Newcastle College shortlisted for ‘Excellence in International Work’ Award

4 Dec

Written By Editor

An international project involving Newcastle College and the The Bambisanani Partnership has been named a finalist in the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards 2024.

The collaboration, led by Enrichment and Development Manager, Brogan O'Connor, sees staff and students from Newcastle College volunteer in South Africa each year, to work with more than 1,000 children in schools and orphanages. In addition to this the college is also involved in ongoing projects in South Africa.

Shortlisted for ‘Excellence in International Work’, the project gives Newcastle College students the unique opportunity to work in rural South Africa, delivering sports and exercise sessions while volunteering to support other community projects.

The fundamental aim of the partnership is to create genuine ‘two-way’ learning between both countries, with sports used as a central learning tool to help the children develop skills and opportunities that will help promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.

The visits are filled with heartfelt exchanges, cultural performances, and community engagement, giving students from Newcastle College the chance to develop skills in teamwork, leadership and communication, whilst boosting their confidence.

Project Leader and Bambisanani Partnership trustee, Brogan O'Connor said: “This is a real honour and a testament to the hard work of the staff and students who have travelled, supported, and worked so hard to make the educational visits possible.

“A fundamental aim of the partnership is to create genuine ‘two-way’ learning between young people from both countries, with a key focus on working and learning together. The Bambisanani story is testimony of the power of sport to change lives.

"I'm incredibly proud and grateful to be a part of the work Newcastle College and the partnership is doing in the UK and in South Africa and look forward to seeing what can be achieved in the years to come."

An AoC judging panel will visit the College in December to hear from staff and students about the fantastic work the partnership does, and the impact it has on the young people taking part, both in the UK and in South Africa.