Wednesday 30 December 2015

Christmas Break

Hi all,

I hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas break and getting some well deserved rest.

2016 is nearly here and now is the time when everyone starts to make New Year's Resolutions...
I have decided that this year instead of writing a list of resolutions I am going to write a Bucket List for 2016 all the things I would like to do in 2016, which perhaps I haven't done before or I just haven't done much of it before:
  1. Try something new
  2. Go to a place I have never been before
  3. Try a food I have never eaten before
  4. Go a whole day without using any technology
  5. Fundraise for charities
  6. Get students more involved with activities within college
2016 could be your year what things can you think of that maybe you could try or just do more of this year? Comment below with your 2016 Bucket List ideas

Also I am intrigued to hear what types of cross college activities you would like to see in the new year, as I am eager to get back to the college and plan some more exciting events! If you could comment below any ideas you have that would be massively appreciated or come and see me when we're back on 4th January I am based in Student Services.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope that 2016 brings you all the luck and happiness and everything you wish for :)

"A New Year is on the way and the possibilities are endless"
 

Thursday 17 December 2015

Text Santa Christmas Jumper Day

Yesterday the college held their “Text Santa” Christmas Jumper Day to help raise money for some amazing charities. People paid a £1 to wear their festive knits and join in the festive fun around college. Well done to everyone who took part and donated to the help of the charities.
Text Santa supports the amazing work of Macmillan Cancer Support, Make a Wish Foundation & Save the Children. All three charities work hard all year through to support people around the world who need it.
o   Macmillan Cancer Support helps the people and their families affected by cancer from giving them high quality information  about their cancer to providing support to everyone involved to ensure they feel fully supported during such a terrible time.
o   Make a Wish Foundation grants wishes to children fighting life threatening conditions. Whether it’s starring in their own films, walking with dinosaurs, going on an amazing holiday, meeting a celebrity hero, or having a life-changing bedroom makeover; the wishes are varied, personal and, most importantly, magical
o   Save the Children works in more than 120 countries providing support to children providing a variety of help. Save the Children help provide an education to children who were missing out previously, better access to health care for children, protection to children who are in danger, neglected or exploited and much more.
The TV show will take place tomorrow night featuring a variety of stars doing their bit to help raise money for such deserving charities. Visit http://www.textsanta.co.uk/ for more information on where your money is going.
As well as wearing our festive knits at college we held a “Design a Christmas Jumper” competition within college with a festive treat for the winners. A prize was given to the best jumper design from staff and best jumper design from a student. There were lots of amazing designs so well done to all who participated in the competition. The winner of the staff competition was Barry Bratt and the student winner was Sheridan Stainsby so well done to you both J
 
 
 
 
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is called New Year's Day.
 
 
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hoping 2016 brings you the best of luck !!!
 
 
HCFE Staff showing their support to the Text Santa Campaign


The Principal choosing the winners.. And the winners are......
Barry Bratt (left) and Sheridan Stainsby (right)

Friday 11 December 2015

Another Busy Week Here AT College


What a week it has been this week?!
From Christmas trips to the Metro Centre to Christmas fayres the college has done it all…
On Wednesday, we took 47 students to the Metro Centre for a fun day of Christmas shopping. The day seemed to go really well and many students were commenting on the bus how they had enjoyed a day out of college on a fun, festive trip finishing off their Christmas shopping or if you are like me just starting their Christmas shopping… Oops! On the coach students joined in a festive quiz and the winner was Bethany Harrison and the winner of best Christmas jumper went to Carla Crossman!
I hope all students enjoyed themselves and hope to see this many students next year!
Next was the Christmas Fayre hosted by the fabulous Hospitality and Catering students and staff here at the college. On Thursday 10th December the college was filled with stall holders and members of the public coming to join in the festive spirit. From hot chocolate and brownies to little unique gifts to a trip to see Santa in his grotto - the fayre had it all. Some of our members of staff were even selling their crafty gifts. Well done to all involved it was a lovely event and had such a lovely atmosphere with everyone starting to get into the Christmas spirit.  
The fayre raised £326.23 for Hartlepool & District Hospice – Thank you to everyone who donated!!
Next week is going to be another busy week here at college. Some of the events on next week are:
·         Candy Canes – are being sold by Student Ambassadors for 10p each at lunch times and from Student Services.  Attach a label to a candy cane and the elves will deliver them into lessons next week.
·         Nightmare Before Christmas – will be shown in Conference Room 3 12.30-2pm on 16th December.
·         Christmas Jumper Day – 16th December
Wear a Christmas jumper and pay a £1 to donate to “Text Santa”. Text Santa helps charities such as “Make a Wish Foundation”, “Save the Children” & “Macmillan Cancer Charity” so wear your festive knit and help some amazing charities. Also we are running a “Design a Christmas Jumper Competition” and there will be prizes for Best Staff Design and Best Student Design.
Designs to be handed into Student Services by Wednesday J
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Christmas 2015

