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Barnet and Southgate College students rub shoulders with Olympic elite

College students from the Catering, Hairdressing and Beauty Departments enjoyed exclusive access to the London 2012 Games by working inside the Olympic Village

The lucky few will also continue to work throughout the Paralympics.

Carolina Lopez said: "The number of famous athletes I’ve met is amazing and I can’t believe I actually styled Dame Kelly Holmes’ hair! This was such a special opportunity and a real honour for me. I find the athletes so inspirational, and I think that by doing their hair before they competed or went on TV, I might have actually helped their performance. It really has been the best thing I’ve ever done and I’m looking forward to being a part of the Paralympic Games."

Also working in the Olympic Salon were Beauty students, Wazmha Amendy and Nil Adin; all three students were chosen from thousands of applications - Catering student, Debbie Grimmond, was also lucky enough to be selected for her role as a chef inside the Olympic Village.

Debbie Grimmond said: "I’ve been helping plan and design menus for all the athletes and attending dignitaries, working in the British cuisine ‘pod’. The highlight has to have been when I served Usain Bolt and Team GB’s Tom Daley!

They asked me lots of questions about the food and what was in each dish, I felt really proud that I helped prepare what they chose to eat. It’s been hard work, especially the day of the Opening Ceremony we were rushed off our feet, but I’ve loved every minute and I’m gearing up for working at the Paralympic Games, it really has been a once in a lifetime experience.”

Barnet and Southgate College Principal David Byrne said : “We are very proud of all our students working at the Olympic Village, what a fantastic opportunity for them to showcase their skills to the rest of the World! It just goes to show the types of opportunities that can open up to those students studying for vocational qualifications at Barnet and Southgate College. We wish them, and team GB every success at the Paralympic Games.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  • Barnet and Southgate College is a highly successful further education College with around 20,000 students of all ages from 14 years upwards. The College occupies three main campuses: Southgate, Grahame Park at Colindale and Wood St, High Barnet. Find out more at: www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk and follow us on Facebook and twitter.
  • The College is recognised for the broad range of its courses and the high quality of its teaching. Full and part time courses for young people and adults include A levels, foundation degrees, professional qualifications, vocational studies, and skills based training and education for people with learning difficulties and disabilities. The College also supports people who are unemployed or at risk of redundancy with specialised courses. 
  •   The College has strong links with partners such as the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield, Middlesex University and local schools. It also works in partnership with local, regional and national employers, in particular through Training for London, a specialist subsidiary which provides bespoke training for large and small employers.