Warrington Collegiate Newsletter
Issue 4, Autumn Term 2016
welcome
I am delighted to introduce the autumn edition of the College newsletter and to welcome you to Warrington Collegiate; a College which is going from strength to strength and a College which wants to do the very best by the young people who live in the communities we serve, both in Warrington and further afield. Did you know that… • We have over 2,000 16-18 year old students and over 8,000 adults studying at College. • We deliver over 400 courses - including GCSE and A Level equivalent courses (BTECs and NVQs), Apprenticeships and Higher Education- preparing our young people for thousands of different careers. • We work with over 500 employers and all the educational organisations across Warrington and with many from further afield. • We are on a journey of rapid improvement at Warrington Collegiate. Our pass rates are very high and the overwhelming majority of our students gain a place at their preferred university or go onto further study with us or into careers of their choice. • Our students benefit from a huge range of national and international experiences whether that be work experience placements in places like Spain, Malta or Greece or trips to New York City and Barcelona. • We showcase our students’ work at skills events and competitions. In June, Cruden sponsored our brickwork and joinery skills competition and over the last year we saw our students perform at the National Theatre, at the Pyramid, the U.Dance festival and exhibit their work at the Museum and Art Gallery here in Warrington. Additionally, one of our Foundation Art students secured a prestigious residency at Bank Quay House.
We train world champions – two gold medal winners so far in the world skills competitions - Ashley Terron for brickwork and last year, Rianne Chester, who not only won gold in Sao Paulo for beauty therapy, but the prestigious Albert Vidal award for the best competitor in any skills sector in the competition. Rianne has also just been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s birthday honours. Our teachers are a real credit to us and always go the extra mile to deliver great lessons and support our students in whatever ways they need to fulfil their potential. In fact, two of our teachers won highly prestigious, national Pearson teaching awards for the use of technology in education. I have been privileged to work with a new leadership team and talented staff to ensure that teaching and learning is better and our students make good progress to secure the best possible outcomes. We are looking forward to celebrating the best ever results at the College and we are determined to gain your confidence so you can be sure that all who choose to study with us benefit from an exceptional learning experience.
contents Laura’s knitted creatures leave a lasting impression
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Inspirational students honoured at Further Education Awards
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Get involved with the Active You team
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Taster Day voucher competition winners
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Accounting student secures prestigious work placement with Ernst and Young
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Students work with Fire Service on crash simulation exercise
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Cooking up a treat in Buckley’s restaurant
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Construction students put their skills to the test
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As you can imagine, we take pride in our ability to enable our students to fulfil their potential and progress onwards and we are desperately proud of our students, our staff and their dedication and achievements.
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accounting student secures prestigious Finally, I’d like to invite you to our upcoming Open Days (see Pg 8). work placement Our annual student awards event held in They’re a great chance for you to July was marvellous and gave us an opportunity to celebrate our students’ successes as we handed out 61 awards to star students.
meet our teachers and get a feel for the College and the fantastic facilities we have to offer. We look forward to seeing you there.
Nichola Newton Principal and Chief Executive
FOR NEWS AND DETAILS ON OUR EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER @WARRINGTONCOLL AND INSTAGRAM @WARRINGTON_COLLEGIATE
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Issue 4, Autumn Term 2016
Warrington Collegiate Newsletter
LAURA'S KNITTED CREATURES LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION Talented artist and yarn bomber Laura McFadden has been recognised with a prestigious residency programme at Warrington’s Bank Quay House. Laura, who recently completed the Art & Design Foundation Diploma Level 3 at the College, was given the three month artist in residency slot during the opening of the ‘Edit’ exhibition at The Gallery at Bank Quay House .
The exhibition - which ran for two months - was made up of the incredible work of Art & Design students at the College and included tapestries, paintings, photography, handmade clothing and knitted creatures. The work had previously been on display at the College as part of the end of year Diploma Show. caught the eye of Emma Kelly, curator at The Gallery. Students spent countless hours working on their art and for some, it was their final show at the College before they progressed to Higher Education or employment. Laura’s work featured adorable knitted and crocheted jelly fish, snails, pom-poms and dolls. The 29-year-old featured in the Warrington Guardian in the spring when she took over the town’s Queen’s Gardens with her ‘yarn bombing’ project, filling the park with her eye-catching creations. Laura’s prize was a central free working space/studio, to work
within the arts community of Warrington, that will enable her to set up her own arts business and workshops. Laura is also representing the College as part of its Alumni scheme; meaning the space can also be used to conduct wor shops with existing students and new starters this September as an offsite studio. Laura said: “Seeing my work out there for people to see makes me feel accomplished in a way that I am ready for the new challenges ahead.”
