Students support Croydon charity at Queen’s Jubilee lunch

NEWS & VIEWS

Students support Croydon charity at Queen’s Jubilee lunch

Students from Croydon College’s Catering and Public Services courses played a key role at an event celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and recognising the borough’s Armed Forces veterans.

The students helped serve guests at Braithwaite Hall a three-course lunch at an event arranged by leading charity Croydon Commitment. The students helping were Dilon Fletcher, Kavish Boodhram, Taylor Neil, Malcom Cross, Kieran Wickendon and Dianna Richards. Speakers included Jason Perry, Croydon’s first directly elected Mayor, Colonel Ray Wilkinson QVRM TD DL VR, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Croydon and Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones. Lecturer Neil Ming said: “This was a great opportunity for our students to understand what’s needed to work in a front of house role and support a great local charity in the process. I’m delighted we were able to help and I hope both the students and veterans, who also got the chance to talk to each other throughout the afternoon, enjoyed their afternoon.” Melinda Ashford, Partnerships and Programme Manager at Croydon Commitment said: “We are delighted to have found so many veterans to join us for a memorable day of sharing memories. We’d particularly like to thank the students from the college who worked hard and received a big round of applause from our guests.

Public Services students plant olive tree

Our Public Services students planted an olive tree outside Croydon College in honour of the Queen’s 96th birthday and Platinum Jubilee.

The new addition of the olive tree symbolises peace and friendship. It’s also good for the environment and brings a little more greenery to the heart of Croydon.

A Royal Relationship:

Croydon College & the Queen

In the run up to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we reflected on our royal relationship with the Queen, spanning more than six decades.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, formally opened Croydon College on 2 November 1960. Her Majesty declared the College officially open at Denning Hall, which is now our ground floor arts space, before enjoying a tour of the catering facilities on the third floor – now our IT department – the refectory and the fashion department, and meeting with YMCA representatives.

In 2014, Croydon College received the Queen’s Award for Volunteering, celebrating our services to the community.

And in 2015 our very own Di Layzelle went to Windsor to collect her MBE.

CROYDON COLLEGE HONOURED AT SOUTH LONDON BEST LEARNER & TEACHER AWARDS

We celebrated winners from Croydon and Coulsdon at the South London Best Learner and Teacher Awards at the House of Lords, Westminster. Read about our winners below.

STUDENT WINNER: ROSA DUAN

Rosa is an incredibly talented, creative, mathematical, resilient individual who deserves special recognition for everything she has achieved at Coulsdon Sixth Form College.

Having moved to the UK from China during her secondary school education, she achieved extremely well through hard work and determination. Rosa has grown from a shy and quiet learner to a very confident one who inspires and supports others, setting a very positive example.

STAFF WINNER: CLAIRE PLATT

Claire Platt is an exceptional Fashion and Textiles teacher. Hard working and reliable, she provides invaluable support to the whole Faculty, and is an incredible role model.

The support Claire offered her students throughout lockdown was invaluable; understanding and supporting their needs throughout this difficult period. The growth in Rosa (see left) over the last two years is wonderful to see and Claire’s support has very much contributed to this.

STUDENT WINNER: JULIUS LEWIS

After being inspired by his Grandmother to learn a trade, Julius Lewis started a Bricklaying Apprenticeship at Croydon College in 2017.

He successfully completed this and then returned to College two years later to study Construction Contracting Operations at Level 3. Initially, Julius doubted his ability, but he worked hard and passed the course with distinction. Julius continues to visit the College and offers inspirational talks to other students about his journey to becoming a Site Manager.

STAFF WINNER: ANTONY LAWRANCE

Antony began his career as an Apprentice Carpenter more than four decades ago. He attended College himself and gained his Advanced Craft Certificate from City & Guilds.

Since then, he’s worked as a Carpenter, Site Manager and a Project Manager. He gained an Assessor Award in 2016 and luckily for us, joined us as a Construction Assessor. Antony enjoys passing on the vast experience and knowledge he has built up through his career and watching students like Julius develop into skilled tradespeople.

Find us at Croydon Food & Music Festival

We will be represented at this year’s Croydon Food & Music Festival on Sunday 26 June.

