In this istoswunecompetition winner • Longbridge • Bournville Bisons na Archer • Film reviews by Da enius project • Engineering Com • Plus much more
Issue 17 - Spring 14
Welcome
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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
3 Longbridge town competition winner
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Libby Durose a Extended Diploma in Art & Design student wins the Longbridge competition. Three fellow students were also finalists.
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 Dear Libby, competition! We had nearly 1,000 entries into the competition and it was a tough decision to make but we felt your winning design really helped showcase what Longbridge means to the local community. Your design along with three others has been printed onto a special Bag for Life which will be handed out at the Christmas Craft Fair taking place in Longbridge Town Centre on Friday 13th December (4pm - 8pm) and Saturday 14th December (10am - 4pm). We would like to invite you to join me for a photograph with the other winners on Friday 13th December. At the photo shoot, we will also give you your own bag to take away! We also selected 18 finalists from the competition whose postcards will be displayed in one of the retail units in Longbridge town centre for the next month. Make sure you tell your
Once again, congratulations on winning the competition and I look forward to meeting you at the photo shoot. Yours faithfully,
Andrea Bolton Property Manager, St. Modwen
www.longbridgelife.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @longbridgelife and like us on Facebook Â
Libby’s winner letter
St. Modwen Properties PLC Head Office & Registered Office: Sir Stanley Clarke House, 7 Ridgeway, Quinton Business Park, Birmingham, B32 1AF T: 0121 222 9400 W: www.stmodwen.co.uk Company Registration: England & Wales 349201 Â Â Â
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The Learner Voice Conference
Dec 2013
Nearly 80 students attended our annual Learner Voice Conference this year along with Service Area Managers and staff. The Conference allowed us to explore respect, diversity and behaviour through viewpoint, discussion and opinions to collectively work towards a mutual respect for all. This included guest speakers, activities and the opportunity to speak to managers and fellow students to look at what works and what could be improved in College. We actively involve our students in providing a strong learner voice, listen to opinions and involve students in the decision-making process to improve our services. The Deputy Principal Brendan Hartland introduced the day by re enforcing the importance of the Learner Voice and student participation in making the college a better place. An ice breaker caused much hilarity with students making chairs from balloons. An activity around the respect theme promoted lots of lively debate with a variety of staff and our local Police Community Support Officers. The opportunity to feed back views to managers was well received and actions have already started. For example, students have worked with the PCSOs to monitor traffic speed near the college and results have been taken back to West Midlands Police to action along with the site developer.
Two guest speakers were invited to interact with and motivate students. The first, Ceri Davies had carried the Olympic torch and received The Diana award. She is involved in a project working with mascots and disabled young people to build their confidence and enjoyment. The second speaker, Miguel Dean was truly inspirational and everyone was able to reflect on their own situation and see how they could overcome any barriers that life presented. Both talks really enabled the students to believe that they could achieve anything as long as they didn’t give up trying. This was a totally student focussed day whereby they had been involved at the planning stage, provided the food and played music during the lunch time break. They received a variety of vouchers from local restaurants and shops; even winning prizes in a free raffle. A local bakery shop even donated donuts and snacks which were quickly devoured. Following on from this event and at the request of students there will be a schedule of student focus groups to measure, yet further, the impact of the learner voice. Overall it was a highly interactive and fun day. Students thought it was fantastic and loved the opportunity to give their views and know they would be heard with 98% of students rating the event positively.
