College News Spring 2011

college

SPRING 2011

YOUR college. YOUR magazine.

news

Engineering Students Hit the Headlines Page 12

College Hairshow Enchanted Evening Page 4

Funding Available to YOU! Page 6

take a look

Student of the Term Awards

Page 5

Thinking About Going to University ? ! e d insi Page 10

YOURS. free.

Hello!

Contents

Welcome to the spring edition of College News, in which we introduce you to your Students’ Union president, Liam Gilbert.

See what he has been up to and how he is representing the ‘student voice.’

Meet Your Students’ Union President 1

So far this term we have celebrated student success in the College Eco Poster competition, enjoyed watching our performing arts students in ‘One Million Tiny Plays About Britain’, and our hair and beauty students show off their creativity in the annual Hair Show. We have also recognised some outstanding achievements with the College Student of the Term awards. Read about your fellow students and get inspired!

Back to the world of study … for some of you, you will be making (or starting to think about) important decisions concerning your future. Whether you are going to continue with your education, enter the world of work, or do something totally different like take a gap year, we can help. Our highly experienced Student Services team will give you all the impartial advice and information you may need. Also, find out about the new equality and diversity forum - a group of students and staff helping to voice any concerns.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue - if you would like to contribute an article to College News, e-mail marketing@cityplym.ac.uk or give us a ring on 01752 305105.

Sam Starkey Editor

HELLO

Big College Health Check

1

You Said, We Did

2

One Million Tiny Plays About Britain

3

Eco Poster Competition

4

Enchanted Evening

4

Student of the Term Awards

5

Funding Available to YOU!

6

Equality and Diversity Forum

7

What Next? Progression Choices

8

Thinking About Going to University?

10

Students Hitting the Headlines

12

Making the Most of Your Free Time

13

If you would find it easier to read this magazine in a larger type or different format, please call 01752 305300 or e-mail info@cityplym.ac.uk.

Student Corner Meet Your Students’ Union President

Me and Bethany Jones (SU Secretary) in London

Hi, I’m Liam Gilbert, this year’s Students’ Union president here at City College Plymouth. I took on the role in October last year and have been working towards a number of targets along with the Students’ Union Executive Committee. My role, first and foremost, is to defend the rights of students at the College and to dispute the government cuts in education wherever possible.

So far we have done this in a number of ways ranging from national protests against the cut of education maintenance allowance (EMA), to inviting our local

members of parliament into the College to explain their reasoning behind the cuts and taking protest letters to the House of Commons when the Labour Party forced an opposition day debate. This gave our students the opportunity to make their views known to their relevant MPs. And, although EMA is still going, there has been a small u-turn for students going into the second year of their course. If you currently receive the £30 per week EMA payment, there will be EMA next year although it will be reduced to a £20 per week payment.

This year I have also been heavily involved in helping raise money for the NSPCC, the College’s chosen charity for 2010/11. The Students’ Union has organised a number of fundraising events to help contribute to the College’s final total of over £6,500 - a great achievement!

My final aim is to encourage the socialisation between students; it is our aim to do this by organising socials/trips or other activities outside of the College. So let me and your SU Exec know what you would like to do next term, e-mail supresident@cityplym.ac.uk.

From this we have found that satisfaction with those that use services such as ‘sexual health’, ‘stop smoking’ and ‘drug support’ is high. However, there are some things we can do to make City College Plymouth even better:

Big College Health Check A big thank you to all 1,720 students who took part in the ‘Big College Health Check’ during January and February. This has provided a wealth of information about your current situation and your views on topics such as healthy eating, alcohol, exercise, drugs and sexual health. You have told us your views and also rated the services we provide.

s s s s s

provide greater awareness of the services available work to reduce smoking provide information about illegal drugs provide more healthy eating options

provide a greater range of activities and exercise opportunities.

Following the results of the survey, student focus groups have told us how they would like this done and we will be working on this over the coming months.

STUdent corner 1

You Said, We Did! Your opinions are really important to the College. In order for staff to combat any concerns the College has been asking for your feedback through surveys, focus groups and the Student Conference.

Everything you have said, the College has tried to answer or act upon in order to resolve the issue.

