QUICK THINKING TEEJAY PUTS LESSONS INTO ACTION
You just never know when the skills you learn will come in handy on a larger scale.
A SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS If you are looking for some inspiration then we might just be able to help...
Ty Lewis, The Voice UK, photograph (C) ITV Plc
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WELCOME
Welcome to News Shout, sharing all of the latest news and events from Stockton Riverside College, Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training and The Skills Academy. If you have already applied to join us this September, don’t forget exams may be cancelled, but your future isn’t. Regardless of your results we have a place for you. And if you haven’t applied yet then don’t worry, we are still taking applications and we have new measures in place so you can secure your place from the comfort of your own home. In fact, we’ve been finding new and exciting ways of bringing our colleges to you. Don’t miss our first ever online open events: NETA Training - Thursday 7th May Stockton Riverside College - Monday 18th May (Both 11am-12.30pm and 5.30pm-7pm) Bede Sixth Form College is holding a live virtual Question and Answer session on Thursday 14th May. (11.00am-12.30pm and 5.00-6.30pm) If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch, email: info@stockton.ac.uk We look forward to seeing you soon.
CONTENTS
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STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE You just never know when the skills you learn will come in handy on a larger scale. This was certainly the case for our Computing lecturer, Simon Patterson, who has been making 3D face shields for those working on the front line. Responding to calls for owners of 3D printers to rally and help make PPE equipment, Simon stepped up. Using the College’s 3D printer and supplies, he has been doing his bit to help. With designs shared by other 3D printing enthusiasts and creating visors with laminated plastic sheets, Simon came up with an effective design. He said: “I wasn’t sure whether they would be of any use but I got in touch with the University Hospital of North Tees and, after sending them pictures, they said yes please.” A post on social media about what he was doing quickly saw further demand flood in.
“After just a few days I had requests for more than 250 face shields,” he said. In fact, there was such an interest in the face shields that Simon set up a Go Fund Me page to raise the £300 needed to help buy a second 3D printer, with plans to buy a third himself. “I have been overwhelmed by both the positive support and also requests from a vast range of people and local businesses asking for help,” he said. Inundated with donations of laminate sheets, Simon said: “Everyone has been so gracious and supportive. I think people just want to help. When you are at home and you know friends and family members are out there working in the thick of it to help others, anything we can do collectively to support the front line is what we have to do.” www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/computing Above Left: Stockton Riverside College and The Skills Academy tutor Simon with his wife Hannah Above Right: A closer look at the face shield masks created by Simon
NEWS SHOUT
April 2020
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Above: Students across the APTA disciplines
If you love all things creative then watch out for Stockton Riverside College’s brand new Academy for Performing and Technical Arts (APTA). Bringing together all of our creative courses, it’s the place to grow your skills and find new and exciting ways of working. Whether you are looking to study Performing Arts, Art & Design, Fashion, Production Arts, Makeup for Stage and Screen, Film Production or Games Design, APTA is the place for you. APTA’s Growth and Development Manager, Tom Guest, said: “The academy will bring more opportunities for collaboration among our students than ever before.” Plus, he said: “It is not just about what happens on the stage, APTA will incorporate a strong focus on technical skills and every other aspect of the creative arts.” Enterprise will also be a core focus for APTA students. Tom said: “We want to give our young people the knowledge and expertise to turn their skills into a real career.” APTA is now taking applications for courses starting this September. Visit: www.stockton.ac.uk
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STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE If you are thinking of studying Performing Arts or perhaps prefer the idea of life behind the camera, take a look at this clip.
Book by EHAN THOMAS ME
Presented
Music by STROUSE CHARLES
Our Film Production students were granted behind the scenes access to the production of our Christmas performance of ‘Annie the Musical’!
Lyrics by RNIN MARTIN CHA
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From auditions to choreography, to the success of opening night at ARC, the team were there to capture it all. www.stockton.ac.uk/apta/our-performances/ www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/film-tv www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/ performing-arts
A SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS A spotlight on success
If you are are looking lookingfor forsome someinspiration inspiration then might able to help. These students have all found If you then wewe might justjust be be able to help. These students have all found theirtheir routeroute to to success at Stockton Riverside College and you could too... success at Stockton Riverside College and you could too... Georgia - Art & Design With her sights set high, the future looks bright for Stockton Riverside College Art & Design student, Georgia, who has secured a conditional offer for her first choice university. Despite already having the majority of the UCAS points she needs, it hasn’t stopped her from working hard as she continues to build her portfolio. Georgia started her journey with us on a Creative Arts and Media course at The Skills Academy, before moving on to the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design at Stockton Riverside College. Off to study Special Effects Modelmaking at The University of Bolton, she said: “It feels amazing. When I first started at The Skills Academy I never dreamt I would have four offers from universities, including one of the best for my course in the country.” She added: “The tutors have really helped me build my portfolio and get ready for moving on to university. I feel like I’ve been able to develop not only with my work but as a person too.” www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/art-design
Learner Georgia with her artwork
NEWS SHOUT
Health and Social Care learner Bill
April 2020
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Hasna - Childcare Former Childcare student Hasna has moved a step closer to her ambition of becoming a paediatric nurse. Now in her second year at Edge Hill University, she said studying Childcare at Stockton Riverside College helped prepare her for the demands of higher education. Work placements throughout the course gave her further knowledge, skills and experience of the industry, she said: “My college portfolio was filled with knowledge and skills that helped me pass my interview and secure my place to study Paediatric Nursing.”