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Today is the day… To open the first door on the advent calendars, get ready to put the Christmas decorations up and start to get in the festive spirit – unless you’re like me who has been excited since the beginning of November.

Christmas is my favourite time of year - I love everything to do with it from buying and wrapping presents to listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas films. My all-time favourite Christmas film is Miracle on 34th Street – if you have never seen it before I recommend you watch it. It will definitely get you into the true spirit of Christmas.

What is your all-time favourite Christmas film? Comment below with your answers. I am interested to see what films everyone enjoys and to find out about some I have never seen before so I can watch over the Christmas holidays.

I can’t wait to put my decorations up this weekend, as then I truly know it is nearly Christmas. The tree is up in Student Services and it is making me very happy and very festive! The college tree will be getting decorated in the next few days so watch out for that!

There are a few events coming up in the next few weeks on the lead up to Christmas from Film Clubs to trips to the Metro Centre, if you are interested in any of these events come and see me in Student Services for more information.

Comment below: What is your favourite thing to do on Christmas Eve?

Mine is going to the pantomime with all the kids from dancing and then coming home to put my new PJs on and watch Christmas TV with the family and eating takeaway. A few years ago my favourite thing to watch on Christmas Eve was “Noel’s Christmas Present”, which made me cry every time the stories were so touching.


“I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanour. You know, I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.” Miracle on 34th Street

Wednesday 25 November 2015

NEW Student Ambassadors

Over the past few weeks I have been interviewing students who want to become Student Ambassadors for the college. As a Student Ambassador they will get to help plan events and trips for students, help out at events within college and voice the student opinion. All of the students who were interviewed were fab and that is why all the students who were interviewed have been offered a position as Student Ambassador. So that is a grand total of 22 Ambassadors!!

Our first meeting was held on the 25th November and what a great turn out we had. It was so lovely to see the new ambassadors who turned up. They met the Principal, a few members of the student services team and Thomas & Carla. Next they took part in a couple of ice breakers to get to know each other and they participated in a Buzz quiz, which helped us see what their personality type was like.

My personality type is described as a “Koala Bear” and famous celebrities who have that personality type include Kim Kardashian (which made me very happy since I absolutely love the Kardashians).

Once the ice breakers were out of the way I told the ambassadors about the upcoming events we have organised within college. From Film Clubs to Game Clubs. To our trip to the Metro Centre on Wednesday 9th December.  To keep up to date with all upcoming events join the HCFE Events group on Facebook…

Overall the meeting seemed to go really well and all the new Ambassadors seemed really keen and excited for the events in the near future. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you!

Upcoming Events:
·         Film Club 3rd December = Home Alone 2 – Conference Room 3 12.30-2pm
·         Christmas Trip to Metro 9th December 9.15am-3.45pm
·         Christmas Fayre – 10th December
·         Film Club 15th December = Nightmare Before Christmas - 12.30-2pm Conference Room 3


“Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group. A tribute to our combined effort” Walt Disney 





Tuesday 24 November 2015

National Citizen Service

Today we were joined by 3 amazing volunteers from the National Citizen Service, which is open to 15-17 year olds. The service is well known and looks great on a CV or UCAS application.

