Kingston College

Foundation Diploma Art & Design Exhibition

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

16-23 May - all welcome

Open from 16-23 May, 10am-5pm including Saturday 18 May 9.30am–12.30pm

This year is the 14th Foundation Diploma in Art & Design Exhibition and the course continues to define the wide ranging specialist options available to students who study at the School of Art & Design, 55 Richmond Road, Kingston.

Students progress to study a variety of degree subjects at the best universities and Art Colleges in the country, eg Kingston University, University of the Arts, Central St Martin’s, Chelsea School of Art, Camberwell College of Art, Wimbledon College of Art, London College of Fashion, Kingston College BA/FdA Degrees (in Digital Arts, Fashion & Textiles, Media Skills, Art & Design), Westminster University, University of West London, University of the Creative Arts, Brighton University, Bournemouth, Birmingham City University, Northumbria, University of the West of England, Manchester, etc.

Students have also been supported in preparing their UCAS applications, statement writing and putting together a portfolio for the university interview. There are 56 students exhibiting work this year and you will see in the exhibition a wide range of specialist areas including Architecture, Graphics, Illustration, Painting, 3D, Furniture, Interiors, Printmaking, Design and Craft, Fashion, Textiles, Photography, etc.

This course has a record of over 30% of students gaining Distinction Grades every year – this is well above the National Benchmark and is a clear reflection of the excellent teaching on the course.

Foundation student Chanel said: “It’s been hard work, but lots of fun and I’ve learned a lot.” She will take her place at Birmingham City University next year to study Architecture.

“A year very well spent,” said Daniele, who will be progressing to Central St Martin in September to study Product Design.

Nedine will be going to Brighton University next year to study a degree in Design and Craft; she said: “The Foundation Diploma course has been really challenging and has developed my skills.”

Judy Dibiase, Foundation Diploma Course Leader, commented: “This year’s students have produced a diverse and dynamic range of work which showcases the excellent skills that will take them on to the next stage of their education or careers.”

All are welcome to visit and see the work at The School of Art & Design, 55 Richmond Road, Kingston.

Kingston Gets Set for the Bridge to Bridge Run!

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Get ready for the Kingston Bridge to Bridge run this Sunday 19 May.

This community event is open to all ages and abilities so sign up today and either run, walk or skip the 4 km or 8 km route. Kingston residents can now register for only £5! This newly reduced rate gives participants free access and a branded race t-shirt!

The Kingston Bridge to Bridge run is being organised by Kingston College in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kingston, local sponsors and running clubs. The beautiful setting for this event follows the River Thames towpath upstream along the beautiful Barge Walk. Both routes will start and finish at Kingston Bridge so participants are asked to sign in and pick up their race t-shirt at the start line from 8.30 am.

This will be followed by the official starting of the race by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston at 9.30 am.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the local area whilst either running the route or walking for fun with your family and friends.

For more information and to register please visit: www.bridgetobridge.co.uk . Kingston residents can enter at the discounted price of £5 by using the code ‘student5shirt’.

College Celebrates World Book Night

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Learning Resources Centre at Kingston College celebrated World Book Night in true style! Students were able to take part in quizzes and games, across all the College sites, in order to walk away with a free fiction book, donated by the World Book Night Charity.

This is an international charity which aims to encourage people who don’t read to pick up a book and give reading a go. The charity relies on passionate individuals who register as ‘givers’, who then in turn give these free books to others in order to spread the idea of reading for enjoyment.

The events were a huge successwith nearly 100 individuals coming to the learning resources centres to take part and get their free fiction book, titles included Casino Royale, Life of Pi, The Road Home, Noughts and Crosses and The Knife of Never Letting Go.

Launch of Art and Design Exhibition

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Graduating FdA in Art and Design students will hold an exhibition of their work later this month at the College’s School of Art and Design, Richmond Road, Kingston.

The exhibition will run from Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th May between 10.30am and 4pm.

The FdA in Art and Design (validated by Kingston University) allows you to study locally three days a week for two years to achieve a qualification that will put you on a pathway to employment and exciting prospects in the Art and Design industry.

Students benefit from competitive tuition fees, small class sizes, one to one support and collaborations with local businesses to gain important practical experience in Art and Design.

This course has been designed to provide students with a balanced mix of Art and Design principles and preparation for life after education and how to make their work commercially viable.

Find out more about this course and view some of our FdA students’ best work at the exhibition.

School of Art and Design
55 Richmond Road
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT2 5BP
Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th May 2013 10.30am - 4pm

Former Student Selected for Prestigious Oxford Summer School

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A former Kingston College student has been offered a place on the 'Young Muslim Leadership Programme' summer school at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, an independent centre at the University of Oxford.

