Sussex Downs College
CONNECT February/March 2017
NEWS INFORMATION GUIDANCE EVENTS
STUDENTS CELEBRATE SUCCESS! SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE STUDENT AWARDS EVENING 2017. FULL STORY ON PAGE 16!
W W W . S U S S E X D O W N S . A C . U K
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
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National Apprenticeship Week is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service designed to celebrate and raise awareness for Apprenticeships. Come to one of the events listed below to find out more about the opportunities available. Tuesday 7th March Towner Gallery, Eastbourne 1-3pm Employability workshops for 16-24 year olds 4-7pm Apprenticeship facts for parents, carers and young people
Pop-up stands Monday 6th March Tesco, Lewes 4-7pm Wednesday 8th March Waitrose, Crowborough 4-7pm Friday 10th March Waitrose, Uckfield 4-7pm Saturday 11th March Waitrose, Hailsham 10-2pm Or come along and see us in the SDC Van on the following dates: Wednesday 8th March Eastbourne Campus, 10-3pm Thursday 9th March Lewes Campus, 10-3pm
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Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Welcome to
SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE CONNECT Click on the video below to watch an interview with Mike Hopkins, Principal & Chief Executive of Sussex Downs College.
In this issue...
GET IN TOUCH T. 030 300 39551
DIARY DATES
5 COLLEGE NEWS News Highlight: Student Awards 2017
ADVICE & GUIDANCE Advice for Students Student Lanyards VESPA & The A Level Mindset
STUDENTS’ UNION
8 And in Other News... 10 Environment 12 GENERAL INFORMATION 14
Sussex Downs College: Open For Business Attendance Information Absences and Closures
@SussexDowns
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sussexdowns
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4 21 22 www.sussexdowns.ac.uk
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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GENERAL INFORMATION
SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE - OPEN FOR BUSINESS Our popular Kings Bistro & Restaurant is open for lunch and evening dinner, featuring a range of speciality events with the finest quality food and wine in intimate surroundings at the Eastbourne campus. Award winning students prepare, cook and serve guests in the restaurant as part of their training under professional supervision. It is open to the public, staff and students throughout term time. Booking is recommended.
Coffee Shop Opening
Kings Restaurant Opening
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00am – 1:00pm
Wednesday & Friday Lunch is served at 12 noon
Kings Bistro Opening
Three course lunch with coffee – £12.00 per person
Open for lunch Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 11:45am (last orders 12:45pm) 2 Course Lunch – £6.00 per person
Booking required
Haircuts - £5.00 Colouring from - £20.00 Facials - £15.00 Manicures - £6.00 Body massage - £13.00 Reflexology - £10.00 and much more.
In our Floristry Studio we are pleased to be able to offer beautiful floral arrangements, wedding flowers, or just a thank you bouquet, all available to order.
Booking required
No booking required. Tables of six or more can be reserved in advance.
Choose from a wide range of services and treatments including:
Please call 030 300 39800 for more information or to book your appointment. Follow us on twitter @SDCEvolve
Themed Events Thursday evenings, £25 per person
3 Course Lunch – £8 per person
Our vibrant hairdressing and tranquil treatment rooms offer a variety of professional treatments at value for money prices.
Please see website for more information
www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/kings-bistro-restaurant
For prices and more information please call 01323 637355.
photo prints business stationery document printing laminating finishing poster printing flyers banner graphics ncr binding reprographics
www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/about/open-for-business/reprographics Follow us on Twitter @SDCPrintDept Find us on facebook at facebook.com/sdcprintdesigndept
The Reprographics team at Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne and Lewes can now offer you high quality print and design services at a highly competitive price. We are able to offer a wide range of print and finishing services, including: • • • • • •
Colour and black and white copying Business stationery, NCR forms Flyers & leaflets Large format printing Binding & laminating Wedding invitations, order of service etc.
