Croydon College Student life Newsletter- Spring 2015

Croydon College

Your Blank Space

spring

2015

student life

designed by Kit Keighley (Graphic Design)

THE

UNICEF UK

CHILDREN

IN DANGER

PRO J E C T

p make change in Volunteering allows you to help make change in ate about while something you are passionate about while nity and makingconnecting with your community and making it a better place. That sense of satisfaction of satisfaction you get when you know you are part of ou are part of something that’s making a difference is priceless. rence is priceless.

Students at Croydon College are actively supporting the new UNICEF UK Children in Danger Campaign with a wide variety of projects and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and raising funds to support those children in urgent need of support from imminent danger. These include:

UNICEF

Boko Haram Project

UNICEF

UNICEF

Members of the Croydon College UNICEF Steering Group students are working on the Children in Danger Campaign because they are concerned about the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria.

We want to support the shelters for rescued victims through: • Petitions • Collecting donations • Educating others around the issue by showing a video clip to students to show them how young children are being treated and losing their rights.

We have been in contact with UNICEF Nigeria to ensure we are working effectively to support the crisis’.

unice f Indefinite Detention Campaign Other members of the UNICEF steering group are working on a project about the detention of refugees and asylum seekers.

‘We are especially focusing on the children of the parents or family members who are arrested.

There is also a special focus on tackling the unlawful arrestment of minors.

Our short term aims are: • To raise awareness of the subject • Reduce the abuse and improve the living conditions of the detainees • Stop the imprisonment of minors • Over a longer term our aims are: • To redesign the system that the refugees and asylum seekers go through • Possibly improve prison conditions We are going to communicate with the organisation in charge of G4, and the MPs, about improving the conditions of the detention centres’.

“I WAS REALLY PLEASED AND PROUD OF THIS ACHIEVEMENT... ...THE SATISFACTION I GAINED WHILE DOING THIS WAS REALLY TREMENDOUS. I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND OTHER STUDENTS TO FOLLOW IN MY STEPS.” Yeeswaree Childcare, L3

Mozambique Trafficking Child Organs Students have been in touch with UNICEF Mozambique about their project to address the trafficking of child organs. They have been advised to raise awareness of this issue and to raise funds to support the local agencies supporting victims and families.

Child Trafficking ‘Children are innocent creatures and can’t defend themselves. This is why I feel like it is the parent’s responsibility to protect them and if they don’t protect the children, it will be our responsibility as human beings to protect them.

As part of the UNICEF steering group, I feel especially responsible and want to help make a change. I have created posters and am starting a petition as a way of raising awareness that this needs to stop! I am also planning to do some fundraising to help as well’.

Bernice GOALS

Winter Clothes Project As part of my voluntary work and UNICEF Pledge Award I decided to choose the winter clothes project in order to keep children warm, especially during the winter season. As a mother myself, I also have a strong passion for the welfare of children. I started off by doing some research to back up my ideas and to plan the activity. I have tried to raise awareness and maximize the output by going to classes to inform students about my project and also ask if they could donate some unwanted clothes for the children . I also used posters as a way of advertising the campaign.

As a result of internet research, with the help of my teacher Sonia Goldson, I decided to choose the charity “Action For Kids”. We contacted this charity and requested some bags for the donated

UNICEF Opportunity J7 summit Once again the college have been offered an incredible opportunity for up to six of the UNICEF Steering students to attend this year’s G7 youth summit (the “J7 summit”) in Berlin from 6 to 14 May, the only students in the UK to be invited to attend this prestigious event.

This would have been a fantastic experience for the six successful Croydon College applicants to represent UNICEF UK and have their voices heard by the G7 Heads of State and Government, along with young people from all the G7 states (including Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and the USA).

Unfortunately due to the timing of this event and the overlap with college exams, the UNICEF Steering group have not been able to represent UNICEF UK.

clothes. I organised the collection and donation with the help of students and teachers who donated clothing. With the help of my friends we filled a total of 5 large bags with the donated items from students across the college. I was really pleased and proud of this achievement. Finally, we contacted the respective charity for collection and processing. I found this project to be a test of my ability to prove what I can achieve when I really care. The satisfaction I gained while doing this was really tremendous. I would strongly recommend other students to follow in my steps.

Yeeswaree Childcare, L3

Clothing for the local homeless – both room A1 and A3 were full of bags of clothing and shoe boxes that had been collected for the homeless. These were collected by the Salvation Army team who worked with the UNICEF students on the Hope for Homeless project last year.

