20 minute read
Schools
EDUCATION Abbey Gate College boasts Cathedral choristers
The new choristers Three students from Abbey Gate College’s Infant and Junior Department have been appointed prestigious places in Chester Cathedral Choir. Abbey Gate has had strong links with the Cathedral since its founding, and the recent recruits join a long line of choristers from the college, including six previous heads of school.
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Current director of music, Philip Rushforth, himself an ex-pupil, said: ‘’Being a chorister is more than just having the opportunity to be involved with music-making at a professional level. Learning to support each other as part of a close-knit team, the Cathedral choristers make friendships with others outside of school in other year groups, and the skills they learn together help in all other areas of their education.’’
LUCIAN GETS WALES CALL-UP
Year 9 student Lucian Barnett of Aberconwy School has been invited to represent Wales in U16s hockey. Lucian has been working his way up the national age group pathway since Year 4, and following trials in Cardiff at the end of 2021 was selected as goalkeeper for the U16 Wales group. Lucian is goalkeeper for men’s team Clwb Hoci Eirias, which plays at Eirias Park, and teammates Josh Chan, Adam Thwaite and Alex Starling were also selected for the national side. They will represent Wales against the home nations as well as travelling abroad to internationals.
Lucian steps in to stop another goal
A visit from soap star Sam
Students and staff at Derwen College were delighted to get a visit from TV’s Sam Retford. Sam, who has graced our screens in Hollyoaks, Casualty, Ackley Bridge and most recently Coronation Street, shared stories, answered questions and gave a few acting tips. Sam’s brother Max has autism and cerebral palsy, so Sam uses Makatron sign language to communicate with him, and is a big advocate of inclusivity and diversity within the acting industry.
BANGOR UNIVERSITY IN THE SUPREME COURT
Bangor University has been selected as one of only 12 UK law schools to stage a moot court competition final at the Supreme Court in 2022. A moot court simulates a court hearing (usually in the Court of Appeal or above) where students fulfil the role of a barrister or solicitor, advancing their research, problem solving and advocacy skills in the process.
Mooting requires students to prepare written submissions and present a reasoned oral argument. The scenarios usually concern a contentious or unsettled area of law, or an area of recent change, or topical legal development. Each year more than 100 law schools apply for the prestigious
opportunity to stage their moot final at the Supreme Court, before one of the 12 Justices. Bangor University will be the first Welsh law school to do so.
Coleg Llandrillo is leading the way in esports, a multi-billion-pound worldwide industry with no physical barriers. Its Games Development department has secured partnerships with some of the world’s most successful electronics and gaming brands, it is registered as a developer with both Xbox and Nintendo, and is part of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s global academic programme. Learners are taught within the brand-new, £120,000 state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) suite at the college group’s Rhos-on-Sea campus by expert staff from within the industry, including tutor Rob Griffiths, who is a non-executive director for Esports Wales,
the national body for esports in Wales.
Esports is a booming global market, and students recently experienced success at World Esports Day, competing and winning against students from the USA.
The college’s VR suite is state-of-the-art
A VISIT FROM ASIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL
Former Concord College student Ophelia Lu has been named in Tatler’s Asia’s Most Influential. Since appearing on hit BBC show Glow Up, where aspiring make-up artists compete under the guidance of industry professionals, Ophelia has gone on to build a successful social media presence, with more than half a million followers on Instagram.
She recently returned to Concord to support a student production of We Will Rock You by designing the make-up looks, as well as offering workshops for students and staff.
Ophelia presenting her ideas
Ellesmere students ‘putt’ on a great performance
Students involved in the highly successful Golf Academy at Ellesmere College have reached the area final of a national matchplay competition. The college is ranked fifth as a team and two players recently finished in the top five in the Independent Schools Golf Association Team Championships.
The Golf Academy is open to students aged The team is ranked fi fth between eight and 18, of all levels of nationally ability, and players can use the school’s nine-hole golf course.
