PRESS RELEASE

22 Jan 2018

Seven successful former students spoke to young people from across London at NewVIc's first Q & A panel session held at this Jan Open Day.

The panel consisted of the following former students; Naomi Scarlett - a successful international backing singer for a vast number of successful singers & bands including Honne, Izzy Bizu & Alfa Mist. Claudio Cabulo -an Architect who's interior design is being built in Stratford City.  Jaspreet sago international Archer -ranked 14 in the world. Meda Povilonyte - Design & Media student at Ravensbourne University.  Aswathy Mohanaprakas - Oxford University Alumni, currently the Oxford's Security Governance Risk & Compliance Officer. Inderpal Lolay - Atos apprentice. Abdullahi Mustaf - Queen Mary University of London engineering student.

The Q & A session was held in NewVIc's new state of the art Learning Resource Centre. Marketing Officer Seema Bolakee "we had an overwhelming response from prospective students and parents to both the event and the new learning space".

The host Sports Academy Manager Elizabeth Harris lead the discussion which covered each panellist's individual journey to success, their teaching experience and how out of curriculum activities have shaped them. Meda said ‘I went to the Borneo rainforest through NewVIc's partnership with Raleigh International and this inspired my final Art project. I was also involved with the ARTicultion competition run by the Roche Court Educational Trust. I feel these enrichment opportunities definitely made me stand out as an individual'

Naomi who supports NewVIc's Performing Arts department and local schools said "I could have gone to other colleges, but I was familiar with NewVIc, it had all the equipment and support I needed, so I felt there was no need to study out of Newham" said Naomi.

Visitors were also given the opportunity to hear Aswathy's experience as a ‘Gifted and Talented'student "I was part of the first cohort of honour students, which is designed to develop academic skills.  I studied A level English Maths & Media and it really prepared me for Oxford.

As the session came to a close, the panel stayed behind to talk to students and their parents. Claudio spoke to likeminded prospective students interested in Architecture and took time to go through his own portfolio. "I mentor at NewVIc voluntarily, preparing art students for their university interviews so it was refreshing to see so many focused young people expressing an interest in the field and my work, I really hope people come away from the event believing they can do anything they want". 

NewVIc's Principal Eddie Playfair said "It was wonderful to be able to welcome back some of our former students to our Open Day this week. They represented a wide range of different educational and career pathways including university, apprenticeship, employment and entrepreneurship.

I know that their stories of success, told in their own words, were able to inspire future NewVIc students to aim high and live up to their aspirations. We are really grateful to these brilliant NewVIc alumni for making the time to join us at our Open Day."

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For more information, please contact Seema Bolakee,Marketing and advertising Officer

NewVIc (Newham Sixth Form College) is a place to learn, thrive and achieve for students aged 16-18. It combines high quality facilities with excellent teaching, tailored support and a strong sense of community. An investment of £10million in a new building which opens in 2017 provides a new university-style learning resource centre and lecture theatre.

Established in 1992, the College celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2017. It has 2,500 students and is based in Plaistow, Newham.