Third World boost Genetic link MP from Hillsborough World class Dining between bananas Launches CoVE 3 Students 2 returns to 3 and humans 10 re:vival fashion show 06 Carrier bags, old tin cans, yoghurt pots and magazines - just a load of rubbish? Not any more! Fashion students from Hillsborough College transformed these familiar items usually found in our bins into exciting and breathtaking garments.

Veolia Environmental Services staged a spectacular fashion show at for some of the 2500 members of its Recycling Champions Club. The event was aimed at encouraging more recycling in the city and provided an opportunity to work with the local community through Hillsborough College. Twenty HND Fashion Design students took part in the event. Their brief was to select a favourite designer who inspired them and create an environmentally friendly garment by using only recycled materials. The students spent many weeks researching their project as well as experimenting with various materials before making their final choice. In addition, there was an exhibition of the student's work throughout the year, which gave guests the opportunity to see some stunning garments, one of which had been selected by Clothes Show Live for its show in Birmingham. Sheila Smith, tutor on the HND Fashion Design course, said: "This has been a wonderful experience for our students who have thoroughly enjoyed the whole project. To have the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional fashion show is what every student dreams of. We are very grateful to Veolia Environmental Services for their support."

Continued on back page.

Look out for our Inspection Review in the next issue of The Reporter

The people in these stories have all found success at The Sheffield College. If you feel inspired to join them, just give us a call on 0114 260 3603. Keeping you in touch with your local College - March 2006 2

Apprenticeship celebration

Brendan Ingle was the special guest at The Sheffield College’s annual Apprenticeship Presentation Evening in January at Sheffield United’s Platinum Suite.

Over 250 guests including apprentices, local employers and college staff were invited to the event to hear speeches from Brendan and Mike Firth from the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) South Yorkshire. The achievement rate of Apprentices last year at the College was 61%, against a national average of 39%. Funded by the LSC, Apprenticeships are a mixture of work-based training and education. Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time. John Taylor, Chief Executive at The Administration Apprentices Employers received a Sheffield College, said: “Only by equipping plaque of recognition our young people with the skills they need, for taking part in the can the UK enjoy international Apprenticeship competitiveness. I am confident that the programme labour force will benefit greatly from the new skilled workers that have now successfully completed Sheffield College’s robust and specialised Apprenticeship programmes. We have worked hard to make the Apprenticeship programme a success and we are very grateful for the invaluable Motor Vehicle Apprentices contribution employers in this region have contributed to that achievement.“ The successful Apprentices at this year’s event represent a wide range of vocational areas including; carpentry, plumbing, engineering, childcare, administration, health & social care, dental nursing, pharmacy, hairdressing, beauty therapy, catering & hospitality, motor vehicle, and heating & ventilation. 3

David Blunkett MP launches CoVE

Julie Byrne, Castle College Director (second from right), with David Blunkett MP (centre) at the launch event with invited guests.

David Blunkett MP joined leading The Health and Social Care CoVE has having a noticeable affect on the industry employers and training providers at an been awarded £650,000 by the LSC over a 3- in South Yorkshire. David said: “The CoVE event to mark the official launch of year period from 2005, with the aim to works directly with employers, residential South Yorkshire’s Centre of Vocational produce qualified and skilled workers with and nursing homes, Social Services and Excellence (CoVE) in Health and Social excellent employment and career prospects, care trusts to deliver relevant and robust Care. which meet the needs of the economy. training and has introduced thirteen new Castle College is the lead organisation courses in direct response to employer Funded by the Learning and Skills of the CoVE, which will run in partnership needs. Council (LSC), CoVEs are specialist areas of with , In Touch Care Ltd, “Over 130 employers in the region are vocational provision characterised by close Sheffield Trainers Limited and Rotherham now using the CoVE’s services to deliver links between colleges, business partners, College of Arts and Technology. courses in care and health, with Castle other employment interests and CoVE Manager David Dale told guests College delivering the Access to Mental communities. at the launch that the initiative is already Health Nursing course.”

recognises the achievements students “A key feature of Skill Build is the make in developing important skills that partnership working with other agencies. Building Skills enable them to take full part in the This course has had considerable input A celebration of the achievements of ordinary routines of life. from the community health team, Social young people with learning disabilities Peter Mitchell, Additional Support Services and supported employment was held at Norton College as students Manager, says that staff at the College have agencies. Our students and staff really are on the Skill Build received their developed a stimulating curriculum that contributing to the re-shaping of services certificates. firmly places the student at the centre of its for disabled people in the city.” design. Peter said: “We are very proud of Alan Stewart, Director of Norton It is the first year that Norton College the efforts the students have made. Some College, presented the students with their has run the Skill Build courses, which is have gone into open employment and Essential Skills Award certificates. aimed at students with learning almost all have made the successful disabilities. The Essential Skills Award transition from College. 4

Third World boost from Hillsborough students

Big-hearted students from "The Long Bar" Hillsborough College raised by Fennie Chen iPod £1,700 in just 30 days to buy a taken on a surprise for FACTS duo classroom in a Third World mobile phone country, by coming up with imaginative ways to get people to dig deep money and winning the hearts of the local community.