The Syria Clothing Appeal – Various students responded to the Syria Winter appeal by bringing in a total 5 large bags of clothing The UNICEF Syria Appeal - a class of ESOL student raised £24 following their Curriculum Enrichment class to give children a hat, scarf and gloves

unice f

The level 1 Health and Social care students at Croydon College have been working hard to help with UNICEF’s ‘For Every Child in Danger’ campaign. The students ran a stands in the reception area of the College for between 12pm and 1pm on Tuesday 20th January 2015. They raised awareness about the children, who are in danger, all over the world.

They raised awarenes by: • Handing out the informative and thoughtprovoking flyers they had designed and created.

• Talking to students and giving them lots of information about how children are in danger all over the world.

• Showing a video in the foyer that further informs the other students of the college about the issues surrounding children in danger.

• The students had already started raising awareness about the issues by putting up posters around the college.

As well as raising awareness, in order to create actual change, and make a difference, the students: • Asked people to sign a petition, the purpose of which is to try and get the government to do more to end the suffering of children for good.

• The students led the Action for Kids Winter Clothes Appeal at the college, collecting donations of clothes that were sent to children in Syria to protect against the cold this winter.

• The students will also fundraised to help the children in Syria who are constantly in danger of violence and other results of war such as homelessness, malnutrition and disease.

• In terms of the campaign to end violence the students met with their local election candidates and wrote to the party leaders about a target to end violence against children being included in the new sustainable development goals

Femal Genital Mutilation Group Members of the student Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Group as part of their volunteering pledge to make positive change in a local community, have met with the Deputy Cabinet Shadow Councillor for Community Safety and Justice, Woodside (Hamida Ali) and Cabinet Councillor for Communities, Safety & Justice, Addiscombe Ward (Mark Watson) to present their proposals to create a Safe Haven for families and FGM children victims in Croydon.

The aim is to help families and young women and children to become aware of the dangers associated with FGM. Students also want to provide a forum for discussion that will help mothers to understand what rights they have if they wish their child to undergo FGM under the UK law. The group explained what their vision for a Safe Haven was, offering a multiagency facility including a drop in centre, with a TV screen displaying information about FGM in a supportive environment where affected individuals, peers or family can come in and ask

for any help, counselling, advice, medical support and health and wellbeing in regards to FGM. Although, the group was aware of an existing centre in Thornton Heath, they felt it was important to work together with community groups so not to overlap the work already done. The need for public awareness in Croydon borough was also brought up so that as many of the affected communities as possible become aware of the FGM drop in centre in Croydon (once established).

However it would be vital that the centre would be promoted as a Safe Haven with a fully confidential service. The meeting culminated in an agreement by the councillors to run the Safe Haven in the Family Justice centre.

They also would like a flag system in hospitals and doctor surgeries, against people from countries where FGM is practiced so that a set of prepopulated questions can be asked and support offered where appropriate. The group will host a meeting with the key external agencies involved in the borough with FGM to include the lead police, safeguarding, NHS representatives.

unice f Outstanding Achievement Croydon Civic Award Ceremony The following students have been nominated for this Year’s Civic Awards for their outstanding volunteer contributions to the local and wider community.

The UNICEF Steering Group Volunteer Group of the Year

Mohamed Al-Kaisi Personal Achievement Award

Fatima Beeson Fundraiser of the Year

The Obesity Project Due to the issues of obesity in children (which increases chances of developing potentially deadly diseases) we wish to research the cause of this problem and to bring it to the attention of our local MPs, the mayor and the local council. In order to create change, we plan to use surveys, workshops about exercise and healthy eating as well as affordable food plans to demonstrate the benefits, of leading a healthy lifestyle.

The Unicef UK’s

Campaigner Focus Group Four students (Mahdi Choudhury, Jalila Musa, Kamila Gut and Imranoor Rahman) were successful in their application to join the UNICEF UK School Campaigner Focus Group. They have been invited on Friday 17th April to help develop and collaborate on activities and actions that will be used during the summer term as part of the UNICEF UK ‘End Violence Campaign’.

This will be continuing on from their current activities in the college and with UNICEF UK.

Song for ‘Every Child in Danger’ Some of Croydon College’s Level 2 Music students are going to write, produce and perform a song for the ‘Every Child in Danger’ campaign.

