Welcome to the tenth annual meeting of the NCTJ Student Council

Friday, 3 February, 10.30am-3.30pm

Hosted by Student Council members

Annabelle Baldy-Gray University of Annabelle Baldy-Gray is on the MA course at the University of Kent, Medway. Born and raised in north- west London, she is a keen advocate of black culture, history and issues – her parents were originally from Ghana – and hopes one day to launch a broadcasting station run mainly by journalists from ethnic minorities. Although terrified of heights, Annabel forces herself to go on the fastest and tallest rides at theme parks.

Christian Barnett City of College Christian Barnett is studying for his NCTJ diploma at the City of Wolverhampton College after deciding that journalism seemed the most appropriate place for somebody who is always asking “why?”. He is looking forward to being at the heart of things when big events are happening and doing something different every day. Christian plays the guitar and collects vinyl.

Matthew Brannen Leeds Trinity University Matthew Brannen is an MA journalism student at Leeds Trinity University. After studying for a degree in Theology he began training to become a Catholic priest before opting for a career in journalism, where his interests are focused on local and national politics as well as religion.

Katharine Buck Brunel University Katharine Buck is a third-year BA journalism student at Brunel University, London. Her proudest achievements during her time there have been interviewing David Cameron during the General Election campaign and being able to live and work in Beijing, China, during an internship. She hopes to go into broadcast or political journalism.

Emma Calder University of Lincoln Emma Calder is completing her BA (Hons) Journalism degree at Lincoln University and is aiming for a career in magazines. During her time as a student she has founded three websites – which she still runs – as well as working with Grazia, Red, Glamour, Stylist and Lonely Planet Traveller. She is now specialising in online content production and management.

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Madeline Chamberlain Nottingham Trent University Madeline Chamberlain is studying for a BA in Print Journalism at Nottingham Trent University and writes for a number of online music publications. She hopes her career will one day take her into music journalism and public relations within the industry. Madeline is lead singer in the Nottingham band Cherry Hex and The Dream Church, and is a black belt in kickboxing.

Kai Chase-Meares Highbury College Kai Chase-Meares is studying for the NCTJ diploma in Portsmouth, with a career goal of one day becoming a foreign correspondent, reporting from areas of conflict worldwide.

Josh Cheetham News Associates London Josh Cheetham is studying part-time at News Associates in London as well as working as a reporter for Argus Media, covering oil and gas shipping. He hopes one day to work for Reuters or the BBC World Service. Josh loves surf rock music, and, by his own admission, can get “pretty nerdy” when it comes to American history.

Sam Constance University of Sheffield Sam Constance is in his first year studying journalism at Sheffield University. With experience in the university’s in-house media stations already under his belt, he hopes to go into broadcasting. Unrelated to his career ambitions, he is able to lick his elbow, and will happily demonstrate the fact to anyone who doesn’t believe him.

Laura Creighton University of Central Lancashire Laura Creighton is studying BA Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire and is hoping for a career in print journalism, either in the area of politics or foreign affairs. She is deputy politics editor for Pulse media and a keen member of the university’s poker society and equestrian club.

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Sophie Dishman University of Sunderland Sophie Dishman is a BA journalism student at the University of Sunderland and a keen wearer of hats, admitting that she rarely leaves the house without one. Equally enthusiastic about radio, print and online journalism, Sophie is keeping an open mind about where her journalistic path will take her.

Evangeline Dryden University of Kent Evie Dryden is a final-year student at the University of Kent’s Centre for Journalism. She hopes to go into broadcast news and is currently undertaking an internship with KMTV, Kent Messenger’s TV station. When she is not aiming for the top in journalism, she’s doing it elsewhere – Evie has climbed Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.

Russell Edge University of Salford For sports fan Russell Edge, Salford University is the perfect place to study for an MA in Sports Journalism, with Old Trafford football and cricket grounds right on his doorstep. His dream, he says, is “to watch sport and get paid for it”, with broadcasting top of his list of career choices. Russell grew up in Dubai, spending 11 years in the Middle East.

Lauren Entwistle Leeds Trinity University Before becoming a student at Leeds Trinity University, Lauren Entwistle worked as a sub-editor on Ameliorate magazine. She enjoys writing on a variety of topics – including English Literature, the Eighties, mental health and politics – and hopes that one day she will be paid for doing so.

Tara Fitzpatrick Glasgow Caledonian University Tara Fitzpatrick is an English and Theatre Studies graduate who is now doing a postgraduate course in Multimedia Journalism at Glasgow Caledonian University. She runs her own features and reviews blog.

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Georgia Foxwell University of Sussex Georgia Foxwell is studying at Sussex University with Brighton Journalist Works and is hoping to go into local reporting or writing about the arts. You are most likely to find her enjoying a frozen yoghurt and unapologetically listening to Kanye West.