These are just a few of your comments, and our responses:

about We want more information HE n progression, other tha The Careers Coo this for the sum rdinator is planning mer term

student The 30 minute time limit on computers is too short Staff have been group bookings reminded that for this can be remov ed

ack on We want more written feedb our assignments Course tutors ha ve been asked to provide this

ific books We want more subject spec in the libraries Subject Libraria course teams tons are working with provide this

2 You said, we did!

ely We want better and more timge information across the Colle We are developi intranet that willng a new student and My e-ILP compliment Moodle

If you have any feedback, good or bad, then please do let us know. Use the Talkback form which can be found on Moodle or at the College reception desks. If we don’t know about it, we can’t improve!

One Million Tiny Plays

About Britain - The Review!

First year performing arts students took to the stage in February with Craig Taylor’s, ‘One million Tiny Plays About Britain.’ This was the acting debut of the College’s PIPPA* students as they portrayed a snapshop of life in the UK, as imagined by the author, Craig Taylor.

Ciara Sheridan, a second year performing arts student, was lucky enough to see the performance and has written this five star review: From the ‘Chavvy’ young lady talking at the speed of light on her mobile phone, to the humble litter pickers of our great London parks and streets, One Million Tiny Plays About Britain is a glass raising ‘cheers’ to everything we love about our British modern culture. As a country famous for its laughter and sense of humour, I believe I’m right in saying that we all enjoy having a laugh about ourselves? Well, One Million Tiny Plays About Britain does just that!

With a cast of young actors in training, City College Plymouth’s newest first year performing arts students successfully held a mirror to us all and showed us just how humorous we are when we do have those two, three or four drinks too many, not to mention when we wake up the following morning and ask ourselves, “where in the world are my shoes?” or when, being confronted by the latest technological must-have gadget, you suddenly realise that you’re not as young as you once were.

These young actors and actresses are a credit to the College, PIPPA and to themselves. They have proven themselves to be a talented and creative group of rising stars. As a fellow student at the end of the course they are starting, I wish them all the luck in their future escapades and strongly encourage them to keep working hard and pushing higher and higher. Not forgetting our trainee technical theatre team also, for their fantastic work and ingenuity. I can already see that these young actors, actresses, technicians and riggers, have challenging and enjoyable futures ahead of them.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate their success with One Million Tiny Plays and also to send my best wishes to both the performing arts students and our technical team. Well done to you all!

Support your fellow students and watch out for forthcoming performances … you never know, one day they might be famous!

Next PIPPA performance

Godspell From 25 to 27 May, Goschen Go to www.cityplym.ac.uk/events for more details. *PIPPA stands for the Plymouth Institute of Production, Performance & Arts, and brings together all the College’s music, media, dance and performing arts students at Goschen, where they have state-ofthe-art studios and theatres. Check out the next generation of celebrities at a PIPPA culture cafe event in the Goschen Student Centre on Wednesday 4 May, or Wednesday 15 June.

One Million Tiny Plays About Britain - The Review! 3

Celebrating Success Eco Poster Competition Last term the College launched a competition for students to design an inspirational poster to motivate and encourage people to save energy and reduce waste. The competition received a fantastically high standard of entrants, which made judging them really tough but great fun!

These five excellent designs were selected as runners up:

s Alex Barber, Faculty of Arts and Sciences s Emma-Jane Landridge, Work-based Learning department s Amber Chubb, Natasha Pawley, Jessica Ellard and Joel Blaik, Faculty of Business

and Leisure Industries

s Curtis Murray, Faculty of Engineering and ICT s Eduard Vanea, Faculty of Skills for Life.

The winning poster was designed by Constance Cotton from the Faculty of Health.

Constance’s poster will be placed on every classroom door to remind users of key tips to help make the College more sustainable.

Enchanted Evening City College Plymouth’s hair and beauty students showed-off their skills with amazing hair creations, make-up and costumes at their annual hair show. The ‘Enchanted’ theme for the show included competition categories such as ‘Myths and Magic’, ‘The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ and ‘Fantasia’.

This year the College had to take over the main arena at Plymouth Pavilions for the dazzling show that wowed an audience of over a thousand friends, family and styling professionals.