Bill - Health and Social Care Hard work and commitment to his studies has paid off for Health and Social Care student Bill. The right grades in his GCSE maths and English could now see the 19-year-old from Thornaby fast tracked from level 1 to level 3 after impressing teachers with his positive attitude and can-do approach. A former student of Okuapemman Secondary School in Ghana, Bill said: “I chose to study Health and Social Care at Stockton Riverside College because I am an empathetic person and I am passionate about helping others.” With ambitions to become a healthcare professional such as a doctor or a nurse, he said the course is giving him the skills he needs. But best of all, for him, it has given him the chance of a fast track to further study.
Looking back at the encouragement and support she received from her tutors, she said: “Even now, I will turn back to my college tutors for advice and they are always happy to guide me and that’s just amazing.” Now Hasna gets to pass on some of what she has learned, working as a mentor alongside her studies. Her advice to those considering studying Childcare at the College? “I would highly recommend it,” she said. “The course was fun. I loved learning about children and development and enjoyed everything within the department.” www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/childcare
Learner Hasna in the classroom
He said: “The Health and Social Care courses are fantastic and help put you on the path to diverse opportunities and job roles in the industry. The tutors are always helping to get the best out of you and that is enough motivation.” www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/health-social-care
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A career in the public services takes a calm approach, great leadership skills and the ability to communicate. Bede Sixth Form student Teejay proved he’s got all that and more when, faced with an unexpected emergency, he stepped up to be the man of the hour. Spotting an elderly gentleman emerge in distress from his smoke-filled home, Teejay and classmates, Owen and Yousif, didn’t think twice about stepping up to assist. “It was instinct, we just wanted to help,” said the former Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth student, from Stockton. After first checking the man was okay, the 16-yearold ran to the property to check for signs of fire before calling the emergency services.
Above: Teejay with Public Services Tutor Garreth
Having previously struggled with his confidence, Teejay said: “I couldn’t have done this six months ago.” He puts his instinctive actions down to the lessons learnt on the course, developing knowledge and skills in how to adapt and respond to any situation. The trio discovered the smoke had been caused by a tea towel set alight on the hob, which had been extinguished. Course leader Garreth Evans said: “When we heard about Teejay’s swift actions, of course we felt worried as he is a member of our Public Services family here at Bede, but also proud that he felt able to deal with the situation and made the professional decision to call the fire service.” To find out more about the Public Services courses at Bede Sixth Form visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/ public-services
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BEDE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
TY’S GOT THE VOICE We are not short of talent here at Bede Sixth Form College. That was clear to see as former student, Ty Lewis, impressed judges on The Voice UK. The 19-year-old saw audiences cheer him on as he made it all the way to the ITV talent show’s Knockout rounds. Catching up with us here at his former college, he said: “It all felt a bit surreal. Watching myself on TV, I couldn’t quite believe it was me standing on that stage.” But he said he loved every minute. Ty first impressed the show’s celebrity judges during the blind auditions, securing chair spins from both Olly Murs and Sir Tom Jones with his performance of Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over”. It was a head-to-head battle singing, “If the World Was Ending”, with team mate, Millie Bowell, that won him a place in the Knockout rounds. Performing “I’m so Tired” by Lauv and Troye Sivan, he just missed out on a place in the show’s live semi-final. Getting to meet and work with Olly, he said: “It was such an amazing experience. He is such a genuine, nice person and that helps put you at your ease.” Of performing to so many viewers at home, the former Music Technology and Media Studies student said: “The support I have had, not just from family and friends, but also the public, has been overwhelming. To get that public response and to see people say it was a good performance, that is the bit that made it all feel real.”
