The success of Melanie Edwards from New Milton and over 104 FE students who have been helped by the Helena Kennedy Foundation to overcome a variety of obstacles was celebrated at the House of Lords on Tuesday 4 March 2014.

The House of Lords celebration brought together students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have progressed from FE colleges from as far afield as Hull into higher education. The event was supported by exam board OCR.

Melanie Edwards attended Brockenhurst College and is now studying Adult Nursing at the University of Southampton, having successfully overcome severe anxiety in order to achieve her success.

Each student selected by the Helena Kennedy Foundation received a bursary of £1500 to help cover the costs of university study, as well as on-going guidance and training from the Foundation. 

The Helena Kennedy Foundation was set up in Baroness Kennedy’s name over 15 years ago to take forward the findings of her seminal ‘Learning Works’ report. Speaking at the event, Baroness Kennedy said: “Our Bursary holders are truly inspirational people and it is an honour to witness and support their rise to success. I am delighted to have presented these students with one of our awards in acknowledgment of their achievements. Life is all about learning new things; each awarded student has shown fortitude and determination in taking the next step in their life”

Mark Dawe, Chief Executive of OCR, commented: “It is a privilege to be able to celebrate the achievements of some quite remarkable young people today. They are inspirational and great ambassadors for the potential of the FE sector. The Foundation removes some of the key barriers for students, who, without the Foundation’s assistance, would struggle to progress.”

Dr Ann Limb, Founder of the Foundation in 1998, and Chair of Trustees, said: “We know there are so many talented people out there who have the ability to succeed in higher education but still miss out on the opportunity. Making the leap from college to university can be a big step and our Foundation works with colleges across the UK to support students to overcome real disadvantage.  We are determined to continue to invest in talent, reward hard work and believe in the potential of education to transform lives”.

 Science students at Brock have been praised for their Extended Research Projects today with an award presentation and inspirational talk from a commercial scientist.

Extended Research Projects are undertaken by high-achieving students keen to progress to science-related degrees or professions. They are free to choose their topic, provided it is related to their academic study, and conduct individual research to investigate an area of specific interest.

Three students in particular were identified as having produced outstanding Extended Projects; Daniel Butler won a Bronze award for his investigation of the ways in which antibiotic resistance is challenging the NHS, and Jenna Crosbie scooped Silver for her analysis of the question, ‘Should more people be taking statins?’. The top Gold prize was awarded to Claudia Lever for her project entitled, ‘Should water supplies in the UK be fluorinated?’ The judging panel commended the attention to detail and originality of thought exhibited in her beautifully written assignment.

Claudia said: “I am delighted to receive this award – completing an Extended Research Project is hard work but very rewarding. I am hoping to go on to study Dentistry at university, so the focus of my project is directly related to my future plans. It has also helped me to develop my research technique and time management, which are essential skills for university and the workplace.”

The awards were sponsored by GEO Speciality Chemicals, with Operations Director Martin Symons presenting the prizes. He said:  “It is today’s students who will be the ones contributing to the evolution of technology to meet future global challenges; I encourage them to be curious and inquisitive in order to push the boundaries and develop their scientific careers.”

Di Roberts, Principal of the College joined the event and said: “These students will be at the forefront of moving science forward, and part of new disciplines that do not even exist yet. The amount of work that goes into completing an Extended Research Project is phenomenal and really assists students in developing the skills that are highly sought-after by top universities.”

The presentation was followed with a talk from Adam Barter, a Development Chemist at GEO responsible for bringing new products to the market. He described his career journey from completing an BSc and Masters in Chemistry at university, to securing his current position as a scientist two years ago. Adam emphasised how his career in science has provided him with invaluable opportunities to pursue new technologies, travel abroad and continuously learn through sector conferences and training.

Students attending the event also had the opportunity to apply the knowledge learnt in class to a fast-paced quiz, where they worked in teams to tackle biology, chemistry, physics and maths-related questions, submitting their answers using interactive learning technology.

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Brockenhurst College students set the international standard for A level Performance Studies when they showcased their work to the OCR Examining Board last weekend.

The student-devised performances were judged by 30 examiners over a three day period. Their work was filmed and footage sent to centres taking the OCR Performance Studies course across the UK, Jersey, Gibraltar and Singapore, to be used as a guide to marking.

Performance Studies student Bella Kane said: “Although the rehearsals were quite pressurised and I was nervous about the performance, it’s worthwhile knowing that we have set the standard for the whole country.”