Warrington Collegiate Newsletter
Issue 4, Autumn Term 2016
inspirational students honoured at fE awards The success and achievements of our inspirational students has been celebrated at the annual Further Education Awards.
evening, including Outstanding Achievement Awards, Graduate Awards and a series of Special Awards.
Friends, family, staff and fellow students gathered at St Elphin’s Church in Warrington on Tuesday 14th June to honour students from across the curriculum.
The awards not only reflect the hard work and dedication of students and their tutors but also the commitment to excellence in their studies in vocational qualifications and apprenticeships.
A total of 61 awards were handed out on the
• Visit warrington.ac.uk to see all the photographs.
Bronze Graduate Award Outstanding Achievement Awards
Access to HE - Catherine Jones Aviation – Emily Horne Beauty – Shannon Anderson Brickwork Apprentice – Jordan Byrne Business & Accounting – Peng Guo Carpentry & Joinery – Chris Woods Childcare – Keyleigh Bowden-Bevan Construction & Plumbing – Tracey Smith Creative Arts – Nicole Royle Education & Training – Nick Rodely Engineering & Electrical – Joseph Jones English – Bethan Egan Foundation Studies – Patrick McConville Hairdressing – Aisha Humphris Hair & Beauty Apprentice – Caitlin Wright Health & Social Care – Catharine Kelly Hospitality & Catering – Amy Heywood ICT & Media – Emma Merritt Maths – Sarah Glynn Motor Vehicle – Lara Fitzsimmons Motor Vehicle Apprentice - Shane Mayes Performing Arts – Hannah Pinnington Plumbing Apprentice – Jade Campbell Public Services – Sian Haselden Science – Laura Bates Sport – Matthew Barker
Victoria Anderson Matthew Barker Francesca Foy Mathew Gillooly Alex Green James Wedgeworth Kirsty McMonnies Klaudia Molnar Joseph Moore Mollie Moreton Hannah Peake Callum Richards
Silver Graduate Award Russell Wood Aidan Carney James Barnshaw Lisa Adamson Leon Fisher
Gold Graduate Award
Brigitta Pal Sian Haselden Sacha Hughes Buntu Malada Georgia Brown-Crowther Abby Thomas Leah Foote Jamie-Lea Whyman Alex Lea Kieran Jones
Outstanding Contribution to the Student Leadership Team Joshua Pyrah
Nathan Taylor Memorial Award Adam Lomax
Serena Harding Memorial Award Carl Lawton
Elliot Award for Progress in Construction & Technology Nathan Wilcock
Phil Callaghan Special Award Luke Balshaw
Hilary Tucker Award for Outstanding Achievement Alex Green
Overall Outstanding Student Award Sian Haselden
Overall Outstanding Apprentice Award Caitlin Wright
Issue 4, Autumn Term 2016
Warrington Collegiate Newsletter
what do you know about Looking for a fun way to meet new people and get more out of your College experience? The ‘Active You’ team is responsible for enrichment activities at Warrington Collegiate. Active You gives students the chance to socialise while staying healthy through a range of exciting activities including horse riding, table tennis, badminton,
? Jordyn Layfield College Sports Maker
squash, netball, Boogie Bounce, cheerleading, Clubbercise and many more.
“Activities and events are an important part of the college experience.” Activites take place all year round and many are designed to complement your studies.
Jordyn Layfield, College Sports Maker, said: “We want to enhance your experience of college life, help you to make friends Boogie Bounce, Circuit and try new things. Training and Clubbercise
sessions are also open to the wider community. • To find out more, search ‘Active You in the Community’ on Facebook or call 01925 494380. Students can find Jordyn in the Student Hub in the Crescent.
Call 01925 494380 to book your place today!
voucher competition winners A shopping trip is in order for two Warrington students after they were named winners of a College competition. Morgan Faid was one of more than 700 high school pupils who attended the Collegiate’s Year 10 Taster Days over the summer. The Golborne High School pupil was selected at random to receive a £20 high street voucher after filling in an evaluation form on the day. Morgan, who took part in taster sessions with the Motor Vehicle, Media and Hospitality & Catering departments, said of the day: “I was impressed by the facilities in media and motor mechanics and the staff were very friendly and helpful.” While Morgan still has a year left at Golborne High School, she
said she is keen to attend the Collegiate in September 2017. But Morgan was not the only winner, with Jenny Cooper, from Great Sankey, also taking home £20 in high street vouchers. Jenny, who will study Beauty Therapy at the College from September, was one of more than
200 students who attended the New Student Welcome Day on Monday 27th June. She too was selected at random after filling in an evaluation form. She said: “I really enjoyed myself at the New Student Welcome Day. The tutors were very helpful and friendly – I can’t wait to start in September.”