Emily Furness Falmouth University Emily Furness is just about to complete her BA Hons in Journalism at Falmouth University, after which she hopes to use her marketing and writing experiences to promote the work of a charity helping countries affected by conflict and natural disaster. In her spare time Emily is a keen surfer and sailor.

Abbi Garton Glasgow Caledonian University Abbi Garton is a fourth-year student at Glasgow Caledonian University working for a BA (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism. With interests ranging from feminism to social affairs and politics – she and three course mates worked round the clock covering the Glasgow vote count during the 2016 Holyrood election – she hopes to become an investigative journalist.

Sarah George Brighton Journalist Works Sarah George has just completed the fast-track NCTJ course at Brighton Journalist works after realising that journalism was for her while working as a sub-editor on The Tab as an undergraduate. She is currently interning at digital lifestyle magazine Brighton Journal. As a teenager Sarah was an RAF air cadet and was, at the age of 16, certified to fly small planes.

Olivia Hill Fife College Olivia Hill is a student at Fife College in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and was attracted to journalism by the opportunities to meet people and learn something new every day. She hopes to go on to study for a university degree before deciding on a specific career path. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys playing the drums.

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Bairbre Holmes Press Association Training London Bairbre Holmes is an assistant producer with five years’ experience in entertainment and comedy television. Last year she decided to pursue her lifelong interest in news and current affairs and enrolled on the NCTJ diploma at the Press Association, which she has followed up with an internship on ’s Unreported World. Due to her unpronounceable name Bairbre has quite a collection of nicknames and will generally respond to most words beginning with B.

Christopher Iddon UCFB Wembley Christopher Iddon is one of Sky News’s advanced apprentices and one of the first group of students on the NCTJ diploma course at UCFB Wembley, based at Wembley Stadium. A keen follower of the political scene, he’s looking forward to visiting Sky’s Millbank studio at the heart of Westminster. When he was 13, Christopher won a competition to see the Harry Potter Studios before they were officially opened.

Daldeep Kaur St Mary’s University Daldeep Kaur was awarded the JDF bursary after completing her degree at Liverpool John Moores University and is now studying for her MA Sports Journalism at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. A keen follower of football, she has worked for Sky News, News, LFC TV and the Daily Star. While interning at the Asian Women Mean Business non-profit organisation, Daldeep created a campaign #AWMBinspiration, where she was able to showcase a different inspirational person every day for 100 days.

Abigail Leighton Darlington College Abigail Leighton, who is aiming for a career in broadcast journalism, is on the one-year NCTJ Multimedia Journalism course at Darlington College. She has done work experience at UKRD’s Star Radio in the North- East and at the Northern Echo in Darlington and is preparing for a placement at Channel 4 News. Abigail hopes to use her interest in international current affairs, politics and languages in her career.

Justin MacIntosh Staffordshire University Justin MacIntosh, who is studying for an MA in Journalism at Staffordshire University, has loved newspapers since he was a paper boy and hopes one day to write for the nationals. He has submitted articles for the StaffsLive website and enjoys finding contacts for new stories. He is also a keen photographer.

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Naomi McLaughlin North West Regional College Naomi McLaughlin is studying for her NCTJ qualification at North West Regional College, Northern Ireland, and hopes to specialise in fashion journalism. She is currently doing a work placement at her local newspaper as well as running her own fashion blog.

Jonathan McNabb Ulster University Jonathan McNabb is an MA journalism student at Ulster University, Coleraine, having already completed his first degree in Spanish and Journalism with first class honours. A keen follower of sport, he enjoys reporting from football matches and other big events. Low point? Missing his own 18th birthday celebrations after failing to catch a flight home from Scotland to Ireland.

Will Moulton News Associates London Will Moulton is studying for the NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism at News Associates London, having graduated from Durham University in the summer of 2016 with first-class honours. With such veterans of the industry as Murray Walker and John Motson as his inspiration, he has already interviewed a host of well-known athletes, including Sir Ben Ainslie. Will has been awarded a place on the 2017 Autosport Talent Development Programme, and as a student won two national titles as a cheerleader.

Will Nestor-Sherman Highbury College Will Nestor-Sherman has recently completed a fast-track NCTJ diploma at Highbury College, Portsmouth. Having worked as a junior reporter across East and the Solent, he now hopes to specialise in news reporting for a large media organisation.

Charlotte Page Harlow College Charlotte Page is studying for her NCTJ qualification at Harlow College and working on her local newspaper to build up her practical experience before seeing where her career takes her. In her spare time she is a keen traveller – top of her wish list is to see the Northern Lights.

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Emma Rossiter University of Portsmouth Emma Rossiter is in her third year at the University of Portsmouth, where she is studying for a BA in Journalism. She is aiming for a career in magazine feature writing or design and wonders whether her fascination with dancing – which she’s done since she was four years old and is, she says, “all I talk about” – might take her in the direction of a specialist publication.

Jacob Routledge City of Liverpool College Jacob Routledge is studying for his NCTJ qualification at City of Liverpool College and hopes one day to become a global affairs or war correspondent. New to his list of skills in the past year is Jiu Jitsu – he hopes to take part in competitions in 2017.