On top of the fabulous hair styles, some great music, a dance routine performed by the College PIPPA students and an illuminated poi performance helped the magical night go with a bang.

4 Celebrating success

Student of the Term Awards The Student of the Term scheme recognises and rewards those students who are making a positive contribution to their course, the College or the local community. Each programme area has its own Student of the Term, and one of these is chosen by the Principal to be the ‘Principal’s Award Winner ,’ and one is chosen by the Students’ Union (SU) President to be the ‘SU President’s Award’.

The event is attended by the winners, plus their guests and nominating tutors. They are presented with a certificate and a high street voucher by a member of the College Senior Management Team.

Autumn 2010 Student of the Term Winners

s Faculty of Health: Amber Hook s Faculty of Higher Education: Nicholas Jones,

Jackie Zhang

s Faculty of Skills for Life: Matthew Peeling,

Kahase Hailey

s Work-based Learning department: Lee Ellis,

Joanne Turner

The autumn Student of the Term Winners with Phil Davies, Deputy Principal.

SU President’s Award Winner

s Faculty of Arts and Sciences: Ross Cotton, Jacob

s

s s

Pierpoint Faculty of Business and Leisure Industries: Emmalene Massey Faculty of Construction: Luke Phillips, Cobie Reilly Faculty of Engineering and ICT: James Southard, Leanne Wood

Spring 2011 Student of the Term Winners

s Faculty of Business and Leisure Industries: Katherine Whitcher

Principal’s Award Winner s Faculty of Health: Emma Pullar Principal’s Award winner, Emma Pullar, was described by her tutor as an inspirational group member and someone who will give 100% effort at all times.

s s s s s

Faculty of Health: Jessica Crane, Nicola England Faculty of Higher Education: Ben Annis The Business School: Frank Wakeham Faculty of Skills for Life: Jakk Fitton, Jevan Barlett Work-based Learning department: Luke Edwards, Louise Batten

SU President’s Award Winner s Faculty of Arts and Sciences: Lee Lashbrook Spring Student of the Term winners

s Faculty of Arts and Sciences: Scott Webster s Faculty of Business and Leisure Industries: Claire

Faithfull, Alex Owen

s Faculty of Construction: Guy Ringham s Faculty of Engineering and ICT: Aaron Morris,

Lewis Russell

Principal’s Award Winner s Faculty of Construction: Daniel Saltmarsh Daniel was nominated for his progression and the positive contribution he is continuing to make at both course level and within the faculty. Among his achievements was representing the College in the prestigious Skillbuild competition last year.

Student of the term awards 5

Funding

Available to YOU! Following announcements of new financial support for students for 2011/12, the College is pleased to announce the following benefits and financial support ...

Supporting Payments* • Bursary - for 16-19 year olds in care, care leavers and those on income support • EMA - transitional funds for those previously entitled to EMA in 2009/10 and the £30 award in 2010/11 • Special City College Plymouth Continuation Bonus - £50 per term for continuing students who do not qualify for EMA or the bursary, but currently receive EMA

Discretionary Fund* • Financial assistance for course related costs including books, equipment, trips and uniform • Help with travel to university and job interviews • Meal vouchers and hardship payments • Support for 19+ students

Travel* • FREE travel between main College sites, city centre and train station • Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall subsidised travel Childcare* • Support for childcare and nursery costs whilst attending College

6 Funding Available to YOU!

Other Benefits • FREE onsite social and sporting activities • Subsidised membership of the College gym • Subsidised trips and external activities • Pure Hair and Day Spa • Cité Restaurant and Bistro *Please note: government guidance to be finalised; benefits may be subject to eligibility criteria and conditions, means testing and/or linked to attendance.

For students affected by the withdrawal of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), we understand your concerns and will be working on your behalf to provide as much support as possible in the coming academic year. We will be in touch with those currently on this scheme when further details become available.

For application forms for any of the schemes, or for further information please visit the Student Funding team during drop-in times at Kings Road or Goschen (see top right).

