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."

The place with friendly staff!

Regular users of the Library (known as the "2Learn Centre"), Jamie and Isha want to share their thoughts on just how good the place is.

"The staff are really nice and there are such good resources here," Jamie said pointing around to the room which has over 50,000 books as well as thousands of DVDs and Videos, talking and interactive books.
"Yes, it's such a friendly environment," added Isha.

The two are studying for their Child Care diplomas and find the free use of the computers essential for writing up their coursework.

The Library not only provides coursework reference support but can loan items (including fiction and entertainment) for periods of up to 3 weeks.

A fashion statement

If you are a fashion student, you can't have helped notice that this year's Clothes Show Live is in full swing until Wednesday at Birmingham's NEC.

The college is represented by a stand that can be found in the 'blue zone' (whatever that is!), proudly showing off some of the excellent work of students from our college.

Visitors get an opportunity to learn more about our college and the courses available, including a chance to watch a fast moving film collage of some of this year's fashion shows that students from the college put on or were involved in.

On display is some of the striking and intricate work that featured in the shows, demonstrating the brilliant results of the hard work and long hours put in by the WFC fashion students.

An aid to AIDS awareness

Today was World Aids Day, when awareness of prevention of the spread of this terrible disease was most on the mind of Student Union President Gavin Foster.


Gavin and a few others spent their lunchtime in Reception asking for donations in exchange for an official red ribbon.

Also available was a little red pack which contained a set of cards with easy to read no nonsense facts about how we must take responsibility for our health. Checking through the cards she'd just opened, Fazzy told us they were "very informative".

By the end of the lunch hour nearly £25 had been collected in donations for National Aids Trust ribbons and quite a few conversations had jolted others into taking the threat of HIV and Aids very seriously.


If you need more information, one of the red card packs or to make a further donation, please come to the Student Union Common Room.

Don't watch it...

...oppps, too late.

Well, in the film The Ring it was not a good idea to watch a certain video (hadn't they modernised to DVDs yet?).

Every Wednesday at 2pm in room 342 (one of the lecture theatres) as part of the Enrichment activities, a film is shown free of charge to any student who wishes to turn up.

Yesterday it was The Ring, which Charles told us had a "really surprising ending." Fellow student Billy explained how he thought the gooey skeleton was cool, whilst Jason was pleased to share that watching films on Wednesdays certainly "Takes the stress out of our day for an hour and a half."

Watch the posters on the noticeboards to find out what's showing next Wednesday in 342.

Sign of the times

Although any member of staff is always happy to tell you where to go, the signs around the college are designed to help too.

The clear and easy to read colour scheme complies with the various regulations that ensure those who might otherwise have had difficulties with the fonts and colour schemes can now easily read them.

After careful consideration following a complete examination of the signs and comparing them with previous colour schemes, Elliot from E-Media said, "I like black-with-white writing signs!"

Your place for stuff about your place

Every day is a good news day here at your College Blog, and we are now snooping around on the look out for your good news. We'd like to add at least one story every day between now and the end of term about what's going on and where, sharing with others in the college what's happening up and down the WFC corridors.

Would you like to help? You can by just letting us know what's happening in your class with your colleagues and fellow students.

• Has somebody done really well on a bit of coursework or during a test or exam?
  
• What about something a bit mad not connected with the college at all?
  
• How about showing off something you've made or built?
• What about telling tales of what you get up to in the Student Common Room?
• In fact ANYTHING! It really is up to you.
  

You can either send us the tale written by yourself, ideally accompanied by photos (we can easily download them from your phone), or you can give us the nod to come to you with our cameras and notepad. We'll put together something on your behalf and post it here on the College Blog for all your friends to see, usually on the same day!

Contact us at blog@waltham.ac.uk today, or simply text 077 37 239 334 and we'll call you back.

All ideas are winners

Judges sorting through the entries to the Enterprise Week competition running on your College Blog have had a problem allocating the prize to just one individual.

It seemed far fairer to announce a draw and to split the cash so that nobody lost out. A lot of thought and effort had gone into their novel and original ideas for which we'd like to say a very big thanks to you all.

A clear vision

Friday lunchtime saw presentations galore as compulsory school age students from Vision 12 and Focus 12 described their various business ideas.

Aided by Powerpoint displays, handouts, and very confident presentations, they spoke to a panel of judges about the enterprises they wanted to build.

Neil Larkin from EduAction explained to the group that it had been a very tough decision to make when selecting the eventual winner.

Each of the presentations had qualities that had impressed the judges, but they eventually settled on awarding Jaimie Johnson and Clair Cooper £50 Enterprise Awards. This was for their work speaking and listening. Clair won the 'recall' quiz about the presentations, whilst Jaimie won for his presentation about the company he wanted to start.

Jaimie's dream company was "Motorsports UK" a company hiring out watersports equipment and bikes to adults and children. If you just happen to have a spare £75K he'd like to talk business with you!