The students feel very strongly about the issue of child trafficking and want to raise awareness, in a creative way, by using the musical skills they have gained from their course. They will write the song and lay down the sound track, arrange the vocals and perform the song themselves as they feel that music would be the best medium to raise awareness on the topic.

They will be doing research to find out more about the issues.

Domestic Violence Project Members of the Croydon College UNICEF Steering Group have been supporting the UNICEF Intern, Jhevel Jackson, who is organising a conference event about domestic violence.

There are a lot of young people being abused or living in homes with abusive parents and/ or guardians. This group aims to educate young people about the psychological effects of abuse on children, as well as adults, and to have healthy relationship schemes implemented in schools across the borough; ensuring that healthy relationships are maintained among peers.

The importance of

THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

of voting

Inspirational campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence visited Croydon College to encourage students to vote in this year’s general election.

Baroness Lawrence, mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, became a Labour peer in 2013. She was at the college to offer support to Labour’s Croydon Central candidate Sarah Jones and deliver an important message to the students stating, “I’m just here to encourage them to make their voices be heard. I think at the moment they’re not being heard and they need to do that.” According to economist experts, many young people do not participate in political election because they feel they do not have much of a stake in society.

CITIZENSHIP E D U C A T IO N

CITIZENSHIP E D U C A T IO N

Young people need to become active, participating members of society and Citizenship learning can help them recognise that they can have a positive effect in the lives of others and the world in which they live.

CITIZENSHIP E D U C A T IO N

d to become active, participating y and Citizenship learning can help t they can have a positive effect in Young needlive. to become active, participating and the world in people which they members of society and Citizenship learning can help them recognise that they can have a positive effect in the lives of others and the world in which they live.

Baroness Lawrence spoke to a mixed group of business and health and social care students who also asked both the Baroness and labour candidate some tough questions.

Student comments included: ‘Political parties so often don’t carry out what they have promised to do before they are elected.

What if I end up voting for something I do not want?’

‘As young people, we often hear that we should vote as we will help shape the world that we will be part of in the future. But since there’s both so many votes cast, and a limited number of options within my constituency, can my vote really make that much of a difference?’

Business student, Kediashia Kay (17) came away saying, “She [Baroness Lawrence] was inspirational; the session was a real eyeopener – to understand how important one vote can be, and that one person can make

cit ize nship

such a huge difference. It’s your vote, make it count.”

However James Dyson remained unconvinced, he said: “I was impressed with what the Baroness had to say, but I’m still sceptical. I will vote, but I am undecided who I’m going to vote for… I still don’t feel that I can trust politicians.”

As part of the college drive to promote the importance of the forthcoming elections, students were encouraged to take responsibility to use their vote as part of the democratic process.

All the curriculum enrichment classes participated in an interactive lesson that highlighted how they can influence change by using their vote.

Each lesson culminated in a vote one for the current election candidates as part of the College Mock Elections. A group of students who are first-time voters met with a reporter who is writing several election supplements for The Times on voting which gave them the opportunity to give their views on the forthcoming elections.

A group of students who are first-time voters met with a reporter who is writing several election supplements for The Times on voting which gave them the opportunity to give their views on the forthcoming elections. The reporter later commented that the ‘students were all brilliant and so interesting’

Other events that occurred as part of the Student Life Focus to raise awareness about the importance of democratic process of voting.

The Operation Black Vote eXpress bus was invited to the college on 19th March promoting voter registration.

Students working with London Citizens were also lobbying around the college to encourage students to register in order to vote.

Will you vote in the general election?

38%

39%

23%

Yes

No

Don’t Know

At the end of their lesson on voting, most students who answered ‘No’ changed their minds after becoming aware of how important it is to vote.

Who gets your vote?

The Labour Party was the clear winner with over two thirds of the students voting for them! Green was the second favourite and UKIP was the least popular party.

A group of students who are first-time voters met with a reporter who is writing several election supplements for The Times on voting which gave them the opportunity to give their views on the forthcoming elections. The reporter later commented that the ‘students were all brilliant and so interesting’. .

The Operation Black Vote eXpress bus was invited to the college on 19th March promoting voter registration.

Students working with London Citizens were also lobbying around the college to encourage students to register in order to vote.

cit ize nship Talk about Respect event

THE

POWER OF WORDS

Croydon College students have once again proved they are at the forefront of Citizenship Learning as a Group of ABLE 2 students have been selected to represent the college in the new ‘Speak out for Change’ project alongside 5 other colleges around the country.