A4
A3
Single
Double
Single
Double
5p
8p
8p
10p
Cost per sheet up to 999 copies (please contact us for a quote on higher quantities)
All black and white copied on 75gsm FSC approved paper. Increased paper thickness’ available up to 300gsm
Colour Copying Cost per sheet up to 99 copies (please contact us for a quote on higher quantities)
A4
A3
Single
Double
Single
Double
14p
20p
18p
25p
All colour prints copied on 100gsm FSC approved paper. Increased paper thickness’ available up to 300gsm.
NCR available, please enquire with one of the Repro Team for further details.
We can use your own artwork or create some for you to suit your requirements (charges may apply).
Large Format Printing on 235gsm Satin
A4 - £2 A3 - £3 A2 - £4 A1 - £8 A0 - £15
Photo Prints 6” x 4” on 170gsm Gloss
8p per print minimum 20 prints per order
We offer no obligation quotes, Please feel free to give us a call or email us for further information.
Business Cards on 300gsm Silk (per card) Minimum order 100 cards applies
Eastbourne 030 300 38409 repro.eastbourne@sussexdowns.ac.uk Lewes 030 300 38550 repro.lewes@sussexdowns.ac.uk (All prices exclude VAT)
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Black and White Copying
Single Sided - £4 for 100
Laminating Comb Binding
A4 - 85p
Double Sided - £6 for 100 A3 - 1.25p
A2 - 1.65
85p including clear acetate & gloss card back if required
Thermal Binding
Prices start at 85p, including clear acetate cover and back if required
Wire Binding
85p including clear cover and gloss card back
Colour Custom Bunting (waterproof and tear proof)
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
From 20p per letter 210mm high
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
DIARY DATES March - May
MAR
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 6th - 10th March
PARENTS CONSULTATION EVENT 2: A LEVEL YEAR 1, EASTBOURNE Wednesday 22nd March
PARENTS CONSULTATION EVENT 2: A LEVEL YEAR 1, LEWES Wednesday 29th March
APR
EASTER HOLIDAYS 3rd - 14th April
TERM 5 BEGINS FOR MOST STUDENTS Tuesday 18th April
MOCKS EXAMS/PREDICTIONS: A LEVEL YEAR 2 18th – 21st April
MAY
BANK HOLIDAY
Monday 1st May
EXTERNAL EXAMS BEGIN Monday 15th May
BANK HOLIDAY
Monday 29th May
HALF TERM HOLIDAYS
29th May - 2nd June
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
accommodation for international students Do you have a spare room in Eastbourne? We are recruiting new and friendly host providers for our International short term groups arriving between now and August. Placements needed for all age groups and nationalities including under 18’s. Hosts should provide good sized, comfortable accommodation, home cooked meals and be willing to assist guests with speaking and practicing English. Hosts should preferably be situated in the following areas: Town Centre, Rodmill, Willingdon, Hampden Park, Old Town and Upperton or walking distance of the college. Attractive rates of pay and 24-hour support available from our sta. Hosting can be a rewarding experience. If you are interested in becoming a host, please contact the Accommodation team on: 030 300 39935 or by email on: accommodationeastbourne@sussexdowns.ac.uk
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Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Good rates of pay ──── Students of various ages and nationalities ────
WANT A DIFFERENT SUMMER?
Short stays 2-6 weeks between June
HOST AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND EARN MONEY We require new homestay providers in Lewes within walking distance of Sussex Downs College Hosts should be ideally located in Neville, Landport, Wallands, Town Centre, Southover, Winterbourne, Cliffe or Malling.
and mid-August ──── Half-board or self-catering
SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE
For further information: Accommodation.lewes@sussexdowns.ac.uk
Mountfield Rd, Lewes BN7 2XH
03030039940
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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ADVICE & GUIDANCE
Advice for... HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS son/daughter was 18 or under at the start of their course you will be invited to attend the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to talk through the issues, offer support and set targets for the student to improve. A copy of the targets will be sent to you after the meeting. Stage 4
SUPPORTING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED When a student’s performance is causing concern, e.g. due to low attendance in lessons or missing workhand in deadlines, teachers intervene as quickly as possible so that your son/ daughter will have a successful time at College. We use a staged approach to inform the student of our concerns, agree targets and support the student to improve. The process that we use is called the Student Management Process.
