Peterlee and Horden - Down Your Way

East Durham College's hair and beauty department returned from the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Awards 2016 in Blackpool with three top places. Level 3 barbering student Lewis Coils, 20, from Wingate picked up first place in the Men's Creative Designs in Hair, with another East Durham College barbering student Penny Brown, 33, from Thornley, finished second in the same category. Georgia Leadbetter, 23, from Seaham who also studies on the level 3 course at the college, took third place in the Men's Commercial Category. The competition took place at the Blackpool Winter Gardens with the students competing against people from across the United Kingdom.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2016, 10:40 BST
Updated 10th May 2016, 11:41 BST
Some of the first Year 13 students to complete their course at Apollo Studio Academy.Some of the first Year 13 students to complete their course at Apollo Studio Academy.
Some of the first Year 13 students to complete their course at Apollo Studio Academy.

A former East Durham College joinery student has returned to the college to share his success story with students. Phillip Breeze, 33, from Haswell, studied carpentry and joinery at the college in 2010. After leaving the college he spent a year in the trade gaining experience but always dreamed of running his own business. In 2012 he set up PJ Property Maintenance, which has gone from strength-to-strength. He is continually booked out months in advance for jobs around the region and due to this is considering taking on his first apprentice in partnership with the college.

Do you want to help people with debt related issues? You can volunteer with East Durham Trust. It has a two-day debt advice course taking place this Thursday and Thursday, May 19, from 10am – 4pm. This will give you the skills and knowledge you need to get started. Ring 0191 569 3511 for further details.

Barbering student Penny Brown, East Durham College barbering lecturer Alison Scattergood and barbering student Georgia Leadbetter.Barbering student Penny Brown, East Durham College barbering lecturer Alison Scattergood and barbering student Georgia Leadbetter.
Barbering student Penny Brown, East Durham College barbering lecturer Alison Scattergood and barbering student Georgia Leadbetter.
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Students from East Durham College uniformed public services and outdoor education courses took part in the North East Skills competition at Kirkley Hall in Northumberland. The team took part in a host of different exercises including academic tests, high ropes, zip wire, assault course and archery. The level 2 course group came second out of 14 teams from across the region, missing out on the top spot by just two points.

Dance, music and drama erupted from The Academy at Shotton Hall when US music group The Young Americans visited as part of its UK schools tour. More than 100 students from the Academy and other local schools worked alongside the 50, enthusiastic, 17 to 24-year-old Americans, learning a variety of performing arts skills and techniques including vocal techniques, dance, comedy improvisation, song writing and more. The East Durham students, ranging from six to 16 years worked together to respect each other’s strengths and to discover their own potential – all through the universal language of music and dance. The three-day event culminated in a spectacular showcase performance at Easington Welfare Social Centre. The Young Americans are a charitable organisation dedicated to the promotion of understanding and goodwill among people throughout the world through music, dance, performance, academic education and cultural interaction.

It is the 400th anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare with celebrations being held all around the world. To celebrate in our region, East Durham College is organising a Creative Social Shakespeare 18 on May 19. Eighteen extracts from Shakespeare’s famous works will be performed in cabaret style by Lubetkin Youth Theatre Group.

The first groups of Year 13 students from the Apollo Studio Academy to complete their studies at the new school are now being made exciting offers to progress into higher education or the world of work. Latest on the Apollo ‘hire’ list is Chris Halliday, 18, from Peterlee, who will be embarking on a four-year apprenticeship with local specialist metal manufacturing firm, SoTech. Chris has been studying and learning on the job with SoTech for the last two years while undertaking his manufacturing engineering qualification at Apollo. His hard work, new found skills and positive attitude have earned him the offer of a paid Apprenticeship in fabrication and welding.

Barbering student Penny Brown, East Durham College barbering lecturer Alison Scattergood and barbering student Georgia Leadbetter.Barbering student Penny Brown, East Durham College barbering lecturer Alison Scattergood and barbering student Georgia Leadbetter.
Barbering student Penny Brown, East Durham College barbering lecturer Alison Scattergood and barbering student Georgia Leadbetter.
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Fantastic news as the BMW850CSI, kindly donated to the college last year, is sold at auction for the price of £17,500. Money from the sale will now go back into the Motor Vehicle department at the Technical Academy at East Durham College.

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