Head of Performing Arts and Senior Examiner at Brock Tara Gadd commented: “This is a very prestigious event for the college to be involved in. Examiners from all over the country have attended the meeting and as one of the largest and most successful centres in the UK, we really did put on an excellent demonstration of practical work. The students have worked extremely hard throughout rehearsals and we are all very proud of them.”

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It’s that time of year again when the Craft Guild of Chefs sets to finding chefs with skill, flair and creativity to take part in one of the largest, live competitions in the UK – the Wessex Salon Culinaire.

Brockenhurst College is the established venue for this prestigious event, which is held in association with The Craft Guild of Chefs, and takes place 28th & 29th May 2014. It has grown in stature over the years and is a fantastic platform for all chefs, especially student chefs, to get a taste of competition experience.

This year, over 500 entries are expected and, with the introduction of a new bakery section inspired by the popular ‘Great British Bake Off’, the event promises to be an invaluable experience for all entrants.

The event is split into four categories, Live Hot, Live Cold, Restaurant and Display, and includes scores of classes for entrants to choose, from a British game main course in the Live Hot section right through to napkin folding in the Restaurant Table Display.

If you are a budding chef and would like to be part of a competition experience like no other, find out more and enter at:

www.craftguildofchefs.org/wessex-salon-culinaire-2014

E: cgc@proactivecommunications.co.uk

T: 020 8948 3870

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We are looking for families, single parents, retired couples and singles to join our Host Family Accommodation programme for international students. Host families must be open to other cultures and interested in the well-being of students. Hosting a student is a rewarding experience for the whole family and provides an excellent opportunity to meet people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are looking for host families who can provide:

- An English speaking cultural environment

- Daily interaction with their students, involve them in activities and treat them as true members of the family

- Accommodation within 30min from Brockenhurst and close to good transportation links

- A private furnished room for each student

- Internet access

- 2 meals per day during week days, 3 meals per day during weekend, holidays and non-term time

All applicants and properties will be interviewed and screened carefully. DBS (previously CRB) checks will be conducted for all residents over the age of 18.

Fee: approximately £120/week depending on location and available facilities

For more information please email settle@brock.ac.uk or call 01590 625325

This week, students at Brockenhurst will be benefiting from a series of tutorials, classes and events to learn how to better manage their money.

The financial capability programme is part of a national scheme called Barclays Money Skills ‘weeks’, which aims to help young people learn how to budget, manage their money more effectively and develop their enterprise and employability skills. The scheme has been developed by Barclays and the National Skills Academy for Financial Services and aims to reach 150,000 students this year.

The entertaining and informative tutorials and classroom sessions are based on topics such as food, fashion, and independent living. This includes watching DVDs, debating issues in class and fun interactive money management games. A national enterprise competition also gives students the chance to win some great prizes including a trip to Barclays London headquarters.

First year A level student Joseph Murphy attended the Budgeting for University workshop and said: “ I have gained some very useful advice today. As you consider your next steps after college and become more independent, maintaining responsible money management is increasingly important - these workshops have helped me to become more aware of how to make informed choices and decisions.”

Brockenhurst College has been promoting the benefits of healthy living amongst students and staff with its All-Ways Healthy campaign and a series of awareness-raising events and activities.

Representatives from a variety of health related-organisations including NHS Services, Health Watch, the Teenage Cancer Trust, BEAT, the Centre for Dentistry and Safe Partnership attended the College to help students find out more about a range of issues including healthy eating, mental health, the importance of exercise and safe relationships.

Student Lauren Chambers said she found the activities a valuable way of learning more about adopting a healthy lifestyle: “I have had the opportunity to attend workshops and listen to talks about issues that I did not know very much about before. It is really important to be aware of these sorts of things, especially as we become more independent as adults – taking responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is really down to us.”

Health & Safety Partner Andrea Kennedy organised the event and said: “We have a duty to support our students in making the best choices possible when it comes to their own health – if an activity such as this can help them to make at least one positive lifestyle decision, it has been well worth it.”

Head of Performing Arts Tara Gadd was also supporting the All-Ways Healthy week as she prepares for a 100k charity bike ride as part of Women v Cancer. She said: “In training for this event I have really embraced a more healthy lifestyle which has had many positive effects; I think that the All-Ways Healthy campaign at Brock is an excellent initiative to help educate students as to the various ways in which they can make a difference to their physical and mental wellbeing.”
 

Coinciding with this year’s Adults Learners’ Week, a national celebration of lifelong learning, Brock is holding an Adult Learning Information Evening on Wednesday 18th June from 6-8pm.