Stage 1 Informal stage where a teacher talks informally with the student about the issue(s) and outlines what the student needs to do to improve. Stage 2 Where the problem continues, and particularly where more than 1 teacher is raising concerns, the student has a meeting with their Study Programme Tutor (SPT). The purpose of the meeting is to talk through the issues, offer support and set targets for the student to improve. Stage 3 Where the problem continues the issue is forwarded to the Programme Manager for the subject area. If a student reaches Stage 3 this means that we are very concerned that the student is not achieving their potential. They will be referred to an Intervention Adviser for more support. The student will also be asked to attend a Stage 3 Panel meeting with the Programme Manager and Study Programme Tutor. If your
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The final Stage of the process is a Stage 4 and at this stage the student is at serious risk of not passing their course and/or is performing well below their potential. The student will be asked to attend a Stage 4 Panel meeting with the Faculty Director and Programme Manager. If your son/ daughter was 18 or under at the start of their course you will be invited to attend the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to talk through the issues, offer support and set targets for the student to improve. Meeting the targets may be a condition for the student to remain on the course, particularly where their current performance means that they are unlikely to pass the course unless an immediate improvement is made. A copy of the targets will be sent to you after the meeting. The majority of students respond very well to this support and intervention and most issues are resolved without the need to arrange a Stage 3 or 4 Panel meeting. If a Stage 3 meeting is necessary your attendance and input at these meetings is valued. It is very helpful if College and parents work together to support students to succeed.
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
ADVICE & GUIDANCE
SAFEGUARDING AND INTERVENTION
SIA
SIA HELP DESK OPENING TIMES
EASTBOURNE Mon, Wed, Thurs 8:45am - 4:45pm
Tues 11am - 4:45pm
Fri 8:45am - 4pm
LEWES Mon 11am - 4:45pm
Tues, Wed, Thurs 8:45am - 4:45pm
Fri 8:45am - 4pm
For more information visit us at: www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/safeguarding-team/ Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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Reminder...
STUDENT LANYARDS
Our college has large open campuses. To help keep you safe we require that all staff, students and visitors display their ID badges in a college lanyard. All students should now be in possesion of a College ID badge and lanyard, or will recieve them at enrolment. Please help us to keep you safe by bringing and wearing your lanyard‌ and expect to be asked about it if you aren’t wearing it! Thank you for helping to keep our College a safe environment.
We are offering 14 - 25 year olds 31 weeks of FREE Mixed Martial Arts FREE Mixed Martial Arts sessions funded by Active Sussex in Partnership with Sussex Downs College for 14 - 25 year olds. Tuesday nights, 7 - 8.30pm Always wanted to try: BJJ, Judo, Karate, Jujitsu, Kick Boxing/Boxing and core strength/ fitness? Then come along to our fully equipped full time gym in the town centre! For more information, contact Mick Poil on 07833 723 590 or email mickpoil.combatmartialarts@gmail.com
Turn to page 18 for more information on Mixed Martial Arts!
ADVICE & GUIDANCE
VESPA AND THE A LEVEL MINDSET
VESPA is the A Level Centre’s acronym of choice to help you on the road to success. Come with us on a journey into our new A Level mind-set – no driving licence required. What does VESPA stand for? Vision, Effort, System, Practice and Attitude: five key words that equal A Level success with us here at Sussex Downs College. During your time at College, you will adopt the VESPA mindset to help you develop and succeed. It may be alien at the start of your course, but through your studies, your teachers and your peers, VESPA will be a normal part of your academic life.