Academy
By: Paris Scarlett – Level 3 Sports Student
We had to coach the Macarena without speaking Actions speak louder than words I successfully gained a place at this year’s National Young Coaching Academy which was held at Loughborough University. Thanks to the support of both my sports tutors and that of BHired and the work of Symion Renford their new apprentice who filmed and edited the coaching videos to aid my application. It was a great experience that I shared with other like-minded coaches from a range of 12 sports from around the UK and I have made lots of new friends and memories that I will cherish for years to come. The academy consisted of a series of lectures and group work based activities focused on: • • •
Compassion Inclusion Honesty
• • •
Creativity Philosophy Adaptability
They were all inspiring to say the least. After the first day my roommate and I had withdrawal symptoms from an earlier basketball
lecture on adaptability, so we came up with the idea of sock basketball! We improvised by using an empty bin and rolled up socks, to which we had a 3 point shooting and slam dunk contest. Obviously I won both. On the day we were put into teams by colour and I had the pleasure of being in team Grey-T, within each team I was selected to be the designated team leader and mentor. Both of which aided me with tasks and challenges also providing me with an insight into different experiences, ethics and philosophy’s. There were several forms of entertainment throughout the camp, one of which being a rock paper scissors contest to which I was champion within my team. I later went on to win in a three heat style as I swept both teams for the win (most intense game of rock paper scissors since primary school). I learnt a lot from my stay at the academy it has changed my philosophy on both coaching and my outlook towards education.
5
Sport An insight to coaching and the football team
By: Reece Cadwallader With: Kevin Redmond In this interview I asked Kevin questions about the Bournville College football team and also questions about his coaching preferences, styles and his role models in the coaching industry. Reece Cadwallader: To this point, how do you feel the season is going and where do you think the team will end up? Kevin Redmond: It’s going alright, we started off a bit rough, but we now have a solid team of 15 players which we never had at the start of the season. The team is currently 5th, I’d be happy with top 5 but I want to push for top 3. RC: Are you a tactical minded person? What sort of style do you prefer? KR: I am very much tactical minded. I like the passing of the ball. If we can pass it from the back and work our way up to create the opening and exploit that opening then that’s what we’ll do, very much the Barcelona way. RC: Are you a laid back manager? Or one that is more emotional? KR: Passionate. Very passionate just ask one of the team. RC: What do you base your training regime on?
KR: Yes, indeed. We have previously looked at defending as that was lacking After getting an insight into the college football team I wanted to ask Kevin questions that we’re aimed to find out more about him. RC: What got you into coaching?
KR: I got involved in my brothers football team, injured myself in the 1st game as I had not played for a while, 3 games into the season their coach left and I took over from there because of my knowledge of fitness. It then snowballed from that point when I thought to myself I’m actually quite good at this. RC: Who do you see as a role model in coaching? KR: Steve Ellis. He would be the first person. He is my coaching mentor and has been for the last seven years, he did the job I am now doing at Bournville College. On the professional side of things I would probably go for Bobby Robson, he is probably one of the best England managers I’ve come across. He also shares the same tactics as me. RC: Finally, what do you think makes a good coach?
KR: Fitness and passing, without these two elements the rest of the game is null and void.
KR: Needs to have knowledge of the game, regardless of what they are coaching. They need to have a bit of humility as well.
RC: Will you do any additional work on elements that you thought were poor in previous games?
RC: That will conclude the interview, thank you for your time.
Internship Placement at Urban Fitness By: Seán Greene – Level 3 Sports Student
As a student on the BTEC sports diploma level 3 course, I have been given a great opportunity to gain invaluable hands on experience to know what it is like to work in a gym. Having been in a gym before I was oblivious to the in depth work that goes into being part of team in a place such as this. I initially thought that the staff just sit on the desk and occasionally go for a wander to stretch their legs and have a natter with the customers, but this not the case. Having the ability to interact with people and uphold a high level of customer satisfaction to suit each individual need is key to any business and Urban Fitness is no different. Being able to maintain good housekeeping and a high standard of hygiene on a daily basis is another big role
Bournville Bisons
played by each member of staff. Also I have to go around the gym and check each piece of equipment, whether it’s electronic or resistance machines, at certain times. This is incompliance with health and safety law. Being able to have a good knowledge and understanding of the human body and how it functions is crucial to any member of the Urban Fitness staff. I know this as I am constantly being berated with questions by other staff members who are keeping me on my toes. This is a good thing as it is relevant to my course, so I’m able to show that I actually understand what I am being taught in lessons. Also I have been given the opportunity to go out to a local primary school with a member of staff at Urban Fitness and assist in Boxercise classes. This is great hands on experience for me to work with youngsters, as I hope to go on to be either a coach or teacher, when I complete my course.