They were required to demonstrate not only how and why they aim to promote Equality & Diversity but also how they intend to advance Equality & Diversity.

The key focus was to develop speaking and listening skills which saw the whole group delivering a Faith Awareness session to 5 ESOL groups as well as leading an interactive Equality & Diversity session to the same classes.

Working closely with the UNICEF Steering group, the Able 2 students organised and hosted a Conference culminating with these students being able to speak publically in front of 100 other ESOL students called The Power of Words High profile supporters were invited to attend the

event, including Maurice Wren, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council and Gulwali Passarlay from the United Afgan Peace Movement.

Mr Passarlay, who fled Afghanistan when he was just 13 years old said; “When I first came here, to Croydon College eight years ago – fresh from the Home Office, I know I couldn’t have done what these students have done. “The students are inspirational, and like me I believe that they know how lucky there are to be here; to be safe, to be secure to be given these opportunities.

The ESOL students were elated when the event was over: Ibrahim Muca – “It was a good experience, but it was quickly over.”

Ibrahim MW – “ I feel very proud, I really enjoyed it – it was exciting.”

Sarah Monbo – “I am proud of myself, I’m not going to be shy anymore.”

Zaneta Wilczyn’ska – “The experience has been really good, it felt amazing.”

Miguel Morales – “I was very happy to do this.”

Ervis Quarri – “It has been really good to be part of this team.”

Branimir Todorov – “It has been really exciting and I have enjoyed being part of this group.”

Ledion Laci – “I feel wonderful, it was really nice to speak to the audience – I can’t believe there were over 100 people listening to me.”

Ardian Lama – “it was nice, I liked it, I enjoyed it.”

Omar Ahmadzai – “I am really, really proud and I still feel excited.”

Hoanh Tran – “I enjoyed the teamwork, it’ s been exciting and I’m very happy.”

Oday Helal – “I feel so proud, I can express myself – I am more confident. It was a wonderful experience.”

They are taking education seriously; they are not taking it for granted.”

Mr Wren said; “I am so impressed with this work, there is an infectious spirit at Croydon College – a sense of shared goals…“To be able to speak English is a power, the power to hear, to connect, to share, to contribute, to communicate.

Communication is the key – it’s a passport, a ticket to a world of understanding, possibilities and understanding.

“I have no doubt that these students will offer a major contribution to life in the UK – it is a real pleasure to be here.”

Rob Pope, Chief Executive of Active Citizens FE said; “We were particularly interested in this project because it promotes the sort of skills that learners need to play an active part in society and to understand and demonstrate democratic participation.”

As the event came to a close, the audience was left with a famous Nelson Mandela quote;

“WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE. IT IS IN YOUR HANDS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

cit ize nship

Extremism Debate Over eighty students met met in the Student common Room to discuss ‘Is extremism born out need or ignorance?’

This was a huge success which demonstrates the importance of a forum for discussion being offered to students on a regular basis.

“I COULDN’T HAVE DONE WHAT THESE STUDENTS HAVE DONE” MR PASSARLAY

Students’ feedback included comments such as: ‘It went well, I enjoyed the topics. Made me think about why extremism might develop.’

‘It was really good. Some good points and interesting views.’

‘It was very informative and we all have own definitions. Once we learn about the past we can be smart’.

‘It was flamboyant information and taught you something’.

The next student debate will be after Easter and the topic will be decided on by students.

Disability Day Bus Day journey

of a successful Enrichment e is an approach that is both and responsive in matching ent needs with real life unities and experience.

ENRICHMENT

The basis of a successful Enrichment programme an approach that is Enrichment both The is basis of a successful proactive and responsive in matching programme is an approach that is both student needs real life in matching proactive andwith responsive opportunities andneeds experience. student with real life opportunities and experience.

ENRICHMENT ENRICHMENT

The student Equality and Diversity (E&D) Advocates were invited by Croydon Council to attend their Croydon ‘Bus Day’ event, run in conjunction with TFL to inform the Borough’s vulnerable users how to use public transport safely.

The Bus Day journey (15th Jan 2015) began in Katherine Street and the attendees travelled to the old Taberner House. There, they were asked to alight from the bus, as if the vehicle had broken down, and walk back around to Queens Gardens, this portion of route looked at road safety. At Queens Gardens there is a stranger danger activity. The group then continued back to Katherine Street to re-join the bus which returned to where the journey started.

