Issue 21 Winter 2009 National Star College Newsletter

Inside this issue... • News from the Student Union • A Royal Appointment • Celebrating our Staff • Spotlight on... • Be a star for Star • Social Media www.natstar.ac.uk www.starappeal.org News from the Student Union Principal’s Diary

events including our Freshers’ Fair which As ever, we have had a busy few months consider that the process used to prioritise went really well and then our Freshers’ Ball at the College and I can’t believe we are the remaining funding was inappropriate where we welcomed first year students into drawing to the end of 2009 already, it’s to us as a national specialist college for the College in style with some free style flown by. When we haven’t been saying young people with very complex learning beat boxers ‘Duke’. We celebrated Diwali goodbye to students, welcoming new and difficulties and disabilities. We are very across College and have also recently been returning students and ensuring that they grateful to everyone who has supported busy promoting Anti-Bullying Week to all get the very best education and support our campaign for the Government to deliver students, both of which were great to be that we can offer, I am pleased to say we against the pledge, your support has involved with. have been winning lots of awards! kept the campaign in the public eye, has sustained us in our fight and given us the You will read a bit more about this later on in Back in July we said fond farewells to all of determination to continue. Stargazer but I had the privilege of meeting our student leavers at the annual celebration HRH Princess Alexandra on her recent visit to of student achievements. As usual, it was We will realise the vision for the National the National Star College. It was an amazing lovely to see our students celebrating their Star College to be a centre of excellence experience for me and the other students successes and time at College with their for our students, with facilities that fully – it really was important to raise the profile own families and supporters. meet their needs and learning and living of the College so that even more people environments that enable them to grow into know about the work that goes on here. As well as being proud of our students and confident, young adults in control of their their achievements, we have also been lives. Fundamental to this is the success Personally, I have also been quite involved celebrating the hard work and dedication of our ‘Star Appeal’. I would like to thank in raising awareness of the College since of the staff at the College who have been everyone who has supported the appeal so becoming Student Union President in winning awards. After many difficult months, Hi, my name is Alex Giles and far and encourage you to continue to do so September. Hopefully some of you might following the problems with our capital and help us to change the College for the I am this year’s Student Union have seen me on BBC Points West or ITV funding pledge from the Learning and Skills good. If you are interested in a life changing West talking about the College and our Council, this has really lifted spirits and President. This is my second challenge, I would encourage you to come funding! There is an appeal at the end of reminded us all that we have many true with us on our trek to Nepal next October year at the National Star College this magazine to help us with funds for a stars amongst us who shine even in – I would love to see you there. Please studying for a BTEC First new minibus that I hope you will be able to uncertain times. contact Lucy or Sue in the Fundraising help us with. Team on 01242 524478 if you would like to With regard to our capital funding, we are Diploma in Sport, Level Two. find out more. I hope that you will enjoy reading the rest still in discussions with the Department Firstly, I would like to say a warm welcome of Stargazer and that you have a great for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS) Best wishes for the festive season and for a to you all to the Christmas edition of Stargazer, Christmas break. and the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) successful and enjoyable 2010. I hope that you will enjoy reading it. about our appeal against the withdrawal of their pledged funding owing to the LSC’s Over the last few months, myself and mismanagement of its capital allocations the rest of the Student Union have been budgets. We were affected in this alongside working hard on lots of different events 144 other Colleges; however we have and projects. We have had lots of student Alex Giles, Student Union President made a case for individual treatment as we Helen Sexton, Chief Executive & Principal

2 3 Award Winning College... Celebrating our Staff The National Star College has been celebrating after members A Royal Appointment of staff were shortlisted for some prestigious local and national awards.

Julian Ralph Following the visit, Princess Alexandra Julian Ralph, who is the College’s Senior said “I was deeply impressed by the Tutor in Sports, has been awarded Teacher extraordinary work being carried out by so of the Year in the 2009 Media Sports Awards. many dedicated people and by the lovely, happy atmosphere which was so evident, Julian always goes above and beyond the particularly among the students.” call of duty at the National Star College both as a teacher and a colleague. When he is not teaching he is helping to promote disability Students said about the visit... sports and getting as many students as possible involved.

