20 minute read
Top Of The Class
Shropshire student races into the fast lane
A 13-year-old from north Shropshire has achieved success in a motocross masters competition held in Germany
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Jake Davies
Jake Davies, a Year 8 pupil at Ellesmere College, competed in the ADAC Motocross Masters Championship in Bielstein on 3rd July, ahead of a busy summer of races in Tensfeld, Dreetz, Fürstlich Drehna, Gaildorf and Reutlingen in August and September.
Jake, who is competing as a member of his German-based club Sarholz KTM, has previously taken part in the British Championship and came first overall at Glen Helen in the USA. He also won the Arenacross in Ireland and came second in London and Manchester.
Sharon Owen, head of lower school at Ellesmere College, says: “We are hugely proud of Jake and all the success he is enjoying. Ellesmere College is committed to ensuring pupils “We are thrive in their hugely proud of given interests as well as academically. Jake and “While all his we do not success” have motocross here, we are more than happy to support and accommodate Jake with all his commitments. We are committed to pupils pursuing their chosen sport while at the school and we are very proud of Jake.”
Jake and his trusty steed
Former Shrewsbury Colleges Group student becomes an Olympian in Tokyo
Shrewsbury Colleges Group alumna Sarah Adlington flew the flag for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.
The 34-year-old, originally from Shrewsbury and now living in Edinburgh, was selected as part of the GB judo team.
A world champion in the +78kg category, Sarah missed out on the London and Rio Games but was delighted to be selected as one of six British judokas going to Tokyo.
She believes those previous near misses, although heart-breaking, are what got her where she is today. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I’m a much better athlete than I was back then,” she says.
Sarah studied PE A-level and qualifications in travel and tourism and French at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College (now part of Shrewsbury Colleges Group) from 2003 to 2005.
“I think my time at the college helped me to become more independent after leaving school,” she says. “The college was really supportive of my judo career.”
GB Olympic judoka Sarah Adlington ABBEY GATE STUDENTS WIN ENTERPRISE AWARD
Talented lowersixth students from Abbey Gate College have taken the prizes in both the County and Regional Young Enterprise Finals this year. Calma and their candles
Their enterprise, Calma, developed and created a brand of highquality, ethical and sustainable candles using aromatherapy to improve mental wellbeing.
Ffion Scholfield, managing director of Calma says: “It’s been an exciting journey through which we have learned so much. Creating a product we are all passionate about has been very rewarding.”
APPRENTICES PRAISED FOR AGRICULTURAL ACUMEN
The first ever cohort of AGCO apprentices at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi have completed the three-year Technical Advanced Extended Diploma in Agricultural Engineering, despite the challenges of Covid-19.
The college teamed up with AGCO, a global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, to train machinery technicians.
AGCO’s Richard Charles says: “This gives the successful candidates a lead into a truly exciting job, earning while they are learning and offering the potential for a AGCO diploma success lifelong career.”
FIND YOUR PLACE IN TIME WITH TV’S STEWART
Chester University academic Stewart Ainsworth, well known as the landscape archaeologist with Channel 4’s Time Team, is leading the My Place In Time project.
The project will help young people to discover the heritage of everyday places using a range Stewart Ainsworth of online resources, including historic maps, aerial photography and 3D models.
UPHILL CHALLENGE FOR DERWEN STAFF
A team of 50 staff from Derwen College near Oswestry have walked up Snowdon to raise money for the college. The funds raised will support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including refurbishing the Agnes Hunt Village Project, where students work towards a more independent way of living. To support or donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving. com/fund/derwensnowdonwalk.
MYDDELTON ACES THE TENNIS COACHING
Myddelton College in Denbigh has been nominated for the Tennis Wales Education Award. The school’s coaching programme is led by John Whitehall of First Advantage Tennis, a former pro and UK Development Coach of the Year. “It has really taken o well,” he says. “We had up to 25 pupils turning up regularly for the club before lockdown and the youngsters’ group was full within a couple of weeks. The school is very community focused and its open access sessions have also gone very well.”