Through to the fi nal… CYCLE SAFETY AT THE FIRS
Year 6 pupils at The Firs School, Chester recently took part in Level 1 Bikeability training, as part of the government’s cycle education programme. Two Bikeability Practising in the playground instructors visited the school every day for a week, teaching road safety and cycling skills to small groups of students. Practice began on the playground and ended with pupils putting their newly acquired skills and knowledge to the test by riding out on the roads.
STUDENTS LAUNCH CHARITY CAKE TRAIL
Three students from University Centre Shrewsbury are organising a charity cake trail on 12th March, taking people on a whistleThe brains behind the bakes stop tour of the town’s best bakeries and cafes. Everyone can sample a cake at each stop, and there’ll also be the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Baker of 2022.
The Events & Festivals Management students set out to create a fun event while boosting support for local businesses and raising funds for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. Tickets cost £12.50. www.theshrewsburycaketrail.co.uk
GOLD FOR ST DAVID’S OUTDOOR ED
Outdoor learning was embedded in the ethos of St David’s College from the start, and the Llandudno school has now been recognised with a highly prestigious St David’s on a high Gold Standard by the AHOEC, the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres. Only two other schools in the UK have received this accolade.
NEW AT WGU: PARAMEDIC SCIENCE
Paramedic Science is a subject in demand following the pandemic, helped by TV shows such as Paramedics: Britain’s Lifesavers. Wrexham Glyndwr University is now o ering the degree, the fi rst time it has been available in this part of North Wales.
The brand-new programme is one Could you be a life-saver? of the fi rst to be written post-Covid, and course leader Daniel Finnerty said he had been “overwhelmed by how many people seem to have been waiting for this opportunity”. Bursary funding may be available for eligible students who commit to working in Wales following their studies.
Julia Donaldson – and Zog, the keenest dragon in school
STAR AUTHOR AT SCHOOL LAUNCH
Award-winning writer and former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson is visiting Wolverhampton on 15th March for an interactive morning of storytelling, singing and surprises at the Grand Theatre. Over 1,000 children from local infant and primary schools will have the opportunity to “Over meet the author, whose well-loved tales include 1,000 local The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Zog. chidren Julia will then officially open the new Infant School at Wolverhampton Grammar with a session for children in Reception and Year 1. Zoe Rowley, will meet the author” the school’s head librarian, is delighted the visit will promote reading for pleasure to young people across the region.
A new addition to the family…
Marches Academy Trust has welcomed Longlands Nursery to its family of schools. The move will strengthen the trust’s nursery expertise and continue the wonderful collaboration in all aspects of learning and particularly in continuing to develop creative curriculum projects, it said. The nursery is situated at Longlands Primary School so will benefit from the fantastic facilities the school has to offer.
“We can support the nursery with learning
“It will stay with them for life”
Making a new friend experiences that will stay with our children for the rest of their lives and inspire them to become life-long learners,” added headteacher Mrs Zillah Cope.
THOMAS ADAMS STUDENTS WIN LIVERY AWARDS 2022
Sixth-form students from Thomas Adams are victorious after winning the Livery Academy Awards 2022. The six A-Level Business students presented their business idea to a judging panel at Mansion House in London, in a Dragon’s Den style competition. To reach the final they had already won the 2021 competition, claiming £5,000 for the school and £1,000 for charity.
The event was hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London and guests included the four school finalist teams and their parents, as well as members of the Worshipful Companies of Drapers, Haberdashers, Merchant Taylors and Mercers.
The awards are designed for City livery companies to foster entrepreneurial, business and presentation skills amongst sixth formers. The brief this year was to create a commercially viable and sustainable product or service that will help reduce pollution, protect the environment, and reduce carbon footprint or climate temperature. The winning idea was the O-Pen – a fully recyclable pen made from ocean-recovered plastics. The team received support from two Drapers Company mentors as well as Business Studies teacher Amy Glover.
