Johnny Ball inspires NULC Science students

Students from NULC were invited to a special Christmas lecture at Staffordshire University.

On Wednesday 12 December, students studying A Level Science at the NULC 6th Form Centre attended the Staffordshire University Christmas lecture, which was presented by Johnny Ball. 

The special lecture provided an inspiring look at some of the historical figures from science. It was humorous, and very interesting, and highlighted just how important learning, and the enjoyment of learning, can be.

All 15 students from NULC were lucky enough to meet Johnny himself, when they had a photograph taken for The Sentinel newspaper. 

Lucy Nevitt, Science Community Developer at NULC, said: “It was a fantastic and inspiring event, which our students benefited greatly from.”

To find out more about study A Level Science at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

6th Form students visit the capital

On Monday 3 December, students studying Law and Politics at the NULC 6th Form Centre departed for their annual trip to London.

Highlights over the three days included a guided tour of Parliament and the Supreme Court; meeting with two local MP’s and visits to the Natural History Museum, London Eye and London Dungeons.

Some of the best moments came during the students ‘question and answer’ session with Tristram Hunt, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, and Paul Farrelly, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme.

After describing a typical Parliamentary day, Dr Hunt was asked a strong opening question: “What’s your favourite oatcake filling?!”  This was followed with an exceptionally astute question regarding local representation: “You’re not from Stoke, are you?”

With topics discussed including welfare reform and taxation issues, the NULC students proved themselves a force to be reckoned with, even in Parliaments haughty chambers.

Chris McQuillan, Lecturer in History and Politics at NULC, said: “Overall, the trip was a roaring success, and we are looking forward to another successful trip in 2013.”

To find out more about studying A level Law or Politics at the NULC 6th Form Centre click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

6th Form students join Career Academy

On the Wednesday 7 November, a group of students from Brittain House in the NULC Sixth Form Centre were interviewed by a panel including Mike Grocott and Jane Salmon for the Careers Academy covering Accounting, Business Studies and Law. The eleven successful candidates are now engaging in a series of activities aimed at preparing them for entry to careers in these areas.

To find out more about Career Academies at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/careeracademies.

Students to benefit from workshops with top academics

NULC AS & A2 Government & Politics students 

with Senior Lecturer and National Teaching 

Fellow Dr Jonathan Parker 

(US Politics, Keele University).

The NULC History and Politics department have organised a series of lectures for our students with top academics from Keele University. 

Covering topic such as the US Presidential election 2012, International Relations, British Politics and the role of the Executive, these exciting events will continue throughout 2012 / 2013. 

 This series of events is aimed at bringing some of the top subject specialist in the country to NULC, helping our students to progress their AS and A2 grades with the use of the most up-to-date relevant research in their current topic areas.

With a variety of Historical events in the pipeline during 2013, once again delivered by some of the top academic specialists in their field, NULC’s History and Politics students, alongside all of those in house Brittain’s, are in for a busy couple of months.

To find out more about studying History and Politics at the NULC 6th Form Centre click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

6th Form Centre raise money for Movember

Male and female staff members from the NULC 6th Form Centre spent November growing facial hair for men’s cancer charities.  The event culminated in a Mo-lympics event where students and staff competed for prizes in a range of disciplines including push penny, a Nerf shooting range and darts.  Staff and students raised over £300 for the charity.  

Congratulations to Martin Gallagher who won the award for ‘Best Tash’ as voted by the 6th Form Centre students.

Former student returns to inspire next generation of designers

Former NULC student Maxine White returned to the College to inspire current AS and A Level Textiles students.

Maxine was a student at NULC 10 years ago, before progressing study Costume Interpretation in Wimbledon.  After graduating Maxine worked on many theatre productions creating a broad range of costumes for different characters.  After a near death car accident she set up a business with her sister 'Magic Mirror' making bespoke costumes. 

Maxine spoke to each textile group about her work experience and shared her portfolio with the groups, bringing along several costumes for students to interact with including several corsets which the students had the opportunity to try on.

 
To find out more about studying A Level Textiles click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

Sixth Form students visit Oxford University

A group of students from the NULC Sixth Form Centre visited Oxford University on Wednesday 24 October.  Whilst there they explored two colleges –the oldest one-  University College and also what is considered the Northerner’s college – The Queens College.  