John Whitehall and some of the tennis club members
REASEHEATH HOUSES MONGOOSES IN STYLE
Reaseheath College’s yellow mongooses are enjoying a stylish new enclosure in the mini zoo thanks to the e orts of Level 2 Diploma in animal management students.
The students designed and built the replacement home for mongooses Bertha and Barry after researching the animals’ natural habitat using sustainable building practices.
The result is an eye-catching themed enclosure, built entirely from recycled and repurposed materials. Bertha and Barry’s new home
O’DONNELL TO COACH AT RYDAL PENRHOS
Former rugby professional Rob O’Donnell has been appointed Rydal Penrhos’ sports coach, enhancing the excellent sports provision at the school. Having previously worked as a rugby and conditioning coach on a part-time basis, he now joins in a permanent role assisting aspiring athletes to reach their goals. After a 14-year pro career as a forward for Worcester, Sale and others, O’Donnell will be a huge Rob O’Donnell asset to Rydal Penrhos.
TIME TO LEAVE THE FIRS
The Firs School in Chester said farewell to its Year 6 children in a socially distanced prizegiving ceremony at the end of the summer term, allowing the school to recognise their achievements. “We look forward to hearing how they thrive on the next part of their education journey,” says Rosemary Evans, The Firs’ headteacher. “At the Firs School, we recognise the contribution and achievements of all our children and were delighted to present an award to each of our Year 6 children.”
Reaseheath College to offer unique equine hydrotherapy course
Reaseheath College’s equine department has teamed up with Rookery Equine to offer a unique training course specifically dedicated to equine hydrotherapy.
The one-year Level 2 Certificate for equine hydrotherapy assistants, which launches this September, provides an introduction to one of the fastest-growing areas in the equine industry. Students learn in the classroom at Reaseheath and gain practical skills and work experience at Rookery Equine, one of the UK’s leading rehabilitation, fitness and therapy centres.
Rookery Equine, which is based near the Cheshire college, uses innovative, leading-edge technologies and its outstanding facilities are among the best in the country. When students complete work experience there they will gain first-hand experience with real clients at a topquality, specialist business. They will also attend weekly practical sessions at the centre, learning how to use the technology and equipment. The qualification is endorsed by the Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and the Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists (IEH). It has been developed to support industry demand for standardisation and regulation within the sector and offers ideal preparation for new entrants or as professional development for those already working with Lead a horse to water… horses or considering a career change.
Thomas Adams students win chemistry competition
Three sixth-formers from Thomas Adams School in Wem are celebrating their success in the Royal Society of Chemistry Schools’ Analyst Competition.
Cody Jones, David Green and James Page took part in the competition, which is open to all Year 12 A-level chemistry students, gaining the highest overall marks in the Midlands region and being crowned winners of the regional competition.
The students worked together to identify the contents of waste barrels found abandoned by a river in a fictional town called Allvale, carrying out background research followed by a lab session in which they performed their analyses. Teams also had to be skilled in time management and teamwork to complete the series of “They gained the experiments in three hours. All findings were then submitted online for judging. Cody, David and James were each highest rewarded with a £50 Amazon gift card, marks in while the school has received a £500 the region” grant for educational activity, which will be spent on analytical science.
The winning trio
THE HEAD’S COLUMN
Andrew Allman of Myddelton College celebrates the outdoors
Iam delighted that along with our very high academic standards, Myddelton College offers an outstanding Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) programme.
We offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Our tennis academy works in consultation with Tennis Wales (see above left), and we are one of the few schools in the UK to offer tennis as an integrated part of the curriculum. We also offer the opportunity to complete official LTA coaching badges.
The Myddelton football academy, in partnership with Advance Player Development (APD), welcomes all abilities and offers an opportunity for pupils to excel on the pitch. APD has helped over 50 players gain professional and semi-professional contracts.