Dawn Dickens At the beginning of October Dawn Dickens was shortlisted for a national LSIS STAR Award 2009 for her outstanding students and staff at the contribution to learning and skills in the College were treated to a category of ‘Teaching, training and learning practitioner’. special Royal Visit from HRH Our students views of the day: Pauline Bayliss, Director of Studies at Princess Alexandra. National Star College who nominated Dawn Amy Miller: “It was great, I was really said, “Dawn is an inspirational teacher. She It was the first visit by Princess Alexandra proud to be able to show her our library has a unique ability to assess, understand to see the College on a working day and system, which enables us to get the and interpret each student’s individual needs meet students and staff. books. I also told her about my creative and to deliver personalised, exciting and writing – something which I am hugely challenging activities that relate directly to The Princess met with students who passionate about.” their real life experience.” demonstrated how they use adaptive and enabling technology to perform tasks that Jamie White: “It was brilliant to meet the Dawn said about being nominated, “I was Julian is an inspiration to everyone at College and still am stunned that Pauline nominated they would otherwise be unable to do like Princess, although I’d have liked to have and a truly deserving award winner. He said me and actually feel quite humbled by it. This opening and closing doors or turning on given her a game of polybat.” about winning: “To win Teacher of the Year is a great way for us to speak out for what has filled me with immense pride, it has also their lights and stereo. Princess Alexandra we are doing at Star, to acknowledge that Jake Nickels: “It was a great day. There strengthened the College’s position as an also visited the physiotherapy department, the real stars are the students but that the integral part of the sporting community within and watched Boccia and Polybat being was a real sense of excitement around the ‘supporting acts’, the staff, are all worthy of Gloucestershire. The last year has seen a played in the College’s Sports Centre. place. I got to speak to the Princess about the award.” huge improvement and continued success of Her tour ended in the Performing Arts my course. It was fantastic that she showed students and staff achieving within the sports Department where the Princess watched a such an interest.” area and I would love to dedicate my win to music workshop rehearsal. the success stories of the past 12 months.” 4 5 Spotlight on Creative & Performing Arts

Learning, creativity and enterprise Drama and Dance are coming together within Behind every success is hard work and the Creative and Performing effort – and that’s exactly what ten of our “Behind every Arts Department (CAPA) – with performing arts students put into ‘New World’, a partnership project with the exciting and valuable results. Everyman Theatre. The project resulted success is hard In the spirit of enterprise, the Department is in a highly-acclaimed tour of schools and this year running as Capacity Enterprises, theatres in Gloucestershire last summer. work and effort” with four businesses in the process of Meanwhile, the Department’s sixth year of being established. partnership with Cheltenham Music Festival Capacity Theatre, together with a dance produced a mixed-media extravaganza; company, photographic studio, and art using music, puppetry and storytelling. and craft shop, are offering students a tremendous opportunity to gain vital work The successful collaborations continued, skills, and achieve qualifications at the with CAPA students working closely with same time. Gloucestershire University Foundation Photography Degree students to prepare dance pieces ‘These are exciting times, and everyone A request from Gloucestershire Dance and learn about choreography. appears to be relishing the diversity of last summer to capture images from experiences and the challenges that come ‘All those involved have expressed sheer their way,’ said Paul Tarling Area dance festivals in the Forest of Dean, joy at being given the chance to work with Co-ordinator for CAPA. Cirencester and Stroud, has resulted in an annual commission for our their peers, show their talents, teach others Creative Arts full-time photography students. Their about disability awareness, and learn from Among the projects underway in Creative work will feature in Gloucestershire Dance like-minded creative people,’ said Paul Arts is the production of individually- promotional materials. Tarling Area Co-ordinator for CAPA. designed, mixed media canvasses on the theme of ‘diversity’, commissioned by Meanwhile, business-focused students the Gloucestershire based disability Trust, have produced a new set of photographic Barnwood House. postcards for sale in the College shop, and have launched Portrait Studio sessions – Also in progress is a joint collaboration an enterprise where learners are carrying with community artist Klare and Year 10 pupils from Severn Vale School out roles from receptionist to accountant, in preparation for a Holocaust memorial and lighting technician to photographer. event. Students are creating motifs for silk banners, and designing willow structures to convey a message of hope, unity, peace and togetherness at the event in January.