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How can parents/guardians support students? Using our VESPA mind-set is an easy way to keep track of your son/ daughter’s study habits. Do you know where they ultimately want to end up working? Take an interest in what your son/daughter wants to progress to after A Levels. Know what A Level grades are needed for different university courses and careers. Do you know the dates of your child’s mock exams? Make sure you know their current working grade, their target grade and improvement plan. We urge you to become familiar with your child’s study habits and lend support where you can.
Their week should look something like this: • 12 hours per week attending lessons • 3 hours per week attending extra workshops • 15 hours per week completing independent study • 8 hours per week part-time employment • Leaving plenty of time for a social life and sleep! You can find more information about how to use VESPA via Student Myday.
Studying A Levels is a full-time commitment and requires study time outside of the classroom. We appreciate our students need to earn money and have a social life too. Agree the workstudy-life balance.
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
ADVICE & GUIDANCE
VISION EFFORT SYSTEM PRACTICE AT T I T U D E
PA
VES
VES PA
WANT TO BE EN ROUTE TO SUCCESS? USE V E S P A . Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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STUDENTS’ UNION
Students’ Union NEWS AND EVENTS
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS!
Student Conference
“It was interesting and reassuring in that all aspects of a small community were taken into account, I’m grateful to be shown around. It’s an honour to raise money for such an amazing charity!” Jamie Harris Student Union Officer and Student Governor.
Student Union Trips!
Our first Student Conference took place at both The Students’ Union have had an Eastbourne and action packed term, full of fundraising, Lewes Campus. trips abroad, student conferences, quiz The Student Council nights, open events and much more…. is an opportunity for elected Students from each faculty, to put across their Fundraising and Awareness Days opinions and views for improvements This term the Student Union have raised and changes. money for several different charities All the feedback we received from such as Save the Children, St Wilfrid’s students has been collated in the Hospice and HIV/AIDS Awareness. ‘YOU SAID, WE DID’ document, which The team at St Wilfrid’s Hospice kindly is then presented to the Council in took the SU on a tour of the treatment follow up meetings. rooms, café and social spaces.
Year 1, 2 and International students took a festive trip to Bruges Christmas Market. As part of the trip the students visited a working chocolate factory and then travelled to Bruges Christmas Market where they indulged in crepes, rides and Ice-skating! Then in February, the SU organised a trip to Urban Jump Trampoline Park for some fun and exercise!
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LGBT Month As February is LGBT month the SU have organised events and promoted a stall cross Campus, focused on LGBT support and awareness. Barry Hacker organised the ‘Drag with No Name’ quiz night! It was outrageously funny and the winning team took home a cash prize!
Images (L-R): Students visit a Chocolate Factory in Bruges, Urban Jump Trampoline Park, Students enjoying the ‘Drag with No Name’ quiz night, The Drag with No Name performing on stage.
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
STUDENTS’ UNION
LOOKING AHEAD…
Students will be able to sign up for the following Societies:
The SU have an exciting year planned!
• SDC Bloggers Society
Our next fundraising event will be Pancake Day on the 28th February; the SU have organised games in Tyler House Canteen and in Cliffe Common Room from 11am till 2pm. All money raised will go to St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
• Photography and Arts Society
A Sexual Health drop-in clinic will be available in Tyler House Canteen and Cliffe Common Room on the 21st February over the lunch period. A registered nurse will be available to give advice and testing to students.
• Talking Science Society
To encourage student participation in enrichment activities, the SU will host a Society Fair on the 27th February in Eastbourne (Tyler House Canteen) and on the 3rd March in Lewes (Cliffe Common room).
• Drama Society
• Law Society • LGBT Society • Student Union Society
For further information on all events, trips and activities, please come and visit us the SU office in Tyler House Canteen Eastbourne or Cliffe Common Room Lewes. Katherine Over Student Voice Co-Ordinator Natasha Duursma Student Sabbatical Officer
• Sports Society • Video Gaming Society • Talking Politics Debate Society
Students can join any of the societies listed and find out information about workshops taking place in the The Hub, such as Managing your Money and New Driver Awareness. We would love to welcome you at any time to any of these events!