Our equestrian facility now has stabling for 10 horses and ponies, two all-weather arenas and a 10-acre field, and we can organise specialist training for riding for all levels of abilities. To find out more, please attend one of our open events or visit www.myddeltoncollege.com.
SEARCH DOG HANDLING COURSES AT GLYNDWR
Students at Wrexham Glyndwr University have had a taste of what it takes to become a search dog handler.
The Forensics department has been involved in developing two short courses at the Northop campus with an eye on gaining accreditation from NASDU (National Association of Specialist Dog Users) for future courses.
Students from various subject areas, ranging from Animal Studies to Policing, took part in the “hands-on” canine-themed taster events, working with real search dogs, and gave plenty of positive feedback to the organisers.
TEACHING TECHNOLOGY WITH TECHNOCAMPS
Students at Ysgol Aberconwy in Conwy got the chance to learn about engineering and programming when Technocamps brought its digital programme to the school. Year 7 and 8 pupils learned about programming robots similar to those used in exploring Mars, and had the opportunity to assemble their own robot and programme it to take on an obstacle course. Programming robots
MEDICAL INSIGHTS FOR SHREWSBURY STUDENTS
Health and social care students at Shrewsbury Colleges Group recently received valuable teaching sessions and careers advice from Stanley Mills, senior operating department practitioner (ODP) at Nu eld Health Shrewsbury Hospital.
“My role enables me to support students and teach them about careers in the industry,” says Mr Mills. “It has been important to continue promoting this profession during this di cult year. Helping students taught me how much I loved teaching and I am now studying my Level 5 Certifi cate in education and training at SCG.”
FOUR CONCORD SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
Four students from Shrewsbury Colleges Group achieved academic scholarships for Concord College’s University Preparation programme this summer. Concord College
Samuel Coulthurst, Grace Burgess, Norrie Randhawa and Adam Thomas took up the places on the programme, which helps develop academic outreach and university support to Shropshire students who aspire to study at the UK’s top universities. The course, which took place online for the second time this year, lasts two weeks.
CULTIVATING A HAPPY, HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The Firs School in Chester, an independent school for boys and girls aged two to 11 years old, has appointed a learning mentor to help children develop their social and emotional wellbeing.
Mrs Warrington, a popular and long-serving member of the team, is undertaking this newly created role.
The aim is for the children to have fun in the sessions while Mrs Warrington works with them to get to the root of any worries they have through discussion, activities and play. She will teach them how to read
expressions and body language, become aware of their own feelings, gain empathy and manage their impulse reactions. Rosemary Evan, headteacher of The Firs, says: “The new learning Learning mentor Mrs Warrington nentor role has enabled us to support the children to reintegrate back into school life after the disruption Covid-19 has brought. However, the role is part of our wider initiative to ensure the mental wellbeing of all our children in order to create the happiest of learning environments.”
Glyndwr students aim to coach gymnast to a Commonwealth gold
Wrexham Glyndwr University students will be helping a teenage gymnast get to the Commonwealth Games thanks to a new Jacob Edwards partnership.
The university’s Sports Science department is teaming up with the Olympus Gymnastics Club in Llay to support Jacob Edwards as the 18-year-old targets a spot on Wales’s team for the Games in Birmingham next year.
Glyndwr’s Julian Ferrari says the partnership will benefit all parties. “This was a perfect opportunity to collaborate,” he says. “We’re looking at every aspect of his performance to see if we can help Jacob qualify for the Games – from strength and conditioning to nutrition and psychology.”
PARALYMPIC DREAMS FOR GEORGIA
Georgia Wilson, who attended Rydal Penrhos from 2007 to 2012, spent her summer preparing for a tilt at international glory at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Georgia, a para-dressage competitor, claimed silver on her debut at the European Para-Dressage Championships in Rotterdam in 2019. Although competitive action has been scarce recently, she left for Tokyo with high hopes. She has been riding since the age of two after a physio said it would help her balance.
Georgia Wilson
CONWY’S SAM SETS BIKE RECORD
Thirteen-year-old Sam Stewart-Ball has broken a record by becoming the youngest person to ever complete the Pan Celtic ultra-distance bike race.