Earlier in the year, students played a key role in designing and producing a large wall hanging created from recycled carrier bags. 6 7 Student case study How your donations help

The National Star College relies on the support Improved accommodation of donors to provide our students with the Helping students to enjoy independence they Creative & Performing Arts facilities and equipment which are essential if never could have imagined. they are to transform their lives. Student, Cally-Ann A new state-of-the-art residence has Here are some examples of how your recent been opened and some of our older donations have been spent: accommodation renovated. This has provided Hello my name is Cally-Ann McEvoy, I am students with the right environment to gain 19 years old and I come from the scouse the freedom and independence they desire. land back in Liverpool. I came to the The new accommodation features ‘enabling National Star College in September 2009 technology’ which allows students with severely restricted mobility to use infrared to study Performing Arts. What are your expectations and hopes? controls on their wheelchair to control I came to the College to be more You have to remember that you’re not the windows, lighting and even switch on the TV only new student starting at College. I’ve independent and to experience what it feels or stereo in their rooms. learned that we all struggle at times and you like to be living away from home. just have to keep going because it is worth it at the end. Making the pool easier to access I really do believe you have to try We’ve made improvements so that all of our if you want to succeed – if you students can experience the freedom of the swimming pool. Last summer our swimming don’t, you’ll always wonder if you pool facilities were updated. We now have self contained changing units for electric could have achieved more. wheelchair users and those who have complex Wheelchair bumpers care needs. The rooms are equipped with What do you think of the performing Many of our students are passionate about overhead hoists and tracking which can football! Bumpers allow students to participate arts department? transport students directly from the changing in wheelchair football games, they not only How’s it been since you started? The staff have been excellent with room into the pool. protect legs but help students to control the what they have planned this year. I have settled in really well and I am enjoying ball. At the College, wheelchair football is We have worked with a variety of people Helping students to communicate every minute of it. I would like to say that all played in lessons as part of ‘Sport 4 All’ and outside in the community for dance and Communication aids are a vital tool for many there is also an evening club for students. the staff have made me feel really welcome. performance projects. We have been given of our students. They are always there when you need them the opportunity to explore our values and We are extremely grateful to all of our supporters More than half of the College’s students and they get you really involved in what’s recognise our achievements and then share for helping to make the above possible. taking place. I have really made good mates require speech and language therapy and these with others in the community. We around a fifth use a communication aid. in College and they are there to listen to you have concentrated on our abilities and our Some of our students learn to communicate Thank you – you really are making a if you have anything on your mind. This is potential not our disability and this is really independently for the first time while at the huge difference for our students. the place to be! important. It’s been a great start to the year College, unlocking their potential to engage and I’m really looking forward to the rest of with their peers, family and friends. my time here at Star.

8 9 Be a star for Star

The College had a high profile in the press recently with amazing support from well known local people, businesses and celebrities in Trusts... making a difference the ‘Be a star for Star’ campaign.