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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COLLEGE NEWS
SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE STUDENT AWARDS EVENING 2017
Sussex Downs College celebrated the achievements of its students with a glittering awards evening on Thursday 5th January. Kings Restaurant & Bistro, situated on the Eastbourne campus, was transformed into a winter wonderland. Hospitality and Catering students greeted guests and created the menu under the guidance of Programme Manager Christina Cavallari and lecturer Valentine Rodriguez. Floristry students handcrafted stunning table centrepieces and bouquets for special guests. Local companies Paperlane and the Hanging Lantern Company supplied the finishing touches to the décor. Nominees were joined by friends and family, along with College governors, Faculty Directors, award sponsors and prestigious guests including the Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Pat Hearn. The evening was hosted by Heart FM’s Lynsey Bartlett. Caroline Ansell, MP for
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Eastbourne and Willingdon couldn’t attend, but filmed a video message congratulating students on their achievements. The awards were sponsored by leading names in the business community. New sponsors for 2017 included headline sponsor Hastings Direct, along with Eastbourne Arndale Centre, The View Hotel, Eastbourne Buzz, Cobb PR, Chandlers Building Supplies, Sussex Skills Solutions, Connect 2 Sussex and Brewers Decorator Centres. Returning sponsors included main sponsor Caterlink, Eastprint and Max Healey Student of the year sponsor Susan Healey. Jay Wootten, Events and Community Relations Manager at Hastings Direct, is also College alumni and gave a welcome speech, saying the company were delighted to support the event. Students were nominated in one of the 12 award categories. These were: The Academic Award; Apprentice of the Year; Exceptional Achievement
in Adult Learning; Higher Education Award; International Student of the Year; Tim Whitmore Award for Sporting Excellence; Most Improved 19 and Under; Positive Attitude to Learning; Outstanding Contribution to Student Life; the newly named Kevin Diett Aspiration and Ambition Vocational Award; Tracy Feist Enterprise Student of the Year and Max Healey Student of the Year. Speaking about the newly named award, Mike Hopkins, Principal & Chief Executive of SDC comments: “In November last year we unveiled the newly named Kevin Diett Brickwork Centre, in memory of Kevin Diett, who sadly lost his battle against cancer in 2016. We have also renamed the Vocational Award in Kevin’s memory. It is now the ‘Kevin Diett Aspiration and Ambition Vocational Award’, kindly supported by a new sponsor for 2017, Chandlers Building Supplies. Ambition and Aspiration are two things all of tonight’s nominees have demonstrated and Kevin was a pioneer of this during
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
COLLEGE NEWS
Mike Hopkins, Principal & Chief Executive of Sussex Downs College, said: “This is the highlight event in our College calendar, as we celebrate students’ achievements from apprentices and sports stars to international students and adult learners. Students here tonight have come from different starting points; the one thing they have in common is that they have been exceptional. The talent, motivation, dedication and inspiration of these individuals is something to be admired, recognised and, most importantly, celebrated. I would like to extend a massive thank you to our award sponsors for making our Student Awards possible.”
his time teaching at the College. He inspired so many students, taking teams and individuals from Construction through the WorldSkills competitions.” Heart FM presenter Lynsey Bartlett returned to host the awards for her tenth year. Lynsey worked at SDC for five years back in 2000 and returns to the College each year as a special guest on the Meet the Media panel on Eastbourne’s Youth Radio. Lynsey says: “What a fantastic night! It was my absolute pleasure to be involved. I always feel like I’ve come home whenever I visit the College and am pleased to see so many familiar faces still after all these years. The nominees go from strength to strength every year and their stories blew me away! What incredible young people they are. I was very sad to learn about the passing of Kevin Diett, however, I remember him well from my days at the College. He was a lovely guy and it’s fitting to have the Aspiration
and Ambition Vocational Award in his memory.”
