Lewisham College News Welcome to this term’s issue of Lewisham College News! This newsletter provides news and information, as well as highlighting upcoming events for your diary. Don’t forget to visit the College website and social media pages at lewisham.ac.uk for the latest College news. 020 3757 3000 lewisham.ac.uk 1 Mental fitness app for students Lewisham College partnered with Fika insights into the science behind our mental health mental fitness to bring its students and develop the seven skills of Mental Fitness: a tool to help them stay motivated, focus, confidence, motivation, connection, positivity, meaning and managing stress. productive, focused and connected during this unusual time. Students can also take part in Fika’s daily community mental fitness workout, share The Fika: Student Skills app introduced to the experiences, learn from other members of the college’s community during Mental Health community and cheer each other on. Awareness Week is specifically designed to help combat the challenges of remote study Asfa Sohail, Principal at Lewisham College and the mental health impact of the Covid-19 said: “The wellbeing and safety of our students pandemic. The app offers a dedicated series and staff will always come first, I’m delighted of programmes created to help students learn to be able to bring the Fika app to our college from expert psychologists, other students, community and I encourage everyone to start academic and professional athletes. using the app to stay mentally fit, connected, Students can use the app to access five-minute motivated and focused during COVID-19.” video, audio and text programmes covering many topics, including managing distractions Access to Fika’s COVID-19 package is free for all and uncertainty, maintaining motivation and Lewisham College students and staff. positivity, staying connected, self-care and For more information on learner support visit healthy habits. As well as gaining invaluable lewisham.ac.uk/learner-support/your-wellbeing 2 lewisham.ac.uk 020 3757 3000 020 3757 3000 lewisham.ac.uk 3 Read more at lewisham.ac.uk/news Lewisham College joins Covid-19 fight with goggles donation Supporting the vital work of frontline NHS staff in their fight against Covid-19, Lewisham College has stepped in to donate Health and social care students at Lewisham goggles from its science College have successfully completed their department to work placement during lockdown while Lewisham Hospital. helping their local communities through Asfa Sohail, Principal Lewisham Local. at Lewisham College, said: “We are pleased to play this small part in We are living in unprecedented times, and the supporting healthcare workers to do their job current restrictions have impacted students looking safely, they are the for work placements. Faculty in the health and social backbone of our care department worked collaboratively with sector community and we want partners and organisations to help their students to help them in any way we can.’ find a placement with Lewisham Local. The donation is just one In this volunteering initiative, students can use and way that the College build on their skills and knowledge in the safest is supporting the local possible way as well as supporting the health care community during the system during these times of emergency. virus outbreak. Health and social care students are As part of their work placement, learners are calling vulnerable also contributing by calling adults for a daily chat to help reduce the impact of isolation. vulnerable adults for a daily They are also assisting with food shopping and delivery, always chat and helping with food observing social distancing measures. shopping and delivery while observing social distancing. All students are proactive in their role. They are experiencing the importance of community support and learning how just a few minutes a day can make an incredible difference in people’s lives. To find out more about health and social care courses, visit lewisham.ac.uk/courses/health-and-social-care 020 3757 3000 lewisham.ac.uk 3 Lewisham College is proud to announce the introduction of new creative arts and design provision this September. The Creative Arts programmes cover At Lewisham College, you can study arts and a wide range of disciplines, including design, production arts, and performing arts. You will learn about the practices, principles music, photography, videography, and ethics of creative producing, as well as be performing arts, film, visual arts, introduced to industry tools and tips. fashion design and more. If you have an interest in creative arts and want to develop and test your creativity, then these courses are for you. Find out more at The field has a strong vocational link with many lewisham.ac.uk/courses/creative-arts courses designed to help students develop skills in production, performance and design and provide a route to a related career. 