The Foundation Medicine Students were horrified to learn that, whilst Britain spends £2,590 per child on education, over 100 million children in the Third World are so poor they do not get the opportunity to even go to school. Oxfam, who run the initiative to build classrooms in the Third World, gave permission for the fundraising to be done in their name and College Director, Trevor Pollard, gave the students his full support. Part of the fundraising initiative involved a photographic competition Alan Stewart which John Kerr, lecturer in photography presents the at Hillsborough College, was happy to iPod to lend his support to. The students Joe Crann contacted John who devised a competition with 3 categories, Two Sheffield school pupils won ‘Portraiture’, ‘The Home’ and ‘Anything state-of-the-art Apple iPods after taken with a mobile phone’. having their names selected at random John said: “The selection team from 900 entries in a prize draw. from the Medical Foundation group whittled the entries down to a final Chloe Marsden (15) from few and then I was asked for my Community College and Joe Crann (15) opinion to help them decide the from Newfield school both completed the winners. feedback form in FACTS, the College’s The quality of the entries was annual publication that gives Y11s lots of very high, particularly for the advice and contacts as they are deciding portrait section which was the what to do when they leave school. most popular.” Joe had forgotten that he had entered the competition and was pleased to find The winners of the categories out he was to be the proud owner of a were: brand new iPod. “I’m delighted,” said Joe, Portraiture Winner - Frances Duncan ”I am going to Norton College in September to do four A levels and am The Home Winner - Caroline Tsang really looking forward to leaving school and becoming a student.” Anything taken with a mobile phone Winner - Fennie Chen 5

One of the UK’s leading drama schools broke with its own protocol to offer a Dramatic place to a Norton College student three months ahead of its May deadline. Traditionally, Bristol Old Vic interviews students throughout the year and makes result formal offers in May. But the selection panel were so impressed with Marc Whalley (30) from Norton College that they wrote to him straight after his interview to confirm for that one of the coveted places at the school was his. Marc is a student on the full time BTEC National Diploma in Acting and his tutor Jo Marc! Beadle says she is ‘absolutely delighted’by the news. Jo said: “Marc is an extraordinary student. He hasn’t done a lot of drama in the past but he is totally dedicated and committed and is one of the most wide ranging talents I have ever seen.”

Trainee scores national scoop after one month in the job

A trainee reporter who started his first And after the story appeared in the "going down the pan" because the council newspaper job just a month ago has local paper on Tuesday, it was lifted by all can't find him a house bigger than his seen his story splashed across the the nationals yesterday - including the current four-bedroom pad. front page of the nationals. Daily Star, which ran it on the front page James, (23), told HoldtheFrontPage: under an 'exclusive' tag. "The story started off small but as I learnt James Coxon, who joined the Derby After receiving a tip-off, James - who more and more it grew and grew. Evening Telegraph last month, says he is recently completed a fast-track NCTJ "Because I'm inexperienced I turned to "still wet behind the ears" but knew course at Norton College - tracked down the news desk who guided me through, so immediately that he had a big story when Mick Philpott's mother and persuaded her it was a team effort, but they were good he heard about the jobless dad of 14 who to give him the dad of 14's phone number. enough not to take it away from me." wanted a bigger council home for his wife, He then spent an hour chatting on the mistress and children. phone to Mick, who told him the country is (Reproduced courtesy of Nikki Sargeson at HoldtheFrontPage)

Angelic £3000 for Cancer Care A group of high profile culinary of the Learning and Skills Council other women as some of our Angels handed over a cheque South Yorkshire, and was based group have had a personal to Breast Cancer Care for nearly around the TV series Hell’s Kitchen relationship with breast cancer.” £3000, the proceeds from a with celebrity chef Gordon Lesley Thompson, an unique event where leading Ramsay. outreach worker for Breast Cancer business women from across The Angels prepared a seven- Care - based in Sheffield at the Yorkshire and Humber traded course meal for guests and sold north and midlands office - was the board room for an apron. tickets to family and friends to invited to a lunch at Sparks with raise money to support women the Angels to receive the cheque The eight-strong team took with breast cancer. Fiona Blacke for £2960, Lesley said: “This is an part in the Angels’ Kitchen at said: “We raised more than we amazing amount of money which Castle College’s Sparks restaurant ever imagined and, as a group of will be used to train volunteers late last year. The idea came from Angels, are delighted to have who work with women with Fiona Blacke, Executive Director done something so positive for breast cancer.” 6

