News and Views December 2010

news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE

December 2010

In this issue:

Expert coaching tips Stuart Pearce delivers coaching session p.2

A visit from The President NUS President, Aaron Porter visits Worcester p.8

Charity begins at home 2010/11 Charity of the Year is announced p.11

Jockeying for position Arena Race Night off to a galloping start p.13

Class of 2010 Record number of students celebrate graduation p.4-5

Stuart Pearce with the Nunnery Wood Colts

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THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

Football legend gives coaching master class England football legend Stuart Pearce held a special coaching session at the University of Worcester.

The England Under 21 Coach was welcomed to a recent meeting of the County Coaches Association, organised in partnership with the Worcestershire FA. The event attracted over 200 aspiring coaches with the former Nottingham Forest and England full-back leading a practical coaching demonstration on the University’s new 3G Astroturf pitch after fielding questions from the audience during a seminar.

Craig Williams, the University’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Manager, said: “It was fantastic to have Stuart Pearce here at the University delivering a coaching session and inspiring our students and staff.”

Matt Jones, Football Development Officer at Worcestershire FA, added: “The County Coaches Association exists to provide support and guidance to coaches working in football across Worcestershire and who better to inspire the volunteer workforce than Stuart Pearce.”

Under 16 players were organised from local Charter Standard Club Nunnery Wood Colts to participate in the coaching demonstration.

Stuart said: “I am fortunate that in my current role I work with a calibre of player that allows me to focus on tactics and strategies, which has its challenges don’t get me wrong, but the most important coaches are those working with young players, after all they sow the seeds of player development.”

Stuart encouraged and fielded many questions from the audience during the seminar.

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COVER STORY wELCOME

welcome W

elcome to the final News & Views of 2010, featuring a roundup of news, achievements, launches and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester.

Not even the rain could dampen spirits at this year’s Award Ceremonies. With a record number of graduates and guests in attendance, pages 4-5 give you an illustrated overview of some of the facts and figures.

November was a busy month for hosting lectures and conferences including the Inter Faith seminar, the Ethical Leadership conference and the 59th Lovatt Lecture in Geography.

The programme is promoted by Worcestershire County Council and consists of six main themes; healthy eating, health related exercise, mental and emotional well-being, loss and change, personal safety and child protection, staff health and well-being. Each inspection addresses two themes with awards varying

FEATURE Stuart Pearce gives coaching master class

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COVER STORY We also welcomed a world-class footballer and the President of the NUS to St. John’s campus.

At a time when charity begins at home, the University proudly announces Worcester Snoezelen as our 2010/11 charity of the year.

We hope as many colleagues as possible will be able to join us on two December dates: the Carol Concert on Thursday 9 December at Worcester Cathedral and the traditional mulled wine and mince pies celebration on 16 December from 4pm in main reception.

We wish all colleagues a very happy holiday and an exciting new year ahead. Please keep sending us your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

UNIVERSITY NURSERY SCOOPS SILVER AWARD The University of Worcester’s nursery, Unitots has won a silver award from the Promoting Healthy Practices in Early Years Programme.

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from bronze for two themes, silver for four themes and gold for six themes.

Unitots manager, Hazel Rutherford said: “I am really pleased to have achieved the award and now plan to work on the criteria for achieving gold to improve on the work we already do.

We have current plans in place for our Green Impact Team to maintain our environmental sustainability alongside the children’s Christmas performance.”

Graduation

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news University Nursery scoops silver award Environment students gain hands-on experience Bullying sucks!

Library Review Influencing palliative care in Slovenia Pumpkin carving Lovatt lecture Students Recognise ‘Outstanding’ Modules Redeveloping the web Visit from the NUS President Ethical Leadership Conference Supporting the National Dementia Declaration Inter Faith seminar Payroll Management graduates Two gold medals at World Martial Arts Games Students lend a hand at Ledbury Poetry Festival Charity of the Year: 2010/11 University Professor lectures in the US WBS to launch new MA Sensible spending at Christmas Student follows in footsteps of Beatrix Potter Children in Need One campus - many sites Arena Race Night Partner College Honours Find the perfect Christmas gift

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FEATURE COVER STORY

Graduation Worcester Cathedral was once again host to three days of splendour as the class of 2010 graduated. Record numbers of students received their awards, including grandfather and granddaughter Horace and Zoe Coward, who celebrated their academic achievements together.

