doubt been limited due to Covid. “We were in a position to be able to help. This was an opportunity for us to offer students the chance to get some real work experience, and having just moved into new premises, it also worked out well for us.” Presented with a colour code and brief, the students planned and prepared for the job, as they would in the real world of work. A team of 18 students took on the challenge.
Walls, doorways and window frames were all transformed with a colour scheme of purple, turquoise and grey. The college’s painting and decorating tutor, Tony Ferguson, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to work on a real project and see the results of their efforts. In the workshop students get to develop and practise their practical skills, but this was the chance to apply what they have learnt on a much larger scale, while also liaising with a real client.” To read the full story, just scan the QR code on the back of this booklet and have a read of our ‘A chance to brush up on new skills’ news story.
Computing Student, Ebony, wins Silver!
Computing Student, Ebony, won Silver for the Pearson BTEC Computing Student of the Year Award! Ebony's Computing tutor put her forward for the award, and she did not disappoint! Ebony is currently studying for the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in IT, and she is predicted to achieve an overall DD in the course. Ebony has also received a conditional offer from Teesside University to continue her studies. We're so proud of you, Ebony. Well done!
T LEVELS A new alternative study path for school leavers is coming to Stockton Riverside College in 2022! Recently introduced by the government, T Levels are the latest level 3 post-16 qualification. These offer a technical route that incorporates both classroom-based learning and occupational specialism with a significant industry placement that makes up 20% of your course - perfect for gaining valuable work experience whilst still earning qualifications! T Levels are set to be the new flagship
programme for vocational and technical learners. The completion of a T Level will provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers would expect in your chosen occupation. Providing you with the technical equivalent to three A levels, T Levels will carry UCAS tariff points, allowing you to progress to higher education, employment, or onto an apprenticeship to further your skill set! For more information on T Levels, just scan the QR code on the back of this booklet and have a read of our ‘Your five-minute guide to T Levels’ news story.
DONATION OF BRICKS HELP PAVE THE ROAD TO SUCCESS Bricklaying students at Stockton Riverside College have been given a welcome boost that will assist in building their skills for years to come. A generous donation of 9,600 brand new bricks from Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC, is sure to prove a cornerstone of their learning. The college’s Course Leader for Construction, Alex Thompson, said: “This is a really big deal for the college, to have that number of brand-new bricks to work with. It’s going to be unbelievable for the students.” On today’s building sites, he said you can expect to be working with
new bricks as standard, therefore it’s fantastic to be able to refresh their own supply. “New bricks have a clean sharp edge,” he said. “This will no doubt encourage the students to take more pride in their work and put more care into the job.” Astounded by the volume of bricks donated, Alex said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Michelmersh. These bricks will no doubt help our students for the next three to five years.” To read the full story, just scan the QR code on the back of this booklet and have a read of our ‘Bricks will prove a foundation for future skills’ news story.
isn’t such an unlucky number after all, BUSINESS STUDENT, REBECCA, SECURES PERMANENT ROLE WITH HOUSING GIANTS, THIRTEEN GROUP
Having started her journey as a level 2 apprentice in 2018, Rebecca has flown through her apprenticeship and even completed her level 3 qualification four months early. Now, the 22-year-old is reaping the rewards and has been offered a fulltime position which she’s thoroughly enjoying. “Thirteen is a great company to work for, my colleagues are amazing, and I really enjoy my role,” she said. When asked what she learned throughout her apprenticeship, Rebecca explained: “I learned a lot about external business factors, which was interesting as it was useful to see how different factors can impact businesses and how this was transferable to my role within Thirteen.”
So, would Rebecca recommend a Business Administration apprenticeship with Stockton Riverside College? “I would definitely recommend this apprenticeship,” she says. “I have learned an awful lot, and it is interesting to transfer the learning into my daily role and reflect different systems. Also, my assessor, Paula, has been fabulous. She’s been a great help”.
KIERON, A FORMER FULL-TIME MOTOR VEHICLE STUDENT AT STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE, NOW WORKS FOR MENDAL MOTORS! Kieron initially began work with Econofix for work experience. After settling in with the help of the college, he completed an apprenticeship in the summer.
He says: “I had some great teachers, and the efforts that they put in to support me is probably one of the reasons I am in the position I am in today. And for that, I am really thankful to you and the rest of the staff.”
Having proven himself at Econofix, Kieron moved onto a position at Mendal Motors in Thornaby. Kieron has settled in well to his new role, working within the Renault specialist. His training and experience on the job have enabled him to tackle everyday challenges. Kieron has settled in well to his new role, working within the Renault specialist. His training and experience on the job have enabled him to tackle everyday challenges.
AN APPRENTICESHIP HAS PROVEN TO BE JUST THE JOB FOR ASPIRING PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER, KATIE! After declining her place at university to study primary education in 2019 due to feeling unprepared, Katie recently embarked on a Level 2 Teaching and Learning apprenticeship with Stockton Riverside College, and she hasn’t looked back since! “I’m now feeling more than ready to follow my dream of becoming a
primary school teacher. Without my apprenticeship, I’m not sure I’d ever be ready.” So, would Katie recommend her apprenticeship to others? “For anybody not 100% on what they want to do, or if you're not ready, I would highly recommend getting as much experience as you can through an opportunity like this.”
Well done, Katie!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY UPCOMING OPEN EVENTS
YEAR 10 TWILIGHT EXPLORER EVENINGS
• Monday 12th October 2021 • Thursday 18th November 2021 • Tuesday 8th February 2022
Year 10 Twilight Explorer Evenings, taking place on 6th and 7th July 2021.
• Tuesday 15th March 2022
There is also a Parents Info event running alongside these.
(Apprenticeships and full-time)
• Saturday 23rd April 2022
1:1 TOUR Need a tour guide to help you decide? For a chance to explore the college with one of our dedicated, friendly staff, book your 1:1 campus tour with us on our website today: www.stockton.ac.uk/ourevents. You’ll get the chance to see the college and our classrooms, and the chance to ask your questions!
NEW TO TIKTOK
Have you heard? We’re now on TikTok! Follow us at @stocktonriversidecollege to keep up to date on #lifeatsrc If you have anything you want to share with us, email your TikTok videos to marketing@stockton.ac.uk!
GYM ACCESS* Check out the offers available at our Sports Centre in Billingham.
FREE MEALS** Free College meals!
FREE BUS TRAVEL* Travelling to and from college couldn’t be easier, with bus routes available across Teesside. www.stockton.ac.uk/ student-services
ADVICE And of course you can get advice with your CV, careers and university preparation.
PRINT CREDITS
USE OF IT EQUIPMENT
Just another way we help to make college life easier!
Including iPads, cameras and video cameras. You can also loan a laptop to study at home, completely free. Speak to our Student Services team about all of our latest offers and discounts!
*Subject to change. Conditions may apply. **Subject to eligibility criteria. Please visit the Student Services section of our website for more information.
Don’t forget to check out all our news stories on our website. Scan the QR code below:
STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE Harvard Avenue, Stockton-On-Tees, TS17 6FB Tel: 01642 865566 Email: info@stockton.ac.uk www.stockton.ac.uk News Shout is printed on recycled paper, please recycle your copy or pass on to family and friends.