World Class Dining returns to Sheffield

Celebrity chefs will join the region’s last year and attracted some of the coun- home grown culinary stars for the sec- try’s leading chefs to Castle College. The ini- ond series of Master Classes at Castle tiative is part of the College’s ‘Skills for College. Business’, where world-class professionals are invited to the College to share their Ready Steady Cook regular Lesley skills and experience. Waters was the first chef to take part in the John Janiszewski, Catering Team four-month programme in February. Lesley Leader at Castle College, was responsible studied French cuisine at Ealing College for for the outstanding success of last year’s three years before joining Prue Leith's Master Class programme and is delighted Restaurant in 1978, where she rose to the to be able to run it a second time. John said; rank of senior chef. ““We are very proud of our excellent con- As well as her appearances on Ready tacts in the gastronomic world and I am Steady Cook, Lesley has also presented absolutely delighted that we have once Can't Cook, Won't Cook and made guest again been able to secure such a presti- appearances on Food & Drink and Who'll gious line up.” Do the Pudding? Lesley has written several cookbooks and currently hosts cookery For further details or to make a reserva- days at her home in Dorset. tion, please contact the College on 260 The Master Class series was launched 3215. College in national final for 4th year running

From the intense regional heats of the Nestlé FoodServices said: “It was a roller- James Martin will be attending the finals to Nestlé Toque d’Or, the UK’s most presti- coaster tour with heats from Croydon to oversee each team and pass his expert eye gious catering college competition, Glasgow! We have seen some fantastic over the proceedings. Castle College is one of just four teams to students showing determination in the Commenting on the regional heats have made it through to the Grand Finals. kitchen and a passion for what they are James says: “Firstly I would like to congrat- doing – it says a lot for the future of hospi- ulate all those that entered; clearly a The Castle College team will be com- tality! It was a hard task to choose just four tremendous amount of hard work went peting in the Toque to Toque at the finals in finalists but we feel those selected into creating and delivering the concepts April against three other college’s - deserved their place, illustrating real and the menus. Having entered the com- Lancaster & Morecambe College, potential for a great future in catering.” petition as a student myself and not get- Kilmarnock College and South Trafford Nestlé Toque d’Or restaurant will be ting through to the final, I know it is not College - all of which are from the north of hosted at The Home Show, where each easy! England. team will realise their dream as their This is the forth year running that the restaurant concept is brought to life. Each College has been in the final line up and team of students will take ownership of tutor Mick Burke is confidant that they are their restaurant – front and back of house – in with a good chance of taking the top to prepare, cook and serve 100 covers to prize. members of the paying public. As chair- Martin Webster, events manager, man of the judges’ panel, celebrity chef 7

Passion to Inspire

meal for two people, suitable for modern Culinaire competition – that ran alongside lunchtime dining. In addition to planning the main event - which recognised his and prepare the meal, Len was required to success in scoring over 90% of marks from present a wine to accompany the main the judging panel. course dish from a list supplied on the day. Len’s winning menu was ‘smoked cannon of lamb on Mediterranean A Castle College catering tutor who vegetable gateau with confit of butter entered his first national competition beans and a lamb reduction,’ followed by to ‘see what skills he had’ has scooped ‘bitter chocolate mousse with oeufs a la first prize and a gourmet trip to neige’. Chicago. Commenting on his success, Len said: “I was incredibly surprised to win! It was Len Unwin was one of 10 finalists in my first competition and I only really the ‘Passion to Inspire’ competition, which entered for the experience and to what was held at the Hotelympia, the UK’s level of skills I had compared to other biggest event for the catering industry. people in the industry.” This prestigious competition is open to Not only did Len win first prize in the David McKown from Sheffield University all chefs who are given just one hour to ‘Passion to Inspire’ competition, he was (right with Len Unwin and Bob Phipps, prepare, cook and present a two-course also awarded a Gold award in the Salon Steelite marketing manager (left) Youngest competitor takes major prize

