Buzz

In this issstuorey

• Know Your Hi rife • Part 2 of City of St • Internet Safety • Stress Busting • Learner Voice .

• Plus Much More…

Issue 18 - Spring 14

Welcome to the

Have you got an article you would like to share?

This is the students’ magazine and your voice, so let it be heard!

Don’t delay, send it us today!

Here are a few topic areas to get you thinking...

Short stories, poetry, film/dvd reviews, interviews with tutors, favourite recipes, photography, local community projects, sports reviews, politics, world news, economy, health, science, art work/designs, entertainment and news.

Let your imagination run wild!

Still Interested? Email nicola.thomson@bournville.ac.uk for more information or pop in to the union and see her in Urban Chill office.

Boomerang – Dare To Be Different!

Bournville College is excited to launch an exciting new student app – Boomerang – Dare To Be Different.

Boomerang – Dare To Be Different is a brand new app ideal for any student.Commended for its relevant news and features section which covers sport, technology and entertainment, you will also be updated with college information, events and a wealth of activities and points of contact for support available to you at Bournville College.

If you are not already hooked, an additional incentive is the rewards scheme, which gives you the chance to gain exclusive vouchers that can be redeemed in hundreds of high street stores and restaurants.

Student Services Manager, Mark Lewis stated: “The advice and guidance section provides valuable information for students progressing to higher level courses, applying to university and seeking employment. Not only that, but Boomerang has a filter-ready job feed. It also has helpful tips and advice for job hunting, enabling students to enhance their employability skills with a unique ‘interview techniques’ section, featuring tips, guidance and the innovative ‘virtual Interview’

– where students can record themselves answering filmed questions allowing for the ultimate job interview preparation.”

The app is completely free to all students making it a must-have. Boomerang- Dare To Be Different can be downloaded to any iPhone/iPad from the app store and is also accessible on any Android device, available for download from the play store.

Have you got Boomerang? Get it now!

Indoor cricket winners

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By: James Grinsted – College Sport Maker The Bournville College cricket team have reached the National Finals of the BCS Indoor 24 cricket competition by winning the regional West Midlands competition.

The squad consisted of James Clifford, Brandon Falconer, Sultan Hameed, Salman Khan, Aftab Mehmood, Zulfi Mohammed, Ali Hasan Rumel and Ben Simkiss – with 6 players playing in each game. We won all three of our games during the competition - beating Sandwell College, South and City College Birmingham and Solihull College.

After playing very well throughout the afternoon, our team won the competition and will now progress as the West Midlands representatives onto the BCS National Indoor 24 Cricket Finals to be played at Edgbaston on Thursday 1st May. We have a busy summer term, with the College also competing in the Outdoor T20 Cricket League during May and June, where we hope to continue our successful year to date. We are still looking for additional players who’re keen to play

cricket for these games, so please get in touch if you’re interested: E: James.grinsted@bournville.ac.uk T: 0121 477 1676 Twitter: @BournvilleCSM

Netball

By: Felicite Umuhoza - Travel & Tourism Student Bournville netball has introduced a lot of new members this season and the talent is high, even though some of the girls have never played competitive netball before enrolling.

The team has also bonded extremely well as a squad and as the season has progressed the girls have really improved their skills and fitness levels, but most importantly they have made lots of new friends.

This year in particular we have had huge support from other students at the College, who support during home matches and also attend training sessions giving the girls a good run around. We all work very hard and training sessions are full of laughter and fun; we train twice a week and play on most Wednesdays against other colleges in the West Midlands.

I didn’t really like netball much in school, but since I started playing in college, I fell in love and now I’m addicted to it. It’s now like a part of me, keeps me smiling during both matches and training sessions and I have also made some really good friends.

Know your history By: Jade Varney – A Level Student. Regular Buzz contributor

Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots, also commonly known as Mary Stuart, was born 8th December 1542 and deceased 8th February 1587.

She is a historical figure who is most commonly confused with Mary I of England, otherwise known as Bloody Mary. Just six days after her birth, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scots due to the death of her father, the King, however regents ruled Scotland until she became of age.