The Year 8 student, who attends Ysgol Aberconwy in Conwy, took on the 900-mile cycle challenge to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The charity is close to Sam’s heart because his nine-yearold sister Isabelle has type 1 diabetes.
The race began on 4th July in Cornwall and
“It look it took Sam and his dad just nine Duncan just days to nine days to complete 900 miles” complete the route, finishing their journey in the north Wales coastal resort of Llandudno on 13th July. The feat has so far raised over £1,500 for the JDRF, which funds research into type 1 diabetes.
Sam saddles up
STARS JOIN VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS
Stars including singer Beverley Knight, broadcaster Mike Bushell and former Wales rugby player Rupert Moon joined company owners in an online graduation ceremony for the ION Leadership and 20Twenty Business Growth programmes, hosted by Bangor University.
Lorraine Hopkins, manager for the Leading Business Growth programmes at Bangor Business School, paid tribute to the graduates. “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate business success [at a time with] so many economic challenges,” she said. “The programmes are contributing to a more confident economy by developing our leaders.”
Mike Bushell, Beverley Knight and Rupert Moon OLD ELLESMERIAN RETURNS TO TALK MENTAL HEALTH
A former pupil of Ellesmere College has returned to the school to talk about the impact of losing his brother to alcohol addiction. Henry Maybury, who left the school in 2010, has spoken at more than 600 places, including schools and prisons, since his brother Tom died in 2013, aged 29. The singer-songwriter, Henry and his mum Sally himself now 29, spoke to around 100 lowersixth students and described the experience of being back as “an absolute pleasure”.
Virtual awards for Coleg Cambria’s achievers
Coleg Cambria students have been recognised at the college’s annual Student Awards, held online. “We are delighted to celebrate the commitment, innovation, courage and talent of our learners,” said chief executive Yana Williams. For a full list of student awards winners, visit www.cambria. ac.uk/virtualstudent awards2021. Online awards
Abberley Hall tests teamwork
Year 7 students at Abberley Hall have been learning teamwork and leadership skills during extra-curricular week. They tackled The Year 7 pupils various coding challenges and activities, as well as an introduction to CCF including shooting, along with a range of activities to test teamwork including raft-building and a bushcraft challenge. DRAGON BACK AT ADAMS
Pupils at Haberdashers’ Adams have had the opportunity to receive advice and support from a number of former pupils recently including Nick Jenkins, entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragon’s Den. Nick Jenkins Pupils were able to hear from alumni about living and studying at university, di erent degree courses, apprenticeship opportunities and volunteering options through Project Trust.
Nick, who completed his A-levels at Adams in 1985, encouraged pupils to grasp all the opportunities available to them. For those considering the entrepreneurial route, Nick said, it’s important to enjoy the ride: “There will be ups and downs and it’s like a rollercoaster so if you don’t think you’ll enjoy that, then it’s not for you.”
Bet the farm on these Harper students
Harper Adams University students have secured two of the final three places in this year’s Agricultural Student of the Year Award competition.
Chloe Gimson, a final year BSc (Hons) agriculture with farm business management student and
John Halton, a final year FdSc agriculture student, are contenders for the national award. Dr Russell Readman, Course Manager for Agriculture, says: “Both are excellent students John and Chloe are shortlisted for the award and have contributed in different ways more widely to the University and the wider agricultural community.”
THE HEAD’S COLUMN
Charlie Minogue, head of Moor Park, on returning to normal
It feels great to be planning for a more normal term in September, and we are mindful of helping everyone make the most of their opportunities as we come out of our pandemic-induced shells.
We worked hard to ensure that children did not lose ground during lockdown and our data tells us that we were extremely successful. However, the experience of working together with others in real time, reading non-verbal signals and developing personality as well as skills, is something we have missed. As a result, we are planning a full school Better Together Day, allowing children of different ages to work together and bond while doing various challenges and activities. This will be fun but will also go a long way towards forming Moor Park into a cohesive whole again.
