June 2010 How to use this feature: Simply click through to the stories you would like to read using these arrows to the left and right
In this month’s news:
Central Bedfordshire College goes International Football League Success St Francis’ Children’s Society visits Central Beds College Students set up hair salon in Markyate Joinery student builds book cabinet for MIND Adult Learners Week event & College winners Library and IT Workshop Student Survey Triathlon raises over £2000 for chairty! Varsity sports event
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Upcoming events: Expo-Central Art Exhibition Annual College Awards Ceremony End of Term Party
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Central Bedfordshire College goes International Central Bedfordshire College is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with the Beijing College of Science, Business and Technology. The Colleges will deliver joint courses, and the agreement will facilitate staff and student visits between the two Colleges, with Central Bedfordshire College courses being delivered in Beijing. This partnership agreement follows visits to the partnering Colleges by delegates from each College. In March 2010 delegates from Central Bedfordshire College visited the Beijing College of Science, Business and Technology; and on Wednesday 26th May, delegates from Beijing visited Central Bedfordshire. Having been impressed with the courses and facilities available at the campuses within the region, the agreement was signed. The partnership agreement will focus on three main subject areas, Hospitality Management; Marketing; and Retail Management. Central Bedfordshire College will train the Tutors in these areas so that they can then deliver the courses in Beijing. This partnership offers great opportunities for the College to develop on an international scale and provide its students with international exchange visits and a broader international understanding of their subject area. Following Central Bedfordshire College’s agreement to train staff for the 2012 Olympic Games, staff and students will be able to learn a lot from their Beijing peers, so the timing of this partnership couldn’t be better. Central Bedfordshire College Principal, Chris Vesey, commented, “The College has recruited students from China for many years. They study hard and really benefit from the qualifications that we offer. Further Education in China is under review and they are moving to a model more like ours. This is a great opportunity for us to help them develop their future curriculum and to continue the beneficial partnership between the two countries.”
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Football League Success A top of the league home clash lay ahead for Central Bedfordshire College against second place Bedford, who needed all 3 points to be able to catch the runaway leaders and stop them winning the league. Central Bedfordshire only needed a point to secure the title. Both teams started well and there was a lot of tension in the air, tackles were flying in and the referee was the busiest man on the pitch in the first ten minutes. The game settled own and central beds started to dominate the game and created two clear cut chances which Bryn Reynolds was unable to convert. The home team had done their homework and had identified what they believed were weaknesses in the Bedford side and it paid off from a well worked set piece which went in directly from a corner from Aaron Morgan making it 1-0. Bedford responded well and minutes after the kick off they were on level terms, after an uncharacteristic error in the Central Beds defence. This was easily finished off by the away team striker. Central Beds didn’t panic and once again started to dominate the game after another well worked set piece was half cleared by Bedford and fell to George Higley who failed to hit the target from the edge of the box. Minutes later Higley turn’t provider with a great through ball for Aidan Murray, who made a great driving run into the box and finished well leaving the keeper no chance. Making it 2-1 at the break. The 2nd half got underway and as expected Bedford went looking for the equaliser, but were unable to work the Central Bedfordshire keeper. This only seemed to frustrate the Bedford side more and they were soon reduced to 10 men after one of their players was given a straight red for a horrendous two footed tackle on play maker Aaron Morgan, who has just been offered a scholarship in the states at California State University. Two more bookings followed shortly after for the away side. Central Beds kept their control and focus and were rewarded after another well worked set piece was delivered by Morgan and converted by full back Kyron Jackson at the back post to make it 3-1. Takunda Marvesa saved a penalty in the last action of the game, before the full the whistle was blown and Central Bedfordshire were crowned league winners without losing or drawing a game, wining 15 out of 15 games. This victory now means that the all of the college’s three sides have played 33 games, drawn 4 and lost 0. Scoring 180 goals and conceding 41. They have won the league in the English Colleges Elite League, British College League and were joint top in the Sessa Colleges and University league (losing out on goal difference). Making it the most successful season, in the programs history and making Central Bedfordshire Football development programme the most successful programme in the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire Buckinghamshire. As no other football programme have achieved these honours in their respective leagues during the 2009/10 season, which is an amazing achievement.