The Festival returns for the first time since the pandemic, bringing quality cuisine and cocktails to Croydon. There will also be live entertainment from local artists and musicians. Visitors can find us at the Festival and explore the opportunities Distance Learning, Further and Higher Education have to offer. We’ll be showcasing what makes us a great choice to study and thrive. This year’s Festival promises to be a big one with thousands of visitors flocking to the area. Don’t be a stranger; come over, say hi and discover how to take your career to the next level. More information on the festival can be found at: www.croydonfoodfestival.co.uk

COULSDON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

FTF ACADEMY CROWNED REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Full Time Football UK Academy’s (FTF) Under 19 team, in partnership with Coulsdon Sixth Form College and Croydon College, have been crowned regional champions!

FTF also held their awards ceremony at the beginning of May. Please join us in congratulating our very worthy winners (left to right): • Ousainou Bah – Academy Player of the Year • Nigel Nizer – Academy Coaches Player of the Year • Jake Brennan – Academy Most Consistent

Player of the Year • Mouctar Diallo – Most Improved Academy

Player of the Year FTF Academy aims to develop and improve individual technicality, skill, and mentality to create top class footballers, offering routes to degrees, scholarships, and professional football.

Coulsdon student named runner up in national competition

A Couldson Sixth Form College photography student has been named a runner up in a national photography competition.

Leigh-Marie Munday’s image Still Life was runner up in the 2022’s FE Nationwide Student Competition Your Things category. The competition, now in its second year, is run by London Met University Photography Department and is entered by many colleges and schools across the country. Yevish Bucktawar and Venni Mckenzie-Knight were two of four Coulsdon students’ submissions that were highly commended. Neal Vaughan, Course Leader, Visual Arts A Level, Coulsdon Sixth Form College, said: “Great news once again for our amazing photography department, and thanks to Claire Platt and Roz Inett for the group effort in teaching and supporting the students.”

Teaming up with Hammerson to create art trail

Our Creative Arts Faculty at Coulsdon teamed up with Whitgift and Centrale Shopping Centre owners Hammerson plc to present ideas for the Croydon Music City Arts Trail.

Ten groups of eight students from across the Faculty worked hard together to produce proposals for music, performance and art installations to celebrate the life of famous Croydon musicians. The clients were incredibly impressed by the innovative ideas, the standard of the work and the professionalism of the pitches, especially as they were produced in just a few days. The two winning teams were awarded £160 of vouchers. The experience taught students a wide range of transferable skills including teamwork, planning and liaising with clients.

Performing ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Our Upper Sixth Performing Arts students performed ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ over two nights.

With a full house for both performances, the students showcase some excellent acting, singing and dancing skills. Head of Faculty Fiona Brennan said it was the best performance and collaboration she had seen in many years, and congratulated all involved.

AFTERNOON TEA TRIP

Hospitality students have visited the Hilton Hotel Croydon (Purley Way) to help reinforce learning for their Lower Certificate.

The students were given a tour around the hotel and given a demonstration on napkin folding, before being served Afternoon Tea. The students used everything they’d learned on the trip to serve an Afternoon Tea to staff as part of the their practical assessment for the Food and Drink Service Unit.

DofE Practice

Seven Coulsdon students have taken part in practice days ahead of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award later in June.

The students had to camp overnight and navigate between 10km and 15km on their own using a map and compass. Our Pathway Centre students also camped for a night and took in a 3.5km walk. Our Student Experience Officer, Jeremie Jean, said all students were “amazing” in carrying out the challenge. Students had to cook their meals, including dinner and breakfast the next day. Mr Jean added: “The students will have gained more life skills, for example putting up a tent, setting up sleeping mats and sleeping bag. “The students were all independent however they would know when to seek support when required.”

COULSDON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

Cocktail Masterclass for Hospitality students

Our Hospitality students headed to SiOn London in Dulwich for a cocktail masterclass, helping them in their Alcoholic Beverage Service unit.

The students made cocktails and mocktails, demonstrating how to pour single and double measures, as well as the key components of cocktails. Gabriel Sion, Owner and Manager of SiOn London, gave the students insight into running a hospitality business, advice on careers paths and skills/ attributes needed to succeed in the Hospitality industry. Following the trip students were offered work experience and training opportunities.

END OF YEAR SHOW

Our Creative Arts students have presented their annual end of year show.

The in-person show allowed students to showcase their art, graphics, textile and photography work, supported by live performances from Music and Performance Arts students. Head of Creative Arts, Fiona Brennan, said: “The show was an enormous success and an opportunity to celebrate the students’ achievements. “We wish them all great success as they move onto universities, art colleges and apprenticeships.”