Hundreds of students to graduate from Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln

16th July 2012

Life Fellowship for Outstanding Grimsby Student

Ian Bennett from Waltham near Grimsby will become the first student and the youngest person ever to be awarded a Life Fellowship by Bishop Grosseteste University College next week.

Ian (22), who will receive a first-class honours degree in Education Studies and Geography at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday 18th July, is a student governor at BG, a student ambassador and a student chaplaincy worker.

“Ian is an immensely impressive young man who has made an outstanding contribution to the life of our institution while he has been with us,” said Professor Muriel Robinson, Principal of BG.

“Alongside his role as a student governor Ian has been a wonderful student ambassador for BG, and he has demonstrated his passion for working with young people by moving on to the University of Hull this autumn to complete his teacher training.

“A Life Fellowship is a fitting tribute for a young man who has contributed so much for the benefit of others during his time at BG.”

Ian commented: “The fellowship came as a real surprise, but it’s a great honour for me. I’d been away for a week and when I got back I found a letter, which was a bit of a shock.

“I’ve always just done my job and not thought much of it, but I think this fellowship is recognition of what students can achieve whilst being at university and how they can get involved – that’s what a real student experience is all about.”

Ian attended the former Hereford Technology School, now Ormiston Maritime Academy, in Grimsby.

As well as his degree and his Life Fellowship Ian will also receive the NatWest Prize on Wednesday 18thJuly for the contribution he has made as a student ambassador at BG.

He will graduate at Lincoln Cathedral at 10.15am on Wednesday 18th July before returning at 7.15pm to receive his Life Fellowship.
 

Suzi Hits Right Note with Community Choir

Music student Suzi Bowden is leaving Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln on a high note – she’s set up a community choir at the college which now boasts 40 members.

Suzi (21) from Buntingford in Hertfordshire has been working towards her degree in Education Studies and Music for the past three years, and on Wednesday (18thJuly) she will graduate at Lincoln Cathedral with first-class honours.

In her final year she came up with the idea of creating a community choir on campus to raise money for charity.

The university college helped her get started with a small grant and now the 40-strong choir rehearses and performs on a regular basis.

“The idea was for the choir to be free to join, open to everyone and as accessible as possible,” said Suzi.

“Our members range in age from 18 to 80 and most have no connection with BG and no prior knowledge or experience of singing.

“The aim to was engage with the local community rather than just set up a choir for students, so we raise money for local charities in order to give something back.

“Thanks to high-profile musicians like Gareth Malone, choral singing is becoming more popular and people are realising that choirs are not just about classical choral music.

“Our choir sings a wide range of musical styles, from African chants through pop and folk to classical.”

Suzi has already identified a student who will be starting at BG in September who she hopes will take over running the community choir.

The Lincoln Community Charity Choir will be performing a concert in August to raise money for two local charities, one of which is Lincoln Samaritans where Suzi works as a volunteer.

The choir will perform on Bank Holiday Monday 27th August at 7pm in the Student Function Room at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln. Tickets cost £4.50 with a £3 price for concessions.

Suzi says she chose Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln because of its “wonderful community feel” and because of the supportiveness and accessibility of the teaching staff.

“It’s been a brilliant three years and I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Suzi, who will continue her teacher training in Canterbury this September.

“I love Lincoln and I will try to come back up whenever I can.”

Suzi Bowden will graduate at Lincoln Cathedral at 10.15am on Wednesday 18th July and she will also receive a NatWest prize for outstanding achievement.

Brazilian Teachers Mastering Education

Three Brazilian teachers are to graduate with a Master’s in Education from Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln next week (Wednesday 18th July).

Ana Lucia Barone, Ana Lucia Augusto and Beatriz Sena all work at the British School in Rio de Janeiro, which has sent 70 teachers on short study visits at BG over the past ten years.

In 2003 the school decided to spend 1% of its fees on professional development for its staff and began sending teachers to BG for a study visit leading to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Now Ana, Ana and Beatriz have become the first teachers from Rio to continue their studies through distance learning and complete an MA in Education at BG.

Ana Lucia Barone will be returning to Lincoln for next week’s graduation ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral at 7.15pm on Wednesday 18th July.

A class teacher who teaches children aged seven and eight, Ana evaluated her school’s teaching practice for Brazilian assistant teachers at the British School as part of her master’s degree.

“It is a great challenge to complete the MA. However, it is a rewarding experience that will be forever remembered,” said Ana.

“I am extremely grateful for the support provided by my tutor Jane Johnston and by the British School, where I work, which has already put into practice some outcomes of my research.

“I feel my job is now even more valued and recognised by all members of staff. I wish all the best to everyone undertaking the MA. Have faith in yourself! You can do it!”

Ana Lucia Augusto and Beatriz Sena are school co-ordinators with responsibilities similar to heads of large primary schools in the UK.

“We’re really looking forward to congratulating Ana at the graduation ceremony next week and we are immensely proud of the achievements of all three,” said Jane Johnston, Reader in Education at BG, who has been working with the school and teachers for the last ten years

“Although English is the language used in the British School and the teachers are very fluent English speakers, writing a dissertation of 20,000 words in a foreign language is a big challenge and one that all three achieved to a high standard.”

There will be three graduation ceremonies for BG students at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday 18th July – at 10.15am, 2.30pm and 7.15pm.

Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend.

Notes to editors

• Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln was established in 1862 and celebrates its 150thanniversary in 2012.
• It is an independent higher education institution based in Lincoln and awarding its own degrees at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry

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