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St Francis’ Children’s Society visits Central Beds College Health & Social Care students at Central Bedfordshire College experienced a very informative presentation on Adoption, from St Francis’ Children’s Society on Thursday 27th May. The Level 3, year 1 students were presented to by Chris Large from the society, and following an introduction covering the numbers of children in the adoption process within the UK, the process for adoption, and factors to consider on matching children with families, the students then completed some group exercises and were able to ask questions. The charity, which is based in Milton Keynes and covers Luton, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire is always looking for new families to help with the adoption of children. Chris Large felt the exercise had been really worthwhile and commented “the questions the students have been asking have been really broad and in-depth, which shows their interest within the subject”. Health & Social Care Tutor, Samantha Adams added, “the students really enjoyed learning more about the adoption process and how they can help; and were also able to find out more about a career working within this sector”. If any staff are interested in finding out more about adoption, please visit; www.sfcs.org.uk or email enquiries@sfcs.org.uk
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Students set up hair salon in Markyate Three students studying Hairdressing at Central Bedfordshire College have helped set up ‘Robyns Hair Design’, a new hairdressing salon in Markyate. The three students have just finished studying their Level 3 Hairdressing qualification and were approached by Owen Watts who saw a gap in the market for a salon in Markyate. One of the students, Faye Francis, was considering mobile hairdressing once she completed the course, “but the opportunity to run our own salon was amazing and we grabbed it”. Faye and her two colleagues, Jennifer Ward from Toddington and Aaron Fuller from Hockliffe, were all national finalists at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) National UK Trainee Competition earlier this year at The Blackpool Winter Gardens. Claire Lydon, the students’ Tutor at the College congratulated them on their achievement, “ Having taught Faye, Jennifer and Aaron, I am very proud they have taken this opportunity and progressed as a team to take this challenge on. They are all very talented and creative, I can see Robyns Hair Design going very far in the future – well done!” Having studied various levels of Hairdressing at Central Beds College, they found the experience and expertise at the College invaluable; “Alison McLean and Claire Lydon were brilliant mentors throughout our studies and without them we wouldn’t have gained the skills and confidence we needed to set up our own salon. The facilities at Central Beds College were brilliant and help was always at hand whenever we needed it.” The salon’s official opening was on 8 May, where many local people attended to sample what the Robyns have to offer. Opening times for Robyns Hair Design: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 8pm 10am – 6pm 9.30am – 5pm
To book an appointment please call 01582 841155. Faye Francis, Jennifer Ward and Aaron Fuller
Inside the new salon
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Joinery student builds book cabinet for MIND Joinery student, Kyle Quinn, has built and presented a hand crafted book cabinet for Luton and Dunstable MIND. Studying n the 14-16 programme at Central Bedfordshire College, Kyle is also a student at Manshead Upper School. Kyle is studying on a two year Multi-skills programme for 14-16 year olds. This vocational course offers students the opportunity to studying Electrical Installation, Joinery, Plumbing and Brickwork, providing an insight into the different trades, and enabling them to identify their chosen specialism. In the future Kyle plans to work for his fathers firm whilst continuing his studies through a HND in Civil Engineering. Kyle presented the book cabinet to the staff and visitors of MIND on Thursday 13th May. Joinery Tutor, Paul Bailey, commented, “The cabinet that Kyle has made is built to an excellent standard and shows exceptional workmanship. Kyle has worked hard to produce this piece and everyone at MIND really appreciated his hard work�.
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Adult Learners Week Event & College Winners The Adult Learners Week event which took place on 21 May in the Arndale Centre in Luton, and was a great success, with many different providers taking part. Adult Learners Week is about breaking down barriers to learning and the local providers, including The Learning Partnership, Central Bedfordshire College, Barnfield College, Bedford College, Adult & Community Learning and many more, are keen to collaborate in an effort to get even more adults back into learning. The Adult Learners Week Awards, which took place on Wednesday 19 May, saw two awards for the College. Congratulations to our winners: Richard McSepney - Life Long Learner Tour & Andersson - Learning through partnership
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Library and IT Workshop Student Survey The Library and IT Workshop recently conducted a survey of users of both facilities in the college. All participants had the opportunity to win an iPod Shuffle or a £25 iTunes voucher in a free draw. The winner of the iPod Shuffle was Daniel North, a Public Services student and James Keyte, A-Level student, won the voucher.