Graduation a glance Around 1850 graduates attended Over 4800 guests attended, with over 3650 watching at the Cathedral and 1150 watching a broadcast from the Yelland and Urwin lecture theatres

6252 glasses of sparkling wine were consumed 334 staff gowns were worn over the 3 days

2010

6 honorary awards were presented and 1 University Fellowship conferred

800 postgraduate awards conferred, including PhDs (800 PG awards with 7 PhDs) 28 prizes presented to graduates 107 coach trips made throughout the 3 days Over

newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / DECEMBER 2010 / 5

NEWS

Environment Students Gain Hands-On Experience with International Consultancy Firm SLR Consulting, one of the UK’s fastest growing environmental consultancies, moved their regional office to Worcester earlier this year, where the UK ecology team is headed up by Technical Director Mike Webb.

Bullying sucks!

Thursday 18th November saw the return of the “Bullying sucks!” campaign. The campaign was run by the Student Experience team in Student services.

The campaign was a fantastic success! Close to 1000 badges and 600 lollipops were given out to both students and staff throughout the day, with badges being available at various pick up points around the University. There was a lot of interest in the campaign, as many students and staff expressed their own experiences of bullying.

Please continue to wear your badges all year round to show your support. Bullying can happen to anyone at any time, and we need to show bullies that they are not tolerated at the University of Worcester!

Mike graduated from the University of Worcester in 1991 with a BSc (Hons) in Biological Science. “I always kept in touch with my old ecology lecturer, Peter Alma, and following the Company’s move to Worcester I sought opportunities to make stronger links with the University science department,” he said.

In the summer Mike invited several ecology students to assist SLR’s ecology team with ongoing project work, which included bat surveys and dormouse surveys.

Mike said: “The students, who gained valuable insight into the role of a professional ecologist, were paid the industry rate for their time and received relevant training.”

Professor John Newbury, Head of the Institute of Science and the Environment, added: “The collaboration with SLR provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain real life experience in monitoring the environment and putting into practice the skills that they are acquiring through our environmental courses. It will contribute to the high employability scores that University of Worcester students already obtain in national surveys.”

Library Review

to review Worcester Library and History Centre I

LS staff members Dr Judith Keene and Roger Fairman have received confirmation that their article “Building an integrated work force through shared values: the Worcester Library and History Centre” has been accepted by the peer reviewed journal ‘Library Review’, and will appear in Volume 60(3) in April 2011.

University Community Development Workers Robyn Andrews and Siobhan Perry

The article describes the need to integrate staff from the services who will be working together in the WLHC. Staff workshops aimed at producing agreed core values were used as a way of starting the process of integration and engaging all staff with the vision of the new library. The decision to focus on core values and to actively involve staff in their development is explained with reference to other work on vision and values. The format of the workshops is described, and an overview given of the qualitative and quantitative feedback from staff at the workshops, which was used to assess the success of the approach and inform future work, which is briefly outlined. Roger and Judith are planning to follow this article up with a longitudinal study to assess the impact and effectiveness of the integration programme.

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NEWS

Influencing palliative care in Slovenia Brian Nyatanga delivers lecture series on the philosophy and practice of palliative care.

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alliative care provision in Slovenia is in its embryonic stages, and is being developed based largely on the UK model. Slovenia is a small country with just over 2 million people, and a member state of the European community.

Brian Nyatanga, senior lecturer in the Institute of Health and Society visited Maribor University in Slovenia in Sept 2010 to deliver a series of lectures to students, fellow lecturers and clinicians on the philosophy and practice of palliative care. Lectures were followed with discussions which helped to share ideas and explain how services can be best developed to benefit dying patients. Further discussions took place during visits to hospitals, the health centre, hospice and nursing homes, where staff were keen to engage and learn.

It was clear that, although the idea of palliative care is now filtering through into Slovenia, there is no dedicated training in palliative care. There are no accredited courses which leave the three hospice staff to go round clinical areas holding seminars/workshops, but attendance at these is poor, as it is not given the priority it deserves.