Both the main site at Brockenhurst College and Brock’s offices at Basepoint in Southampton will be open on the evening, and prospective adult learners are invited to find out more about the range of professional, higher education, vocational and apprenticeship courses on offer, all of which are designed for those looking to further or enhance their careers or education, take specific qualifications or learn new industry skills. Tutors will be available to discuss training requirements, and to inspire attendees to take the next step in developing their work-related skills.

A wide range of Adult Leisure courses are also available at centres across the New Forest, and advisors will be available at Brockenhurst College’s main site to answer any questions visitors may have about the many classes and workshops we offer to help learners develop new skills, improve their knowledge, take up a new hobby or meet others with similar interests.

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Continuing its centenary celebrations, Brockenhurst College students performed to an audience of alumni and parents in an exclusive preview of a performance entitled ‘Brock in WW1’ this week.

The College had received £7,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to support the development of the drama project which saw students researching the stories of local residents affected by the First World War, and then bringing their experiences to life through theatre.

Awarded through the HLF’s ‘First World War: then and now’ programme, which marks the Centenary of the First World War, the project enabled students and local people in Brockenhurst to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of those who lived through the world-changing conflict.

The activity was particularly poignant as the First World War’s centenary coincides with the College’s own 100th anniversary year, with many past students of the time having been affected by the war.

Students have been collecting photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down, to help them build a clear picture of what life was like in the area 100 years ago, and used these findings to inspire and develop the theatrical performance.

First year student Summer Stringfellow took part in the project and said: “This has been an eye opening experience as my peers and I have learnt so much about the First World War, from censorship in letters to the angel of mons legend. It has been amazing to have uncovered so many facts and accounts from the local community and be able to teach others what we have learnt through the use of performing arts.”

Having been previewed at the College on 20th June at a 'Brock 100' celebratory event, the 'Brock in WW1' performance will now be delivered to local school groups to share experiences and raise awareness of the conflict.

Principal Di Roberts comments: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the opportunity to engage with local schools. This is an extremely rewarding and enriching project for our students to be undertaking – it is essential that the memories of those who lived through such a world-changing period of time are understood and preserved. This has been a unique chance for young people to connect with this legacy, and use it creatively to inform their studies and broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

 This year's Children’s University graduation ceremony, hosted by Southampton Solent University, has tripled in size since it was launched last year.

At the weekend, 134 pupils from 12 schools across the region donned caps and gowns to take part in the Hampshire Children’s University graduation event - which is a collaboration between Brockenhurst College, Solent University and local schools.

The Children’s University (CU) is a nationwide programme that aims to engage, inspire, and motivate children aged from 7 to 14 years and 5 and 6 year olds with their families, to develop a passion for learning by offering them an exciting range of extra-curricular activities and events - from after-school activities on site, to visits to museums, businesses, exhibitions, sports activities and university lectures.

This innovative initiative aims to raise aspirations and inspire a love of learning for children from all backgrounds and abilities. It is also used to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds or those from families who might otherwise not think of further or higher education as an option.

Commenting on the success of the scheme Di Roberts, Principal of Brockenhurst College, said: “I am delighted that the Children’s University is providing the opportunity for children and young people to enrich their educational experience and become proud and confident learners.”

Dr Jamie Mackay, Partnership Development Manager at Southampton Solent University added: “The fact that this event has grown since last year is a testament to the success of the programme and shows why it’s important to reach out to people from different backgrounds.”

The schools taking part included:

·         St. Michael and All Angels CofE Infant School

·         Netley March CofE Infant School

·         Copythorne CofE Infant School

·         Bartley Junior School

·         Foxhills Infant School

·         Blackfield Primary School

·         Fawley Infant School

·         Hounsdown Secondary School

·         Hordle CofE Primary School

·         Oaklodge Specialist Art College

·         The New Forest Academy.

The graduates received a certificate from the local Children’s University Chancellor and Paralympics 2012 wheelchair rugby star, Aaron Phipps.

After completing a set number of hours of activity the pupils achieve different awards. Since September, some of the pupils have now completed over 200 hours of learning.

Fiona Adams, Headteacher at Hordle Primary School said: “We have over 25 clubs each term for our children to take part in and over 60% of our children participate. They love their out-of-hours learning and 260 club places are filled each week. Children's University is an inspiring programme and over 100 of our pupils have signed up for a passport. We are thrilled that we have 35 children graduating; that's a whopping 10% of our school in this first cohort. We are proud to be associated with the Children's University and hope that our children's aspirations for the future will be raised by this fantastic experience.”

Business Student Dansan Wickneswaran attended the Solent Education Business Partnership Amazing People Awards at the Novotel Southampton last week, where he was nominated for an award within the ‘Making the Most of Work Experience’ category. There were 13 award categories for students and local businesses.