14-year-old Lea-Anne Smith beat nearly When Lea-Anne won her regional heat and an oyster sauce, followed by a dessert, 6,000 students from over 580 schools she needed an industrial sponsor to described as ‘fantastic’ by the judges, of a around the country to take the first prepare for the finals. Mick Burke from pavé of bitter chocolate, ginger and runner-up title in the Springboard Castle College was appointed to the post orange mousse, served with a snow egg FutureChef 2006 Grand Final. Over 200 and, along with Lea-Anne’s teacher and vanilla seed orange compote. guests attended the Grand Final of the Marianne Massey from North Doncaster Brian Turner CBE, Chairman of the nation-wide competition at Technical College, gave up every Saturday FutureChef competition, spoke about the Westminster Kingsway College in to prepare for her big day. overall quality: “The dishes were all London, eager to see the culinary Mick said: “Lea-Anne was brilliant on exciting, extremely well turned out and world’s future stars in action. the day. Considering she was the youngest displayed great workmanship. It was finalist by two years she held her own obvious how much thought had been put against some stiff competition and into every dish and the tastes were genuinely was pipped at the post. Brian sublime.” Turner apparently said that it was the only Mick says he is confidant that Lea-Anne time he has ever been overruled!” will become a well known chef of the Lea-Anne secured her place on the future and is delighted that she has winner’s platform with a main course of decided to attend Castle College’s rolled spiced loin of pork served with Professional Chef’s course when she leaves caramelised red cabbage, fondant potato school. 8

12th year of Higher Celebrations

The Sheffield College held its 12th College recognises and celebrates these Higher National Certificate and differences and, by using the talents and Diploma graduation ceremony for skills of its staff, ensures that such several hundred students all sporting differences are positives and not barriers the prestigious cap and gown. to learning.

Steve Knowles, Chair of Governors at the College, welcomed the students and their families as they received their awards for successfully completing a Higher Education programme. The College has a wide-ranging Higher Education portfolio, which includes Design Communication, Art & Design, Building Studies, Civil Engineering, Sports Development and Coaching, Leisure Management, Travel and Tourism, Business Studies, Care Practice and Managing Health and Care Services. In his address to the audience, Mr Knowles said: “We all enter post-16 education via different routes, we all have different backgrounds, we all have different past experiences and we all have different support needs. The Sheffield Sheffield students learn to lead with Gandhi Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of including dignitaries, students from The Mahatma Gandhi, spoke to Sheffield Sheffield College, The students at two events co-ordinated by and Sheffield Hallam University, and others. the Sheffield leadership charity Learn The Gandhi events form the climax of to Lead. an education programme put together by Learn to Lead for students in Sheffield. A renowned author and former senator Aimhigher, a government funded agency, and journalist, Gandhi responded to an together with The Sheffield College afternoon presentation on the themes of sponsored the events. Kate Karmy, Youth identity, local issues, education and life from Services Manager of Learn 2 Lead, says “This pupils at local schools. is a special opportunity for young people At the evening event, Gandhi joined a across Sheffield to interact with a key leader discussion with an audience of a and express their ideas about what’s going cross-section Sheffield community, in the world.” 9

South Yorkshire Part of Unique Investing European Net-Trainers’ in People Project The Sheffield College’s Skills for Business unit has been awarded the A European project that qualifies coveted Investors in People (IiP) award. tutors to teach on-line has this year been extended to a further six Skills for Business was launched in Open 2004 with the ambitious remit of European counties, bringing the total delivering world-class business training number to nine. and consultation to companies in South Source Yorkshire. Since then, it has succeeded in South Yorkshire Further Education establishing sound working partnerships The Sheffield College has become the Collaboration (SYFEC) is the UK arm of with Microsoft, Nikon, Adobe, Sony and first college in the UK to deliver the European Net-Trainers’ Project, Avid to deliver seminars around the latest introductory courses in Open Source which has run in the UK, France and technology. Skills for Business was also software, a revolutionary alternative to behind the series of unique Master Classes Germany since 2003. high-priced commercial products such at Castle College which attracted some of E-learning experts from all over as Microsoft Office. the country’s leading chefs to the city. Europe met at Furtwangen University in The IiP process is a rigorous Quality Under its successful Skills for Business Germany, which acts as the coordinator Assurance framework that assesses an brand, The Sheffield College is offering for this Leonardo da Vinci project. It was organisation’s commitment to developing short accredited courses in Open Source - agreed at the meeting to extend the its people to help achieve its aims and the first courses of their kind at level two objectives. network of original countries to include in the country. Peter Harrison, manager of Skills for new partners from Spain, Italy, David Pickersgill from Skills for Business, said; “The team have put a lot of Business said: “Open Source software has Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic hard work into the initiative over a the potential to save businesses a great and Bulgaria. significant period of time, but in particular deal of money. It is free, it can be Julia Duggleby, Online Learning have made excellent progress in the past downloaded from the Internet and then Manager at The Sheffield College – a three months which has been recognised subsequently used on most computers by us being awarded Investors in People member of SYFEC – added; “The Net- using either your pc drive, mp3 player or status.” Trainers programme is unique in Europe iPod.” and is a model for the transfer of online courses into other European languages, as well as for the harmonisation of European qualifications. “All partners will issue a nationally accredited certificate. The European Net-Trainers Association will also award For further information a European Net-Trainers certificate to learners successfully completing the contact 0845 600 6220 course.” or http://www.skillsforbusiness.info 10