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he University Community Development Workers (UCDWs) held a Pumpkin Carving Competition and Ghost Walk on Thursday 28th October.

Pumpkins were given out to Students and they were asked to bring them to the SU Social Space at 6pm for judging. The winner Louisa Roberts stated that she spent 2 ½ hours on her pumpkin design; an image of Freddy Krueger. It was fantastic to see all of the different pumpkin designs brought in by the students. All winners received points for their halls as part of the Community Spirit Games 2010-2011 and a signed certificate of achievement.

This event was followed by a Ghost Walk around the Woodbury Building. Current Loco and Spotlight members teamed up with the UCDWs to put on a spook-tacular Halloween event, which went down a storm with many students.

This means dying patients may still not be receiving adequate pain and symptom control and the psychosocial care necessary to help them adjust to their terminal illness and impending death.

Brian Nyatanga delivering lecture

As a result of this visit, new opportunities for staff from Maribor to visit the UK palliative care services were identified, and further visits by our University lecturers to Slovenia would be beneficial in shaping palliative care developments. It is possible, with funding permitting, that some students from Slovenia could be supported to visit the University of Worcester and surrounding clinical areas to learn about aspects of palliative care.

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Lovatt Lecture in Geography takes place Professor Russell King, who is Director of the Sussex Centre for Migration Research at the University of Sussex, delivered this year’s Lovatt Lecture in Geography on November 11th.

This guest lecture is named in honour of George Lovatt, the first Geographer to be appointed at Worcester.

Professor King’s talk, entitled Geography and Migration Studies: Retrospect and Prospect, was the 59th in the series. He presented Professor Russell King delivers 59th Lovatt Lecture an insightful overview of the evolution of migration studies and the role of Geographers in this. Drawing on his extensive research experience in southern Europe, he discussed issues of mobility, transnationalism, diaspora and the meaning of home. Given the continued importance of migration and questions of belonging and identity, Professor King suggested this is an exciting time for the study of this intrinsically geographical process.

newsandviews@worc.ac.uk /DECEMBER 2010 / 7

NEWS

Students Recognise ‘Outstanding’ Modules S

tudents at the University of Worcester have nominated one module from each Institute as being inspirational.

The Students’ Recognition Award for Promoting Learning was launched for the first time this year, to recognise individual modules that best help students to learn.

The winners in each Institute were:

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Worcester Business School - The Contemporary Global Systems module (BUSM3102), led by Dr Andrew Hale.

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Institute of Education - Professional Studies (PITE2001), led by Rachel Barrel.

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Institute of Health and Society - Personal and Professional Development (FDEC 1001), led by Andrew Yorke.

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Institute of Sport and Exercise Science - Sport & Disability (SPOR3005), led by Glyn Harding.

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Institute of Science and Environment - Botany (BIOS2040), led by Lorraine Weaver.

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Institute of Humanities and Creative Arts -Literature Through the Twentieth Century (ENGL1111), led by Professor Jean Webb.

Untangling the web The project to redevelop the University of Worcester website is moving forward rapidly. If you would like to keep up to date with progress please visit the blog at http://uwwebsite.wordpress.com/ Posts include pieces on the importance of accessibility, the extensive user testing we’re doing and an introduction to the project.

To ensure that the new website represents the whole University, we want as many colleagues as possible to get involved in the project. A feedback button is now at the bottom of most web pages, linking through to a questionnaire where you can provide your thoughts on the current and future site. Alternatively you can email the redevelopment team direct via web@worc.ac.uk or leave a reply on the blog.

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Dr Ian Scott, Head of the University’s Academic Practice and Development Unit, said: “The scheme allows students to have a voice in determining which practice is recognised and to give the University insight into activities that are perceived as being outstanding at helping students to learn.”

Students were asked to nominate modules that they considered to inspire and support their learning. Nominations were then considered by a panel and the panel’s recommendations submitted to the Vice Chancellor.

Presidential Visit

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he President of the National Union of Students visited Worcester as part of a tour of university campuses across England.

Aaron Porter was invited

by Worcester Students’ Union to meet students and staff, amid the current furore over tuition fees.