Above: Ty Lewis, The Voice UK, photograph (C) ITV Plc
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NETA TRAINING
Left: NETA instructor Colin with Art & Design tutor Annie Above: The original Knife Angel
Sparks were flying at NETA Training as Art & Design students paid a visit to try a spot of engineering. The role reversal was the next step in a cutting edge project that will see students from Stockton Riverside College and NETA transform hundreds of knives into a sculpture to raise awareness of knife crime. The project is inspired by the Knife Angel, a 27ft sculpture, made from 10,000 discarded knives and weapons confiscated by police forces across the country. Students will create their own smaller-scale design using hundreds of knives handed in to Cleveland Police during a recent campaign.
NETA’s Head of Department for Engineering, David Laycock, said: “It was important for the art students to understand the demands of working with metal and the skill involved from our engineering students.” Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger played a lead role in bringing the Knife Angel to Cleveland last summer. Since then he has been investing in initiatives to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime and divert them from criminal behaviour. He said: “It’s a great idea to use public art to make people think about the harm and damage knife crime causes.
Art & Design student Brandon said: “When you design something as an art student you see it as a picture on a piece of paper, but going to NETA and seeing how the machines work, makes you realise the work that will go into making the sculpture, which is incredible.”
“NETA and Stockton Riverside College students have been doing fantastic work to make this project a reality and I hope as many people as possible will be able to stop, look and think about the issues this great piece of art will represent.”
Fellow Art & Design student, Natalie, added: “We believe our sculpture will shock people because of how many knives there are and the thought that they have all come from this area.”
To find out more about opportunities at NETA Training visit: www.neta.co.uk
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THE SKILLS ACADEMY
CHEERING FOR BILLINGHAM TOWN Staff and students at The Skills Academy are proving that they’re on the ball when it comes to supporting the local community. The academy has signed a sponsorship deal with Billingham Town FC. With the hope of creating valuable work experience opportunities for their students at the club, The Skills Academy Manager, Marie Clay, said: “Making links with the local community is so important to us. Billingham Town is important to the people of the area. The Club has a number of volunteers that work hard to keep it going and hopefully as a college we can help and get involved.” Before the coronavirus closures, cheering the team on
from the stands had become a regular fixture for The Skills Academy team. Paul Beddow, Chairman of Billingham Town Football Club, said: “It’s great to have members from The Skills Academy at Bedford Terrace to watch our games and we welcome them as one of our new local sponsors. The Skills Academy, like us, aims to support the local community and in that regard, they are excellent partners to have on board.” In the Ebac Northern League, Billingham Town aims to support local player development from grass root football to academy level. The Club aspires to use sport as a tool to motivate and inspire individuals and local communities.
Above: The Skills Academy manager, Marie, visits the club
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DYLAN’S SUCCESS STORY
THE SKILLS ACADEMY
The next step for Dylan is a Performing Arts course at Stockton Riverside College, after he first built up his confidence at The Skills Academy. With dreams of a career in the West End, he said: “Everything was quite overwhelming when I first left school. I needed a place where I could continue my studies, but also felt comfortable enough to build up my confidence. That’s when I found The Skills Academy.” Choosing a course that allowed him to work on his artistic skills and help him understand more about set design seemed to blend well with his career goals. And it has certainly done the trick, as he said: “I really loved my time at The Skills Academy - it was a nice, small building, the people were friendly and the course really helped to build my confidence.”
Offering some words of advice, he added: “If, like me, you are not quite ready for a larger college, The Skills Academy is a great stepping stone. I am now ready to pursue my goal of singing and acting at Stockton Riverside College and I can’t thank the staff enough for helping me get there.”
Above: The Skills Academy Learner Dylan
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APPRENTICESHIPS
THINKING ABOUT CHOOSING AN APPRENTICESHIP? Here’s what you need to know… 1. Apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative to full-time study and you can earn while you learn. 2. They are a great way to develop knowledge and hone your skills in a wide range of occupations across all industry sectors (from healthcare to logistics to engineering). 3.
Lots of employers will need to work differently and be innovative, once we get through this tough period. New staff with fresh ideas will be essential in this transition.
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We work with employers of all different sizes, across the Tees Valley, to provide high quality apprenticeships leading to long and fruitful careers.
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Express an interest/apply early, so we can keep ensuring you are front of the queue as the opportunities emerge.
Below: Bricklaying and Hairdressing learners Curtis and Abby
6. If you would like to learn more about apprenticeships or to view our latest vacancies, please visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/ apprenticeships
Hello from the Recruitment Team! We are so sorry that we can’t be with you in school right now, but we want you to know that your future with us is still secure. If you have already applied to one of our many courses and attended an interview, we look forward to welcoming you back to our campuses to enrol. If you haven’t applied or are still unsure about your next steps – DON’T WORRY! You can explore our prospectus, find out specific information about courses, and apply online via our websites: www.stockton.ac.uk/apply and www.neta.co.uk/apply. Following government guidance, we are moving to telephone interviews in order to reduce the amount of face to face contact we have. We are sorry that we won’t get the chance to meet you in person but as you will appreciate, we take the safety of our students and prospective students very seriously. If you have not already been contacted by telephone, we aim to speak to you within the coming weeks. If your contact details have changed, please don’t hesitate to email us with your new details at info@stockton.ac.uk and apply@neta.co.uk.
