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By Andrew Moorhouse, Head of Journalism Training (with a little help from Jack Travers)
SEPTEMBER 2010 full-time intake: 101 students, 20 weeks, two centres, one less table than we started off with and blood, sweat and tears in abundance. And – judging by a stain I found under my desk one Wednesday morning – the bodily fluids may not have ended there.
CLASS OF 2010: News Associates (London) graduates complete their studies with high-flying results
The pass rate among the 101 students spread between London and Manchester is still slightly unclear as we are still waiting on some results but if early indications are anything to go by then the class of Sept 2010 can be very proud of their efforts.
Congratulations must go to all of them – as we say on day one, you get what you deserve. It is probably more satisfying when someone who has struggled their way through the 20 weeks comes out the other end as a 100%er.
This is a hard course – the word intense springs up time and again – and it takes a combination of diligence, intelligence and an ability to embrace new things to emerge successful. And the class of Sept 2010 had those qualities in spades.
With 101 students there was always going to be some drama – in fact, Shakespeare would have been proud of some of the scenes that unfolded between September and January!
London welcomed 64 new faces on Monday 6th September. That is a lot of eager, nervous and excited newbies – although they did not remain nervous for long. It is always amusing to see how long it takes a new class to come out of their shell. This one didn’t take long!
The course got off to a bang with the usual flurry of crazy exercises. Photos were taken with strangers, arguments were had over how ‘left’ the Guardian really is and Clare Buchanan got barred from The Alex. A lively start.
CLASS OF 2010: News Associates (Manchester) graduates secured impressive results at the conclusion of their 20-week course
While this was going on, Manchester was off to its own flyer. The local was found and Thursday, as with every course ever at News Associates, became the new Friday and Saturday combined.
Despite their go-to bar in Manchester burning down (no NA personnel arrested although I have my suspicions) they stayed buoyant and dug deep to find a decent happy hour in the Northern Quarter – well done guys, tip-top research!
Speakers came and went, there were visits to party conferences, the TUC, council meetings, various courts and the Houses of Parliament. Claire Cain even managed to get the students back to base from BoJo’s Question Time without the need for a boat trip – good work Caino, first time for everything!
Christmas came and went. The original email entitled ‘Christmas is cancelled at News Associates’ was not far off the mark as we got a few of our guys in for a spot of festive shorthand. Best present of 2010 surely?!
While all of this was going on a News Associates staffer, Rachel Bull, was awarded the prestigious NCTJ Student of the Year Award for her epic achievements on the Sept 2009 induction – now if that is not a good example then I am not sure what is! Congrats Rach, richly deserved.
News Associates received our own bit of good news when we were awarded the NCTJ Course of the Year Award – the equivalent of Best Film at the Oscars. The news came while many of the directors were sampling Manchester’s legendary nightlife. I am pretty sure only the Gallagher brothers have ever caused as much carnage in that fair city!
A memorable night and a great reward for all of the staff’s hard work over the previous year. It is no mean feat to be the best and so many thanks must go to all of the training department for all their dedication and commitment – legendary stuff.
Talking of work, congratulations to the many students who have already got jobs having only left us a week or so ago. They include Beth English at the MEN in Manchester, Tamsin Eames and Natasha Carter at ITV and Ryan Gallagher at the Frontline Club from the Manchester lot.
Then there was Nicola Hine at the Maidenhead Advertiser, Chris Mandle at FHM, Maria Coyle at the Surrey Mirror and Charlotte Lowe and Toby Meyjes at Cornwall and Devon Media from the London guys.
CELEBRATES: News Associates (London) graduates prepare to toast their success - with plastic cups
You have all done brilliantly and we are so proud to have been able to help you on your way.
Good luck to everyone in their new jobs – I am looking forward to getting you back in as guest speakers and using you for free tickets to various gigs, matches and events!
As usual, the course flew by in its typical blur. You just learn everyone’s names and before you know it it’s the end-of-course do.
It happens every course and I think it goes faster and faster each and every year. I think this is a good thing as it means that I for one, and I hope everyone involved with NA, are having a good time while achieving these fantastic results.
And all the staff want to say a massive thank you to all students for all the kind words, cards and presents in both London and Manchester. They really weren’t necessary – but they really were appreciated.
And I want to say my own personal thanks to everyone who has been involved over the past few months, both students and staff.
Keep up the good work, keep in touch and don’t be strangers – you are all legends.
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