Bournville Bisons were founded at the beginning of the 2013 rugby season, although it’s still early days the team has been a great success for the players, coaches and the College. The Bisons got off to a tricky start losing their first match, however after getting to know each other, both on and off the field the team hasn’t lost a single game in four months. To date the Bisons have won two trophies, from victories in sevens tournaments. The Bisons also currently sit joint top of the league table. If you’re interested in joining the Bournville Bisons please enquire in Urban Chill.
7
Film Reviews By: Dana Archer - AS Level student
Let it go with Disney’s latest spectacular Frozen I recently had the pleasure of watching a brilliant new film called Frozen. It follows the story of Sisters Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) who were separated when Elsa harms Anna with her amazing power to freeze things using her hands. Elsa decides to lock herself in her room from thereafter. She is crowned queen which results in a giant ice fest, as she accidentally sends the town into an eternal winter. This beautiful film has all the traditional Disney warmth to it and of course some insanely addictive songs which will stay in your head for a
The not so great Gatsby
Unfortunately I recently had to sit through the biggest load of rubbish I have ever had to sit through and it goes by the name of the “Great” Gatsby. Well the annoying repetition of the phrase “old sport” nearly had me tearing my hair out by the end of the ridiculously long movie. I fail to see why this complete failure of a film ever made it past screenplay with its ridiculous story and even more aggravating acting. I personally believe that this film was a complete waste of time as they make it obvious what’s going to happen at the end at the very start. (Little tip to Baz Luhrmann, it may have worked with Moulin Rouge but try and think of a new way to create the narrative for your movie). It starts with troubled Nick caraway (Tobey Maguire) telling
long time. Plus the adorable snowman Olaf (Josh Gad) who has always dreamt of experiencing summer. Whilst perfectly transferring the emotions of sadness and pure joy/laughter this really is a must see. If you are a fan of Disney (basically everyone) then this really is the film for you. Proving to the audience, that you need not to sit painfully to watch a depressing blockbuster to make your visit to the cinema a pleasant one. A fine family flick set for all ages and in 3D you really feel the atmosphere as you are astounded and amazed. This film may not have George Clooney floating around in space or Michael Fassbender as a disgraceful slave owner. If you love to be emotionally and visually touched in the most beautiful way then this really is the film you should see. Go On.
his therapist about the experience he had with the Jay Gatsby (Leonardo Dicaprio) and then in true Moulin rouge style we are carted off to relive this characters pain. Also an awful performance from Carey mulligan who plays Gatsby’s “Pretty little fool” who is completely and utterly betrothed (in a sickening way) to Gatsby although her angry lover hates him. In true gushy, romantically disgusting form this film soon turns into a whole 2 hours of sickening love and pretentious fighting for this one girl. Still with us “Old Sport”? In fact the only mildly entertaining part/character in this film is myrtle (Isla Fisher) who is entertaining and full of epic one liners. However we do not see enough of her in this abomination of a film. Overall the story is bland (unless of course you are a traditional hopeless romantic) it is a sham mixture of both Moulin rouge and Romeo and Juliet (in the worst possible way). As well as it follows a frankly awful book with equal bland plot lines to it. So if you haven’t yet seen this so called amazing film. Don’t!
