A new kind of high

It's Official.

Vision 12 students have their head in the clouds.

Geddit?

Ok, then, here's what we've been up to.

As part of our outdoor pursuits we have been going to an outdoor activity centre called Stubbers.

For six weeks we have been going there learning and practicing land-boarding.

We’ve learned different tricks, techniques and safety which we have all put into use to avoid death! Only kidding, it's not quite death, as it's safe but you have to do it right and not mess about or you can get hurt, trust.


So, today the Vision 12 students went out for the day land-boarding at an amazing track on the South Downs called Haredown.

It was a great day out with many injuries by the end of it (and no death - see, the training had come in useful).

Anyway, everybody had a good day on the long runs, jumps and ramps, and all we're wondering is if we can borrow some wheels off some buggies to make our own land-boards.

Vision 12 girls give Vice Principal a red nose

(Click for larger picture)

Any rumours that these three had to bribe a Vice Principal to wear a silly nose are unfounded, honest. What you actually see in his right hand is just some of the money that they managed to raise for Red Nose Day.

Inspired by Vision 12’s Charity Week project, Ashley, Kelly and Rebecca from the programme, took it upon themselves to raise money for Comic Relief!

They donned their pyjamas for the day and took to the college collecting as much money as they could for this worthy cause.

By the end of the day through their superb efforts they managed to raise in excess of £170!

The Referee's a what?

We started training together on a Tuesday after college.

At first it was like a little get together of the Project 100 / Vision 12 group. Then we started preparing together to make an 11-a-side football team of all the under-16s of WFC.

We entered our first 6-a-side tournament on Thursday (15th). We had two Project 100 teams entering the tournament, one in black and one in yellow. Both Project 100 teams were in the same league and even had to play against each other.

We battled to the end of the game and drew 1 - 1.

Both teams played 8 games each, with Project 100 Yellow's results: Lost = 3, Drew = 1, Won = 3, and Project 100 Black's results: Lost = 3, Drew = 3, Won = 2.

Both Black and Yellow played to the best of their ability and worked together as a team. Unfortunately we didn't qualify for the next round, but we're still working really hard to improve.

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."

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."

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!