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First Prize
Second Prize
Daniel North Public Services iPod Shuffle
James Keyte A Levels £25 iTunes Voucher
The Library received very positive feedback. 92% of respondents rated their overall satisfaction to be good or excellent, 88% found our study books good or excellent, with 85% deeming our study areas also to be in that category. However it was felt that the Library could do with a few more computers and to increase our stock in some subjects. In the IT Workshop overall satisfaction was rated 83% good or very good. Main areas that could be improved were the need for more computer spaces and noise levels to be reduced.
Triathlon raises over £2000 for charity! A charity mini-triathlon arranged by a group of Central Bedfordshire College sports students has raised over £2,000 for CHUMS charity. The event took place on Wednesday 12th May, and started at the Houghton Regis Leisure Centre with a 20 minute swim. Participants then either ran or walked the 2.5 miles, to Dunstable Leisure Centre. On arrival they then completed 2 miles on the cycle machines at the gym. The event involved students and staff from across the College, with participants trying to gain as much sponsorship as possible. The event culminated with prizes going to those who had raised the most amount of money for the charity. CHUMS support bereaved children and families in Bedfordshire following the death of someone special in their lives. The core of the work is carried out by a team of volunteers who come from all parts of the county who are all trained by the charity in loss and grief and how best to support bereaved children and their families. The event takes place on the 12th May 2010 starting at 10am at Houghton Regis Leisure Centre and finishing at 2pm at Dunstable Leisure Centre. Football Development Manager, Colin Sharpe commented, “This event was organised by the students, and has been an excellent way of getting students and staff involved in a sporting activity, as well as raising money for the students chosen charity. Feedback we have received has been really positive, with a real sense of achievement felt by all”. Gary Lee added “This has been a fantastic year for the department, and this event showed the diversity of success that can been achieved in success”.
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Varsity sports event Climbing Wall’s, Basketball, American Football and Brazilian Soccer were all on the menu at the Houghton Regis Campus on Wednesday 19th May. Around 50 students took part in the activities with the aim to allow students to try out some new activities they may not have done at Central Beds before. The students involved in the American Football and Basketball took part in several training sessions in the lead up to the day itself as part of the build up to the event.
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Upcoming Events - Expo-Central Art Exhibition The Chamber of Commerce in Luton have asked Central Bedfordshire College to hold three exhibitions showcasing design and artwork from up and coming individuals. The first event, held on 5 July, will be a best in show and will include all aspects of the Creative Arts Department providing work. Some local schools will be invited to the other 2 events and industry to all three. This will be great for our employer engagement as it will also include all levels FE and HE. FdA Fine Art students in year 1 will be curating the exhibit as part of their professional practice. The Expo Central Exhibition will open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. Address: Kimpton Road, Luton, Beds, LU2 0SX Tel: 01582 522448
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Annual College Awards Ceremony The annual Central Bedfordshire College Awards Ceremony is taking place on 1st July to celebrate our students’ personal and academic achievements. Award winning students have been notified this week, if your student is a winner please encourage them to send back the necessary paperwork asap!
REMARKABLE
STUDENTS
ACHEIVING
EXTRAORDINARY
THINGS
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CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COLLEGE AWARDS CEREMONY 2010 Thursday 1 July, 2pm
End of Term Party On Friday 11th June there will be a host of events taking place at the college from 12.30 pm till 5 pm. Heart radio will be in the main hall showcasing a variety of music plus a Bouncy Castle and Jousting on the field behind the college and there will be free food and drink available for the first 200 students. The Football World Cup starts on the 11th June and to celebrate this event we will be showing the first game of the Tournament featuring hosts South Africa battle Mexico in the refectory. Can you please inform your students about this action packed day.
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