Warrington Collegiate Newsletter
Issue 4, Autumn Term 2016
simulation car crash gives students industry experience Media and Theatrical Media Make-up students worked alongside industry experts and emergency services as part of a training exericse aimed at helping firefighters act fast when lives are at risk. The car crash simulation was carried out by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service at their Warrington Fire Station to test their emergency response. It came after students spent two days in production meetings with Victoria Edgerton, MD of For Real Training – which deals in realistic trauma training for emergency services and armed forces.
The exercise itself saw Victoria and For Real Training actress Tara “crash” their car after using a mobile phone behind the wheel.
minute. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service decided to introduce a second vehicle to the mix to make things more realistic!
As well as using tripod mounted cameras to capture the action, students also used a drone which they built themselves.
Sacha Hughes, whose make-up skills have recently landed her a job at Illamasqua, added: “You don’t really see how hard the fire service actually work until you do something like this. They are an amazing team and everybody who does that kind of thing is pretty amazing but it also shows you how bad it can get.”
Media Make-up students all used the impressive skills they have learned during their time on the Hair and Media Make-up Diploma Level 3 course to create realistic injuries on Victoria and Tara. The group had to think on their feet during the simulation when the scenario was changed last
accounting student secures prestigious work placement Jonathan Churm spent three weeks over the summer on a paid work placement with Ernst and Young (EY). Jonathan, who is studying the Accounting Advanced Diploma Level 3 joined the EY team in August after been selected for the company’s Smart Futures programme. As part of the scheme, Jonathan
The unique work experience came just months after Victoria gave an inspirational talk and workshop at the College. will receive mentoring from the firm during his second year of study. The Smart Futures programme also gave him a foot in the door at one of the top four professional services firms in the world and will complement what he has learned onh is course. Previous placement students have obtained full time jobs with EY. Jonathan said: “Studying at Warrington Collegiate has helped me towards advancing a career in Accountancy. It has provided me with a recognised qualification which has strengthened my present position and has aided me to
Issue 4, Autumn Term 2016
Warrington Collegiate Newsletter
cooking up a treat in buckley's Buckley’s restaurant provides our talented Hospitality and Catering students with the opportunity to develop their skills to a professional level. Our licensed restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere within which to enjoy top quality cuisine from all around the world, with a high standard of service. All of our ingredients are locally sourced where possible, using the best ingredients to produce exciting, fresh and modern cuisine. The students can showcase their abilities under the supervision of our qualified hospitality and catering staff. Buckley’s host a variety of popular theme nights and lunches from Spanish cuisine to romantic valentines menus. Students are taught by Chef Lecturer Scott Surtees, who has worked in three Michelin starred restaurants during his time in the industry. Rachel Whitfield, who finished her Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery course in June, said having someone as experienced as Scott teaching them has made a massive difference. “We are leaving College with a higher level of skills because of
Scott and the experience he has had in the industry. He has taught us absolutely everything we need to know and shown us all the skills we need,” said Rachel.
Specialising in pastry, chocolate and confectionary, Scott moved into full time education two years ago after deciding to use his lifelong passion to help create the next generation of chefs.
Scott was awarded young Cheshire Chef of the Year in 2004 and North West Chef of the Year in 2005. He has worked in prestigious kitchens including the Middlethorpe Hall Hotel in York, Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel in the Lake District, Hambleton Hall at Rutland Water and the Alderley Edge Hotel in Cheshire.
He said: “We have got some incredibly talented young chefs here at the College. They are so professional and create some fantastic dishes for diners in Buckley’s. “I’m incredibly proud of them and love that I am able to pass down my knowledge and experience to help them further their careers.”
Warrington Collegiate Newsletter
Issue 4, Autumn Term 2016
students put their skills to the test Carpentry & Joinery and Brickwork students have shown they have the tools for success after impressing industry professionals at the inaugural Cruden Construction Skills Contest. Over the six hour contest, students were pushed to their limits, building structures from designs they had never seen before. The competition – sponsored by Cruden Construction Ltd – also saw companies including Metsä
Wood, Huws Gray, Hitachi donate items including timber, bricks and six power drills. Paslode and Screwfix also attended the event.
After the students had finished building, judges had the difficult decision of deciding who would take home the prizes, which included trowels, drill bits and chisels. Andy Atkin, Lecturer in Brickwork, said: “Our students did us extremely proud and produced some absolutely
fantastic work. We’re so proud of what they have achieved since they have been at the College and it’s great that we’ve been able to give them this opportunity to work under the pressure they will experience in the industry, as well as giving them the chance to showcase what they can do to industry professionals.”