He took part in a question and answer session with Professor David Green, the University’s Vice Chancellor.

NUS President, Aaron Porter

“It’s great to have the opportunity to visit Worcester and to meet with students and the Vice Chancellor,” Mr Porter said. “I’m very impressed with what I have seen and the sense of community here at the University of Worcester.

“This is the kind of university where students visit and can really imagine themselves being incredibly happy.”

Mr Porter spent time with Professor Green discussing the future funding situation for universities, including the proposed increased tuition fees.

“There was a lot of common ground between myself and the Vice Chancellor,” Mr Porter said. “We shared concerns about the scale of the cuts to universities and some elements of the Browne Review.”

He added: “It’s refreshing to meet a Vice Chancellor who is as openminded and knowledgeable about the depth of the funding issues, which I have not encountered at every university I have visited.”

During the question and answer session, attended by both staff and students at the University of Worcester, Mr Porter and Professor Green spoke about the proposals to increase tuition fees and its impacts on both potential students and universities alike.

Sam Lewis, Worcester Students’ Union’s Vice President Education and Welfare, chaired the session. He said: “It was great for Aaron to come to Worcester and to meet the students and hear their concerns regarding the future of higher education and potential tuition fee rises. The insight that Aaron gave to both students and staff, was helpful in that it gave a perspective to the cuts and fee rises that may have otherwise had gone unnoticed, if not for the visit.”

NEWS

Ethics Debated as University of Worcester Launches Centre for Ethical Leadership The banking crisis, MP’s expenses and cuts in public spending have all brought the question of ‘ethical leadership’ to the forefront.

The University ’s Association for Dementia Studies signs up to the new National Dementia Declaration

The University of Worcester has launched a new Centre for Ethical Leadership (CEL) to work with leaders regionally, nationally and internationally, at different levels and sectors to help them think about decision making within an ethical framework.

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he Declaration, launched by the Department of Health and the Alzheimer’s Society in November, brings together 45 organisations all working to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

Professor Dawn Brooker, Director of the Association for Dementia Studies, said: “The National Dementia Declaration is a really important step forwards in improving the lives of the thousands of people affected by dementia. It brings together the many organisations who are involved in delivering and influencing dementia care in England all signed up to a common set of values.

“All signatories have outlined a set of actions moving forwards to 2014. The Association for Dementia Studies is fully committed to working with others within the Dementia Action Alliance by providing education, advice and research to improve the quality of care and support for people living with dementia and their families.”

Created in partnership with people with dementia and their carers, the National Dementia Declaration explains the huge challenges presented to society by dementia and also identifies some of the outcomes new awareness will help to achieve for people with dementia and their carers, including ensuring people with dementia have choice and control over decisions about their lives, to feeling a valued part of family, community and civic life.

Signatories to the Declaration have published their own Action Plans setting out what they each will do to secure these outcomes and improve the quality of life of people with dementia by 2014. Organisations’ commitments include work to promoting information on dementia to councils and delivery of a national project on the care of people with dementia in hospitals.

For more information about the National Dementia Declaration visit http://www.dementiaaction.org.uk

Seminar Brings Faiths Together

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peakers from Islamic Relief and Christian Aid took part in an inter faith seminar discussing the ways in which faith groups are working together to alleviate poverty around the world.

University of Worcester Chaplain Rev Fiona Haworth said: “Hamayoon Sultan, Development Education Co-ordinator of Islamic Relief, and Charlotte Marshall, Regional Manager of Christian Aid West Midlands, spoke around the significant public response to the appeal following the flooding in Pakistan.”

Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, said: “Poor decision making based on flawed values has cost the Country dear. Young people are paying a particularly high price, even though they played no part in making the mistakes.

Launch of the Centre for Ethical Leadership

“The University, in conjunction with our many partners in business, public life, voluntary organisations and society more generally, is deeply committed to finding better, more sustainable and fundamentally ethical ways forward. This Centre will provide a vitally important place for discussion, debate and action.”

Led by Rob Sykes, senior Fellow at the University and former Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council, the Centre comes at a time when a number of high profile public issues have ethical dilemmas at their heart.