The Lord Mayor presented the cup
University support for grass-roots rugby
The new strip
Aberystwyth University has announced a three-year sponsorship deal with Aberystwyth RFC as shirt sponsor for the club’s youth and athletic teams. Established in 1947, Aberystwyth is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and has more than 270 playing members across all ages, from under-7s to first team.
Professor Tim Woods, pro vice-chancellor said: “The club has given our students an opportunity to be part of the community, an experience that is so valuable and formative.”
Horticulture students from Reaseheath College lent a few helping hands at Nantwich Community Orchard in readiness for spring. The students ably assisted Nantwich in Bloom volunteers in pruning fruit trees, under the expert guidance of their tutor. The orchard was established in 2008 to help maintain traditional fruit tree varieties and is dedicated to Tony Gentil, whose idea it was. To date it has almost 50 trees.
Cutting edge
Dr Jane Furness, Veterinary Nursing MEET THE Veterinary Nursing Expert programme leader programme leader
What do you specialise in?
I am programme leader on the Veterinary Nursing foundation degree at Wrexham Glyndwr University. Before I started teaching, I established my career over 17 years as registered veterinary nurse, lead nurse and practice manager. I completed a PhD in physiology, gained a higher education teaching qualification and became a senior lecturer and programme leader.
How did you get into this career?
From a young age I enjoyed caring for a range of companion animals at home. When I left school at 15, I knew I didn’t want to work in an office, but many of the opportunities open to young women at the time were office-based. I had no idea there was a pathway into veterinary nursing until I saw an advert for training to become an animal nursing auxiliary, as it was called back then. I made the move from Scotland, where I grew up, and worked in Cambridge for six months and then on to London to complete my training in a veterinary hospital.
I worked in various locations as a qualified veterinary nurse over the next couple of years, even in a veterinary hospital in the Caribbean. I settled in south London for 15 years before I studied for my degree and PhD and moved into teaching.
What does the course entail?
It’s a three-year programme and has only been running for two years. Students cover two modules each semester and then complete four months of work-based learning in a veterinary training practice. In their first year, they take modules in professional and academic development, anatomy and physiology, foundations of nursing practice and patient care. Then they progress through diagnostics, parasitology, anaesthesia and surgical nursing to nursing in the community and critical care.
We have fantastic facilities at our Northop campus. Our clinical suite is set up as a veterinary practice, with all the current equipment including anaesthesia, radiology and lab equipment. My ethos is applying theory to practice, so we do all our sessions within the suite.
What’s required to get on the course?
Our academic requirements can be found at glyndwr.ac.uk for applicants to take a look at. On a personal level we’re looking for students with enthusiasm and a good understanding of what a veterinary nurse does in practice. (The RCVS website can help here.) Placements can often be in rural locations, so students have to be willing to travel and work long hours. We interview all of our applicants. Overall, we want to see their desire to pursue this as a career, and their passion for animal welfare.
What practical work do students get involved with?
Students need to complete 1,800 placement hours by the time they graduate. They accrue those through their three fourmonth placements. We have a tutor who helps match the students to our approved training practices and supports them throughout.
Students gain a wide variety of experience on placement. Tasks include caring for in-patients, laboratory work, administrating medicines, monitoring anaesthesia, post-operative care and radiology. They will also experience working in a multidisciplinary team and communicating with clients.
Why should people choose Wrexham Glyndwr University?
We have a fantastic new veterinary clinical suite situated on a beautiful rural campus in North Wales. “We have a fantastic new veterinary clinical There’s an excellent rapport between staff and students, suite situated in a and our students are beautiful rural campus supported in a small, in North Wales” safe, friendly learning environment. We are the only degree programme for veterinary nursing in North Wales, and in the 2022 edition of the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, Wrexham Glyndwr University has been rated second in the UK for its has been rated second in the UK for its teaching quality. communicating with clients.
What opportunities can it lead to?