The genetic link between bananas and Exploring the humans was revealed to students at Castle College as part of National Science Week 2006. genetic link A series of lectures was held at the College in March and organisers hoped to top the half a million people who took part between bananas in events across the country during National Science Week last year. Castle College students enjoyed and humans intriguing lectures such as, ‘The Biggest Epidemic in History’, Are we Alone, Does ET exist?’ and ‘Victim Recovery’, which looked at the role of recovery teams called to mass fatalities such as accidents, natural disasters or terrorism incidents. Audiences heard that the teams are also called to incidents where bodies are decomposed and they work on behalf of the coroner to recover and identify the victims. Dr. Miranda Trojanowska from Castle College says that the events were captivating. “The exploration into the genetic link between bananas and humans by Dr. Teare is a fascinating talk about genetics,” said Miranda. Dr. Teare is a lecturer in the Division of Genomic Medicine at the University of Sheffield. “In 2005, over 1,500 events were organised as part of National Science Week and Castle College were proud to have contributed that - this year we planned even more.” National Science Week is coordinated by the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BA) and is supported by the Department of Trade & Industry and sponsored by the Economic & Social Research Council. 11

Police welcome ‘students from a fascinating mix of countries’ A new partnership between South A version of the programme has been Yorkshire Police and The Sheffield successfully piloted in South Wales. College is giving students whose first However, the work placement and language is not English the volunteer element have been added to the opportunity to find out how the police South Yorkshire model. force operates. Mahmood added: “The course materials were developed through the The 10-week programme is open to Basic Skills Agency in Cardiff. By working in students on English for Speakers of Other partnership with South Yorkshire Police, Languages (ESOL) courses at the College, we have extended the course and will be who might be considering police related building activities into it. career options or just hoping to better “This will be the first time that the understand the police service and the law. police have been involved at the delivery Mahmood Hussain from The Sheffield level and for the course to be linked to College explained what the course will Trinity qualifications.” involve: “The course runs from February to Supt John Brennan, who opened the May and is the first of its kind to offer work course on behalf of the South Yorkshire placements and experience within South Police, said: "We are delighted to work in Yorkshire Police and its partners in both partnership with the Sheffield College in police and civilian jobs, as well as a police presenting this course, a first for our force. volunteers scheme. “It is very significant that the students “Police ESOL aims to develop English come from a fascinating mix of countries, language skills in the context of improving which emphasises the multi-cultural community safety and communications nature of our communities in Sheffield. between the police and minority linguistic We are putting a considerable amount of communities. time and resources into this project, and “Some of the lessons will deal with wouldn’t it be great if we were able to uncomfortable issues such as domestic recruit some members of staff as a result! violence and racism, which will be “Every one of the students had a good supported by more light hearted tasks and impression of the police in this country, games to extend and reinforce language and I am keen to build on that excellent and knowledge.” start." 12

1st place 2nd place 3rd place Josephine Jones Jennifer Williams Lui-Ann Sui

Theresa Morrison, hard to produce garments of the highest Communications Manager at standard. We've all had a fabulous night!" Veolia Environmental Services, The winning student was Josephine came up with the idea back in Jones who received a cheque for £1000 for September and said: "We her beautiful garment made from cast offs wanted to run an event for our from the Lloyd Loom factory. Second prize Recycling Champions who was awarded to Jennifer Williams for her work hard to help increase amazing recreation of Christian Dior's New recycling rates in our city. Look in bubble wrap and third prize went to "It was also an opportunity Sui-Ann Lui for her funky outfit of a to reach a wider audience by newspaper jacket, bubble wrap trousers and offering a design project with a amazing flip flops made from card and difference to the fashion plastic bottle tops. students at Hillsborough College. Both the students and their tutors have worked exceptionally

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