City of Strife
9
By: Sophie Gordon – A level Student
I smell only the acrid smell of burning rubber past the luminosity of the sacred Theravada Shwedagon Pagoda as I race, the flare of light brushing my tyres, they screech with every abrupt turn I make to enter the Ministry of Peace and Weapons Development, to await the anticipated birth of a new test subject code-named in the government’s euphemistic memorandums: Bestial-242. The first creation after meticulous research by our Bio-warfare division: my baby, my life’s work. On my way to witness the birth of this medical breakthrough, I am greeted by an explosion of colours, tastes and sounds within Rangoon. I charge past the rickshaw drivers surrounding my beloved tea-shop where I spend most of my free time idly watching the majestic games of Polo on Victoria Field, smelling the vinegary bitter essence of the pickled tea leaves I miss so dearly upon the wind. My tongue tingles at the delicious aroma, reminding me of the far-distant shores of the Andaman Sea. A humble yet cherished memory such as this rekindles my love for the skyscraper city Yangon also known as Rangoon (or The City of Strife in rebel communiques) disregarding its chronic power shortages which makes working at the Ministry particularly burdensome. Yet most people tend to carry around battery torches and if they are lucky, powered torches and join candlelit vigils for democracy, most of the larger establishments such as hotels like the lavish Governor’s Residence by Orient-Express have generators, unfortunately poor establishments
are left in the lurid darkness, quite literally. Senior Junta officials say that Yangon is going to have an energy supply shortfall for the next couple of years at least which leads me on to another pressing political issue. It should be said that nearly all of Yangonites cannot afford such technology that I am fortunate to dispose of, for example an household computer, most of the population have to scurry around internet cafes like worker ants. These second class citizens get crushed when they cannot access the information that could set them free, the government known as the Military Junta, which heavily censors media that is able to delimit our borders and police society’s thoughts: we recently found an illegal printing press disseminating “1984” by George Orwell, but I have had little time to study its politically dubious messages. Needless to say the Junta’s clutch on this decaying country means there is no freedom of expression or association, there were even hushed rumours of opening fire on unarmed people, to stop MDC protests leaving more than three thousand lifeless corpses in the bleak Burmese rice paddies. A politician named Suu Ky who is under house arrest for opposing the government made a brief appearance to accept the blessings of saffron-robed Buddhist monks, who were protesting regardless of the crackdown threat the military had issued, the next day she was moved to Insein prison due to this explosive political act. To be continued…
Comenius – Engineering
By: the Engineering Comenius students.
As part of our BTEC Extended Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, a group of us have been working on a British Council Comenius project encompassing STEM subjects. What does STEM mean? Simply it means; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
They have already visited us here at Bournville College during our Comenius week. The countries involved are; the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Spain, and Turkey. During the Comenius week we wanted to show our visitors what student life is like here in Birmingham; we provided them with tours of the College, Longbridge and of Birmingham city centre so that they could really get an idea of what life is like over here.
So what are we working on for our project? As a group we are all working together to design and build our very own Windbelt. Now the name might not sound very impressive, however this device harnesses An important wind energy to produce part of the Comenius electricity in a similar way to a wind turbine, however it relies on project is that it is the aero-elastic not only Educational flutter effect.
An important part of the Comenius project is that it is not only Educational but it is also Recreational; this but Recreational means that we have a lot of As part of the Comenius project opportunities to work hard and we work alongside European play even harder to enjoy our project and to further students who are also working on an individual our knowledge in our chosen section. Hopefully project of their own. By communicating with if you enjoy reading about the Comenius project each other it gives us a chance to develop our then you will enjoy reading our very own internal confidence and learn about new ways of learning Engineering newsletter that is full of information, from the foreign students. We have been provided with the opportunity to visit bad jokes, some of our university offers, puzzles and word searches and finally stories about the our partners abroad to find out more about their way of life, their culture and the way they study. world of Engineering at the moment.