King Henry II of France wanted to unite France with Scotland, and so, by the age of six she was engaged to the Dauphin France. Accompanied by her ladies in waiting, the four Marys, Mary lived the next thirteen years of her life in the French court where she was admired by all, except for Catherine de’ Medici who was King Henry’s wife and her fiancé’s mother. In 1558 Mary, Queen of Scots, married the Dauphin at Notre Dame de Paris, making Francis king consort of England.

When King Henry II of France died in 1559 due to wounds he suffered in a jousting tournament, fifteen-year-old Francis became King of France.

Thus Mary, at the age of sixteen, was Queen of Scots and Queen Consort of France. However, Francis died shortly after in December 1560 and Mary returned to Scotland wearing an all-white mourning garb which earned her the title of the White Queen. In her absence from France her mother-in-law, Catherine de-Medici, became regent for Francis’s younger brother until he inherited the French throne at a later age.

In the years that followed the death of her husband Mary, Queen of Scots, attempted to put an end to the political feud between the Protestants and the Catholics. In July 1565, four years after the death of her first husband, Mary married her cousin James II of Scotland.

However, shortly after the union he grew power hungry and insisted that Mary give him the Crown Matrimonial, which would have given him the right to keep the Scottish throne, if Mary died before him. However, she refused and a heavy strain was placed upon their marriage.

After Mary became pregnant, James II conspired against her, killed her friend and when things took a wrong turn he fled the palace, but with Mary close at hand.

Their son was born in October 1566, but due to the recent events their marriage ended.

In February 1567 her husband was found dead, assumedly by smothering, in the grounds.

Mary was falsely accused of murdering him. James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, was generally believed to have orchestrated Darnley’s death, but he was acquitted of the charge in April 1567, and the following month he married Mary. Their match was not supported by their people or their government and an uprising occurred throughout Scotland.

As a consequence Mary was forced to abdicate and her one year old son became regent. She led a quiet life within the castle; assumed to be under house arrest.

Mary escaped her imprisonment in 1568 and fled to England to seek protection with her first cousin once removed, Queen Elizabeth I, however perceiving her as a threat, Elizabeth kept Mary in custody, moving her from settlement to settlement. After 18 years living in England, Mary was accused of plotting to execute the queen and was beheaded on the 8th February 1587. On a whole, the life of Mary, Queen of Scotland, was a tragic one.

If you want to know more about Mary, Queen of Scotland, be sure to watch the new television show from the CW, Reign. With a twist of fantasy and action, the story tells of Mary Queen of Scotland’s early life within the French Court.

City of Strife part two

(part one in previous edition)

By: Sophie Gordon – A-level Student

Luckily for me I do not experience such obstacles; being a political analyst, supporting the Military Junta and having such a pivotal job to the protection of national security, I am granted certain privileges.

The distinguished eastern aroma of Yangon pickled tea leaves proved as transient as a monk’s prayer.

I had reached my desired destination; a flood of excitement coursed through my body.

The stench of amniotic fluid filled my lungs like rich Theravada incense fills every corner of a room. I paced through the concrete double doors; a proud parent awaiting the arrival of their delicate offspring. I had imagined this moment in hundreds of dreary military committee briefings and countless memoranda: the moment when my first creation is born, fusing human DNA with other exotic genetic code. Yes you heard me right.

New creations: How? You ask. That’s yet another politically explosive question.

You see, we have permission to take political prisoners that seek to undermine the political security of the Military Junta and “volunteer” them as (unwilling test subjects. When Amnesty International was expelled from Rangoon, human rights were sacrificed on the altar of medical progress, but who’s to know apart from the Junta of course? Moreover our biological warfare facility is hidden in the depths of Yangon, away from Karen rebels and Western saboteurs.

No one in their right mind would seek out our facility, especially the well to do Yangonites.

They are too far lost in their thoughts about dwindling rice harvests and Karen Rebels who

are one of the strongest of the ethnic groups battling for autonomy in Burma; rebelling against what they think is a repressive government. They are too lost in their own minds to understand what’s going on in the shadowy military cabal.

We’ve been carrying out this secret project for years without as much as a single hiccup. I am confident that we will continue this way, despite the unfortunate sobriquet of the City of Strife.