Drop-in Times Kings Road

Mondays and Tuesdays: 10.30am - 12.30pm Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 10.30am - 12.00 noon

Goschen

You can also contact us on …

T: 01752 305381/305110 E: studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk W: www.cityplym.ac.uk

or look at the Student Funding pages on Moodle

Mondays: 10.00am - 12.30pm Tuesdays: 10.00am - 12.00 noon Thursdays: 11.00am - 1.00pm

Equality and Diversity Forum Did you know there is a new Equality and Diversity forum at the College? The forum gives students the opportunity to voice any concerns and discuss topics such as:

Who’s in the forum?

s s s s s s s s

Our student representatives are Ross Boulter, Cara Davies, Ryan O’Neill and Josh Wilson.

age disability

The forum consists of student and staff representatives.

The aim is to gain a real cross-section of opinions and experiences, and reach all the different groups within the College community.

gender

Want to get involved?

gender identity

Please contact one of the student representatives or Cathie Maddock, the College’s Equality and Diversity Coordinator - cmaddock@cityplym.ac.uk.

pregnancy and maternity race religion or belief sexual orientation.

For more information visit the resources section on the Moodle Equality and Diversity pages.

Equality and Diversity Annual Report

The forum enables the College to consult with staff and students on equality and diversity matters.

2009/10

Equality and diversity forum 7

What Next?

Progression Choices Do you know what you are going to do next year?

Eddie Beech Careers Coordinator

Higher Education Open Evening Tuesday 7 June, 4.30pm - 6.30pm (Kings Road) Come along and find out about university-level courses including foundation degrees, higher national certificates, teaching and professional qualifications.

Apprenticeship Open Day Saturday 2 July, 10.00am - 3.00pm (Learning Warehouse, Union Street) For advice and information about Apprenticeships, the Personalised Learning Programme, the Prince’s Trust Team Programme and more!

8 What next? Progression choices

Some people always seem to know what their next step will be, while others find these life changing decisions tricky. If you are currently studying and are unsure of what to do next, speak to your tutor or one of the qualified guidance staff at the Student Services Help Desks.

There are several options open to City College Plymouth students, including:

2 progression onto the next level of your course 2 an apprenticeship 2 studying another subject 2 finding employment - paid or voluntary 2 planning a gap year 2 going to university.

Next College Course If you wish to progress onto the next level of your course, for example a level 2 to level 3, you will need to make another application to the College. We want you to be able to progress and have set a deadline of Tuesday 31 May 2011 - to ensure we look at your application while places are still available. You can collect an application form, and get help with filling this in, from Student Services (Student Centres and Help Desks), or at reception.

Apprenticeships You may have seen that the government is promoting Apprenticeships as a direct way into employment.

These can be a great way of extending your qualifications and getting ‘real life’ work experience.

Apprenticeships are available at different levels in a range of subject areas to suit everyone’s career ambitions.

Studying another subject You may feel that the subject you are studying is not for you? In this case why not visit a drop-in session at the Student Services Help Desks and speak to a careers adviser to talk about other areas of interest?

We can also arrange appointments with the College Connexions advisers. Drop-ins run on Tuesdays, 11.00am to 12.00 noon at Kings Road, and Thursdays, 11.00am to 12.00 noon at Goschen.

Gaining employment - paid or voluntary If you are ready to move into employment then you will need to be prepared for work. You will need to know how to find vacancies, how to apply and have a ‘glow in the dark’ CV. The College can help you with this by checking your CV or job applications and giving you practical advice on job hunting. Many people are now doing voluntary work, work placements and internships to gain relevant work experience to support their job hunting - not only does this look good on your application or CV, it is also an important part of making communities stronger.

Planning a gap year You may be considering taking a year out to either work, live or travel abroad or at home. You do not have to have lots of money in the bank to do this - there are many opportunities to work at home or abroad and have the costs paid by an employer. The Help Desks hold lots of information on gap year opportunities, why not come and have a look?

Going to university?

Attending university in the UK is still a viable way of achieving gainful employment. There are plenty of university courses on offer and flexible ways to fund your course. Why not look at the range of foundation degrees on offer at the College? These equate to the first two years of an honours degree, can be topped up to a full degree (usually one extra year studying) and have much lower fees! At the Student Services Help Desks we stock a range of prospectuses and can advise on courses and options, as well as discussing financial arrangements to help you study. For further information, why not read the article on the next page?

