Foundation Diploma in Art and Design ex-student, Elva wins the bronze award in the national competition, ‘Creative Conscience’.

The competition is backed by a wealth of professional industry specialists and supports young creatives who are solution focussed and whose impact can change the course of history. Their intention is to help build a fairer, healthier, sustainable and regenerative world, fit for generations to come.

Elva has been exploring the varying experiences of connection faced by sexualities and relationship types.

Her outcome is a Fine Art installation compiled of small-scale, textured samples made using a combination of ceramics and fabrics. Each texture relays a different experience of connection felt by different people.
Her work brings attention to the different experiences we all have of connection and particularly highlights the hardships people within LGBT relationships face.

Congratulations Elva on this amazing achievement!

On Thursday 22nd September, Public Services students attended the 78th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, the Battle of Arnhem.

Bev Robinson, Lecturer in Public Services, said, “It was a privilege and great honour to parade with our students to show their respect to the soldiers of WW2. Throughout the parade, I felt extremely proud of our students and how they conducted themselves. A few serving officers and soldiers approached me after the parade to comment on the good conduct of our students and the high standards with which they presented themselves.”

Aron, Public Services Student, said, “I was in the Sea and Army cadets before I started studying at Colchester Institute, so I knew what it was like being on parade. It was a privilege to represent the college and lay a sunflower on the war memorial.”

University Centre Colchester Early Years graduate, Denise was working as an Operations Manager at Chestnut Grove when it won the Nursery of the Year award for the second year running.

Denise said, “The team and I are absolutely thrilled we have won this award. It is to the credit of the amazing team who work tirelessly to ensure the children have a wonderful learning experience with us at Chestnut Grove.

“I believe we were given the award because we have continuously pushed through and supported not only hundreds of children, but countless families.”

Ex-Level 3 Public Services student Ashley Rosser completed his studies with us in 2018 and is now working in the Royal Navy as a warfare specialist.

Ashley was part of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral procession and was one of 142 Royal Navy sailors who helped draw the gun carriage with bearing the Queens coffin.

He said, “It was an honour to walk behind the Queen’s coffins and to serve his country. During the ceremony, I was behind the coffin on the back row in front of King Charles.”

More recently, Ashley came to speak to our current public services students at our Colchester Campus to inform them about the Royal Navy training process and share an insight into his role as a ceremonial guard during the state funeral.