Hitting the high notes - from ‘royal’ performers to rugby legends
Meet the Swansea exports taking the world by storm
From Dylan Thomas and Catherine Zeta Jones to Joe’s ice cream and the ‘Jacks’ - Swansea has a lot to offer.
Among the alumni of Gower College Swansea are many famous names. Here are just some former students who have made their mark across the world in the arts, sport and food – to name just a few.
Elin Manahan Thomas
Apparently, there was quite a big wedding earlier this year! If you tuned in to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent nuptials, you’d have heard Gower College Swansea alumnus Elin Manahan Thomas serenading the royal couple with Eternal Source of Light Divine.
The soprano has travelled the world – including performing in Seoul, Venice and Barcelona – since her days studying at the Gorseinon Campus.
Leigh Halfpenny
Although he’s recently moved back to Wales to play for the Scarlets, the golden boy is known across the globe for his legendary kick.
Leigh was a student at the Tycoch Campus from 2005-2007 and, as you’d imagine, rugby was a huge part of his college life. That doesn’t mean sport was his sole interest though; he achieved high grades in his exams and was accepted at Cardiff University to study dentistry before fate intervened.
Rosie Sheehy
Alumnus Rosie studied A Level Drama at Gower College Swansea before moving on to Britain’s most revered arts academy, RADA.
Since then, she has performed on stage (winning the Best Female Performance in the English Language category at the Wales Theatre Awards 2018 for her role in Uncle Vanya) and on screen (DCI Banks) and was recently referred to by the Guardian as a ‘knockout’ and ‘one of the finds of the year’.
Not bad at all, if you ask us!
Adam Bannister
If you’ve eaten at Slice in Sketty, Adam will need no introduction. One of Wales’ most accomplished chefs, Adam’s restaurant has been voted one of the best in Swansea and is listed in the Michelin Guide.
As a student he regularly represented Gower College Swansea in a number of high profile competitions, which may have served him well when he was chosen as one of Wales’ competitors for the BBC’s Great British Menu. Luckily for current students, Adam regularly visits his old campus kitchen to inspire them and share some of his own personal experiences.
Hattie Gent
Hattie works as an Art Director in the film and television industry having studied A Levels and a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Gower College Swansea.
In addition to her college studies, Hattie joined the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company as a technician and then graduated to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to follow a BA(Hons) programme in Theatre Design.
Her hard work is now paying off, having secured employment on a number of productions including Da Vinci’s Demons, Ordinary Lies and Will. Hattie is currently Assistant Art Director on Charlie Brooker’s highly acclaimed Black Mirror.
Joshua Jenkins
Currently touring the UK and Australia, Joshua made his professional acting debut in the critically acclaimed National Theatre performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
Playing the lead role of Christopher, Joshua opened the show at the Wales Millennium Centre and has only blossomed since. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Joshua studied Performing Arts at Gower College Swansea from 2004–2006.
Jazz Carlin
A medal winner at every level of international competition, Jazz Carlin started swimming when she was a child and continued her sport when she was a student at Gower College Swansea from 2007-2009.
Jazz scooped two silver medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio - in the 400m freestyle and the 800m freestyle – and, most recently, carried the Welsh flag at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Justin Tipuric
Two-time British and Irish Lion Justin Tipuric has won 50 Wales caps, been welcomed into the legendary Barbarians team and represented Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
He is known as one of Wales’ most talented and reliable flankers and the Osprey has played at every age-grade level. He’s also praised Gower College Swansea for making his time as a student there so enjoyable – and for providing him with ample rugby experience, of course.
Applications are now open to study a full time course with us in September.
ENDS
For more information contact Bethan Jones-Arthur at Working Word on 02920 455182 or email bethan.jones-arthur@workingword.co.uk