As one door opens...

During the recess the college has had a bit of a makeover. Most importantly, new electronic fire doors have been installed in most of the corridors. What do you think of them? (Add your thoughts by clicking on the 'Comments' link at the end of this story)

These should help those of us carrying or pushing heavy stuff, like the stuff we take to the catering and hair and beauty areas. More importantly, no more struggling for those of us based in wheelchairs or other mobility restrictions. And, ok, for those of us just feeling a bit lazy, too.

The doors are great to operate.

On the wall a few metres in front of each set of doors is this push button - - - - >

Once pressed the doors smoothly open and stay open long enough for even the slowest of us to get through. Obviously, they then silently close behind us.

What do you think of 'em?

Click here and let us know!

A new term - a new look

Welcome back to the new term and some new looks.

Your blog has had a bit of a makeover for 2007. We hope you like the easier to read layout and appreciate that pictures will now be bigger and better too!

Well, ok, those dodgy pics of the front of the college aren't a good example, but watch this space over the next few weeks!

With your help, we'll try to put at least 3 new stories and pictures each week onto your blog. We've got hold of some video to share with you too.

But, we need your help!

Please get in touch whenever there's something you think should be here - don't leave it for others (they're probably leaving it for you).

If you've got pictures or clips on your mobile, we can copy them to the blog, no problem.
If you have ideas for a story, but no time to write it or take pics yourself, no problem.

All we need is a nod from you and we've got people with still cameras, video cameras, notepads, pens and anything else needed to help put together your tales of good news.

Give us a yell. Check the contact details over there ->>

You can even put a suggestion right here or by clicking on the 'Comments' link at the end of this story. Or, just come to the Main information desk in either of the 2Learn Centres (the Library / the IT centre).

And finally...

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

As the college term came to a close, students were able to join staff for a celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. Lunchtime carols were sung along with Bible readings and prayers. The College Christian Group were helped by Pastor Mark and the Leadership team of the Equippers Church who came to contribute to the event armed with keyboards and guitars.

Attended by members of every faith, and for a while, by the children normally looked after by the Nursery, the warm atmosphere of friendship and comradery spread around the room.

There was a chance to make further donations to The Branches Homeless Charity (see previous articles), and to buy the book of poetry (see previous articles), and to sup on the Christmas tradition of mulled wine and warm mince pies.

And with the carol service we come to the end of the term and this year's contributions to your student blog. We'll be back reporting more good news from the students next term, until then take it easy.

We hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

What a birthday performance

Even though it was her birthday, the dedication to making sure 'the show must go on' was foremost on Carleen's mind during the first Performance Arts Pathway public performance.

Along with Akayla, Aarron, Jean-Luc, Alicia, Du'Jon, Christopher, Ryan, Neil, and Chanique, she played her part in the Christmas show.

Together they danced, rapped, tapped, sung, and acted their way through a complex and impressive routine, taking the audience on a journey celebrating Christmas.

After the performance, Carol Gibson, the Principal got up to say a few words of thanks.

Speaking to the audience about the promising troupe she said, "I think they all belong on stage."

Despite only having been together for 11 weeks, the enthusiast whooping and cheering from the audience certainly seemed to agree.

Food Glorious Food

"My proudest moment was cooking Christmas dinner for 15 people!" admitted 16 year old Alexandra this week.

She is currently studying NVQ Level 1 Food Preparation & Cooking at the college, having been a part of the Junior Chefs Academy since she was 14.

In recognition of her brilliant work, top chef Steve Munkley proudly presented her and 13 other budding young chefs with their very special medals and certificates for having completed a gruelling 10 weeks of the course.

But it wasn't over for them yet. They had to produce a dinner of Curried Beef, Pilaff rice, Vegetable Samosa and Noodles followed by Blackberry and Apple Crumble and Mince Pies with cream, much to the delight of those who didn't take much persuading to eat them.

The awards were presented by Chef Munkley, who is the Chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs (the UK’s leading Chefs association) and Executive Chef at the prestigious Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, alongside Trevor Nelson the Food Service Training & Development Manager for the Compass Group, one of the sponsors of the course.

“I’m going to carry on to the next level of NVQs and then eventually work in a professional restaurant” beamed Alexandra.

All I want for Christmas is a home

As we wind down for the Christmas break, we need to spare a thought for the homeless.

Vision 12 and Focus 12 students thought it was only right to try and help. After a week of intensive writing and composing, they put together for a local charity a book of their poems (pictured above).

The book was launched at a special signing on Monday.

During the signing a sobering presentation explained the work of the Branches Day Centre, a homeless shelter in Forest Road.

They later benefited from a donation of the initial proceeds from the first of books that were sold. The cheque was proudly presented by Claire on behalf of the students. Afterwards she said, "When I presented the cheque to the Branches users it really hit home to me how much this meant to them."

Then, to round things off poet Neal Zetter read some of his own work, and a selection of poems from the book.

Adam told us, "It was good, Neal read out my poem, I was embarrassed but it was great to hear my words read by a professional."

It's a Knockout

It was a tense fight to the final for Cem and Tiom in the End of Term Pool competition.


After a couple of hours of constant play in the Student Common Room, the two were on cue for the big break to a cash prize.


At the same time as the knockout, the stopwatch was going to try to discover who could make the quickest break.





Erdam, from Business and IT, was eventually crowned for the quickest break, whilst the main knockout battle continued.




Finally the first to pot the black was Tiom, a General Pathway student, who with a smug smile and contented nod walked off with his well-earned £38 top prize.

The height of fashion

It was a very early morning start for students on the Fashion Pathway course on Wednesday.

They boarded a coach outside of the college for a day trip up the M1 to the NEC Birmingham and the finale of the Clothes Show Live.

The main show consisted of a huge catwalk with a dramatic and highly choreographed show that included showing off the By Caprice range.

There was a smaller area displaying some of the other collections. Saidah took these pictures of a couple of her favourites (above) and reported that she "Totally enjoyed the collections shown on the catwalk."


Apparently the catwalk shows were second only to the free goodies as the best part of the day.

Searching around the designs and dress display forms, Rebekha found these dresses and corset the most appealing.




When asked to sum up the day she said, "I thought it was really wonderful you know. I'm really glad that the college brought me here!"

Both say they will definitely be returning to next year's Clothes Show Live and feel a need to get really creative.

The College's Cardboard City

Vision 12 students had just 45 minutes working together as a team to construct these 'homes' just big enough for a lone human to lay down inside.

After a week of studying the complex causes and the issues of 'Homelessness' (you can read much more on the noticeboard displays in the corridor near room 139), it was time to split into two teams and to use whatever cardboard and tape they could scrounge to build the temporary shelters.

Shane commented, "I really enjoyed competing against the other team."

Both teams had to then decide which 'home' was the best, examining the pros and cons of the designs. However, it was Danny that reminded us the full purpose of the exercise. He said, "It was a fun activity that helped us learn about something really important."

DVD? DVD? You want DVD?

If ever there's a movie that comes out on DVD called "Street Crime UK" then you might need to admire the artwork a little closer. Crispin from E-Media designed the DVD cover you can see in 3D on the left, whilst Liam's version is on the right. Which one would a commissioning editor decide should be used?

Nobody would confirm or deny that the Sk8er Boi you see above might actually be a self-portrait of Crispin, but Liam was happy to share that he's really enjoying the course. He added that he is "having fun and working alongside some great people."