Conor McKerlie
Sarah Kellaway
Abi Shepherd
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YOUR HEALTH & WELLBEING
We hope you’re using this time wisely and positively but if you need some tips here’s what we recommend: · Complete a daily work out · Get some fresh air · Listen to your favourite playlist · Perfect your CV · Keep your brain active with quizzes and puzzles · Read a book · Help around the house · Keep in contact with your friends Did you know you can visit our Student Support page for answers to FAQs regarding enrolment, welfare and our latest updates relating to COVID-19 government guidelines?
Left: Travel & Tourism learners Karolina & Holly
Over the next few weeks, keep an eye on our Instagram accounts for our latest posts. We will be answering your questions and offering advice via Instagram Stories! Stockton Riverside College - @stocktonriversidecollege Redcar and Cleveland College - @redcarcollege Bede Sixth Form College - @bedesixthformcollege NETA Training - @neta_traininggroup
HANDY HINTS FOR STUDYING FROM HOME Just because you may not be going to school right now, doesn’t mean you should let your studies slip. There’s plenty more to learn, and the more you keep up to date now, the easier it will be to return to your studies later. To help make the most of your time at home, our Distance Learning Co-ordinator, Sarah McFee, has put together five simple top tips to help keep you motivated: 1. Keep yourself in a normal routine: get up as if you are going to school, keep your break and lunch times the same. 2. Get dressed! Okay, so there’s no need to put on your school uniform, but getting dressed will help you feel more ready and focused for the day ahead. 3. Use a diary or an electronic calendar. Set yourself tasks to do every day that are manageable and tick them off once they are done. It will give you a sense of accomplishment. 4. Have a separate work space that isn’t the same space you relax in. For example, do not study sitting on your bed; your mind equates this with relaxing and that is what you will want to do. 5. Stay in touch with people - contact a friend/fellow student at least once a day.
NEWS SHOUT
April 2020
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Don’t forget self care is important right now If you are feeling anxious or stressed, or even just in need of a little reminder to take good care of yourself, our Counselling team has put together a quick guide to help:
During periods of uncertainty routines are essential, it helps with your mental health and wellbeing, and keeps you on top of the things you can control.
Try to go for a daily walk, run or bike ride. If you can’t go out, what about looking up one of the celebrities who are eager to get you moving on YouTube and Instagram?
Are you remembering to eat and drink regularly? Taking an opportunity for a break, eating delicious and nutritious food and staying hydrated will improve your mood no end.
Are you finding the news overwhelming right now? It’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in all of the information that’s being shared. Limit yourself to just official announcements so that you can turn down the volume on constant bulletins and updates.
We all know social media should be limited, however in times like this, reach out to your loved ones. Staying in contact via Facebook, WhatsApp or Skype can lift your spirits and bring those people into your home virtually.
Put together a self care survival kit. Be creative and add all your favourite things that bring you comfort, then take ten minutes out of your day and find a quiet spot to enjoy them.
Remember to laugh and look for the funny things in your day, it’s great for your wellbeing.
Finally, don’t forget… this is a moment in time and it shall pass!
ONLINENTS
OPEN EVE
To help keep everyone healthy and safe during social distancing, we are now offering online open events! All you need is access to the internet and to go to our website. Check out the dates for our sites below...
Online Open Events
th NETA Training - 7 May www.neta.co.uk th y Stockton Riverside College - 18 Ma www.stockton.ac.uk
Online Q&A Session
th Bede Sixth Form College - 14 May www.bede.ac.uk
Online Open Events
11.00am - 12.30pm & 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Online Q&A Session
11.00am - 12.30pm & 5.00pm - 6.30pm
CONTACT DETAILS STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE
Harvard Avenue, Stockton-On-Tees, TS17 6FB Tel: 01642 865566 Email: info@stockton.ac.uk www.stockton.ac.uk
BEDE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, TS23 3HB Tel: 01642 373250 Email: bede.enquiries@stockton.ac.uk www.bede.ac.uk
NETA TRAINING GROUP
Pennine Avenue, Portrack Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2RJ Tel: 01642 616936 Email: apply@neta.co.uk www.neta.co.uk
THE SKILLS ACADEMY
Marsh House Ave, Billingham, TS23 3ET Tel: 01642 607464 Email: info@stockton.ac.uk www.stockton.ac.uk/skillsacademy/
Above: Games Development learner Jake