Jonathan Shiel The Sheffield College Jonathan Shiel is studying for his NCTJ diploma at Sheffield College’s Hillsborough campus after completing an English degree at Sheffield University. A keen follower of politics and pop culture, he has enjoyed the chance to interview politicians across the city – including former Green party leader Natalie Bennett – during his time on the course. His dream is to cover a general election results night programme on TV.

Harry Taylor University of Sheffield Harry Taylor is a print journalism student at the University of Sheffield. After graduating from Aberystwyth University in 2014, where he was editor of the student newspaper The Courier, he worked for two years in higher education and is now aiming for a career as a political correspondent. Harry is a keen football fan and supporter of Kidderminster Harriers.

Amber Thiara News Associates Manchester Amber Thiara is the student representative for the Sports Journalism course at News Associates, Manchester. After graduating in mechanical engineering Amber decided on a career in sports journalism after seeing the amazing impact sport can have on communities and individual well-being. She is a keen traveller and kickboxer who one day hopes to be a F1 pit lane reporter or an NFL sideline commentator.

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James Twomey Kingston University James Twomey is an MA journalism student at Kingston University after completing a degree in history and politics. Fascinated by political systems and societal issues, James believes they should be at the forefront of the public agenda and is keen to pursue a career writing about them. However, the idea of taking a long road trip around Europe and selling the stories he finds along the way appeals to him hugely, too.

Amy Walker Staffordshire University Amy Walker is in her third year of the BA (Hons) Journalism course at Staffordshire University, after which she is aiming for a local newspaper career covering politics – one of her particular interests – and news. Unless she ends up on Strictly first, that is – Amy is trained in ballroom and Latin dancing.

Amy Wall Falmouth University Amy Wall is in the final year of her BA Hons in Journalism course at Falmouth University, Cornwall – an ideal location for her also to pursue her passion for surfing and white water kayaking. She loves the idea that as a journalist you can go home after a day’s work knowing a little bit more about a subject or person, and hopes to pursue a career as a crime writer.

El Warren Cornwall College Camborne El Warren, who is studying for her NCTJ diploma at Cornwall College, is aiming for a career in broadcast journalism, with radio production a particular interest. She runs her own lifestyle blog, discussing music and fashion, and is also a practising artist.

Bronwen Weatherby Cardiff University Bronwen Weatherby is studying for a Master’s in News Journalism at Cardiff University. A history graduate and a fluent Welsh speaker, she describes herself as a ‘news and politics enthusiast’.

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Rachel Wheatley Glyndŵr University With more than 10 years’ experience in the media, event organising, television and radio presenting and PR, Rachel Wheatley is currently working for Wrexham and Deeside.com and Dee 106.3 FM alongside studying for her NCTJ journalism diploma at Wrexham Glyndŵr University. Away from the newsdesk Rachel is a keen baker, with her colleagues and lecturers regularly sampling her culinary creations

Hope Woolston University of Essex Hope Woolston is in the first year of a Multimedia Journalism course at the University of Essex. She has a particular interest in the entertainment industry – especially in the areas of dance and drama – and hopes to become a TV or radio presenter.

Rebekah Wright Teesside University Rebekah Wright is studying journalism at Teesside University, Middlesbrough, with the aim of becoming a feature writer or TV presenter. She enjoys working out at her local gym and has a miniature dachshund called Albert.

10 Diploma in Journalism award winners for the academic year 2015-16

Award title Winner Centre Sponsor

Broadcast Journalism Eleanor Layhe University of Salford ITV News

Production Journalism Luke Hastings Bournemouth University NCTJ

Business of Magazines Jodie Armstrong Nottingham Trent University Mark Allen Group

Shorthand 100wpm Rachel Clark North East Scotland College Society of Editors

Shorthand 110/120wpm Rosalyn Roden News Associates Manchester Sky Sports News

Reporting Matthew Reynolds News Associates London Archant

Videojournalism for online Daniel Owen Leeds Trinity University Mustard TV

Essential Media Law and Regulation Alice Evans University of Sheffield Oxford University Press

Essential Public Affairs Matthew Burton News Associates London Oxford University Press

Media Law Court Reporting Alice Evans University of Sheffield Johnston Press

Sports Journalism Paul McNamara News Associates London Premier League

11 NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2017 Get the recognition you deserve

The NCTJ Awards for Excellence recognise and reward the best journalism students completing NCTJ-accredited courses and trainee journalists with less than two years’ experience.

Open for submissions from May 2017 via the NCTJ website, award categories include:

NEWS SPORTS TOP JOURNALISM JOURNALISM SCOOP

MULTIMEDIA PROJECT OF FEATURES CAMPAIGN THE YEAR

STUDENT OF TRAINEE OF APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR THE YEAR THE YEAR

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a gala dinner and awards ceremony in November as guests of the NCTJ.

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