Whatever your choice there is help and advice to make your transition as easy as possible.

Visit the Student Services Help Desks: Kings Road - Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm Goschen - Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 3.30pm, and Friday, 9.00am to 1.00pm. Or call us on 01752 305803.

What next? Progression choices 9

Thinking about going to study a degree?

Make an informed decision ‌ There has been a lot in the media recently about universities - a huge increase in tuition fees, proposed cuts to funding, capping of student places and the subsequent dramatic scenes of student demonstrations.

Suddenly, whether to study for a degree or not doesn’t seem quite such a straightforward decision to make.

September 2012 seems a long way off (the London Olympics will have been and gone!) and yet if you are in the first year of a level 3 course at the moment, NOW is the time to start thinking about your next step.

If you know that your chosen career requires a degree then your task over the next few months will be relatively easy:

So, do you already have a clear idea of what career you would like to have?

A degree is essential for some jobs, for example a teacher, a doctor or a civil engineer.

s make sure you are being realistic about the

s research the universities and colleges that offer the degree courses that interest you entry requirements

s go to open days to see for yourself what living in these places would be like

s read the small print - some courses will want you to have some work experience. So use the next year to get involved in voluntary work or a work placement

s have a chat with your tutor and one of the

careers advisors to get their views on whether They think you are making a sensible choice.

10 Thinking about going to study a degree?

The UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) website is the best place to start when you begin to think about specific courses and where you may like to spend the next two to three plus years of your life. The website has links to comparison sites and league tables, which will help you make an informed decision about where to study.

UCAS also gives you up-to-date information on student finance and loans. Now is not the time to listen to rumours and hearsay about how much studying for a degree will cost you. Find out for yourself - you may be surprised how manageable it is!

Useful contacts s Career choices: www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u s University information from UCAS: www.ucas.ac.uk s Options other than university: www.notgoingtouni.co.uk s City College Plymouth Focus on Your Future: http://yourfuture.cityplym.ac.uk s City College Plymouth foundation degrees: www.cityplym.ac.uk/he s Year in Industry: www.yini.org.uk s The Plymouth Guild will help you arrange voluntary work:

www.plymouthguild.org.uk

Not yet got a place for September 2011?

Don’t panic - come in and talk to the Student Services Help Desk team who can help, or call them on 01752 305803.

Thinking about going to study a degree? 11

Students

Hitting the Headlines Dodgeball

ated a title ts students celebr Second year spor third annual dodgeball ge’s win at the Colle ts from across the College en ud tournament. St rules of llowing the five fo by t d … dodge! battled it ou ve duck, dip, di an e, dg do … l al dodgeb

Engineering Students

Engineering stude nts were given the opportunity to design and manufacture the aw ard Herald Business Aw s for the ards. The brass and aluminiu m design is based on Plymouth ’s Smeatons Tower Lighthouse , and weighs in at a hefty 2kgs.

Construction stude nts got the chance to work on two of the bigge st construction pro jects in the South West.

Leading constructi on companies, Balfour Beatty and Interserv e Project Services Ltd , created work expe rience placements on the Plymouth Life Centr e project and the My Place project in Pa ignton that will give stude nts first-hand know ledge of a career in cons truction.

12 Students Hitting the Headlines

Catering students have been celebrating success on a national level

At the UK’s biggest competition - Bour young chef and waiting CateringShow’s,W nemouth Hotel and es College students sexSalonCulinairebr medals. The level ought back seven students displaye 2 and level 3 catering d pastry, butchery their culinary skills in and filleting.

Beating the best fro Plymouth was on m the UK, City College e to have been selec of just 16 colleges the regional heat ted to participate in s prestigious stude of the country’s most nt Nestlé Toque d’O catering competition, r.

R Chinese NEW YEAed a

host ents from China International stud lebrate the ‘Year of the ce fantastic party to banquet provided by local se ne hi C traditional Rabbit’. A yal Garden, and restaurant, the Ro ent performed by College nm Chinese entertai e night a success. th e students mad

Making the most of your free time College Activities

What’s on this spring

There are loads of activities available to students this spring free of charge. All you need to do is apply for an Activity Pass from one of the Student Centres (Kings Road or Goschen). You must have completed an Activity Pass application form before accessing any activities.

s A student and staff netball session will take

Upgrade your Activity Pass For an extra £20, you can upgrade to an Activity Pass Plus, which gives you access to the gym and other special activities for a whole year at no further cost. Or, if you prefer a pay-as-yougo option, you can buy Activity Vouchers from the Cash Office at Kings Road at £2.50 each or five for £10 which you can use in the same way.

