Geography coursework attracts national attention
From Penwith to South East Asia
»»A FORMER Penwith College art and design student is enjoying her dream career, living and working in Bath as a printer, designer and maker, after travelling the world to support charities from Qatar and South East Asia.
After achieving a distinction in the Art and Design Diploma at Penwith College, Matilda Black’s journey took her to study textiles at Bath Spa University.
After graduating she embarked on creative projects with charities across the world, including Street Child United in Qatar, creating patterns and embroidery work that she exhibited in Katara, Qatar, raising money for the charity through selling her work, before moving on to Thailand where she taught art to schoolchildren.
Matilda said: “I think what makes Penwith College so special is its sense of community. I became friends with my lecturers and met new people who I still keep in touch with. The two years studying the diploma were so memorable for me, as it was the beginning of an exciting journey that led me to study textiles at Bath Spa University.
“I recently travelled solo across South East Asia. When I was out there I felt very inspired by the people I met and the cultures I immersed myself in, so I applied for volunteering programmes. I worked in several remote rural schools in Thailand teaching art to children.”
Matilda looks forward to working alongside more charities in the near future and has more exciting projects on the horizon that combine her love for art and travel. Find Matilda’s portfolio at matildablackart.com
» Discover the College’s art and design department at truropenwith.ac.uk.
APENWITH College student has been put forward for a national award, having achieved the top score in her geography research project, and is eyeing a place at one of the world’s top research-intensive universities.
Relocating from Gloucestershire shortly before starting her A Level studies, Katie has taken her love for geography to the next level at Penwith College with a top score in her piece of coursework that focused on Penzance’s idyllic rural location.
Tutors have submitted Katie’s outstanding piece of work to the Royal Geographical Society where it will now be considered for the national 2024 Ron Cook Award, which celebrates work that has engaged students in new ideas, provided opportunities for innovation and demonstrated their personal interest in geography.
Katie used her experience of relocating to West Cornwall to conduct her independent investigation, looking into the push and pull factors of the Penzance location with her project titled ‘To What Extent Does Penzance Fit the Characteristics of the Rural Idyll?’
Throughout her coursework Katie carried out extensive research into the economic, societal and environmental factors of Penzance as well as collecting primary data in her surveys from local residents.
Rachel Botterill, geography lecturer at Penwith College, said: “Katie’s independent investigation is incredibly detailed and is a testament to her passion for geography. She has developed some excellent report-writing and research skills, which I am sure will be of great use to her in the future.”
With support from the college, Katie aims to apply to study geography at Exeter University, part of the world-leading, research-intensive Russell Group which is known for its significant social, economic and cultural impact across the UK and around the globe.
» Find your future at Penwith College and register for an Open Event at truro-penwith.ac.uk