Enterprise Week at last!

Yes, it's Enterprise Week at last!

After all the build-up, this is the week to really put the thinking caps on and get ready to make things happen.

Don't forget to follow the links we've provided for all the resources put together for Enterprise Week. More importantly, don't forget the way to make a fast buck. Well, not so much a buck as a nifty Fifty.

Yes, £50 is waiting for the most original and exciting business idea, just read on, and get your ideas in to us ( via blog@waltham.ac.uk ) by Noon on Monday 20th....

£50 prize just for the best idea

Do you have an idea or a passion for a business venture?

- Let us know and it could win you £50!

It’s amazing how many people won’t talk about their ideas because they fear people might laugh at them. So tell us what yours are and who knows you may be the next entrepreneur.

Here are some ideas showing you how it can be done……

REAL IDEAS NO.1

“After I’d had trouble finding flip-flops in Britain to wear for a winter holiday, my boyfriend asked: “Why don’t you design your own and sell on the Internet?” I went onto the web to research what there was already, then spoke to my sister, who has experience in graphic design, who thought it was a great idea. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became.”
Victoria Tringham, 28, founder of Pomelo, which now sells on-line at funkyflipflops.com and in nearly 70 boutiques including Harrods.

REAL IDEAS NO.2

"I had always wanted to work for myself so signed up for a business planning course, not knowing exactly what kind of business I was going to plan. On the train to the course one morning I was flicking through a magazine and found a great photo of an acorn. This inspired me to set up Babu - the first of my t-shirt designs being 'Tall oaks from small acorns grow'."
Katy Ellis, 25, founder of Babu, a maternity fashion label www.lovebabu.com

REAL IDEAS NO.3

“I'd rescued and repaired several abandoned bikes for friends when I realised it was a great opportunity to make a living doing something worthwhile for the community and environment." Dom Scholfield, 28, co-founder of the Oxford Cycle Workshop, which has repaired & recycled 600 abandoned bikes in 2 years.


www.oxfordcycleworkshop.org.uk


Click here to email your ideas to us.Don't forget to include your Name and Student ID number for that chance of winning £50.

Business Start-up Exhibition at Olympia, 17th -18th November

If you have an idea for a business, are setting up a business, or started your own business recently, you need to visit the Business Startup Exhibition at London's Olympia.

Business Startup is the UK 's biggest free exhibition for all small business and business startups.

Just spend one day at a Business Startup show and you can make valuable contacts, find out how to run your business smoothly and, of course, learn how to make more money. Plus you have the chance to experience Business Startup Live's interactive events, and it won't cost you a penny.

There is no event like Business Startup in the UK , and it is recognised as the single most important event for pre-start and early stage businesses in the country.

Full details: www.bstartup.com

The College is Speednetworking

Enterprise, creativity and innovation thrive on networks - if you want to make your ideas happen, you need to get connected - fast!

The college is getting involved with Speednetworking the Nation. This will be a fun, high energy way to promote the importance of networking. It will unleash a creative mix of ideas and connections. In just one hour every participant will have a new network of useful contacts, advisors, like-minds, potential customers, suppliers or simply interesting people.

The first ever Speednetworking extravaganza will take place on the Friday of Enterprise Week.

There will be hundreds of simultaneous speednetworking events across the country in schools, colleges, businesses, universities, enterprise centres, cafes, train stations and shopping malls - connecting people and ideas across the country.

You can even use this Blog as part of your networking experience now by exchanging ideas.

We will be holding an exciting interactive event within the college - more detail coming soon.

Date: Friday 17th November

Start: 12 noon

Be part of something big!

Women's Enterprise Day

Did you know that men start up 150,000 more businesses a year than women?

Isn't it time women closed this gap?

Women's Enterprise Day is your chance to do just that. We're working to encourage young women to be more enterprising all year round and Women's Enterprise Day on Wednesday 15th November is a national celebration and opportunity to showcase their achievements, as well as inspiring lots of others to follow their lead.

This year Women's Enterprise Day will be bigger and better with women's organisations from all over the UK hosting events and activities to profile successful female entrepreneurs and inspire new female talents with the confidence and know-how to do the same.

You are here! It's Enterprise Week

You are here!!

Enterprise Week is an annual UK-wide week of activities inspiring people in their teens and twenties to be enterprising - to turn ideas into something real.

There were over 2,000 events held in Enterprise Week 2005. Waltham Forest College will be joining in this year to make our own contribution to Enterprise Week 2006.

Keep locked to this site to find out what's in the pipeline, and don't forget to feed us back your thoughts and ideas!

It's the run-up to Enterprise Week

Here at Waltham Forest College we thought it would be fun to concentrate our thoughts and efforts, and indeed, to show off to others our various plans for Enterprise Week. So, we made this blog!

It's early stages yet, but do check-in every day to see what's happening.

Got any views so far?

Feel free to leave a constructive comment: