The Dignity of Difference

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked within the college by a thought provoking movie and a speech from a Holocaust Survivor.

Gavin, our current Student Union President, introduced the proceedings by explaining how for today's young people the actual reality of the Holocaust or even the Second World War is so far in the past it's almost impossible to fully understand.

However, a short film about the Dignity of Difference (the main theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day) had some very thought provoking content, talking about how the Jews were not alone in their suffering.

In fact, Gypsies, disabled people, lesbian and gay, and black people all suffered because of their differences when the Nazis implemented their theories of racial purity.

After the film, the guest speaker, Martha Blend described the build up to the Holocaust. She explained that she was only 8 years old in 1939, and remembers being separated from her school chums because she was a Jew. Despite having top marks and grades, she was put into a part of the school reserved for 'second class citizens'.

She spoke of how she was eventually evacuated to England - the country that took far more evacuees than any other - remembering her sad farewell to her mother. Only children were evacuated, not adults, so families were split apart.

Only rumours of the horrors of the concentration camps and the mass murder followed.

Martha never actually saw her parents alive again.

Here to serve you munchies and more

Hello from the College Shop!

We need your custom!

We're not the canteen, but a small and really cheap retail outlet on the ground floor of the main building.

We are in room 034 and you can find us every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 12noon and 2pm.

If you like crisps or chocolate or other goodies, snax and refreshments, or are looking for stationary such as pens, highlighters, files, box files or other items, then you need to visit us.

We will meet and greet you and try to do whatever we can to help make your shopping experience a good one.

We need customers so that we can gain vital retail experience and learn what it's like working in a real shop, so please come down and buy something from us as soon as possible.

A while ago we were interviewed for a short video you can watch right now if you click on the Play button on the square below. It explains a bit more about why we need your support. Please enjoy the video, but note that our opening times are NOT what's said in the video, they've now changed to:

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

12noon - 2pm

Room 034 - The College Shop

We hope to see you very soon. Thank you.

To the Haggis!

Robert Burns, Scotland's national bard, was born on January 25, 1759. His birth is traditionally celebrated with a Burns Night Supper.

That's exactly what took place in the Mallinson's restaurant this week.

This celebration of Burns Night by 60 diners enjoying a six course traditional Burns Supper, gave HND Hospitality Management student Azim an opportunity to chat to Scottish piper Ian.(Were they comparing sporrans? Is this an opportunity for another caption competition?)

Anyway, the Waitrose sponsored evening also had another purpose beyond feeding the guests. It was a charity fund raising event.

A total of £200 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support (http://www.macmillan.org.uk).

Students from the NVQ Level 3 Food Preparation and Cooking course were responsible for all the kitchen duties.

Akua, Dalbert, Abir, Maria, Anita, Natalie, Patricia, and Gil weren't just confined to the kitchen. They made an entrance and were welcomed by the diners.

There was even a piping-in of the Haggis in good Scottish tradition, with glasses being raised to "The Haggis".

It was a long evening of eating and drinking before it was finally time for a chorus of "Auld Lang Syne" and for the tables to be cleared for another year!

Lockerbie: A Special Report

Year 1 BTEC National Certificate Uniformed Public Services students got a rare opportunity to visit Lockerbie last weekend. This is where, in December 1988, Pan Am flight 103 was destroyed in flight by a bomb on board. 259 people on board were killed, and 11 people were killed in their homes when pieces of the plane crashed down in a fiery explosion.

We drove to Dryfesdale cemetery and were shown around the national memorial site for all those who perished in the disaster.

We then went to a small village 5 miles outside of Lockerbie called Tundergarth which is where the cockpit of the aircraft was found (most used image by the media) and which is 100 metres away from a church, where they built a rememberance room which contains a visitor book and an autobiography of each passenger on the aircraft.
Tom Gordon from the local police kindly escorted us around the crash sites.

We then went to Sherwood Crescent and Rosebank which are literally two streets of houses. We drove through where three houses were totally destroyed and where the 11 people on the ground died.

Strangely, it is now like any other residential street and we could see the residents through their front windows watching Neighbours.

After the quick tour of the areas we drove to our accommodation in Newton Stewart (25 miles from Stranraer) and had a pleasant evening where we ate our home made meal (Spaghetti Bolognese).

Friday Morning at 7.00am we left for our drive to Dumfires, where we were meeting Tom Gordon and the guest speakers at Dumfries and Galloway Police headquarters. The Chief Constable David J R Strang introduced himself to us and thanked us for coming up.

We were given a background and Response to the Lockerbie air disaster, an overview of the investigation, a background on the trial and a talk on emergency procedures used nowadays. We listened to guest speakers from the Police, Local Authority and Fire and Rescue services.