I wait eagerly outside feeling overpowered with joy. Patience has never been one of my strong suits as a loyal servant of the state.

As I loitered, the opaque skies burst open to reveal a heavenly light which rests upon my flesh, the warmth welcomed as I sit in the arctic hallways. The heat reflects the beatitude I feel and I proceeded to interrogate myself with questions slumping down into the snug chair after admitting to myself that my wait will continue. With all the inquisitiveness of a disgruntled child I ask myself, what will Bestial-242 look like?

Will it have fur that’s as soft as Assam cotton or as coarse as bamboo? Will its eyes glisten in the radiant sunlight? What hue will they be, blue, green or brown? These questions just fuel my frenzy of emotions.

The doors open up the monsoon rain clouds, the sound reverberating through my aching limbs. I proceed to run down the corridor like a galloping horse, my ears perk up and I hear a fullthroated roar. The sound hits me like a beautiful symphony. I am close now, my heart hammers away with every precious second that goes by.

Project 739f83d has been a success.

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Did you miss the Safer Internet Day at Bournville College?

Staying Safe

How internet savvy are you?

Try the links below to find out

http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internetday/2013/quiz http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/surgery/ sharetakecare/game/ Get more information from: http://www.getsafeonline.org/ Includes how to avoid online fraud and protect your phone.

If you have any concerns, report them immediately to reception or by calling 07921 675 361

Cholesterol testing Do you know your number?

High Cholesterol itself doesn’t cause any symptoms.

This means that you could have high cholesterol and not know about it. The only way to know your cholesterol level is to have it tested.

For the month of May 2014 Urban Fitness is offering all Bournville Staff and Students discounted Cholesterol Testing.

ONLY ÂŁ5* book yours today 0121 477 1441. *Terms and conditions apply

Book review By: Jade Varney – A-level Student

Divergent Trilogy

We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another… We believe in shouting for those who can only whisper, in defending those who cannot defend themselves – Dauntless Manifesto This trilogy can be considered a cross between The Hunger Games and The Mortal Instruments due to the strong themes of action, fantasy, gore, politics and love. Present also is the strong female protagonist, in this case Tris.

To summarise, the trilogy tells of a corrupt society ruled by five factions, all of which represent a certain inner virtue. These five are selflessness, intelligence, bravery, peacefulness and honesty. Then there are the factionless; those who failed their initiation test.

The series begins with Tris Prior, a Divergent, who fits into multiple factions opposed to one specifically, and so has to choose the one of best fit. However, being Divergent is something that is rejected in society. She chooses Dauntless, the brave, and during her initiate training she discovers a plot to kill all Divergents.

After this point the story follows Tris and another character called Tobias Eaton as they try and destroy the perpetrator. The plot then carries over to the second book where Tris along with others escape their faction, many brutally dying alongside her in the process. They plot with other factions on how to take down the

perpetrator and when they do an even more malicious antagonist takes over. The third book then tells of their journey escaping the five faction’s district and life outside of the fence.

Where they find the US government and a world that they did not know existed. Then head into a battle against politics and a shocking climax in which one of the main protagonists, within the book, dies.

Overall, this is a great series. The books are written in first person which helps you to feel more involved with the protagonist’s inner emotions; arguably the sole purpose of these books. This is evident with the books focus on inner-qualities. Why can’t you be brave and still be honest? A lot of teenagers are able to relate to these books because ultimately it is about finding your inner self.

All three books within this trilogy are to be adapted into three feature films, releasing 2014 - 2015. The first Divergent film, is releasing in the UK April 6th. Starring Theo James (Downton Abbey,) Kate Winslet (Titanic) and Shailene Woodley (The Fault in our Stars,) of which I have previously written a review on.

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Student achievem

By: Jade Varney – A-level Student

Hospitality students

Pictured above are Hospitality students Malachi Wellington, Harrison Peters, Caroline Koziol and Max Pooler with Sean Wheeler, Director of HR from The Dorchester group.

Tutor Simon Andrews reflects “They were excellent ambassadors of Bournville College and it was great to see how their skills have progressed and how they are looking to have successful careers in the hospitality industry.”

The above students entered a competition with the SSC People 1st and PACE submitting a dish to be cooked and served at the People 1st/PACE Gala dinner in March 2014. Their dish, Seafood Tian won the starter category which resulted in them cooking, preparing and serving this dish to over 300 people at an event in Nottingham.

This provided an outstanding opportunity for the students to work at The Orchard Conference Centre in Nottingham and included a 2 night stay in the hotel.

In addition, student Max Pooler impressed Rick Stein’s leading chef lecturer who has offered him a week of work experience in Padstow, while Caroline Koziol made an impression on Sean Wheeler of The Dorchester who has kindly offered Caroline industry experience later this summer.

Students were awarded with signed Heston Blumenthal books and certificates to mark their achievements.

Storytelling triumph

Congratulations to Ryan Edwards from the Bournville College Storytelling group who was a warded Best Newcomer by the judges at Young Storyteller of the Year at the Birmingham Rep. He also awarded The Peoples Prize by popular vote of the audience and received the performance spot at the Staffordshire Kott Storytelling Club.

He was up against some really strong competition so this was an amazing triumph.

ments

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Bournville College Career Academy goes from strength to strength her first year and thoroughly thriving, she was nominated for this prestigious award.

Nicole reflected “I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I arrived at college, but after direction provided by Travel & Tourism Career Academy, I now know I want to work as cabin crew as I love to travel. Being part of the Career Academy has enabled me to gain many new experiences relevant to my chosen career, I have been able to complete a cabin crew qualification alongside my BTEC and have even been offered a permanent parttime job at The Westley based on my summer experience sourced by Bournville College.”

Bournville College student Nicole Daley becomes regional winner of the Career Academy Student of the Year.

Career Academies at Bournville College offer a unique opportunity to gain experience and develop confidence in a chosen profession.

The Career Academy is a curriculum enrichment program that is available to students on BTEC Extended Diploma courses.

Nicole, 18, from Hall Green was chosen as the Midlands regional winner and beat off stiff competition and is one of a number of students currently enrolled on Travel & Tourism Career Academy. By taking complete advantage of all available opportunities provided by the Career Academy programme, receiving a distinction in

Nicole is one of 8 regional winners across the UK and Ireland securing the £250 prize, and will now be attending the graduation ceremony in London at the Careers Academies UK offices on the 9th April, where two lucky finalists will be given the opportunity to travel to New York.

Nicole comments “The Career Academy programme with Bournville College really helps you prepare for the future, giving you industry knowledge through direct experience and talks from those within the industry. I am really excited for London, I was not expecting to be nominated, let alone becoming a national winner! The support you get from your mentors along the way is great and I would definitely recommend the Career Academy to other students. The opportunities are there, it is up to you to get them.”

For more information on how to become a part of the Career Academy please contact Bournville College on 0121 477 1300 or email info@bournville.ac.uk.

Three easy tactics to beat stress Often our busy, on-the-go lifestyles leave us with little time to ourselves

By: Faatima Saleem - As-level Student

Each day seems to fly by so fast; often our busy, on-the-go lifestyles leave us with little time to ourselves, and before long, the stress piles up.

Work can easily consume our lives and in order to deal with all the mounting pressure we can be tempted to turn to unhealthy methods of coping that only accelerate the vicious cycle and add another problem to our whirlwind of stresses.

Instead of turning to harmful tactics, here are some tips that can help keep you on the road to success: Eventually you will be able to rise above it and manage that stress.

1.

Make a plan of action to help get tasks completed. Spread out all your work throughout the days so that you have regular breaks in between and not a huge workload that you dread.

This should help ensure that your life is a healthy balance of work and play.

2.

Find a hobby. Ensure that you have an activity you can carry out in your spare time as this will provide you with a break from thinking about and doing your work. Being able to turn off is very important so that when you begin work you are both motivated and switched on. Doing something you are passionate about will also help fulfil you and motivate you to plan ahead, for example handing your work in early so you can attend a football match.

3.

Acknowledge any triggers for stress. What is your trigger? It may be a certain place?

A certain person? A certain situation?

You may not always be able to avoid it, but if you acknowledge it then the awareness will help you change an inevitably stressful situation into one you can handle.

Learner Voice As you know we put students at the heart of what we do and believe that involving you in key decision making processes and activities will continue to make the college a better place. We asked you to respond to the latest Ofsted Learner View Survey and we received 381 responses, the results were very positive: My course/ programme meets my needs: 95%

I receive the support I need to help me to progress: 93% I am treated fairly: 93%

My lessons/ training sessions are well taught: 91%

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a fantastic variety of ways in which you can give feedback, including the Learner Voice Conference, Your Voice feedback forms, focus groups and The Principal’s Link visits to student groups. Managers monitor and review learner feedback at all levels and this has resulted in important changes being made over the past few months: More computers requested: 60 new laptops purchased Food is too expensive: healthy meal deals are available Car parking costs are too high: the cost has been reduced

My work is assessed regularly: 92%

More information needed regarding Careers: a Careers stand has been set up in The Street

My course/programme is preparing me for my chosen next steps: 89%

The Your Voice form has been popular and many compliments have been received, including the fact that you like your tutors.

Any complaints are taken directly to the appropriate managers and responses are given to students if they have requested them.

Please continue to feedback to us using the form that you see around The Street, at reception and on the intranet.

I am given feedback that helps me to improve: 93%

I would recommend this provider to a friend: 93%

A recent audit around Learner Voice said, ‘We believe that the college is performing above and beyond the undertakings of similar regional colleges’. This means that we have

Volunteering in the community Four Bournville College students have been going to the Meadows Primary School on Friday afternoons to coach year 3 and 4 pupils.

Although it is the first time most of the students have coached they have been working hard to develop their coaching skills to lead a range of sessions including cricket, tag rugby and football. Pupils from The Meadows Primary School have enjoyed the Bournville College students coming in to run the sessions each week and look forward to the activities the college students lead.

Keighnan Royales led by example by enthusiastically leading a football based session.

He was nervous at first but became more confident when he saw how excited the children were to take part. Zulfiqar Mohammed followed on by delivering an interactive cricket session.

He was excited to work with the energetic pupils and brought out the best in everyone who gave the activities a go. William O’Dowd and Louis Benson are soon to take their turn in leading a session. The experience the students gain will help them to achieve their level 2 in Sports Leadership.

Well done!

Sport Relief staff vs students 5 a side football tournament On Friday 21st March staff and students from Bournville College and Sainsbury’s came together to take part in a 5 aside football tournament to raise money for Sport Relief.

Six teams entered – Four teams of students, one college staff team and one Sainsbury’s staff team. With the help of Katie Lonsdale and Jodie Glover organising the tournament format and Danny Mayo refereeing, the afternoon was a success. All the student teams were triumphant in obliterating the College staff team however the Sainsbury’s team posed a significant threat. In the end the final came down to a student team vs student team final, with

the winning team made up of George Rowe, Corey Virgo-Broom, Liam Williams, Connor Mahon, Dan Wyatt and Reece Cadwallader.

Jack Hawcock was the player of the tournament for consistently demonstrating individual skill and a high work rate. Special mention must also go to Rhys Brade (Urban Fitness staff member) for executing a Paul Gascoigne style volley to secure the college staff team a well-deserved goal, which was long awaited. Well done to everyone who contributed and helped to raise money for Sports Relief. Many thanks also to Sainsbury’s and Urban Flavours for donating prizes.

Film reviews

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By: Dana Archer - AS-Level student

Small characters, one hell of a big movie The Lego movie; firstly, what a movie! I am in disbelief as to how much I enjoyed it and how it has not been nominated for best animation (it definitely beats the tragic Monsters University).

The story is set in the wonderfully built Lego world where lord business (voiced by the hilarious Will Ferrell) controls everyone and makes sure there are no master builders. We meet the local nobody Emmett (Voiced by the up and coming Chris

Pratt) who accidentally, but hilariously, retrieves a powerful artefact and bumps into Wild Style (voiced by Elisabeth Banks) who wants to be the special herself. We follow Emmett as he is carted off into many different worlds which have all been separated by the evil Lord business. With the additional voice talents of Will Arnett as batman, Morgan Freeman as the master builder and a comedy gold performance from Liam Neeson as good cop/ bad cop, this film really is a must see. Plus there is a brilliant cameo from Will Ferrell (in human form). If you are not on your way to the cinema to see this film – you need to be! If you think you are too old for this movie, I promise you are not.