“It is widely recognised that the banking crisis was a failure of leadership,” said Mr Sykes. “Many would say that at its heart, the problem was that banks were pursuing short term profit rather than long term sustainability and if boards had been willing to wrestle with these ethical issues it would almost certainly have led to a different set of decisions.”

The Centre was launched with an inaugural conference on Friday, November 12, with the keynote speech delivered by Sir Andrew Foster, who recently chaired the Commission on the Future of Public Services. The conference also include a cross floor debate chaired by broadcast journalist John Stapleton, of ITV’s Daybreak.

The Centre will enable leaders from different sectors to reflect on decisions that acknowledge and respect contested values in areas such as the environment, social justice and governance.

It will provide sessions to enable leaders to develop their skills in this area, develop and support networks of individuals to discuss ethical dilemmas and provide forums for discussion, stimulate and conduct research in the area of ethical leadership, and draw together and make available existing research.

newsandviews@worc.ac.uk /DECEMBER 2010 / 9

NEWS

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students receive Foundation degree in Payroll Management On 15 October the graduation ceremony for the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management, organised by the Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP), took place at The Barbican, London.

The course is a UW validated award delivered by Worcester College of Technology and IPP, and is therefore a tri-partite collaborative programme. At the ceremony 114 students were awarded their Foundation Degrees, for the largest collaborative programme validated by the University. It has been described by one of UW’s External Examiners as: ‘one of the biggest FDs and the best applied management programme in the country’.

Celebrations at The Barbican

The course is delivered in 9 centres across the UK (Glasgow in the north to London in the south) and utilises a ‘Blended’ learning approach, using a Virtual Learning Environment to deliver all the supporting materials and two face to face days with tutors per module. This year was the first graduation for students who commenced the newly validated programme in January 2008 and September 2008. The programme currently has over 700 students registered going through the various modules and levels and it is the Payroll/Pensions industry standard qualification, contributing to staff Continuing Professional Development.

Psychology Student Channels Mind Power to Win Two Gold Medals

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first year psychology student at the University of Worcester scooped two gold and a silver medal at the World Martial Arts Games.

Simon Price travelled to Las Vegas to represent Great Britain at the Games and walked away with three medals. It was the first time he had been selected for the GB squad.

“I’m so pleased to have had Double gold-medalist, Simon Price the chance to go to the Games and to represent my country,” he said. “It was fantastic to then win two gold medals in the individual events and a silver in the team event.”

Nineteen-year-old Simon, of Wynall Lane, Stourbridge, started Jujutsu when he was five years old and is a member of Tai Jutsu Kai. He has competed at hundreds of competitions over the years but said the World Martial Arts Games were the pinnacle of his fighting career.

“It was really amazing,” he said. “The atmosphere was incredible. I’m really grateful to my club and my Sensei Robert Tiene, who I could not have done this without, and to Stourbridge College and Dudley Council who sponsored me to attend the Games.”

“Next year it’s the European championships so I am hoping I will get a chance to go along there also,” he added.

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Students Lend a Hand at Ledbury Poetry Festival T

wo University of Worcester students gained valuable experience working at this year’s Ledbury Poetry Festival.

Laura Miles and Jennifer Lewis were selected to do voluntary work through the University’s partnership with the Festival.

They carried out a number of duties, including drumming up stories for the press office, arranging radio interviews and working at the Box Office.

Festival Director Chloe Garner said: “Laura and Jennifer were both enthusiastic and committed. They took on all the tasks that came their way and at times showed considerable initiative in handling certain requests from the media.

“Jennifer managed to set up a radio slam with regional poets for BBC Hereford and Worcester at very short notice, which was very impressive.”

Laura, a third-year English student, and Jennifer, a third-year Journalism with Media and Cultural Studies student, both applied for the roles to gain new experiences.

“It was fantastic,” said 34-year-old Laura. “I really enjoyed the whole experience and learned a lot from it. It really made me think about the things I can do with my degree.”

Jennifer, age 31, added: “We both got stuck in, helping out as much as we could and I would like to think that we made a difference. I certainly enjoyed it and got a lot out of it.”

The University of Worcester sponsored the Michael McClure opening event at the Festival.

There will be further opportunities for University of Worcester students to get involved in the Festival next year.

