West Thames College produces a magazine called "Making Waves" that highlights recent events and accomplishments of students and alumni. This issue features a photoshoot assignment done by photography and makeup students, an interview with an alumni who now works for Rolls Royce, recaps of apprenticeship fairs and a hairdressing competition sponsored by Loreal, and updates on sports teams and academic competitions. The magazine and college aim to provide opportunities to help students succeed in their careers.

1. phone 020 8326 2020 web west-thames.ac.uk
wavesThetermlymagazineSummer2015
PainshillPark
Photoshoot.Stunning shots from a joint Fashion and
Photography assignment, page 8.
TheRolls
Royceofjobs.Former West Thames student Cherica
lands a top job, pages 6-7.

2. 2 M A K I N G Waves Summer 2015
Welcometo
WestThamesCollege.
Guest editor and Head of
Integrated Employer Solutions
at the college, Adam Sage,
welcomes you to this summer
issue of Making Waves.
Dear Reader,
As a college we take great pride in our
employer links. We use these links to bring
in the very best speakers and industry
experts to inspire our students, source
apprenticeship and work placement
opportunities and ultimately, to help our
students into rewarding careers.
In this issue:
• We roll up our sleeves with HSS Hire and
Sky during Apprenticeship Week.
• L’Oréal partners with the college for our
hairdressing competition, the Hair Factor.
• Cherica Haye discusses life at Rolls Royce in
our Proud of You feature.
We strive to ensure our students are well
prepared to step confidently into the world
of work.
Thank you for your interest in West Thames
College and we hope to see you at one
of the many events we have coming up
this term.
Yours Sincerely,
Adam Sage

3. phone 020 8326 2020 web west-thames.ac.uk 3
As part of Apprenticeship Week, Feltham
Skills Centre students visited Sky and took
part in their apprenticeship fair. The fair
gave students the opportunity to talk to
companies contracted to Sky’s building
project in Osterley and find out more
about what it would take to work in the
engineering and construction industries.
Exhibitors included: Lucas, Wingate, LMOB,
HSS Hire, H&K Fire Engineering, CMF and
Hotchkiss Group. The students also toured
the new Sky Academy and its training
facilities.
It wasn’t just our Feltham students who
benefitted from our Apprenticeship
Week activities. In the afternoon, an
apprenticeship fair dedicated to Isleworth
students was held in the Atrium. Local
businesses spoke to students about their
apprenticeship roles and what it means to
be an apprentice in their organisation.
National
Apprenticeship
Week
Visit the West Thames College website to view the latest apprenticeship vacancies. Business owners that take on an apprentice may be
eligible to receive a Government grant of £1500 for each apprentice aged 16-24 employed. For more information on apprenticeships visit
west-thames.ac.uk/en/apprenticeships/

4. The
Hair-factorOur Isleworth campus Endeavour Theatre
was host to annual hairdressing competition,
The Hair Factor, in association with L’Oréal.
4 M A K I N G Waves Summer 2015

5. phone 020 8326 2020 web west-thames.ac.uk 5
Students worked on models
in our professionally-
equipped salons with
themes ranging from Disney
characters to The X Men.
The event was sponsored by
various businesses such as
The Fantastic Hairdressers
Group and judged by stylists
from local salons as well as
our partners from L’Oréal,
represented by Sara Eardley.
Judges commented during
the event, “The work being
displayed here is wonderful.
The technical ability, creativity
and passion on show are a
joy to see and giving these
students a platform to show
their work will only increase
their confidence.”
Alumni
“MytrainingatWestThames
Collegeandmyteachers
playedaHUGEroleinwhoIam
andwhatI’mdoingtoday”.
MihaelaIsabelaPadurariu
Level3BeautyTherapy,
graduatedin2009.