The NCS programme helps you build your skills for work and life, while you take on new challenges and meet new friends. It brings together young people from different backgrounds and helps them develop greater confidence, self-awareness and responsibility. Also it encourages personal and social development by working on skills like leadership, teamwork and communication. Participants develop a social action project to deal with a local issue they’re passionate about, and spend 30 hours putting the project into action in their community. Want more info on NCS visit http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/

The volunteers told a group of Early Year students about the benefits of taking part in the programme and what this would mean to them in the future, also they spoke about the ICS (International Citizen Service).

The ICS is a programme for 18-25 year olds that takes students away for 3 months working in developing countries with several projects. What an experience that must be! If you want more information visit http://www.volunteerics.org/

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" Helen Keller

Friday 20 November 2015

Celebration of Achievement 2015


Last night saw 40 students from across college be presented with some amazing awards to reward them for their outstanding achievements during 2014/15. It was my first time at an awards evening like this and all I can say was it was amazing from start to finish.

The reception was beautiful and everyone was made to feel so welcome. The food that followed looked like a 5* restaurant and to say that our students had spent hours creating such delicacies is immense. I could never cook like that in a million years – so I would like to say a massive well done to the Hospitality and Catering students who spent their time preparing such a delicious feast.

Everyone there thoroughly enjoyed their evening and it was so nice to be able to sit back and watch students be rewarded for such excellent work. I was amazed at the achievements of all the students and I even cried a few times (as Mark would say I was totes emotional).

Well done to the 40 students who received awards you all deserved it so much and you should be so proud of everything you have achieved because I know all staff here at the college are!


“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” Walt Disney  


Student of the Year : Angela Leonard

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Christmas Trip 2015

It’s nearly that time of year again… For everyone to put up the decorations, cook the turkey and share in the festive fun.

The adverts are here so that only means one thing Christmas is nearly here. It’s time to join in the festive fun that will be happening around college. From Christmas jumper days to Christmas trips.

On 9th December there is a trip to the Metro Centre open to all students. The coach will be leaving college at 9.15am and will be picking up at the Metro at 3.45pm. Come along and get those last few presents or if you’re like me start your Christmas shopping. The cost of the trip is £2 each so if you’re interested in coming pop and see me in the back of Student Services to sign up.

Come along and join in the festive fun on the bus with quizzes, music and prizes for best Christmas hat/jumper.


“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” 

 Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Monday 16 November 2015

National Anti-bullying Week

Bullying is repeated behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically, and is often aimed at certain people because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or any other aspect such as appearance or disability.

Did you know?

Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying every year!

This week is National Anti-Bullying Week, which get schools and colleges across the country to promote anti-bullying and what to do if you’re being bullied. Bullying can affect anyone at anytime and anywhere and now since the recent increase in use of social media – cyber bullying has become more popular too.

Last year 52% of young people reported that they had experienced cyberbullying! Cyberbullying is increasingly becoming a huge issue within schools and colleges, as the students can’t escape from the bullying it follows them around on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc… They can’t escape the constant battle…

So we ask that you think before you speak, so we can help lower the bullying statistics and make everyone feel happy and welcomed! In 2014 30% of students who said they had been bullied had turned to self-harm. Tragically, bullying can even lead someone to taking their own life- approximately 4,400 lives are lost per year because of suicide. What a horrible statistic!

If you have any concerns you can speak to Ronnie, who is our welfare officer and he is able to help with any worries you may have. Don’t suffer in silence


 When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sand paper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit, but in the end, you end up polished and they end up useless.” – Chris Colfer

Friday 13 November 2015

Children in Need

Today is the day!

Children in Need 2015 takes place and everyone across the country will be participating in fundraising activities from non-uniform days to cycle-a-thons to cake sales. In the hope of raising lots of money for children and young people who are disadvantaged.

The appeal show has been on TV since 1980 and since then they have raised over £600 million! Last year the grand total was £49.1 million and this year they’re hoping to break that record too! So find a Children in Need bucket and give what you can to help those less fortunate.