Thanks to the fantastic support of many donors, including three national organisations who particularly helped – The Grand The campaign is to ask the Government The College helps to transform the lives of to reconsider its decision and reinstate the young people, increasing their confidence, Lodge of Mark Master Masons; funding it had previously pledged towards teaching them skills and preparing them for as The Freemasons’ Grand Charity Ex-student Harry Shenton receiving a cheque for £123,165 from the capital development programme at the independent an adult life as possible.” and the Hilton in the Community The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons ‘Fund of Benevolence’. College. Some of the supporters have included Professor Stephen Hawking, Hollywood Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen Foundation... actor Simon Pegg, Olympian Sharron Davies “The Cotswolds is well-known for having some homes, managing money, cooking a meal, and flamboyant interior designer Laurence really special places and none more so than ...we are now a step nearer to starting washing up, shopping and directing Llewellyn-Bowen. Local sporting teams, the National Star College. The opportunities construction on another student residence their carers. Cheltenham Town FC, Gloucester Rugby that the college provides for young disabled which will accommodate 6 students in Access to this type of accommodation Club and Gloucestershire County Cricket adults are truly life-changing.” single en-suite study bedrooms and 4 has helped students like Harry, last year’s also supported the campaign. students in single independent living Sharron Davies studio flats. Student Union President. Harry left the College in July 2009 and is shortly to move Simon Pegg “The National Star College is a wonderful The residence will also have a largecommunal into adapted accommodation, living on his “Having grown up in Gloucestershire, I’ve been place, doing some fantastic work, and lounge and dining area to help students own with support. aware of the great work that goes on at the should be kept that way. The young people develop social skills, an accessible laundry National Star College for some time. I hope at the college, who I often see in and around and a specially adapted life-skills kitchen. By building mor e of this type of that people in Gloucestershire will join me in Cheltenham, are an inspiration to us all and backing the College. Let’s hope that we can they need the local community to get behind We know that being able to develop accommodation we will be able make a difference.” them and support their college.” and practice life skills within a specialist to give mor e young people the residential setting enables our severely Stephen Hawking disabled young students to achieve opportunity to learn these skills and “I first learnt of the work of the National Star increased independence and more control to lead more independent lives. College more than two years ago when over their lives, now and in the longer term. my daughter Lucy and I met some of its It provides them with a stepping stone students at a talk we gave at the Cheltenham towards becoming an adult, helping them Literature Festival. We were struck by their to develop their confidence, make the most positive attitude to life and commitment to of their abilities, and to gain the essential life be as independent as possible despite the skills they need to become independent and severity of their disabilities. fulfilled young people – running their own 10 11 Social Media at LIFT Programme... National Star College Breaking down Barriers

The National Star College, in National Star College has started socialising, with digital media! partnership with Gloucestershire You can now see the College on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. County Council, has won a prestigious Guardian Public Service Award for its ‘LIFT’ Programme.

The Guardian Awards celebrate excellence amongst organisations commissioning or Our Facebook fansite has over 200 fans You will be able to keep and we want that number to grow. If you providing public services. travel training and travel awareness. up-to-date with all the latest 90% have progressed to independent have a Facebook account why not search LIFT (Learning Independence for Travel) travel and have significantly increased for the National Star College and add news from the College and was the vision of the National Star College long term social, educational and yourself as a fan. You will be able to keep take part in topical debate or and Gloucestershire County Council to employment opportunities. up-to-date with all the latest news from the create and deliver the best countywide comment on any current issues. College and take part in topical debate or independent travel training and Kathryn Rudd, Deputy Principal at the comment on any current issues. awareness programme. National Star College:

LIFT, which is a Beacon Award winning “We are absolutely delighted that the programme, delivers personalised great partnership between National Star Independent Travel Training, via a range College and Gloucestershire County Our Twitter site ‘Star College’ is now up of courses, to young people aged 10 Council has been recognised by gaining the and running so you can find out day-to- upwards with physical and/or learning Guardian Public Service Award for the LIFT day what is going on at the College. Just disabilities. The programme breaks down programme. The impact of the programme barriers to accessing public transport and on participants and their families cannot be search for us and start following. the wider community; supporting young underestimated and the award highlights people to realise their travel aspirations. how successful partnership working delivers A combination of classroom sessions and clear, lifelong outcomes and benefits for Travel Mentors who provide 1:1 support on the individual, as well as being able to specific routes, are offered, enabling young make savings for Gloucestershire County people to access education, employment Council. Because of this success LIFT Our YouTube channel is a great way to and training. is now widening out to work with young watch the videos of the College and really offenders, primary schools and other get a feel for what is going on around Prior to LIFT, people had very limited services that support vulnerable people the campus. opportunities to develop their travel skills in Gloucestershire.” and take control over their day-to-day lives. Since it was introduced, LIFT has worked 12 with 110 individuals to deliver independent 13 Sports students channel energies into competitions – and careers