4 LSCollege.ac.uk Phone: 020 3757 3000 4 lewisham.ac.uk 020 3757 3000 020 3757 3000 lewisham.ac.uk 5 Read more at lewisham.ac.uk/news Keep College safe and inspiring! RESPECT Treat others how you want to be treated PROTECT Take care of yourself and your environment DETECT Recognise when something isn’t right PREVENT Keep informed, stay safe, report concern If you are worried about anything please contact your tutor or [email protected] Phone: 020 3757 3000 LSCollege.ac.uk 020 3757 3000 lewisham.ac.uk 5 THINK SAFE | STAY SAFE Are you concerned about: » Safety » Bullying » Abuse/Neglect » Radicalisation/Extremism » Exploitation If you have any concerns either: » Speak to a member of staff or security » Contact one of the Safeguarding Team » Contact us Email: [email protected] Internal: 020 3757 4333 Room: T22 - Student Services Our Safeguarding Team Jamie Purser Sharon Cousins Roger Price Lizna Hannan Rosalind Jackson Designated Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer Safeguarding Officer Safeguarding Officer Safeguarding Lead Safeguarding Lead External number for Safeguarding: 020 3757 4120 6 LSCollege.ac.uk Phone: 020 3757 3000 020 3757 3000 lewisham.ac.uk 7 Read more at lewisham.ac.uk/news Free employability courses in Lewisham “They present a good opportunity for those In response to the Coronavirus crisis, who are looking for employment to upskill their Lewisham College is launching a range current talents whilst receiving support from our employability team to source vacancies and of free employability courses to improve their job applications.” supportthe local community to gain new skills and prepare to enter or To find out more about eligibility and how to re-enter the workplace. apply, get in touch on 020 3757 3000 or at [email protected]. The online courses usually each take between 6-8 weeks to complete and are available in a For more information visit range of subjects, including Functional Skills in lewisham.ac.uk/free-courses-for-job-seekers English and Maths, IT, Support Work in Schools, Customer Service and Business Administration. Each course has been designed to ensure the content matches the skills required and valued by employers to help job seekers develop vital skills, increase confidence and boost their CV. Asfa Sohail, Principal at Lewisham College, said: “We are very excited to launch a range of adult courses for the benefit of our surrounding communities. Phone: 020 3757 3000 LSCollege.ac.uk 020 3757 3000 lewisham.ac.uk 7 The COVID-19 cyber note The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many challenges, ESOL students and cybersecurity is one of them. Cybercriminals are using participate in Spelling this uncertain time to increase their targeting of public and Bee competition private organisations, as well as private individuals. Many people are using For more information on how services, apps or devices, such to recognise these emails, Taking a different approach as smartphones, webcams and see the National Cyber to ‘traditional’ revision tablets to work or socialise Security Centre guidance. techniques, ESOL students during the lockdown. Also, at Lewisham College with more of us studying from Social engineering attacks participated in a Spelling home and keeping connected are also on the rise, to Bee competition. to our families and friends by identify and prevent an phone, video calls and social attack follow these steps: Faculty in the ESOL media, it has never been department introduced this fun more critical to ensure our » Establish the identity of tactic of a student Spelling Bee online security. the caller as a way for them to learn in a » Do not give out your competitive and concentrated, Follow these steps to personal information over yet enjoyable environment help you keep cyber safe: the phone, to websites or in response to emails or text Spelling competitions ran in » Check your security and messages you don’t classrooms with the winners privacy settings recognise or trust selected to represent their » Block unsuitable content » Do not allow anyone classes in the finals. Four » Check the facts – not all to connect to your students from ESOL Entry information is reliable. device remotely. Level 1 and Entry Level 2 were the overall winners. If you receive a If you think you have been suspicious email: scammed, defrauded or They received a book token experienced cyber-crime report as a prize for their hard work, » Do not click on any links it to Action Fraud or contact and they were presented or follow any instructions them on 0300 123 2040. with certificates by MP Vicky » Do not forward to Foxcroft and Asfa Sohail, another person For more information and Lewisham College Principal » Report it by forwarding advice on how to stay secure at the award ceremony a few the suspicious email to online during coronavirus, days later. [email protected] visit the Cyber Aware » Delete it.