Ready access to technology and the internet during lessons is a benefit we want to keep. So we are planning a project to ensure that the cutting-edge technology fully supports superb teaching throughout the school. This is very exciting, and I can’t wait to see it all come together. STUDENTS’ GIN SUCCESS
A Harper Adams University student team’s branding skills were hailed by industry leaders as they won the inaugural Harper Adams The victorious Team Molded University Brand Challenge.
This competition, developed to test the entrepreneurial skills of Harper Adams students, saw each team working to build a new brand of dry gin. Their work was assessed through a simulation designed to replicate real-world impact. The winning group, Team Molded, were able to encourage nearly 29,000 stockists to stock their spirit, Chu n’ Gin, and achieve 78 per cent consumer awareness of their brand.
DINOSAURS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE!
Pupils at Lower Heath CE Primary School have had some prehistoric visitors. Teach Rex brought an amazing cross-curricular experience that captured the Teach Rex children’s imaginations. The pupils discovered dinosaur eggs in each classroom. As the week progressed, the eggs hatched, and on Thursday, two huge dinosaurs arrived to spend the day with the pupils. It was a great chance for the pupils to further their knowledge, with lots of fun activities throughout the day.
Meet the expert
Madi Ruby is associate dean of the faculty of social and life sciences at Wrexham Glyndwr University
How did you get into this career?
I used to work in ICT for organisations like Microsoft, typically in sales and strategic alliances. After having my son, I wanted a career change and took a five-year break. I decided to take a 10-week course in introduction to counselling, and I caught the bug and wanted to continue my studies.
I got my postgraduate diploma in clinical counselling then topped it up with a master’s degree. I then did a postgraduate diploma in education with a specialisation in counsellor training. This led me into teaching; I joined Glyndwr as a sessional lecturer, then became a programme leader. I went for the role of associate head because I’d be looking after our nursing and allied health professions – a great opportunity to bring together my past and current career experiences.
What courses does Wrexham Glyndwr offer in nursing and allied health professions?
We have three fields of nursing: adult nursing, mental health nursing and children’s nursing. We’ve also added paramedic science, operating department practice, dietetics, speech and language therapy, along with retaining our current occupational therapy and physiotherapy degree courses.
DID YOU KNOW?
Visit glyndwr.ac.uk to book your place at an open day
What qualities are required to get on those courses? What practical work do students get involved with?
We’re looking for people who care about others and have a passion for learning and understanding. We want people who have strong personal values and behaviours, who can act with integrity and face challenges in a calm and professional manner.
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just done your A-levels or are coming from a different career – everyone brings something different to the student cohort and we want to see a broad mix of experiences. The main thing that’s important to us is that you have a commitment to developing professional and clinical skills as well as a desire to understand the theory behind the work.
What does studying on these courses entail?
We have campuses in Wrexham and St Asaph, so students are close to two general hospitals: Wrexham Maelor and Glan Clwyd. Students can be taught in either of those and can also expect a blend of online learning with our active learning framework (ALF). There will be a mix of face-to-face theoretical lectures and seminars in small classes or in online groups.
Clinical skills elements are taught on site at the campuses using simulation facilities and new technology. There are placements at every level, from first year through to final year. Students don’t just observe on these placements – they are expected to actively engage in patient or service user care as early as possible. These placements may be in hospitals, community settings, private healthcare or the ambulance service, depending on the programme. “We want people who have What career opportunities can the courses lead to? Depending on the field strong they choose, students can personal find themselves working values” for the NHS, in a health, social care or community setting. HEIW (Health Education and Improvement Wales) has a process called streamlining, so many of our students are matched with job roles on completion of their course. We also offer many post-registration qualifications.
Why should people choose Wrexham Glyndwr University?
We go above and beyond to help our students and are supportive of those who may have had challenges in their past education to succeed. We care about our students’ success and we want to make a real contribution and a real difference to the people of this region.
Madi Ruby
