MORE than 400 students with bright designs on the future have graduated from Higher Education courses at Havering College of Further and Higher Education.
Internationally acclaimed designer Wayne Hemingway MBE was the guest of honour at a double graduation ceremony at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch.
Celebrations were held in the afternoon and the evening to mark the success of students who have completed higher level courses at the college and are now advancing their careers in everything from social work to engineering and graphic design to childcare and teaching.
Havering College principal Maria Thompson said: “Every student has achieved something very special, often juggling their work in the context of a full-time or part-time job as well as a busy family life. Our fantastic staff play an essential part in the success of our academic environment.
“In these challenging times with higher education university tuition fees, Havering College is helping to keep ambition alive by delivering a first rate higher education with significantly lower fees.”
Conferring the awards, Wayne Hemmingway – who co-founded the Red or Dead designer label with his wife Gerardine – told the achievers: “Many people have talent but nothing substitutes hard work. You have a chance to leave the world a better place.”
Kathrine Barlow, 24, from Canning Town, is celebrating her BA (Hons) in Social Work, for which she gained a First. She works in supported living with people who have severe and enduring mental illness.
Kathrine – who is one of 28 Havering College students to achieve First Class Honours degrees this year – said: “Studying for the course has completely changed me as a person and helped me to become a confident social worker with the passion and knowledge to enrich people’s lives.
“I like that Havering College is much more informal and smaller than a university. If I was in a big lecture theatre I would not have received the specialised attention I got from the friendly staff at Havering.”
Also celebrating was Samantha Reid, 36, from Dagenham, who is about to start a new job as a social worker for a local authority.
Samantha, who was awarded the prize for outstanding practice, said: “I had been working in social care for a number of years but there was only so far I could go without further qualifications. I chose Havering College as the fees were lower and it was local. I would definitely recommend the course. I have always had really supportive tutors.”
The success stories included Lisa Vale – a mother-of-two who gained a Foundation Degree in Teaching Assistants and is continuing with her studies at Havering College to gain a BA (Hons) degree in Education and Professional Practice.
As part of her course Dagenham resident Lisa, 31, founded an after school performing arts club at Richard Alibon Primary School in Dagenham, and devised a series of fun maths cards.
She said: “I left school with nothing. I started as a parent helper at my children’s school. The deputy head saw I was passionate about teaching and encouraged me to come on the course. This is a dream come true and I am feeling very emotional. Studying at Havering College is wonderful and everyone is supportive.”
Another graduate who has turned her life around is Lucy Dodds.
Lucy has gained a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and is now a junior designer at Create-Motion in Essex. Her final major project on travel has been featured in a world graduate showcase article in Computer Arts magazine.
She once appeared on the BBC programme The World’s Strictest Parents which sends teenagers abroad to live with strict families.
The 22-year-old Chelmsford resident said: “I got ten GCSEs A-C at school but from Year 11 to my first year at college I started to have a bit too much fun and wasn’t bothered about education anymore. Going to South Africa for World’s Strictest Parents was my first travel experience and it made me get this degree. It was the turnaround for me to see people loving education but not being able to afford one. The family in South Africa know about my degree and are happy and proud for me. My Mum, Dad and Nan are really proud too.”
Seven sisters plus his parents were on hand to congratulate Samson Onafuye on his BA (Hons) Contemporary Music and Technology degree.
Samson, 23, who also has one younger brother, produced his album Unleash the Gospel in the Havering College recording studios for his final major project. He is now studying for a Masters degree at Kingston University.
Samson, from Tilbury, said: “The graduation ceremony has been wonderful. It is like a fuel to my success and has given me that extra boost.”
To find out more about the range of higher education courses, including degrees, on offer at Havering College call 01708 462793, email [email protected] or visit http://www.havering-college.ac.uk/