Once students have graduated with their foundation degree, they are eligible to apply to the RCVS to be put on the list of registered veterinary nurses and obtain their licence to practise. There are many different routes you can take once you are registered. We prepare our graduates for lifelong learning and they have the scope to work in a range of sectors. They may have a career in a hospital or referral practice, as shown on the popular TV programme Supervet. There is the opportunity to specialise and gain postgraduate qualifications in anaesthesia and analgesics, exotics or emergency and critical care, or to work in education. There really are no limits where you can go with your degree.
Above: a passion for animal welfare is key Right: theory is combined with practical experience
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Mental Health
YOUR WORK IS YOUR CONTRIBUTION
Doing what we love, I believe, is one of the most important ways to enhance and elevate our mental wellbeing. When we do what we love, we flourish and thrive.
We sometimes fear making a career change because of the risk to security and stability. But if your mind and heart tell you it is time to create the change – listen and create it. You have the power.
Many of us experienced the forced change of working from home and unexpectedly enjoyed the benefits. It is ok to want to change direction as a result: if our experiences are different, then we change – we cannot not change. It’s a process of evolution.
If you aren’t able to take the leap, do it gradually step by step, but do something every day towards making the change. Take time to calm your mind to gain clarity and focus; a clear mind makes good decisions. Set out a plan of action towards your goal, working bit by bit, creating the building
“Do blocks to your new path. If you want to something completely change every day your career direction, towards making the change” put all of your energy and passion into understanding the avenue you wish to pursue. Where energy flows, everything grows. When you live what you love, you will give the best of you because when we love something, we put our heart and soul into it. When we give heart and soul to something, it Turn to our lead feature ‘The Big Shift’, starting on page 100, for tips and information about making a career change not only elevates our own journey, it elevates those around us. What better gift can you give to yourself and others than living your true passion and purpose?
Anne Carr Lisa Whelan has dedicated the past 20 years to creating a first-class wellbeing resource that is simple and fun. The result is ‘Mighty Minds’, a six-week animated, positive resource designed specifically for children, and the ‘Calm Your Mind, Control Your Life’ Mind Flight course for adults. Find out more at www.mindflight.online
Tax relief for working from home
HOW OFTEN DO YOU ‘WFH’? MAKE SURE YOU’RE NOT MISSING OUT ON EMPLOYEE ENTITLEMENTS
If your employer has requested that you work from home, you can claim tax relief for some of the bills you pay that are related to your work. These tax reliefs have always been available, but as many of us are now being instructed to work from home, a claim for the use of your home, from your employer or HMRC, may be relevant.
Employers can reimburse employees for the additional household expenses incurred through regularly working at home – expenses such as business telephone calls or heating and lighting costs for the room you are working in. Expenses that are “You may for both private and business use (such be able to as broadband) cannot be claimed. claim on Employees may also be able to claim tax relief on equipment they have bought, such as a laptop, chair or mobile phone. Employers can now pay up to £6 per equipment such as a laptop” week (or £26 a month for employees paid monthly) to cover an employee’s additional costs if they have had to work from home. These figures increased from the £4 per week (£18 a month) up to 5 April 2020. Employees do not need to keep specific records if they receive this fixed amount.
If the expenses or allowances are not paid by the employer, then employees can claim tax relief directly from HMRC. Employees will get tax relief based on their highest tax rate. For example, if they pay the 20% basic rate of tax and claim tax relief on £6 a week, they will get £1.20 per week in tax relief (20% of £6). Employees can claim
You can backdate claims by as much as four years more than the quoted amount but will need to provide evidence to HMRC. HMRC will accept backdated claims for up to four years.
These tax reliefs are available to anyone who has been asked to work from home on a regular basis, for all or part of the week. Note, if you choose to work at home, you cannot claim tax relief on bills. Aaron Powis BSc, BFP, FCA, CTA is a partner at DRE & Co chartered accountants in Oswestry. Call 01691 654353 or see www.dre.co.uk
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