6. 6 M A K I N G Waves Summer 2015

7. phone 020 8326 2020 web west-thames.ac.uk 7
In this Proud of You feature, we meet Cherica Haye, our
exceptional ex-West Thames College student who has since
worked with both Jaguar Land Rover and most recently,
luxury car manufacturer Rolls Royce.
How did your journey begin? I started by
studying Art and Design at West Thames
College. I would have originally taken
Maths, but a careers advisor suggested
the course. Design quickly became second
nature. I particularly liked fine art, pattern
cutting and fabric manipulation and I
remember our course was really well
rounded.
What’s it like working in your role at
Rolls Royce? Considering where I’m
at in my career, it’s tailor made for me
(excuse the pun). Initially it was all a bit
overwhelming, however the team is great
and I have a design director who really
believes in me and gives me creative
freedom.
What’s next? I would love to work on
sportswear and manipulating performance
fabrics. Strangely enough we look to
sportswear for inspiration when sourcing
materials for our car interiors.
Any last words? West Thames College
gave me the foundation and confidence
to be able to get to where I am. I met
some great people and great teachers, and
commend the passion that the teachers
have in equipping us for work within
the industry.
TheRollsRoyce
ofjobs.
Cherica went from this college to St. Martins
to study Textiles before undertaking a
Master’s Degree in Fibre, Textiles and
Weaving Art at the Royal Arts College. She is
now one of the most sought after designers
in the automotive industry, and is part of the
design team working on one of the best cars
in the world.
Cherica making final adjustments before a fashion
show during her BTEC Level 3 course at West Thames.
Alumni
Ouralumnihaveprogressedto
workinsomeofthemost
innovativeandexcitingindustries.
Joinouralumnigroupon
LinkedIntostayintouch.

8. M A K I N G Waves Winter Edition 2014/158
Level 3 Year 2 Photography
and HND Makeup students
came together to produce
stunning shots for a Fashion
and Portrait Photography
shoot in Painshill Park, Surrey.
Painshill
Park
Photoshoot
M A K I N G Waves Summer 2015

9. 9phone 020 8326 2020 web west-thames.ac.uk
YoungScientists
St. Marks, Isleworth & Syon,
The Heathland School and
Cranford Community College
all jostled for first place as
they took part in a borough-
wide science competition.
The competition was part
of the college’s activities for
STEM Week, a ten-day national
programme of science,
technology, engineering and
maths events and activities
across the UK.
Students from neighbouring
schools were able to take
advantage of the colleges state
of the art science laboratories.
If you are interested in any of
our science courses, visit our
website to find out more.

10. M A K I N G Waves Winter Edition 2014/15M A K I N G Waves Summer 2015
West Thames College recently hosted an inspirational speaker
competition on behalf of TEDx Youth Hounslow.
Students from local schools as well as West Thames College came
together to explore the theme “Hopes, Dreams and Aspirations for
the future”. Students from Heathlands School, Lampton School,
Isleworth & Syon School and Cranford Community College were
among the speakers.
West Thames College student Golu Singh Gaba (photo, above)
spoke poignantly about his experiences in Afghanistan and our
need to live together peacefully. College dance acts Harry Parr and
Asantewa Cotterell Dancers also delivered a moving performance.
SharingHopes,
Dreamsand
Aspirations.
…DID YOU KNOW?
TEDx is a programme of
local, self-organised events
that bring people together
to speak about a range of
topics and interests. This was
the first TEDx Youth event of
its kind in Hounslow.
10

11. phone 020 8326 2020 web west-thames.ac.uk 11phone 020 8326 2020 web west-thames.ac.uk
Brentford Griffins
crowned champions
of the league.
West Thames students from the Brentford
FC Elite Development programme rose to
the occasion, gaining a title-winning 3-2
victory over rivals Watford FC in their final
league match of the season.
Sport
Basketball and Netball
The basketball team (photo, right)
completed their highly successful season,
which will be a great building block for
next year. The netball team has also played
a large number of fixtures this year and can
now be seen as a fully-fledged part of the
competitive sports offer at the college.
Sports tutor Neil Harrowing commented “It
has been an amazing season but the most
important thing is what the guys have got
out of the Elite development programme
so far; training with brilliant coaches and
learning about the science behind sport
and fitness. Winning the league isn’t
everything, but it certainly helps. Bring on
next season!”
Cricket
West Thames College held their first
competitive cricket game at Uxbridge
College. It was a great occasion for the
boys to showcase their skills and talents by
playing an established academy team.

12. 30th June
Aspire 2015 Skills Show
Experience is at the Feltham
Skills Centre, 10am-4pm.
• Meet top employers, such
as Sky, Mace Group, Premier
Inn, Heathrow Airport and
many more with job and
apprenticeship vacancies.
• Sectors covered include
logistics, construction,
engineering, motor vehicle
mechanics, catering,
hospitality, travel and tourism.
• Try your hand at Have a Go
activities.
• Receive specialist one to one
careers advice and guidance.
Have an on the spot interview
and get help with job
searching and CV writing skills.
1st to 19th June
Creative Arts Festival
17th June
College tour for returning
adult learners. See website for
details.
24th June
HE Graduation ceremony
25th June
Student Awards ceremony
2nd July
Introductory Taster Day
For those offered places on
our courses. Remember to
apply now if you have not
already done so!
Monthly tours
On the first Wednesday of
every month. Please book
on our website - tours are for
Isleworth or Feltham.
Future
Events
2015
See our website
for more details.