STUDENTNEWS ISSUE 1
MARCH 2013
putting on the blitz Academy students went back in time for a 1940’s themed evening in aid of Help for Heroes. The students raised £1,344 during a dinner called ‘Putting on the Blitz’. More than 100 people attended the event, including the Mayor of
Kidderminster, John Aston. Jane Smith, Director of the Academy, said, “The event was the students’ first real oppurtunity to showcase to their families, friends and Academy supporters how far they have embraced their learning and training here.
“Some excellent collaborative working took place between different groups of students so that plans for a three-course meal, catwalk show, entertainment and fund-raising stalls were co-ordinated ahead of an incredibly successful event.”
WELCOME to the First issue Welcome to the first edition of the Academy’s STUDENTnews. This newsletter is written and produced by the Academy students. If you have any information you would like included please contact Dan Edwards, Editor.
USEFUL DATES EASTER HOLIDAYS BREAK UP 28th MARCH 2013 BACK TO ACADEMY 15th APRIL 2013 MAY DAY 6th MAY 2013 OPEN EVENING 16th MAY 2013
COMPETITION: what’s in a namE What can we call the Newsletter? Please give us your ideas. A prize will be given for the chosen name. Please email all entries to Carly Prosser on: carly.prosser@bmetc. ac.uk before the 15th May 2013.
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Enterprise & entrepreneurship
As part of the Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course the Academy students are required to demonstrate teamwork and leadership qualities and attributes.
As part of the Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course at the Academy at Kidderminster, my class were offered the exciting opportunity to partake in a business trip to Coca Cola Enterprises based in Wakefield. The trip was a great way to experience how one of the most prestigious global manufacturers of carbonated drinks operate on a daily basis, from how they produce the drink to how they distribute it.
ILEX STUDENTS MEET SENIOR PARTNER FROM LOCAL SOLICITOR’s MFG Students from the Legal Secretaries course and Business students had a visit from Justin Parker, one of the partners from MFG Solicitors. He came in to talk about the lifestyle of solicitors and administrative support staff in the legal environment. The students learned about a variety
enterprise teamwork day
A whole day of teamwork events were put on by Carly Prosser, Business Lecturer. The activities ranged from giving directions and instructions to a peer and being able to follow directions and instructions from a peer. The students found the tasks more complicated than expected as they were blindfolded!
of things such as the job roles of Legal Secretaries and other support staff. They also learned about future qualifications they can go on to study and the different aspects of working in a legal office. Justin also had advice for the business students, giving them tips on customer service and having a good work ethic. The students really enjoyed the talk with Justin and they learned a lot of interesting information from the afternoon.
ENTERPRISE STUDENTS MEET THE LLOYDS TSB BUSINESS ACCOUNT MANAGERS
The exercise promoted team characteristics such as communication and trust, which are essential aspects of teamwork.
Lloyds’s Commercial Business Account Managers visited the Academy. They came to present to students the importance of a business plan and the types of finance available to new businesses. These Account Managers deal with businesses with a turnover of up to 7 million. At the end of the presentation they offered students an insight on how to improve their current business plans for their own assignment work.
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One of the other activities, Toxic Waste, was a teamorientated task and involved using a set of specific equipment to remove a bucket from inside a circle that we were not allowed to enter. The team had a set amount of time in which to complete the challenge and remove the bucket from the circle. This task allowed members of the group to exercise skills such as communication, verbal discussion, cooperation and leadership skills.
SAMSUNG EXPERIENCE
hospitality & culinary arts The Culinary Arts and Hospitality students have completed a selection of different events over the past year. They have had the opportunity to cook and wait on Korean delegates of Samsung, host an event for 120 people at the West Midlands Safari Park in Spring Grove House.
