Dear ,

A very warm welcome to our packed August newsletter, especially to our most recent July 2019 graduates! We are extremely proud that three of this year's Honorary Fellows are members of our alumni community. 

Gaming entrepreneur Ben Lawton, at 25, became the youngest Honorary Fellow of Leeds Trinity University. Priest, broadcaster and star of ‘Gogglebox’, Reverend Kate Bottley was recognised for her work in the church and media. Simon Gallacher, Director of the Catholic Schools Partnership Teaching School Alliance was also recognised for his outstanding career.

As well as celebrating graduation last month, alumna and award-winning author Dorothy Koomson returned to deliver an inspiring Trinity Talk entitled 'Telling Secrets'.

We made the difficult decision recently to cancel the alumni reunion weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September but hope to welcome alumni back at other events. Those from the classes of 1982, 1983 and 1984 might be interested in a reunion planned on Saturday 9 November in the Original Oak function Room in Headingley. 

Please save the date for All Saints' Day which is taking place on Friday 1 November.

Are you interested in studying at postgraduate level, or training to teach with a PGCE? If so, then don’t miss our Postgraduate and PGCE Open Day on Saturday 12 October.

The Open Day is your chance to find out about our range of taught postgraduate degrees, as well as our primary and secondary postgraduate teacher training programmes, including the different pathways available – University-led, SCITT and School Direct.

You'll have a chance to meet subject tutors, school partners as well as speak to our Admissions team and Student Finance. Book your place.

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October we're hosting a special sports weekend, welcoming back our alumni to take on our current student teams at various sports. All alumni are welcome to take part in the matches, catch up with friends and have a few drinks at the bar.

Saturday 5 October

10.30am        Badminton (LTU Sports Hall)
12.00noon     Men's Rugby Union (Yarnbury)
Time TBC      Men's Rugby League (LTU)
3.30pm          Netball (LTU)
Time TBC      Cheerleading (LTU)

Sunday 6 October

Time TBC      Ladies Football (venue TBC)
2.00pm          Women's Hockey (Horsforth School)
2.00pm          Men's Football (LTU)

Any former Women's Rugby players can get in touch with Jess Deacy if you are interested in playing a match.

Read more about our Alumni Sports Weekend.

Join us on campus on Tuesday 17 September, 6.00-8.00pm, for a free networking event for Yorkshire writers who are involved in educational and community settings.

If you work in a school, community organisation or Higher/Further Education, this is a great chance to attend an informal gathering and swap ideas, explore others' work and take part in a taster session for writing in education with an experienced professional. Register via Eventbrite.

Gill Barker graduated from Marketing in 2006 and currently works at the University as a Senior Marketing Officer. Two years ago, Gill started 35 Before 35, an initiative to complete 35 diverse challenges before she turns 35, all whilst raising money for charity.

Her next challenge, taking place from Sunday 25 August is running the Leeds Liverpool canal - 127 miles over the course of six days. All of her challenges are self-funded and she has raised over £2,000 for Leeds Mind and Yorkshire Cancer Research. Read more.

Kafayat Adegoke is a renowned actor, performer and presenter. She graduated in 2018 from Film and Television Studies.

"I generate my own work, this involves making one-woman shows that explore who I am or making work tagged around societal causes while maintaining my sense of identity as a black female."​

Kafayat will perform a live art installation tackling gender inequality and sexism as part of Bradford's Fringe Festival on Sunday 1 September from 4.00-7.00pm. 

Find out more about Kafayat's exceptional career and her time at Leeds Trinity on her alumni profile.