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A local community centre has been revamped thanks to students on the Prince’s Trust Team Programme run by South Thames College.

As part of their community project, eight young people aged 18 - 23 spent two weeks transforming the New Horizon Centre on South Lodge Avenue in Mitcham. The local centre runs events and classes for people of all ages as well as being home to the Team Programme, which runs three times a year.

With football fever gripping the nation as the World Cup kicks off, here at South Thames we’ve been celebrating our own sporting success. 

The South Thames College men’s football team recently kicked their way to victory in their British Colleges of Sport (BCS) regional league after an unbeaten season. They clinched the title winning 3-0 against Amersham and Wycombe College, a team supported by Chelsea FC. 

To celebrate Adults Learners’ Week (14 – 20 June), we're holding free drop-in sessions to any of our daytime, evening and weekend short courses throughout the month of June so that local residents can take the first step to a new start.

Learning new skills can give people the confidence to succeed. And that’s certainly true of local businesswoman, Penny MacFarlane, owner of contemporary art gallery Oil & Water in Old York Road. Penny started the Introduction to Marketing course at the College’s Wandsworth Campus to help her prepare for the gallery’s opening and hasn’t looked back since.

Motorcycle maintenance and repair students from our Merton Campus got a glimpse of the cars you can afford if you’re living life in the fast lane as they visited Bugatti and Bentley car dealership, Jack Barclay. 

The group of students travelled to the Mayfair showroom situated in the famous Berkeley Square after its sales manager offered to give them real life interview experience and advice on the skills employers look for. The students were interviewed in the dealer’s historic boardroom before being given individual feedback on which parts were successful and areas where they could improve to increase their chances of securing a job offer.

A civil engineering apprentice from South Thames College has scooped the prestigious Crossrail Apprentice of the Year Award. 28-year-old Rudy Nieddu beat off competition from two other apprentice award winners to be crowned the winner.

Before undertaking the apprenticeship, the former self-employed labourer was struggling to find work during difficult economic times. Rudy now works as an apprentice civil engineering technician with Balfour Beatty at Crossrail’s Whitechapel site and studies at South Thames one day a week. He was presented his award by Crossrail Chairman Terry Morgan in front of more than 100 guests at a ceremony at the House of Parliament. 

Students from the College are getting insight to the music industry thanks to their brand new artist in residence scheme. Once a term, a new artist or group will take residence at the Wandsworth Campus to deliver workshops or contribute to curriculum on a weekly basis.

The initiative aims to help open up opportunities to work with professionals, embed industry practice and high standards, and enhance the culture of the college with live performances. In return, artists will have access to the College’s recording studios and rehearsal rooms where they will be actively working on their album or rehearsing for their busy performance schedule.

A violin repair tutor from South Thames College has been lending his talents to a music school in Uganda, training none other than Charles Dickens.

Keith Graves swapped the Merton Campus of the college for two weeks at the Kampala Music School teaching student Charles how to repair violins and helping maintaining work on their violins, cellos and basses.

Having a famous namesake isn't the only reason people are talking about Charles – thanks to Keith, he is now the only trained string repairer in East Africa.

An apprentice from South Thames College has won an accolade for her achievements from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners at an awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

27-year-old Liliana Jenaru was recognised for her fast career progression and achievements in her work-based learning during her time at the College.

Over 2000 people were welcomed at South Thames College and inspired by a showcase of career paths and training opportunities. Hosted at the Wandsworth Campus, The Skills Show Experience gave visitors from across London the chance to ‘Have a Go’ at more than 50 activities and speak to around 40 employers, colleges and training providers.