SHOUT
RESULTS DAY SUCCESS!
This year our students received some amazing results, with many gaining places at university or going into employment!
There’s no stopping Stockton Riverside College musical theatre student
Finley who is off to train in London after securing a place at one of the UK’s leading drama schools.
Following a string of leading role performances, the future looks bright for the 17-year-old from Whitby who most recently wowed audiences playing Galileo in the college’s summer performance of We Will Rock You.
Scooping a place to study musical theatre at the prestigious ArtsEd in London, Finley said: “It was a dream come true to get an offer, as it means I was one out of over 200 applicants to be selected.”
His ambition is to ultimately be a lead on the West End stage, but for now he explained: “I am so excited to be moving on to my next steps, though I will always have cherished memories of my time at the college.”
Of choosing to study at Stockton Riverside College after leaving school, the former Eskdale School pupil said: “I chose it because of its impeccable reputation and the fabulous facilities, as well as the welcoming environment.”
For him, he added, it didn’t fail to deliver.
Given the chance to headline on the college stage, Finley has played roles including Kenickie in Grease and, of course, Galileo in We Will Rock You. He said: “It has built my confidence and so much more.”
A young actor and children’s presenter who thought his acting career had come to an end when war broke out in Ukraine was among those celebrating results day success.
Stockton Riverside College student, Alan, has been offered a place at Arden School of Theatre in Manchester after a run of opportunities over the last two years has seen him both perform and have his own work read on the National Theatre stage in London.
“My college course has become my second home, and my acting team my second family,” said Alan who was just 16 when he felt compelled to flee Ukraine with his mum, sister and grandfather. Rebuilding his life in Stockton and embarking on a performing arts course, he used his experiences and the stories of those he heard from back home to inspire his writing.
Last year Alan’s script was selected to be given a professional reading at the National Theatre’s New Views Festival, with the play even going on to be performed by himself and his peers at ARC Stockton.
The whole group got another chance to experience life at the National Theatre this year when they were selected from more than 250 theatre groups nationwide, to be one of just ten to perform at the National Theatre’s Connections Festival.
Now heading to Arden, Alan said: “I don’t know why, but when I got my place, I
have got this feeling of deja vu, which I like to believe, means that I’m on my right path. I have so many plans and ideas. This all seems like a dream come true.”
Looking back at the last two years, he added: “It’s actually mad to think about how much my life has changed, but I couldn’t do it on my own. I’ve always had people, who were supporting me, my tutors, in particular Kelly Fairhurst, and my best friends.
“I remember what a lost, scared kid I was in the beginning, and these people, to be honest, everyone from my course, were always with me, no matter what. That’s what you call a family.
“My life didn’t begin at Stockton Riverside College, or even in the UK, but it surely got a purpose here!”
“My college course has become my second home, and my acting team my second family,”
Amelia Matriculates at Durham University!
We caught up with former student Amelia, who recently attended her matriculation ceremony at Durham University! After achieving their place at the university students are invited to attend a formal ceremony at Durham Cathedral to welcome them to the university.
After gaining a Distinction in T Level Education and Early Years on results day, Amelia had her place to study Primary Education at Durham University confirmed.
Speaking of her time at Stockton Riverside College, she said: “I really enjoyed my time at the college because I was on the right course for me and the tutors were supportive. This meant I could enjoy my time in college without stressing about work, as I was receiving support in lessons and from the LRC staff when working
She added: “For me, the best part of my time at Stockton Riverside College was that my course offered a placement in a local primary school and the college ensured that my time in placement was effective and that I was supported properly in my learning.”
Amelia decided that Stockton Riverside College was the place for her after she attended an open event. She said: “I was greeted by friendly staff and enthusiastic tutors, and when I walked into the building, I could see myself continuing my learning here.”
Having won T Level Student of the Year and then being nominated for Overall 16-18 Student of the Year, Amelia has had her fair share of success at the college. Not to mention she was one of the students given the opportunity to visit Downing Street with former college principal, Lesley Graham.
Now a university student, she reflects on the transition to higher education, saying: “My transition from college to university has been exciting as I have started a new chapter. I did this with the help of the college careers advisor with my application and interview preparation, and my tutors who gave me a reference and sat on the phone with me to UCAS when problems arose. Having now started university, it is a big step, but I feel college set me up well for this by supporting me in developing skills that have been essential for my transition.”