They were shown round by a group of student ambassadors who were enthusiastic and dispelled some of the myths of Oxford. 

After a lovely three course lunch in The Great Hall, University College where some of Harry Potter was filmed the students were allowed time to explore Oxford.  The two most popular activities were shopping and visiting the world famous Ashmoleon museum.  A brilliant day enjoyed by all!

Student comments from the trip:
 
Georgia Lowe: "I really enjoyed the experience of going to a university today as it was the first time I have looked at a university so far, it gave me good information about that particular college and insight into what I need to do and think about soon.  It gave me the chance to ask any questions and talk to people already in university, which I found good."

Alice Trickett: "I have enjoyed the day as I have seen what University life would be like which I found to be interesting.  The tours that we had with the students were good because they answered any questions that I had.  Overall I had a good experience."
To find out more about studying A Levels at the NULC Sixth Form Centre visit www.nulc.ac.uk/6fc or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

Theatre Studies students encounter truly terrifying performance!

Students studying AS and A Level Theatre Studies at NULC visiting Nottingham to see a ‘truly terrifying’ performance of Woman in Black at The Theatre Royal.

Blackpool Rocks Photography Project

72 students from AS and A level Photography braved howling winds and driving rain on a day trip to Blackpool this week. 

Nicolette Baddiley, Course Leader for Photography, is keen to ensure that students have the opportunity to shoot in different locations, developing the technical skills and resourcefulness needed to get exciting results from all kinds of environments and situations.

Nicolette said: "At NULC, our long term goal is to help our students become independent, creative decision makers. The fact that so many have come back with great shots, covering subjects from architecture and portraiture to seascapes tells me they’re well on their way!”  

Below are a selection of images taken by students during the visit to Blackpool.

Photography by Alexandria Brown

Photography by Emma Colclough.

Photography by Natasha Davies.

Photography by Sophie Dixon.

To find out more about studying A Level Photography at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

2012 IFS Student Investor Challenge Launch

A Level Accounting students at NULC are again being given the opportunity to participate in the Institute for Financial Services’ prestigious Student Investor Challenge competition.  

Working in teams, students invest a virtual £100,000 in shares and use their skill and judgement to trade their portfolios using real data supplied by Bloomberg and FTSE (just like real traders). 

Entrants are given extra tuition to learn about stock market theory so this is a great opportunity to learn something new and it also looks good on UCAS applications.  

In the past NULC students have reached the national finals (Top 8 out of more than 800 entries) so why not have a go.  You never know, you could win the top prize which is an all expenses paid trip to New York.
 

If you're interested in taking part contact Lecturer Richard Simpson richard.simpson@nulc.ac.uk, but be quick, the competition starts on the 5th November!  

For further information visit www.studentinvestor.org.

A Level Accounting Students Visit Lancaster University

On Wednesday 17 October a group of 20 first and second year A Level Accounting students visited Lancaster University’s Management School.  The visit gave students an insight into the finance related degree courses on offer at Lancaster University and to get a taste of what it is like to study at one of the UK’s leading finance research universities.

After a tour of the campus and the halls of residences students were treated to a class with Professor Mark Shackleton.  Professor Shackleton demonstrated to students how market prices are set in the “trading pits” for a range of commodities like barrels of oil, coffee and wheat.  Click here to get a feel for what a “trading pit” looks like.

Pretty frantic!  Did you notice how the traders use a range of hand signals to say whether they are selling or buying?  Palms out, “I’m Selling”, fists clenched “I’m buying”.  Here is another link that should give you a good feel for what’s going on.

Students were given a virtual £10,000 with which to bid to buy (and then sell) bottles filled with pennies.  The catch is you don’t know how many pennies are in the bottles.  This link shows the trading game in action in a previous session.

Well done to first year NULC student Rob Fellowes who won the game with the most cash and bottles at the end.  Rob was closely followed Humad Khan, Rob Walker and Rory Morton as runners up.
 

Richard Simpson, Accounting Lecturer at NULC said: “This was a brilliant way to show students what studying at a leading University might be like.  Hopefully it will really inspire our students to really aim high.”