NEWS

Worcester Snoezelen Selected as University’s Charity of the Year

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orcester Snoezelen has been chosen as the University of Worcester’s Charity of the Year.

Staff voted to support the Charity, which is based in the grounds of the University, during the academic year 2010/11.

Worcester Snoezelen is an independent charity which provides leisure and therapy facilities for people who have disabilities. More than 450 people regularly use their facilities, including multisensory rooms, hydrotherapy, accessible music making, soft play areas, creative art opportunities and a sensory garden.

Vice Chancellor Professor David Green said: “We are delighted to support such a worthy cause, and hope all staff and students will join us in raising as much money as possible over the course of the year.”

10/11

Jane Roberts, Project Manager at Worcester Snoezelen, said: “We are delighted that the University has nominated us as their charity of the year. We really hope this will help us to raise our profile over the coming year as well as some much needed funds.”

Fundraising for last year’s University of Worcester Charity of the Year, Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, included collections at University events, a cake sale, a pancake sale and a number of raffle draws. The University raised more than £4,000 for the Campaign.

The University, together with the Students’ Union, will undertake a range of activities throughout the year to raise funds for the centre.

At the end of the year a cheque will be presented to Worcester Snoezelen for the total amount raised.

University of Worcester Professor Lectures in the US

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rofessor Jean Webb, Director of the University’s International Research Centre for Children’s Literature, Literacy and Creativity, was invited to give a lecture at the Royal D. Alworth Institute for International Studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

In the lecture, Professor Webb demonstrated the ways in which children’s literature from a number of countries is an integral part of the social system. The lecture was recorded for the local radio station KUMD. Spending a week at the University of Minnesota, Professor Webb said: “It was a most enjoyable and interesting visit.”

Providing a multi-sensory environment. (clockwise from top) The sensory garden, the star tunnel, white room and hydrotherapy room

WBS to launch new MA Worcester Business School is launching an innovative programme using accredited work-based learning which will provide participants with the skills and knowledge to tackle the real organisational issues they face in their current and future roles.

It provides a means for those who might want an alternative to studying part-time for a more structured programme, such as an MA or MBA.

A future collaboration between the two universities is now a possibility. Professor Webb said: “Faculty staff were very keen to develop research and collaboration with Worcester in the future.”

The new part-time work-based MA Professional Practice programme is designed for participants who are currently operating as managers, senior specialists, project leaders or professionals from the business, public or third sectors. It is also highly appropriate for University personnel, particularly those who hold such positions indicated in UW Service departments, as well as Institutes.

The Minnesota Duluth University has a student population comparable with Worcester.

Dr David Collier of the Worcester Business School, who is leading this programme, describes the nature of this approach,

Along with her work at the University of Worcester, Professor Webb was an instigator and executive member of the Nordic Children’s Literature Research Network for the duration of this internationally funded project. She is also an executive board member of the Children’s Literature Association (ChLA), India and serves on the Executive Board for ChLA.

“Rather than starting with theory and then helping participants to try and apply it in their workplace, we start in a different way. On the MA Professional Practice we help participants to identify the key challenges, tasks, or objectives that they need to achieve in their current or future roles. Through the work-based projects they find real answers to real issues whilst acquiring the skills and knowledge which goes with study at Masters level.”

Professor Webb is on the editorial board of numerous journals including The Journal of Children’s Literature Studies, ChLA India and Children’s Literature in Education.

Her research interests include children’s literature from international perspectives and both 19th and 20th century English and American children’s literature.

David is planning to launch the programme in early 2011, and would welcome applications from, or further discussions with, colleagues within the University.

For more information please contact Dr David Collier, Worcester Business School, University of Worcester, tel: 01905 542239 or email: d.collier@worc.ac.uk

newsandviews@worc.ac.uk /DECEMBER 2010 / 11

news

Sensible spending at Christmas Wednesday 8th December 10am-2pm Students’ Union Information will be available on the real cost of credit and borrowing, how to budget and how to avoid spending the rest of the year paying for Christmas. Welfare and financial advisers will be on hand with information and advice.

Plus – lots of freebies and the chance to win a chocolate filled piggy bank!

This session is provided by the Welfare and Financial Advice Service, part of Student Services, working in partnership with the Students’ Union.