All the guests were invited to a glow in the dark night club. The front of house students designed the layout of the event and they were given the opportunity to experiment with different cocktail mixes and LED lighting and were able to create glow in the dark drink displays. At the end of the evening the guests were escorted by a large Chinese dragon
to the tree tops, where a surprise multi-cultural buffet had been created and developed by the Hospitality and Culinary Arts students. Students visited the Good Food Show and one of the students, Laura Gray took part in an omelette challenge against Paul Hayes, Alex Clarke and finally Theo Randall!
Since starting the Samsung Experience course at the Academy, the students on the course have participated in numerous events, including the Blitz, where their main role was to design an app which was used to showcase the event and also served as a guest-list check. The media group also promoted the event by designing posters and producing short videos of the whole Academy planning and working towards the event.
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS Debate the world
FASHION & RETAIL On the Fashion Retail course at The Academy, we have had the opportunity to undertake numerous trips and visits for primary research and inspiration. We have visited London and Liverpool and worked with Birmingham
Metropolitan College to compete for a window space in one of the House of Fraser stores. In the second week of our course we visited the Victoria and Albert museum, located in London where some of the students had never been, so there was a high level of excitement. Going on the trip and seeing all the
amazing clothes and the designs didn’t just give us inspiration but also gave all the students a more clear understanding of how the fashion industry works. Shortly after they visited Liverpool to experience the Tate museum, The Bluecoat and The Walker Art Gallery, which were all equally interesting experiences.
This week students have been working on their discussion skills and debating topics ranging from euthanasia to Facebook and imposing the age restrictions. From a teachers perspective the discussions have far exceeded expectations and students have shown their mature and passionate approaches to these topics. The Academy staff are thrilled with the students who are showing their dedication through good research and commitment to the course. Functional skills will be launching a project day to put into practice all they have learned since the start of the academic year; the project will allow them to consolidate each of their skills and transfer them to a live activity. Watch this space.
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e i t r Sma EASTER RECIPE
slice
ingredients
• 225g shortbread, biscuits • 100g butter, cut in pieces • 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder • 2 tbsp golden syrup • 25g whole pine nuts • 100g bar dark or milk chocolate, finely chopped • 2 handfuls, about 50g, smarties chocolates
method
MEET THE ACADEMY AT KIDDERMINSTER’s MANAGEMENT TEAM
JANE SMITH
LUCY HUGHES
CAMPUS MANAGER
PROGRAMME MANAGER
1. Butter and line the base of an 18cm round x 4cm deep
Fashion & Retail
cake tin. Crush the biscuits by putting in a strong plastic bag and bashing with a rolling pin to make crumbs, but keeping some small chunky pieces of biscuit too so you have a contrast of textures. Put the butter, cocoa and syrup in a medium saucepan and warm through over a medium heat, stirring occasionally. As soon as the butter has melted, remove from the heat then stir in the biscuits and pine nuts.
2. Tip the mixture into the cake tin and level the surface. Chill for about 2 hours, or overnight, to firm up.
Martine Owens DEPUTY CAMPUS MANAGER
KAREN SPARKS
Student Services
PROGRAMME MANAGER
3. Put the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat a
Samsung Experience
little water in a small pan until boiling. Remove the pan from the heat and sit the bowl of chocolate over it, making sure the bowl does not touch the water. Set aside for the chocolate to slowly melt, over the water, but off the heat. Stir occasionally and when melted, remove the bowl from the pan.
4. Remove the cake from the cake tin and peel off the lining paper. Lay the cake on a serving plate or board. Pour then spread the chocolate over the cake. Scatter over the smarties and leave briefly for the chocolate to set. Use a sharp knife to cut into slices.
CELIA ROBOTHAM
ZAKIA SHAH
DEPUTY CAMPUS MANAGER
PROGRAMME MANAGER
Curriculum & Sub contractors
Professional & Enterprise Studies
We want to hear about your stories for the STUDENTnews YEOHAN CUNNINGHAM PROGRAMME MANAGER Hospitality & Catering
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If you have a story you would like to feature in a future edition please contact Carly Prosser on: carly.prosser@bmetc.ac.uk