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January 2014

CTC Alumni Newsletter Issue 1

Principals Welcome
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this first edition of CTCs Alumni Newsletter. It represents the Colleges ongoing commitment to maintaining contact with our former students, to reminding them of the role they have played in our splendid history and achievements and to updating them on present-day life at CTC many months, or in most cases years, since they graduated. Wikipedia, an online resource not around when most of CTCs alumni were at the College, defines an alumnus as a graduate of a school, college, or university or a former member and employee, a clear reminder, should one be needed, of the importance of everybody associated with CTC these past 56 years. For this reason, you will notice the contribution of a former member of staff in this inaugural edition of the Alumni Newsletter. When Roger Osborne founded the Cambridge Warlingham Tutors in 1958 he started small, providing individual tuition at his Surrey village home. What a pleasure it would be to hear from one of his early students as a result of this Newsletters launch, quite possibly grandparents themselves now but with clear memories like all of us, I suspect, of the crucial part their old college played in their lives. Well, whether you were here in 1958 or left in 2013, or any point in between, this Newsletter is for you and we hope you enjoy its first edition. We invite you to keep in contact with us at alumni@ctc.ac.uk and of course with each other, and to make any comments or suggestions with future editions in mind. Welcome to CTCs Alumni Newsletter and welcome back to your old college! Mario Di Clemente

CTC has
played a very important role and changed my entire life and without it I would never be enjoying what I am doing now
Henry Yam (left 1985)

In This Issue

We catch up with former staff and students Report from the 2013 Awards Ceremony Review of the past year at CTC

Name and subject taught Janice Everett, teaching all the members of staff how to do things my way! (With mixed results) During which years were you a member of staff at CTC? Bursar from 1987 to 2013 How have you been spending your time since retiring? Planning and refurbishing my new house in Wokingham What did you like most about working at CTC?

Last day at CTC

The variety of jobs that I did - timetable, exams, accounts, company secretary, CAS issuing etc meant that no one day was like another and there was always more government legislation to learn! What did you like least about working at CTC? Having to chase students for their exam entries was frustrating and could make me cross! Which student or class do you remember most clearly from your time at CTC, and why? The student I remember most clearly is Graham Hunt from 1987-89. He came with quite moderate O level results and left with good A level results. He was never late for a lesson and never missed a single lesson. I have seen quite a lot of him since then and followed his career closely. The fact that he is my son has absolutely no bearing on that! I also remember some of the family groups that have attended - the Badri family, the Sanusi family, several Tan families and many Patel families. I have sent bills to more than three thousand sets of parents over the years.

What is your most amusing memory of your time at CTC? I have laughed so much over the years, usually at stories that Mrs Brown has told me, that I will leave it to her, when she retires, to relate them.

Selfie in new home

Whats in a name? We hope that you will want to send us material for inclusion in future editions of the alumni newsletter. After all, it is your news that your fellow alumni want to read about. Why not start right away? We would like the alumni newsletter to have a suitable and catchy title, and we would very much welcome your suggestions. So, if you have an idea for the title of the CTC alumni newsletter, please send it to alumni@ctc.ac.uk

Name and nationality Ms Thu Hang NGUYEN Vietnamese (and British naturalised in 2008)

During which years were you a student at CTC?

1995-1997 academic year. What have you been up to since leaving CTC? After attending CTC, I progressed my student life at Nottingham University and then went on to work in the insurance industry for a Lloyds broker. I then married and spent 10 years living in London before emigrating back to Vietnam where I am currently based with 4 beautiful children. Most difficult thing to get used to when you first arrived at CTC? There were many things to get used to all at once English food, English accents, English weather, home sickness, and above all, a new way of life and studying. Most valuable lesson learned at CTC? Hard work will pay off. It was one of the hardest times of my life but also one of the most valuable. CTC is where I learnt to be independent, take control of my life and, above all, it was the place where I met great friends for life! Which tutor do you remember most clearly from your time at CTC, and why? I remember clearly all 3 of my tutors at CTC, Mrs Hayes (Economics), Mr Talbot (History) and Mr Lee (Maths). Not only did they enthusiastically share what they know, they always made me feel well looked after. I would thus like to take this opportunity to thank them all for being such great tutors whom I was so fortunate to have. Additionally, a special thanks to Mr David Wilson for making CTC become such an important part of my life and Mrs Pamela Cunniffe for welcoming me into her home, where I was always treated like family. What do you most remember from your time at CTC? Enjoying the most delicious instant noodles ever for lunch at 1 per week !