To find out more about studying A Levels at NULC click here or contact the Information on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

Fashion designer inspires next generation

A former Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) student turned fashion designer returned to the college to inspire the next generation of textiles students.

Textiles lecturer Sharon Porteous, invited former NULC Sixth Form student Daisy Thomas back to the college to talk to current AS and A2 Textiles students.

During the day, Daisy worked closely with current students, showcasing products from her spring/summer collection and sharing her experience of studying at NULC.

Daisy, aged 24 originally from Keele, joined NULC in 2004 where she studied A Levels in Art and Design, Graphic Design and English Language and Literature, achieving ABB in her A Level results before progressing on to study the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at the college.  Having completed her Further Education, Daisy left NULC in 2007 and went on to study a BA in Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University.

Sharon said: “Daisy is a great success story; she has a fantastic talent which we nurtured whilst she was at NULC, to ensure that she went on to be the successful designer she is.  It was lovely to invite Daisy back to the new college and our current students were really inspired to see what great careers former NULC students have gone on to.”

To view Daisy's collects visit her website by clicking here.

To find out more about studying Textiles at the NULC Sixth Form Centre click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

Graphics students hit the big stage

Students studying A Level Graphics at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) are working with Stoke Rep Theatre to produce artwork.

Talented A Level Graphics students Hannah Stanway, Sophie Green, Alicja Mrozicka and Charlotte Parker have design promotional posters and illustrations for the Leek Road venue.

Janet Smith, Marketing Director at Stoke Rep Theatre said: “Following an initial trial collaboration with Newcastle-under-Lyme College last year, the project has really hit its stride this season.  Students work with the Marketing Department at the theatre where they receive creative briefs and scripts which they then use to come up with various illustrative approaches and treatments; these are then fine-tuned and adapted to produce the artwork for a diverse variety of shows from Treasure Island to Holmes and the Ripper.”

Janet added: “The designs the students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College have produced are of a professional standard.  The students themselves are aged between 16 and 18, but they’re professional, creative and punctual, attending meetings, offering design guidance and meeting deadlines.”

Student Hannah Stanway, aged 17, from Chesterton, studies A Levels in Art and Design, Graphic Design and Law at the College’s Sixth Form Centre.  Hannah produced the promotional artwork for the theatres ‘Allo, Allo’ production this year, with the production going on to become one of theatres best-selling shows.

Students have designed artwork for five shows, which are to be produced this year including Dirty Dusting Treasure Island Holmes meets the Ripper 84 Charing Cross Road, The Herbal Bed and Teechers.

Mike Kelly, Assistant Head of Centre for Sixth Form at NULC said: “Here at Newcastle-under-Lyme College we have a national reputation for the quality of our creative subjects.Collaborations like this, allow students to work on live briefs for real companies, building an outstanding portfolio of work which supports them in their progression to University.”

In this years A Level results, Graphics students achieved phenomenal success with over 50% of students achieving A* - B grades, nearly a quarter of those being A*s.

Click here to view a variety of the artwork.

To find out more about the range of creative subjects available at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254.

NULC Celebration Event 2012

NULC hosted it's first Celebration Event on Wednesday 27 June.  The event brought together a wide range of learners from across the College in order to celebrate their achievements over the past academic year. 

Awards were given in 11 different categories which recognised academic achievement, personal achievement, services to the College and the community as well as sporting success. 

Award winners from NULC Sixth Form Centre.

Award winners from NULC Sixth Form Centre pictured with Head of Faculty Phil Keeling (left to right). 

• Beth Wragg - Services to the College
• Daniel Baskeyfield - Return to Learning Award
• Rob Hanson - Services to the Community
• Clara Taylor - Student of the Year
• Sammeyjoe Daley-Davies - Learner Endeavour
• Tom Gould - Sporting Excellence Award
• Peter Potts – Adult Learner
• Katie Challinor – Young Learner
• Rebecca Anderson - Work Placement of the Year

Each award winner received a unique trophy designed by a team of learners from our art and design courses and was made on College premises in the Engineering department. Award winners were joined by parents and guests to celebrate their achievements.     

To see the full gallery of images from the day visit our Facebook Page here.