Mohamed Mohamed, who gained a Triple Distinction in his BTEC National Diploma in Sports (Performance and Excellence) at Kingston College in 2010, has also been granted a bursary for the two-week residential summer school which will be held in August.

The residential school at Oxford is attended by young British Muslims, men and women between the ages of 20 and 29, who have demonstrated leadership potential in their chosen career-paths. They are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and interests, including national and local government, academia, the legal profession, media, and the voluntary sector.

The course consists of workshops, seminars and institutional visits. Presentations are made by Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and academics, as well as representatives of the media and community organizations. In evaluating their experience, participants welcomed the opportunities to discuss the challenges facing Muslims in relation to education, employment, housing and foreign policy.
Mohamed, who is currently studying Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Exeter is President of the university‘s 'Students' Guild Islamic Society' and vice-chair of FOSIS South (Federation of Student Islamic Societies. He is also a Football coach at Chelsea FC Foundation and Exeter City FC.

He said: “I am very much looking forward to this experience. I think it will be amazing and also very humbling to be around such interesting people. The amount of support I've received from my former teachers at Kingston College has been immense. My decision to study at Exeter all those years ago has proven to be the best decision of my life. Having such huge responsibilities as a university student and putting my leadership qualities into practices, I truly am excited to see what the future holds."

Jade Easton, Head of Section Academic Sport and Coaching, added: Since leaving Kingston College Mohamed has visited the College giving inspirational speeches to the current BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport students to inspire them to consider HE. The students find his session informative and crucial in helping them to decide whether HE is the option for them. I personally feel proud of what Mohammed has achieved academically since leaving Kingston College.”

Student Selected for England Pool Trials

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A Kingston College student has been selected for trials for the English Ladies Pool Team.

Victoria Heggie, 29, is currently in her first year studying for a Foundation Degree Award (FdA) in Early Years Management and Leadership.

She combines her studies with working as a deputy manager in a Wandsworth nursery.

Victoria, who lived in Gibraltar for six years, previously played pool internationally for Gibraltar Ladies Team. She now plays for Essex Ladies County Team.

“I train around seven hours a week and it has been tough trying to juggle it with work and studying too. However, I am passionate about pool, my studies and work. The tutors here have been fantastic and go out of their way to give me extra support with everything,” says Victoria.

Jo Dallal, Head of Section - HE and Counselling, said: “Vicky is a very committed student. She works hard and takes her studies seriously. It is a pleasure to have her on the course and I am sure that she will do well. We look forward to hearing of her progress at the trials in May.”

The trials will take place in Nottingham at the end of May.

The Edge Business Competition

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

"Entrepreneurship and learning in the 21st century economy"

The Edge Enterprising Business Competition

The Edge competition launched across Carshalton and Kingston Colleges in September 2012 aims to inspire young people to consider starting their own business and improve their employment prospects as well supporting business units that students are undertaking as part of their College education.

The federated Colleges have embraced a culture of enterprising futures to foster a new generation of social and commercial entrepreneurs and are in the process of promoting an enterprise programme for 16-19 full time students for the 2012/13 academic year.

Thus far, 6 teams are embarked across a number of business educational concepts across the following areas; Hair & Beauty, IT, Media and Skills for Work & Life with many students demonstrating improving enterprising qualities and capabilities by thinking differently about education and work.

Each of the 6 teams produced a detailed business plan and presented this to a panel including the Head of College. The teams have been provided with a budget to help get their business off the ground and the Colleges now look to encourage each team to develop and grow a successful business.

The Colleges are focussed on supporting the local ecosystems and to act as hubs in their respective regions and to this extent are in partnership with flagship employers such as British Airways, Merlin Entertainment, Sainsbury’s, Sutton Housing Association, London Borough of Sutton, HSBC and Ignite Strategies to support the drive for an entrepreneurial culture by providing work experience, tailored business workshops, mentoring as well as forming part of the final employer judging panel.

Judging for the overall winner of The Edge competition will take place in May 2013.

Richard Strom, Managing Director, Ignite Strategies
“In this economic climate it is increasingly important to equip and prepare students for the world of work and help them find a competitive edge. The Edge competition, running across the two Colleges, provides a fantastic platform for students to obtain invaluable experience of creating and implementing sustainable business concepts. Ignite Strategies are delighted to be supporting Kingston and Carshalton Colleges Enterprise Schemes by providing business planning guidance and advice in Sales and Marketing strategies to students to help support their activities."