The Nemesis
11
By: Jade Varney - A Level Student
An amorphous silhouette haunted my every movement. Unknown to me, I was being monitored from across the battlefield. My eyes glazed through endless swarms of soldiers until I lay them upon the enemy. He was monumental and at least a foot taller than me, a troll. His gaze did not falter when our eyes met. Shivers ascended the length of my spine; I knew I was no longer safe.
repulsed. It oozed with thick gunge. The other lay open in what would have been avid shock. The muscle of his cheek had been ripped apart vigorously and sprung out in different directions like barbed wire. Beneath which I witnessed several teeth missing. Blood red sockets lay in their place. My knee’s felt weak, I was distraught. I wanted nothing more than to take his place. I expected that I will not be travelling home in triumph that night. Too many soldiers had died for the sake of this power struggle, I could not rejoice.
The blood in my veins quarrelled with my mind, my mind overpowered by its ferocity, it pulsed. My eyes suddenly averted, witnessing the horror Power is hunger and if that hunger is not sufficed before me. The warm air by its sheer humidity it leads to destruction. on this night engulfed the battle field, forcing its clamminess onto all those present. It was hard I missed the presence of my friends and family, to breath and my steel armour was suddenly whose love and kindness I fondly desired. overwhelming, it felt like lead, weighing me There was no kindness on this battlefield, no down. Unsteady fusillades were firing left, right relent. No one knew how to spare a life, only and centre, randomly targeting soldiers in this take. Swords, axes and other weapons sliced haunting abyss. The spellbound cannon balls the air around me in such malice. I was still were causing destruction haunted by the screams, to all those souls close to yells, chants, horns, growls, Shivers ascended their impact. They ripped pain, hunger, loss, crashes great, gigantic cavities and other more the length of my into the lunar landscape. Inhuman sounds. spine; I knew I was The doom of hunters and all those possessing no longer safe. magical powers was I gazed back to the scene rippling through the of which the atrocity had atmosphere as the blood moon rained upon us. previously stalled, to find to my hearts horror he The magic loomed in the atmosphere, dark out had gone. ruling the good. The earth quivered and it forced my body to vibrate. I turned to face my enemy. He came at The king of these enchanted realms had long me with absolute force, his mace in his right hand been committed to his mausoleum. Over fifteen and shield in the left. He was like a lion as he hundred soldiers have been taken prisoner by pounced, feet off the floor. I swung my body to these damnable creatures. At my feet there lay a the left and missed it by chance only. The beast forest of corpses, an empire worth. It was far too growled and went for another ponderous swing. many to comprehend. I could feel their warmth I dodged again, luck was on my side. I took this as they had not been dead long. When I inhaled as my only chance. Before the troll could pull his I suddenly felt nauseous. The stench of raw flesh mace out of the cold earth I took a mighty swing and congealed coppery blood haunted my soul. and cut his limb. He roared the pure force of it I looked again at the entwined corpses, piled made me stumble and lose my balance. I blinked on top of each other. Their skin was painted and missed it. He took another stark swing with black with foetid earth. Not a single fallen man his bare fist and the blow hit me hard. I fell back, lay untouched. One man stood out to me in winded. My head cracked when I hit on the floor. particular, something had destroyed his face. I suddenly felt numb, but the fear still resided Directly beneath my feet, lay awkwardly one of inside of me. Only one thought occurred to me my soldiers with half of his once charming face missing. My eyes bore into his empty eye socket, now, ‘I have met my nemesis.’
Mental Health myths and facts MYTH:
very rare. Mental health problems are people just go through
Young MYTH: ups and downs, it’s nothing.
MYTH:
FACT:
FACT:
It’s easy for young people to talk to friends about their feelings
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any giv en year
1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem
FACT:
Nearly three in four young people fear the reactions of friends when they talk about their mental health
Just as we all have physical health, we have mental health too. Just as our bodies can become unwell, so can our minds. Like physical illness, mental illness affects people of any age, race, religion or income. It is not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing.
If you are concerned about your mental health
• Talk to someone about it. • Make an appointment with the College counselling service • Or check out the Time to Change website for more information
www.time-to-change.org.uk/
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Every
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Contact Beckie in the Careers Centre to find out more!
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