Name and nationality

Punam Karambelkar
During which years were you a student at CTC? 2003-2004 What have you been up to since leaving CTC? I graduated in 2004 and moved to China in the hope of exploring the worlds most upcoming nation. I lived in China for nearly two years teaching English as a foreign language. A massive highlight was being a part of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. From there I moved to India for a year. I completed a Masters program in international comparative law in Australia, during which time I was invited to join the United Nations as an intern for the Headquarters Committee on Contracts and Procurement. I returned to the UK to complete the LPC course which would enable me to take the first few steps in becoming a qualified lawyer. I joined the University of Law and have since completed work for the likes of PwC and Quilter Cheviot on ad hoc compliance projects. I am working in an in-house legal team at a pharmaceutical company where I deal with cross jurisdictional transactions, mergers, corporate governance and procurement. Most difficult thing to get used to when you first arrived at CTC? The weekly tests and time management. Being in small classrooms you didn t have the option to not do your homework and get away with it! Most valuable lesson learned at CTC? I learnt to challenge myself in a competitive environment. A sound grounding in politics teaches you not just to care about your environment and the way you are governed, but to accept and understand the flaws in your society. Although going on peaceful protests for the things that you believe in does not always get results, it shouldnt stop you from trying. Which tutor do you remember most clearly from your time at CTC, and why? Mr John Norman! Mr Norman taught me both Law and Politics with amazing enthusiasm and patience . He was also someone who made students think for themselves, helped developed their opinions and let them come to their own conclusions What do you most remember from your time at CTC? Being told off for having a snow ball fight in the car park (still not sure if it was for health and safety reasons or for the fact that all the teachers used to park their cars there!)

Awards Ceremony 2013

The annual Cambridge Tutors Awards Ceremony was this year held at the Croydon Park Hotel on Saturday 23rd November.
CTC Principal, Mario Di Clemente, took the opportunity to thank all June 2013 leavers for the contribution they had made to the College. He also congratulated them for their efforts, enthusiasm, commitment and achievements. The awards and prizes were presented by Mario Di Clemente, Chris Drew (Vice Principal), John Rodgers (Senior Tutor), Patricia Brown (Head of Welfare) and Robin Worthington (Chair of the Trust Council). Students at one of the countrys top performing A level colleges collected their exam certificates and subject prize awards. Sixteen students achieved four A*/A grades. All students and tutors were congratulated on their hard work in achieving such success. This years subject prizes were presented by the Vice Principal and the MacCarthy Awards (awarded to students with four A grades or better) were presented by the Chair of the Trust Council. As well as academic awards, a growing range of activities was recognised through our Extra-Curricular Awards. These rewarded participation and achievements relating to Sport, The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Art and The College Magazine. Congratulations to the students on their achievements at CTC! All photographs from the evening can be viewed on the CTC Facebook Page

2013 MacCarthy Award Winners

Phuong Trang Cao Yu Yang Chang Kay Hian Adrian Chew

Subject Award Winners

Accounting Art Biology Chemistry Korlong Lee Thu Giang An Emily Ko Mahul Patel Yodsapon Chirawut Sikai Sun Amina Haider Patipan Saengdwean Ksenija Kusnercuka Adrian Chew Mihir Amin Ngoc Minh Bui Vong Panha Huot Nattaphong Thipsakunpanya & Zihao Zhang

Rui-Ernn Natassia Chin Thanh Thanh An Do Emily KO YIiu Hui Wei Yi Sean Lee Ian Lee Chee Shyan Jiaxin Luo Hasan Muhammed Huy Hoai Nam Nguyen Calvin TAN JIAN Xiong Re Gin Than Bryan Thor Shuai Yao Zihao Zhang Mathematics Physics Pure Mathematics Statistics Economics EFL English Literature Further Mathematics Government & Politics History ICT

Jiaxin Luo

Extra-Curricular Awards
Outstanding Contribution to College Life Sports Prize Winners Bryan Thor & Yu Yang Chang Football: Sportsmanship Award Most Improved Player Basketball: Sportsmanship Award Most Improved Player Sikai Sun Hiu Kwan Chung Eeruj Shaikh Danill Kalembet D of E Award Bryan Thor

All-round contribution Art Special Award Trung Vu Nguyen Winner of the Rector's Prize at the Royal College of Art College Magazine: Mrs Sandra Carroll (for her all-round contribution)

A look back at the past year of CTC

A look back at CTC in 2013

January Students from around the world arrive in Croydon deep in snow to begin their A level course February Maths students excel in UKMT Individual Maths Challenges
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March
CTC students collect four awards at the CIFE Award Ceremony at the House of Lords
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April Principal visits Regent Elite Academy in Yangon, CTCs partner school in Myanmar May Students raise money for Save the Children with a Football Tournament for staff and students June Thu An Giang and Alina Aliyeva have their artwork exhibited at the Royal Academy A level Exhibition.
Read More

July

The college hosts its first Summer School in partnership with Academic Summer August A level and GCSE students achieve outstanding results
Read More

September
Start of a new academic year with students from 17 different countries joining the college October CTC opens its new China Office in Ningbo
Read More

November CTC holds its annual Awards Ceremony at the Croydon Park Hotel
Read More

December Students produce winter edition of Student Magazine Endeavour

Three particularly exciting alumni events will take place later this month. The current Principal and former Principal, David Wilson, will be among those hosting reunion dinners in Singapore on Friday January 17th, in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday January 18th and in Hanoi on Monday January 20th. We are confident that all three events will be very enjoyable occasions which will provide welcome opportunities to catch up with old friends and to exchange CTC stories and memories.
From left to right - Hang Nguyen, Thu Quynh Pham, Thuy Anh Nguyen and Tri Mai Hoang, who were among our first Vietnamese students

Keep in Touch
CTC London Water Tower Hill Croydon Surrey CR0 5SX

020 8688 5284

alumni@ctc.ac.uk Visit us on the web at www.ctc.ac.uk Facebook Linked in

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The next issue will be published in Summer 2014

Students try to put on a brave face during their last day at CTC