From competing to coaching, Gloucestershire squad taking part in the Rotary Games in November. Seb came to quizzing professional away with two accolades – as the team’s footballers – College sports top scorer, and also best performer, as voted by the Rotarians. students have been chalking Paralympic Countdown up a championship league of Career focus Students and staff marked the start of the achievements this term. The focus on Boccia continued during the 1,000-day countdown to the 2012 Paralympic term – but with a twist for a group of BTEC Games with ‘1,000 Challenges’ across the On the competition circuit, Alex Giles and sports students. Mark Briggs, Dayle Walker, College on 3 December. Cullum Thomson made it an ‘all-Star’ final Alex Giles and Cullum Thomson volunteered at the South West Boccia Championships their coaching and leadership skills at the There were opportunities to swim 1,000 in Gloucester. Youth Games held at Oxstalls Tennis lengths, or to complete 1,000 circuits of Centre, Gloucester. Local schoolchildren the Sports Hall by walking, running, driving, The two students battled their way through with a range of disabilities attended the pushing, cycling, skipping – or by any other formidable competition to reach the Games, giving Star students a valuable means that met safety criteria! semi-finals, where Cullum notched up a opportunity to develop work skills for The show provided an opportunity The Functional Skills Department also convincing win against England International future employment. Sean Francis, and Alex’s eventual victory for students to network with a host of worked alongside the Sports Team, using over former Star student Adam Stanton- industry-leading professionals, compare short stories, poems and student thoughts Wharmby went to a nail-biting tie-break. products, view demonstrations, hear to focus on the seven values of the games: from insightful seminar speakers, and to determination, courage, inspiration, equality, At the final showdown, it was Alex who see the vast range of career possibilities respect, excellence and friendship. won through to be crowned South West available within the industry. Champion. Both finalists now go on to the National Championships, along with Any questions? ex-students Adam, Ben Curry and Craig Back home, and the BTEC Level 2 Johnson. students seized a rare opportunity to visit Cheltenham Town FC’s ground to Accolades quiz players on their training regime as Cullum and Alex had travelled to Gloucester professional athletes. Students were with fellow College competitors Tom Bush, And with thoughts still on careers, seven invited to stay to watch training, and were Can you help Jamie White, Sebasian Sargeant and students from the course travelled to the presented with a signed Cheltenham Susie Herbert who all achieved wins in this NEC Birmingham for Leisure Industry Week, Town FC shirt for the College’s new our minibus prestigious tournament – including two a key event for the leisure and sport sector. viewing gallery. victories for first-time competitor Jamie. appeal? See over... Meanwhile, Seb Sargeant, Lauren Ryan and Liam Robbins were also at the top of their game as part of the 16-strong

14 15 DONATING TO NATIONAL STAR COLLEGE HOW YOU CAN HELP Minibus Appeal

Without this vital lifeline, Alex might never seen or experienced. But on a day to day basis, it have become a sporting champion. transports them from College to home. To hospital appointments. For work experience in town. For a When Star College student Alex Giles qualified for night at the movies. And so much more. the South West Regional Boccia finals this term, it was a faithful friend that made sure he got there. It’s a lifeline. But it’s at the end of its working life. We’re thrilled to hear that a new Lords Taverners Our specially-adapted Lords Taverners minibus bus has been allocated to the College for 2010. transported him safely to training. To tournaments and competition heats. And next stop is the But we urgently need your help. While the National Championships. Lords Taverners pay more than half of the £47,000 bus, we are committed to raising £10,000 towards But the bus hasn’t just made Alex’s dream a reality. the cost. It’s a lifeline for dozens of students who want to pursue their studies, their enthusiasms, and fulfil Please help us – by sending as much as you can for their potential. our new minibus appeal. You’ll be helping students like Alex make the very most of life. Fully wheelchair accessible, the 13-seater has taken students to places they would never otherwise have Thank you.

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Data protection: The National Star College values your support and promises to respect your privacy. The data we gather and hold is managed in strict accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). We will not pass your details to other organisations but we would like to send you occasional news and information about the vital work we do. Please tick this box if you do not want to receive these If ther e ar e surplus funds following the minibus appeal then we will use the money to impr ove facilities or buy other equipment needed by the College. Registered Charity number 220239 TEAR OFF HERE