With her sights set on the future, Amelia is hoping to continue her hard work and success to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher in a local primary school.
Well done to Kenz and Jack who have both achieved Distinctions in film and tv!
The friends are off to Salford University to study film production together, with the hope that they will set up their own production company in the future.
Of their time at Stockton Riverside College both agreed that they enjoyed making great films and meeting new friends the most.
Congratulations to Joe, who achieved a Merit in T Level Health at Stockton Riverside College!
Joe has loved his time at the college, especially the quality of teaching and level of support he has received from his tutors.
He said, “I originally applied for the level 3 course, but I was advised that I would be better off studying the T Level course and I’m really glad I did, I have no regrets about choosing the T level”
Now Joe is continuing his studies with the NHS Professionals Academy and hopes to gain a place at university to study adult nursing in the future!
From Wonka to Barbie, meet Stockton’s up-and-coming
dancing star
From performing alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the Barbie movie to becoming a bit of a regular among the ensemble on ITV’s Saturday Night Takeaway, it would be fair to say life has been full of adventure for Grace.
“There really have been some amazing experiences,” said the former Stockton Riverside College musical theatre student who has featured in the Wonka movie, performed in panto at the London Palladium and toured with Anton and Giovanni for the Strictly Theatre Company.
While it all sounds very glamorous, the 24-year-old is quick to show she still has her feet on the ground, earning a regular
“That’s the thing about this kind of work, for months you can be living in a pink bubble on the Barbie set, and the next you are waiting to hear back from auditions, unsure what’s going to come next,” she said.
It certainly takes hard work, determination and a thick skin, explained the up-and-coming young dancer from Ingleby Barwick who has also faced more than her fair share of rejection.
With lots more big plans in the pipeline, most of which contractual agreements say she can’t talk about yet, there are plenty of roles she has wanted but been pipped at the post.
Returning to Stockton to deliver a masterclass to passionate young dancers this summer, that was one of the life lessons she was keen to pass on.
All that said, she admitted there’s got to be little more exciting than being directed on set by the likes of Paul King and then Greta Gerwig.
“Dipping into film has been a whole new world, I was in awe of the whole thing,” said Grace, who started dancing at an early age, going on to study performing arts at Stockton Riverside College, where she was taught by her mum, Sara Durkin, before securing a place at Laine Theatre Arts.
Her time at college didn’t pass without adventure as she made it through to the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent, performing as half of dance duo, Grace and Ali, the first in a long line of once in a lifetime opportunities.
Going on to live and work in London after theatre school, she said: “I was on the set of Wonka when I heard a rumour that Margo Robbie had been in the dance studio and that they were making a Barbie film,” she said.
When the auditions took place just a fiveminute walk from where she was living, she wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass by.
“I got to the audition and felt well out of my comfort zone because they were all models,” she said. As it turned out being able to dance gave Grace an ace card. She describes getting through the many rounds of auditions that followed as “the biggest moment of my career”.
“At first I was just meant to be there for two weeks of filming but Greta decided she wanted the dancers to play the Barbies. I ended up doing four or five months filming. It was all such a bizarre and unique experience – it was a special time.”
Eventually coming back out of the pink bubble felt like an abrupt return to reality, but she said: “I am so grateful for the experience.”
And, for Grace, the diversity of a career as a performer has continued. She has gone on to dance in front of royalty at the Royal British Legion’s D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations, there was another Strictly tour, the final series of Saturday Night Takeaway and of course performing at the National Television Awards tonight.
She said: “It has been an exciting time for me but there is still so much more I want to do.”
Looking at her track record so far, we are sure there’ll be lots more to come.
Industry Experience at PD Ports
A massive well done to our incredible students who showed their hard work, commitment and increasing expertise at PD Ports’ official launch of the Emerald Duchess.
In an event to remember, catering and hospitality, aviation, travel and tourism and business students demonstrated their hosting skills, welcoming guests, serving food and drinks and delivering all-round
impeccable customer service. They were also joined by Etc. staff members offering a helping hand.
Described as a major investment into the economic and environmental sustainability of the River Tees, Emerald Duchess, a 71m long dredger, will help keep Teesport safe and accessible to vessels.
ConGRADulations!
Our class of 2024 graduated at ARC in Stockton recently. The higher education students of Stockton Riverside College came together to celebrate their shared success for a day to remember!