Off-site Activity Vouchers can also be purchased from the Cash Office. These give you discounted entry to activities like bowling sessions, swimming and ice skating at Plymouth Pavilions and cinema tickets for showings at the Reel Cinema. Prices vary from £1.00 to £2.50!

Ask in the Student Centre for further details.

place after Easter on Wednesdays in the Sports Hall at Kings Road from 5.00pm-6.00pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend, and we’re hoping to be able to enter a team into the Plymouth and District Netball League next season. Visit www.pdnl.co.uk to find out more about the league.

s Each month you can take part in a half day

football session at ‘Goals’ all weather pitches with transport provided. If you are interested in taking part just let a member of staff from the Student Centres know.

s Following the success of the South West War

Games trip in March, we’re organising round two! Keep an eye on Moodle and information in the Student Centres for further details. In the meantime visit www.southwestwargames.co.uk to find out more.

s A day with a local surf school and a trip to

Alton Towers are also being planned thanks to your feedback. If you’d like to come along, just register your interest with your Student Centre and we will keep you up-to-date with developments.

The College gym Opening times: Monday to Thursday from 12.00 noon - 1.30pm and 3.00pm - 6.00pm.

Opening times are being reviewed from September to make this facility more accessible.

Please contact Kim Eschbaecher or Lindsay Harris on 01752 305847 to book an appointment.

You need to complete an induction session first, but then a tailor-made programme can be written by professional fitness staff to help you achieve your personal goals.

Making the most of your free time 13

CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH.

got a story?

Want to contribute to the next issue of College News?

E-mail the Marketing team at marketing@cityplym.ac.uk

Activity Schedule:

Goschen

Mondays Table Tennis 12.00 noon - 1.00pm, Student Centre Pool Club 1.00pm - 4.00pm, Student Centre Debate Club 2.00pm - 3.00pm, GC233 Tuesdays Table Tennis 12.00 noon - 1.00pm, Student Centre Pool Club 1.00pm - 4.00pm, Student Centre Wednesdays Table Tennis 12.00 noon - 1.00pm, Student Centre Driving Theory/IT Skills 1.15pm - 3.15pm, GA105 Orienteering (off site) 2.00pm - 5.00pm, main reception pick up Thursdays Table Tennis 12.00 noon - 1.00pm, Student Centre Games Club 1.00pm - 4.00pm, Student Centre Green Room Fridays Table Tennis 12.00 noon - 1.00pm, Student Centre Revision Club 12.00 noon - 1.00pm, GC233

Kings Road

Off Site

Handball 4.30pm - 5.30pm, Sports Hall Body Conditioning 5.15pm - 6.15pm, Dance Studio Kayaking 2.00pm - 4.00pm and 4.00pm - 6.00pm, Wave Centre, Mayflower Steps Ask at the Student Centre for directions or call 01752 305281

Zumba 4.30pm - 5.30pm, Sports Hall Dance Class 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Brickfields Running Club 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Sports Hall Five-a-Side 2.30pm - 3.30pm and 3.30pm - 4.30pm, Sports Hall Netball 5.00pm - 6.00pm, Sports Hall Badminton 4.00pm - 6.00pm, Sports Hall

Creative Writing 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Student Centre Football 4.00pm - 5.00pm, Brickfields

Discount vouchers available from the Kings Road Cash Office for bowling sessions, Reel Cinema tickets, ice skating and swimming at Plymouth Pavilions. Contact the Student Centre for details.

Term Dates 2011 Summer term starts Tuesday 26 April Study review week Tuesday 31 May Summer term ends Tuesday 26 July

Autumn term starts Monday 5 September Study review week Monday 24 October Autumn term ends Friday 16 December

YOUR college. YOUR magazine. : www.cityplym.ac.uk ✆: 01752 305300