Student follows in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter Marisa Lewis has illustrated the cover of Big Big Secrets, a new children’s book written by Robert Arley and published by SevernPIX. Marisa, of Warndon Villages, Worcester, is a third-year illustration student at the University of Worcester.

Marisa Lewis

“It’s fantastic to have my illustrations published,” she said. “I illustrated the cover and also did some drawings inside.

To see it in print is really wonderful.”

Twenty-year-old Marisa’s love of illustration started as a child reading Beatrix Potter books.

“I loved the pictures and used to copy them all the time,” she said. “To be able to capture people’s imaginations in that way and inspire people is something I hope my work will do one day.”

Big Big Secrets is a comic adventure set in Worcester and follows two schoolchildren trying to reverse a crazy experiment.

Piet Grobler, Course Leader for Illustration is himself an awardwinning illustrator. He said: “In the very competitive environment of book illustration, it is an exceptional achievement to get published – let alone before one has even graduated.”

Marisa is now working on a commission for Frances Lincoln Publishers to illustrate another book cover.

For more information on Big Big Secrets visit www.severnpix.co.uk or www.bigbigsecrets.com

Children in Need Thank you to all colleagues who generously contributed towards the Children in Need cake sale and raffle. In total £1235 was raised. The event took place across the St John’s and City Campuses and in the Students’ Union.

Thank you again to all those who baked, bought and sold – this is a magnificent total.

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news

One campus, many sites A reminder to colleagues based at St Johns that rooms may be booked at City for meetings when they are not in use for teaching.

There are well equipped, large seminar rooms in Charles Hastings as well as a 24 seat meeting room in Mulberry House. (The room in Mulberry House is not accessible for someone in a wheelchair).

Bookings may be made through Timetabling, and it is a great way of enabling colleagues who might otherwise not have a natural reason to visit City, to see the facilities and activity going on.

Colleagues who are moving between St Johns and City have the use of hot desking facilities at St Johns in BB222 and HB1001 as well as the wireless network across the campus. At City, staff have access to the wireless network, which extends across the site including the café.

Meeting and seminar rooms available at City Campus

arena race night off TO A GALLOPING START RACE GOERS ENJOYED A DASHING EVENING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER’S FIRST RACE NIGHT. The prize-filled event was organised to raise money for the new university and community Worcester Arena. Almost 120 guests and staff attended who all contributed to the great atmosphere and the impressive sum of £3,905 raised for the Arena.

The official event sponsor, Worcester Racecourse, and the Enjoying a flutter at Race Night race sponsors, provided some fantastic prizes. The University was also fortunate to receive some great gifts donated to the raffle by local businesses, sports clubs and theatres.

The night was such a success that it will now become an annual event.

Beth Heaney, Alumni and Development officer, and event organiser, said: “I would like to thank the sponsors and everyone who attended for making it such a fun night. I would also like to give special thanks to the University’s President of the College of Fellows John Yelland OBE for acting as chief bookmaker and Alumni Association member Muff Murfin who donated his time as the compere for the evening and did a great job of getting everyone geed up.”

Partner College Honours The Education and Training team who teach our Foundation Degree in Learning Support at Hereford College of Technology have recently been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ honours in the LSIS 2010 STAR awards in the Workforce Development category. For more information contact Christine Robertson at HCT (email: RobertsonC@hct.ac.uk)

Struggling to find the perfect gift this Christmas?

Buying a commemorative brick or stone in the Worcester Arena Wall can make a perfect present for a friend or loved one, and it’s a gift that you can guarantee won’t be thrown to the back of the wardrobe along with the musical tie and unwanted smellies.

With Buy a Brick you can leave a permanent message to celebrate the success of 2010, look to the future for 2011 or pay a lasting tribute to a loved one. Better still, the money from the gift contributes to building the new University and community Worcester Arena.

To buy a Christmas brick all you need to do is fill in the form available from the finance office and return it to the finance office. They will give you the attached Buy a Brick Christmas card for you to send to your recipient with a gift envelope.

For further information please contact Beth Heaney b.heaney@worc.ac.uk (ext. 2273).

newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / DECEMBER 2010 / 13