The students were also given the opportunity to see the emergency control call centre. The Police Service provided us with scones, coffee and tea for the first break and then put on a full buffet for lunch and afternoon refreshments also.

The trip was very informative and all aspects of the Major Incidents Unit were covered in detail by the guest speakers.

The students asked many questions and were able to get a complete understanding of the disaster, how the emergency services responded, the aftermath, and how things have changed since.

The Work of the Workshops

"It wasn't long enough!" complained Geraldine about the first of the Wednesday Open Workshops for 2007.

Based in the Library and listed over there on the right--->
the weekly Workshops cover a whole range of items from how to use equipment through to short-cuts and tips for users of Word, Powerpoint or Excel.

Pete told us that the workshop he'd just attended was on how to use the 2Learn Centre resources including the photocopier, the scanner, cd writer and binder.

"I am really enjoying doing this workshop, I have learned a lot," said Khin.

Nabugore added, "It will be really useful for me."

The Weekly Workshops are open to anybody and are completely FREE! For more details of what's happening and when, pop along to the main Information desk at any time and ask for Jason or Viv, and put your name down to attend the next one.

Hey! You even get a certificate for attending!

Thursday's Terrible Tree Theft

While students slaved away inside the college on Thursday, something a little more sinister was happening outside.

Yes, tree thieves were hard at work.

We were able to capture them on camera red-handed as they were about to make off with their ill-gotten gains.

Although no faces can actually be seen on the picture, we think we recognise some of the bodies of those involved. If you have any information leading to a full and proper identification, then please add your thoughts via the Comments link at the end of the article.

Ok, we're only kidding. What this picture is really about is those high winds that lashed the UK on Thursday causing mayhem. Yep, the college had its problems too, as it was battered by the 70 mile an hour gusts.

One of the young trees adjacent to the front west car-park was blown over, as you can see, torn at the roots. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but a couple of cars (one you can see on the inset picture) were slightly bruised when it fell.

Praise has to be given to all the folk, that's students and staff, who worked together to move the tree from the area it was blocking, and away from the cars it had got up close and personal with.

The Light, some Poison, and a Skull

Poison!

"Poison Sea - Poison Me."


How would you artistically interpret the concept of how we are poisoning our planet?


This question was put to students on the BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies In Art course.


Amongst the initial responses were these 3D collages from mature student Pam showing the horror of an oil tanker causing disaster on the beach, and then this poor fish swimming in the dirty slick below.

The collages are three dimensional and can be touched - assuming you don't mind the slightly yeuchy feeling of the oily fish's dirty scales and fins.



Pam told us she thinks the course is "fantastic".


Erik agreed with her saying he is really enjoying his time developing his artistic skills.


He proudly wanted to show-off this moody and thought provoking work dealing with the Impact of Light.





Finally it was the turn of Eleni to step forward to your blog photographer.

"Photograph this" she demanded without a very clear explanation as to what "this" actually was.

Or maybe that should read 'who' this was rather than 'what' it was.

It looks like we may need to return to the Foundation Studies in Art course to investigate this further in the future!

"Which way to the canteen,

blad?

I's starvin' to death innit!"





Got a better caption? Leave it here

The Show of Shows

Looking back to last year (again), we've managed to dig up yet more video clips to share!

Throughout 2006 the college put on a number of different shows in the main hall and the Performance Arts studio.

The Alternative Fashion Show, the Hair and Beauty Show, the main Fashion Show, and the end of year show from the Performance Arts students all showed off the abilities of students. Those abilities ranged from singing, through dancing, walking the catwalk, to arranging the hair, designing and making the clothes, and dressing the models, as well as working behind the scenes.

The video clips we've dug up were recently played on the college stand at the Clothes Show Live showing passers by the full range of activities in the college. Let us know what you think by adding your comments at the end of this article.

Now, click play and turn up the volume!:

The Engineering Road Challenge 2006

Last year during a cold and blustery morning the racing team turned up ready to put pedal to the metal and switch to top gear. Previously they'd spent many hours carefully assembling their vehicles, tuning them, and putting them through their paces before it was time for the real battle to commence for poll position.

We managed to get hold of this video clip of the fever pitched Grand Prix friendly 'drive-off' during which the team really felt the need for speed.

At the Starting Line were Keshane, Khan, Emanuel, Abdul, Luke, Lucky, and Philip, taking last minute advice and making final adjustments. Then the Starting Flag was raised...

As you can see from the clip, despite some mega crashes, some control problems, and a few bruised thumbs, all survived to tell the tale. A great day was had by all.

[We'd like to know if this video (with audio) clip doesn't play properly for you. If you have any problems, please mention it by clicking on the "Comments" link below. Thanx.]

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...