Emma Blakiston from award sponsor The View Hotel, added: “What a fantastic night at the Student Awards. It was great to see the students’ achievements being honoured in such a positive and encouraging way. The room, the centre-pieces, the menus and the food were all executed to the highest standard and the students really are a credit to the college and themselves.”
A raffle was held on the evening in aid of the Student Opportunity Fund, which provides financial assistance to students who do not qualify for support from other funds. The Fund supports students in various ways, from travel to and from College, the purchase of books and equipment, meals and educational trips. Local companies donated raffle prizes including The View Hotel, The Grand Hotel, UK Paintballing, Lewes Golf Club, Drusilla’s Park and Evolve Hair and Beauty salons at SDC. An amazing £925 was raised on the evening. No evening would be complete without entertainment and the SDC Student Awards was no exception. Alumni Kris Singh (www.krissinghmagician.co.uk) impressed guests as they arrived with his up close magic, whilst current student Calum Henderson and alumni Tim Moyo performed music during the intervals.
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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COLLEGE NEWS
FIGHT CLUB: THE NEXT GENERATION There are no BIG egos as you will find at some clubs. We all train to improve and for the love of the arts we practise. We offer full funding supports and cost price equipment to all members so that it is a training route that is affordable for all.
Combat Martial Arts in East Sussex offers free Mixed Martial Arts sessions for 14- to 25-year-olds, in partnership with Sussex Downs College.
my work with CMA I am proud to offer new opportunities for the public. New members are welcome along any week.”
Mick Poil, who teaches Motor Vehicle at the College, also runs Combat Martial Arts (CMA) in Eastbourne and across East Sussex. This year, Mick has received funding to offer free Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sessions for young adults, aged 14 to 25. The free, 31-week course covers various disciplines including Judo, Karate, Jujitsu, Kick Boxing and Boxing. Sessions focus on core strength and fitness and take place in the fully equipped full time gym in the town centre (The Martial Arts Centre. First Floor 24 Longstone Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3SN), Tuesday evenings, 7pm-8.30pm.
More information on Combat Martial Arts:
“Team GB had a record medal haul in taekwondo at last year’s Games, and the coverage has attracted a whole new generation to the world of mixed martial arts,” says Mick. “CMA is a not for profit MMA club for all ages and abilities. Our ethos is ‘street effective defence’. Through
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For more information, contact Mick Poil on 07833 723 590 or email: mickpoil.combatmartialarts@gmail.com
Combat Martial Arts – Sussex (formerly Maidstone) recently moved from Kent to East Sussex and Eastbourne. CMA is a friendly ‘Not for Profit’ MMA club which trains in a mixture of Karate (Shotokan and Kyokushinkai), Judo, Jujitsu and Muay Thai. Our real ethos is ‘street effective defence’ for which we have a lot of experience, but to this end have found that MMA based training is a good vehicle for the members, it offers a street useful method as well as being good for use in the competitive arena with the correct ‘adaptations and rules’. Strong ethics of equality and diversity mean this is great for all ages, male or female. We welcome all ages (normally over 16’s for adult classes) and abilities and do not push anyone to compete or fight but can fully support competitors into K1, Kick boxing, MMA and No Gi.
The founder Mick Poil has over 38 years’ experience in various Martial Arts starting with Judo in 1978 and has since trained in a wide range of fighting arts holding 4th Dan Budo and 3rd Dan Shotokan Karate, Brown Belt SSBK Judo, he also spent a long time working Night Club Doors before serving as a Kent Police Officer both as a volunteer Special Constable and a Regular Officer working Response and CID. Currently he is a fully qualified teacher and course leader at Sussex Downs College; Cert – Ed, DTLLS, A1, V1, First Aid qualified, Safeguarding for sport, CRB/DBS checked. CMA is affiliated to the very well-known and World respected British Combat Association. He has run clubs since 1995 starting in Ashford Kent with Shotokan Karate. The MMA side started in Maidstone Kent in 2008 with great success working with young people and adults of different back grounds. We had many success stories; one was taking a couch potato to being our top student, he lost 6 stone and went on to gain his fitness instructor and personal training qualifications, he now competes in various races such as 10k and charity races. Another success story was Mick fighting members of the club over 100 consecutive MMA fights for Cancer Research; the 6hour session raised £2000 for the charity. We worked with local Police and council towards training for disengaged young people as well as former MP for Sport Helen Grant. Web: cma-combatmartialarts.co.uk Facebook group: www.facebook.com/ groups/combatmartialartsmaidstone Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ CombatMartialArtsEastbourne
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
COLLEGE NEWS
SPONSORSHIP FOR STUDENT HELPS HIM BUILD HIS WAY TO THE TOP The generous £800 sponsorship from Eastbourne Homes will help Steven enormously: “The money will really help with buying equipment because the tools can get quite expensive and specialised equipment is essential for the competition.” Steven’s next competitions will be the regional heats for the Guild of Bricklayers and SkillBuild. If he gains enough points from these, he can then progress onto the nationals. Steven’s success was not a surprise to his supportive tutor Nigel Edwards. He says: “Steve is a highly motivated bricklayer with a lot of skill and knowledge, so I will say confidently that he will win both regional heats as he did last year.”
Sussex Downs College regional brick layer champion Steven Tate receives £800 in sponsorship from Eastbourne Homes to help him progress in the Guild of Bricklayers and Skill Build competitions. Steven, 18, from Eastbourne, won both the regional brick layer competitions he competed in last year, and is aiming to achieve the same result this year and progress onwards and upwards. Steven’s outstanding performance caught the attention of Paul Boast from Eastbourne Homes. The local company works frequently with the College around construction, including putting around 30 students through the Construction Skills Certificate Scheme training. Speaking of the importance of investing in talented students, Paul comments: “I work within a project within Eastbourne Borough Council which puts on various projects and we take a percentage of that available money and make sure that young people get the best education, training and jobs.”
The generous £800 sponsorship was donated to Steven at the College last month (December) by Paul Boast. Delighted to be chosen to represent Sussex Downs College in the regional competitions, Steven says: “You don’t usually get the chance to represent your college like this, so it’s fantastic o have this opportunity.” Steven is currently completing an apprenticeship at Bishop and Levett, spending four days a week in the workplace and one day in College. Alongside this he’s always training and developing his skills for the competitions. Juggling everything isn’t easy but Steven identifies that the hardest part was “the competition itself, because you’ve got just six hours to complete the task and for the scale of work, you’ve got to do it’s quite a lot to complete.” Although this was the most challenging aspect, it didn’t faze Steven, who came out of the competition a champion, following in his brothers’ footsteps. He had competed in similar competitions during his time at the College.
If Steven is successful in the SkillBuild nationals this year, he could reach the WorldSkills stage, competing for a place on the UK Squad. Speaking about how Stevne can achieve this Nigel said: “With a little bit more work to get good marks, his points tally increases and he’s got a good chance of going onto the nationals, which is where he should be.” Sussex Downs College has previously played host to several other champions and Nigel has already starting preparing new brickwork students for future competitions. Hopefully Steven’s success he will inspire the next potential champions to follow suit.
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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COLLEGE NEWS
AND IN OTHER NEWS...
Click on a headline to read the full story.
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MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDENTS RETURN TO COLLEGE
CAROLINE ANSELL MP TALKS TO PUBLIC UNIFORMED SERVICE STUDENTS ABOUT GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND THE PUBLIC SERVICES
SDC ALUMNI PAINTS JOHN HURT
STUDENTS PLAN THEIR FUTURE AT THE ‘I CAN’ EVENT
PRINCES TRUST STUDENTS BUSKING EVENT FOR MENCAP
YOUNG CHEFS TURN UP THE HEAT
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
GENERAL INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION If missing classes is due to something more serious, such as a feeling of not coping with the workload, it is vitally important that your son/daughter speaks to their teachers or study progress tutor as soon possible to give them the best chance of turning the situation around. They are here to help.
WHEN ABSENCES ARE CAUSING CONCERN
WHY DOES ATTENDANCE MATTER?
IMPROVING ATTENDANCE
With such a high college expectation it is very easy for attendance records There have been numerous studies to slip with just a few missed classes. in recent years into the effects of poor There are times where absence is attendance on achievement. Information unavoidable, but there are some small published by the government states steps that learners can take to help that of learners who miss less than 5% prevent missing classes unnecessarily of lessons, 73% achieve five GCSEs which you can help to encourage: at A* - C. This reduces right down to Where there is control, arrange only a 35% achievement rate where appointments outside of timetabled a learner’s attendance is between 80% lesson time. Remember the time and 90% and just 3% of learners get 5 needed to travel. GCSEs A* - C where their attendance When late to a class, it is better to still is 50% or lower. attend than to decide to skip it entirely. It is this significant statistic which drives A late mark will not have a negative our attendance monitoring process. impact on attendance like an absent We are attendance monitoring process. mark will. We are determined to support students Good planning of time between classes to attend because we know the impact is beneficial. Learners should avoid on their potential to achieve. going too far from the campus where possible. They should be using the library to complete homework or the common room or outside areas to take breaks. If they are finding it hard to manage their time, please encourage At Sussex Downs College we expect a meeting with their progress tutor who students to have an attendance record can help them with this. of at least 95%.. Managing independent study time and breaks between classes is a new skill for many young people, but an important ability that will be taken forward to further study or the workplace.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES AT SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE
Class teachers or the Study Programme Tutor (SPT) will talk to learners when attendance starts to cause concern. You may get a call at home. Where the situation continues the SPT will arrange to meet with your son/daughter and set targets to improve (this is Stage 2 of the Student Management Procedure). Where the targets are not met you and your son/daughter will be invited to a Stage 3 meeting with a Programme Manager to discuss concerns and agree a way forward.
AUTHORISED VS UNAUTHORISED At Sussex Downs College we look at our students’ attendance as a whole. It is important that any unavoidable absence is authorised, but this is a separate issue to attendance monitoring, and even though there will be cases where we know there are good reasons for missing classes, we will still take steps if this has had a significant impact on attendance. In some rare cases the 95% expectation will not be realistic for a student, but it is important that this is addressed with tutors, teachers, learners and parents in order that we can make sure appropriate measures are in place to support achievement.
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information
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COLLEGE NEWS
ABSENCES AND CLOSURES
THE ABSENCE LINE
SEVERE WEATHER NOTICES
EXAMS
It is really important that any unavoidable absences are reported to the absence line so that we can record these, help inform tutors and teachers, and make sure registers accurate, please contact:
If the weather is poor, please check the Sussex Downs College website regularly. It is your primary source for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding any College closures. We will aim to update the website from 7.00am each day. Updates will also appear on the College Twitter and Facebook Sites. If the website is unavailable for any reason you should check these for the latest information (a Twitter or Facebook account is not required).
Unless there is complete College closure, students entered for exams should attend them as planned, if a student is unable to attend their examination for any reason then they should phone the appropriate Examinations Office for advice on:
Eastbourne Tel: 01323 637417 Email: Eastbourne.absence@ sussexdowns.ac.uk Lewes Tel: 030 300 39808 (local rate call) Email: lewesabsence@sussexdowns.ac.uk
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030 300 39310 (Lewes) or 030 300 38220 (Eastbourne). The Exams office will not be staffed when there is a full College closure.
In the event of snow/ice staff, students and visitors should take care on campus, for example by wearing appropriate footwear, and keeping to cleared pathways. Be aware of your surroundings and take care.
Visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk for more news and information