Manchester student Luke O’Connor, who was stabbed to death in Fallowfield when his killer reacted “violently and unpredictably” to a joke, is to be honoured with a posthumous award by his university.
The 19-year-old, who was an undergraduate student in his second year of a Business Management degree at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) before he lost his life at the hands of fellow student, Shiloh Pottinger, is to be remembered and honoured by the university at their upcoming graduation ceremonies this summer.
20-year-old Pottinger, a student at the BIMM Institute, was found to have stabbed O’Connor eight times with a “mafia stiletto” knife in Fallowfield during the early hours of the morning on Wednesday 26 October 2022.
Manchester Crown Court heard this week how “gentle giant” O’Connor had been travelling home from a party when he came across and was stabbed multiple times by Pottinger.
Shiloh Pottinger has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for manslaughter / Credit: GMP
Pottinger was said to have reacted “violently and unpredictably” to a joking remark made about his skateboard, before attacking and leaving O’Connor lying in the street on Wilmslow Road – where he later died despite the best CPR efforts from emergency services that were flagged down by members of the public.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pottinger was sentenced to 15 years in jail for manslaughter this week (Monday 19 June), and will serve at least 10 years of that sentence before he can be considered for release.
Following Pottinger’s sentencing this week, Luke’s mother Carolyn appeared in a harrowing video message and spoke about the devastation the O’Connor family faces in the wake of the death of their youngest son, claiming Pottinger’s sentence “in no way compares to our life sentence”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Carolyn insisted that her son will not have died in vain – and it appears MMU wants to help with that.
Any students affected can contact our Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing Service via email at [email protected] or telephone on 0161 247 3493.
Paying tribute to their former student, an MMU spokesman described O’Connor as a “bright, talented and much-loved” member of the university community, the BBC reports.
“His death was a terrible shock to everyone,” they added.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Our professionally trained counselling team has continued to offer support to any students and staff who are affected”.
The University says it has told the O’Connor family that they will honour Luke and intend to “recognise his work and contribution to the university” with a posthumous award at one of the upcoming graduation ceremonies next month.
The O’Connors have been invited to the ceremony to receive the award on Luke’s behalf.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2023 