Children in Need helps millions of young people every year and they’re only able to do this because of the generous donations from the people of the UK. Look at their website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/corporate2/childreninneed) to find out where your money goes and who you are helping.


“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” 
 Mother Teresa


Take a look at how your money can help:

Tuesday 10 November 2015

Remembrance Day 2015


10.30 am today Conference Room 1 was packed out with students, staff and veterans as they paid their respects to the fallen. The service was very poignant and held the true meaning at the heart of it. Many comments were made about how touching the service was and how many people thoroughly enjoyed it.

Singers from Lord Lawson of Beamish Music Students added to the touching service by putting on beautiful performances of famous war songs, which were used to boost morale during such tragic times. The students gave a moving performance of the songs and many of the audience were delighted at the performance given and commented on this.


Tomorrow is Remembrance Day and the college will be observing a 2 minutes silence at 11am signalled by “the Last Post”, which will be played by Graeme Fallowfield from the 3rd floor corridor. We invite you to pay your respect and remember those who have fallen and gave their lives so we could have ours. 

Monday 9 November 2015

This Week in College

This week the college is very busy with several events that are happening nationwide:

·         Remembrance Day Service 10th November

On Tuesday morning at 10.30am in Conference Room 1 we will be paying our respects to those who have being killed as a result of warfare. Poppies are on sale from reception – if you would like to show your respect to those who have fallen. Remembrance Day services will be held across the country on Wednesday and a 2 minute silence will be observed to remember those who have tragically died during times of war.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.


·         Children in Need Friday 13th November

The Children in Need campaign takes place on Friday with various events and fundraising going on across the UK. College will be holding a Wickedly Wet Assault Course to help raise money, whilst having fun. Grab 5 friends and come join the fun of the course but make sure you bring a towel, as there may be a slight chance of getting a bit wet.

Children in Need Appeals have been taking place since 1927 but the first televised appeal was in 1955! Since 1980 they have raised over £600 million! This money goes towards helping provide grants to projects around the UK who aim to provide services to children and young people who are disadvantaged. Look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/corporate2/childreninneed for more info on what it is all about and where your money goes…

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” Winston Churchill

Saturday 7 November 2015

Student Governor Meeting

On the 5th November I travelled to Newcastle accompanied by two students (Carla and Thomas) to attend Student Governor Induction Training. We arrived by train and then proceeded to head towards the building; however we got lost as I trusted Google and it led me the wrong way (I am not very good at directions anyway!).

The building was rather posh and I felt a bit like a fish out of water but it wasn’t as scary as it seemed. Everyone seemed very friendly and the speaker was very laid back and informal. We were discussing all about board room meetings and what would happen in a governor meeting, which all seemed very confusing to me and they mentioned words which I had never even heard of so they may as well have been speaking some foreign language. A key part of the training was learning about boardroom behaviour especially body language, which can speak a thousand words before you even speak one.

Overall the event was full of lots of information that will help me in the future from sitting in meetings to just meeting new people.

"To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart." – Sr. Thomas Watson 


Friday 6 November 2015

Introducing Me

Hi, my name is Erin Blackett and I am the new Student Engagement Officer here at the college! I recently completed 2 years at Brinkburn 6th Form studying A Levels but realised university wasn’t for me so looked at apprenticeships and found this position. I love what my job entails as it enables me to gain first-hand experience whilst completing a qualification in management. In the next 5 years I hope to become an event planner and this role provides me with a great insight into what this would be like. 

Whilst at the college I am keen to ensure that students are involved with a range of activities in addition to their academic commitments. I know first-hand how stressful college life can be and balancing a social life can help to reduce the stress. I want to encourage all students to have fun whilst learning and really enjoy their time at college. 

 As part of my role I manage the Student Ambassador team and am currently recruiting, so watch this space to meet your new ambassadors! If you would like to come and speak to me regarding college activities or ideas about what you would like to see developed to improve your college experience, I am located at the back of student services (next to the monkey!). Otherwise feel free to catch me around college; if I look lost I probably am as I'm still finding my feet here at college!

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I need to be”
I apologise in advance for any Disney references I am a rather large Disney geek so there may be a few in my later posts J