Give it a shot.

A momentous disappointment

The monuments men. Firstly I’d just like to say, because a film has an all-star cast; it doesn’t mean it’s going to be an amazing film.

I recently went to see the monuments men

and was sorely disappointed. After watching the trailer I was expecting a funny, thrilling plot which would leave you smiling, crying and entertained in the best possible way.

However what I actually got was a boring film which carted you off to various different places without reason to why. There was one funny part and the rest was full of confusing references and an unclear narrative. The story didn’t seem to go anywhere and sitting in the cinema ended up feeling like a dreary 2 hour history lesson! The film was not the worst that I have ever seen (at least not as bad as the Great Gatsby or Avatar) but I don’t think I will be watching it again in too much of a hurry. I’m not saying you should definitely ignore this film but just be aware of the false expectations the trailer generates.

Hard talk, real talk

The student forum runs every week on a Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm – 4.30pm in Urban Chill. It has proved very successful amongst students with lots of hot topics being discussed from: • Cyber bullying • Barriers to • The Royal Family education • Video games • LGBT and violence • And many more!

• Domestic violence

Through debate, enthusiasm, laughter also discussions of delicate issues students have shown excitement, courage and maturity.

Fancy joining in? All students are welcome.

See you there!

For any further information see Raja in the Street or email:

raja.jagirdar@bournville.ac.uk

Futsal tournament

There was a futsal tournament on Tuesday 4th March, organised by several BTEC Level 3 Sports students.

It consisted of 2 group stages followed by several knockout rounds.

We entered two level 1 teams, one of them reaching the final and winning 1-0. Great success for the group who have been studying sports coaching since September.

Picture from Left to Right: Danny Reynolds (coach), Awes Sakawe, Liam Tyndall, Affak Ali, Jakkapan Supaphon, Bradley Eade, Sakawe Sakawe, Kev Redmond (coach).

Autism campaign

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By: Lauren Braker - Health & Social Care Student

My name is Lauren Braker and I am 18 years old. I have been selected to take part in an Autism campaign which aims to help people be more aware of autism.

Autism is an invisible condition- you couldn’t tell by looking at me that I have Autism. It is important for people to know this and to know it is not a condition that only occurs in children - you have it from the second you are born to the second you die.

There will be pictures around buses and train stations to help people understand and be more aware of Autism. The campaign is in April; there is a chance we could be on the local news, making even more people aware of this disability that affects 1 in a hundred people.

I got involved in this because I work in Autism Birmingham (Stirchley). As one of the resources available for those suffering with Autism, I have a buddy who helps me with my Autism and my social life. I got picked to be the face of Autism, West Midlands, because I am an adult and I don’t look like I have got Autism.

I am coming to the end of my second year of college (Supported Learning) which has helped me improve my social skills, giving me confidence to work in places like Autism Birmingham. Before I started college I didn’t have the confidence to do any type of job unless I knew the place and the people.

I have come a long way.

I have worked in Autism Birmingham for about a month, 3 days a week. Peter and Lisa Mace are the directors of Autism Birmingham.

Good news from the Careers Team Higher Education

Over 500 Bournville students have applied to go to university in the Autumn, which is a record for the College. High numbers of students have already

received very positive offers from universities, including for very competitive courses and universities. We hope that these students attain the grades necessary to achieve their goals, and wish them every success for the future.

Student trips £15

Thursday 8th May 2014, 9am - 4pm DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT IS TUESDAY 29TH APRIL 2014 Leaving College at 9am - Arriving Back at 4pm

Come to The Urban Chill Office for a consent form Spaces are limited, first come first served

WESTON SUPER MARE £15 ONLY

Thursday 12th June 2014

Deadline for payment is Friday 23rd May 2014 Leaving College at 8am Arriving back at 6pm Come to The Urban Chill Office for a consent form Spaces are limited, first come first served