Robert Noad, Business Specialist, HSBC
“It has been great to work with the students in providing them with specialist business planning, advice and guidance and I look forward to continuing the journey with the teams to ensure that their business ideas can be further developed into the world of work."

Rugby 7’s Success

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Stunning Victory at Middlesex Tournament

In the run up to the Easter Holidays the Rugby Academy were invited to play in the Middlesex 7’s cluster tournament at Northolt RFC.

Despite the pitches only just being passed as playable the day resulted in some fantastic open Rugby. Our Rugby Academy played in the first game of the day and were drawn against Mander Portman Woodward from central London. In previous meetings MPW have proved too strong for us but we were the more aggressive and dominated the 14 minute game. The 21-12 result was a fair reflection of the game and a special mention must go to Celyn Benyon who scored all three of our tries.

Brooklands College were up next. Our players ran in a large number of unanswered tries when Brynn Cotterril who always puts his body on the line took a heavy blow to the ribs. After a brief wait Brynn was off to Ealing A&E. The game was moved onto an even boggier pitch and we continued where we had left off and despite a shuffling of positions came out victorious with a stunning 52-0 score line.

The final game of the day was against the hosts St Dominics. With a reduced squad size due to a number of injuries we were up against it for the first whistle. Stern defence and excellent decision making in attack resulted in a comfortable win with a score of 22-0. Having played three and won three Kingston College was declared the tournament victors.

The Academy are hoping to take this form in to a number of 7’s tournaments are taking place throughout April and May.

If you are interested in applying for the Academy of Sport please contact Adam Douthwaite at adam.douthwaite@kingston-college.ac.uk

Hair & Beauty students host an X-travaganza!

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Stunning work at annual competition

Kingston College’s School of Hair and Beauty was once again proud to host their annual student Competition, X-travaganza with the theme “Global Art”.

Level 3 Hairdressing and Level 2 Beauty students presented their interpretation with a stunning parade of highly innovative and creative work, all of which was brilliantly diverse - and enthusiastically received by the audience.

A number of industry specialists judged the competition. Hair judges were Samantha Humphries, from award-winning Kingston salon Headquarters, International Bridal hair specialist, Severin Hubert from the Hepburn Collection and Judith Thompson from Seven Star salon. Beauty judges were Lauren Hanley from David Lloyd Spa Hampton, and Alison Smales and Maria Manoocheri from Kingston College. All the judges agreed that choosing winners was an incredibly difficult decision as the overall standard of work was exceptionally high.

Stephanie Bader, 24, from New Malden, the winner of Hairdressing competition has been given the opportunity to spend a day with Severin Hubert from the Hepburn Collection assisting him on one of his photo shots for bridal magazines.

Si Bridge, who is studying for a Level 3 Hairdressing course, said: “I was ery excited about the competition. It was a lot of work and I spent a lot of time on my ideas. I want to work in the hair, make-up and fashion industry and I love being creative with hair. I get a real buzz from doing these competitions.”

Lecturer and event coordinator, Kirsty Sibley, commented: “The industry experts on the night could not believe the high quality of the work produced. The experts who attended last year said this year Kingston College ‘Hair and Beauty on3’ raised the bar higher. Congratulations to all our students for working so hard and a big thank you to Severin Hubert for offering the winner of the hairdressing competition the experience of spending a day with him.”

Please check our Facebook page to see the students’ images: Kingston College Hair and Beauty on3.

College Students in Brazilian Olympic Exchange Trip

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A group of Kingston College sports students and staff will fly to Brazil this week to explore the culture of Brazil and chart Rio de Janeiro’s progress as it moves towards hosting the 2016 Olympic Games.

The 10 day educational field trip will allow the BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport students to visit the Olympic sites and also participate in a local college’s sports classes.

The exchange follows on from last year’s fantastic summer of sport in London with the students keen to boost the legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Student, Thomas Hilliard, said: “I’m excited about travelling to Brazil to experience a new culture, meet new friends and to see the development of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.”

The 12 students have spent the last eight months fundraising for the trip with activities including sponsored sporting events, car washes and a raffle. They have also been taught basic Portuguese by Kingston’s ESOL students.

Next month they will also take part in the Kingston community Bridge to Bridge Run which will directly raise money for the students’ educational experience in Brazil. Visit www.bridgetobridge.co.uk for more details.

Earlier this month three of the students met with Kingston’s Mayor, Mary Heathcote OBE, to tell them about the trip.

Lecturer Wendy Martin, who will accompany the students to Brazil, added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience life in Brazil and visit the next home of the Olympics. They’ve worked so hard to raise money for the trip and I am confident that all their efforts will be worthwhile. If this trip is a success we are hoping to continue with the exchanges up until 2016.”