“I FOUND THIS EXPERIENCE WAS EXTREMELY EXCITING SINCE IT WAS MY FIRST TIME TO TAKE PART IN A DISABILITY EVENT OUTSIDE COLLEGE AND SECONDLY BECAUSE EVEN IF I WAS THERE LIKE AN AUDIENCE, I LEARNT A LOT OF THINGS I ALWAYS CONSIDER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. HOWEVER I HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE EVENT WAS A BIT COMPLICATED DUE TO THE SOPHISTICATED WORD THE LADY USED IN THE EXPLANATION OF THE RULES. I REALLY ENJOY THIS EVENT AND I HOPE I'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART AT A FUTURE EVENT.” JALILA

e nrichm e nt What Went Well:

‘I thought that this event was really essential as people with disabilities have the right to know common safety procedures when using public transport. I did feel that not only did the attendees learn something new, but so did I as an equality and diversity advocate about what steps to take in different scenarios’.

What Did not Go Well:

‘I felt as though the teaching was not as effective as it should have been as half of the attendees were facing their backs to the speaker, moreover the speaker was speaking a little too much with a variety of complex words and in a moderate pace, I do not think that the attendees understood what the speaker was saying’.

How To Improve:

‘Next time I think the Attendees should be able to sit wherever they want; I did find that they wanted to go to the top deck of the bus. This would be an advantage to everybody because everybody can face the speaker and would be more focused as they would face the same direction, also the speaker should speak slowly, using simple terms and really try to engage their audience by looking at everyone and speaking a bit louder’.

LGBT History event Croydon’s tenth Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender month was launched with a concert in the Braithwaite Hall, Katharine Street, on Wednesday evening, 4th February.

It was hosted by Councillor Mark Watson, Croydon’s Cabinet Member for Safety, Justice and Communities.

Two students performing at the LGBT History event at the Clock tower yesterday they were Mary-Francis Goodwin (526844) Darnell Reid-Johnson (527233) Darnell Johnson and Mary Francis, music students from Croydon College …just stepped up with the material they had ready because, as Mary explained, “This is so important to us”.

I admired them both so much for that’, said Liz Sheppard-Jones who attended the launch of Croydon Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender month, 4th February 2015, writing in the Croydon Citizen News Magazine

Mahdi E&D Advocate

Valentine’s Day Event Once again, the Student Life Team encouraged the students visiting the Common Room to write, on heartshaped post-it notes, a single word that encompasses what ‘love’ means to them.

The answers make good reading and the subsequent wall display, in the Common room, is very eye catching!

International Women’s Day (8th March) The theme for the 2015 celebrations is ‘Make It Happen’. To mark the occasion, the student Equality & Diversity Advocates led an informal workshop in the Student Common room on Monday, 9th March.

The workshop explored some of the issues surrounding body image that often affect self-esteem amongst young females The Student Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Steering Group continued their on-going campaign to raise awareness of the practice of FGM by conducting an online survey, in reception, during the lunch period of several days during that week 9 13th March. The group also visited several tutorial sessions to make a brief presentation.

Red Nose Day 13th March A group of hair & beauty students were tasked with heading up a fundraising project for Red Nose day in their department. Their ideas included ‘painting the town red’ and inviting the whole college to come down to the salon to have their hair sprayed, dyed or extended in red over the course of the week. Students and staff would also have the opportunity to have their nails painted red. The HE work placement students were also given the task of engaging as many HE students in the Red Nose fund raising activities and certainly met this challenge contributing to the final total raised across the college. Many other students got into the spirit of the Red Nose challenge eventually contributing to the phenomenal total of over £750.

e nrichm e nt Easter Celebrations

Time to Change Event (Mental Health) As part of the charity, MIND’s ‘Time to Change’ event the Equality & Diversity Advocates prepared and delivered a five minute presentation on the issues surrounding mental health, to their own tutor groups.

The Student Life Team wish to thank those tutors who allowed the students to deliver the presentations to their group during tutorial time and supported them throughout.

Without exception, each Advocate commented that their classmates had participated positively in the subsequent discussion and given them positive feedback

To mark the Easter Celebrations, the College Chaplain, Revd. Milo Brandon led a discussion session on ‘The Importance of Easter’ on the 25th March. The event was well attended and was described as ‘very interesting’ by Ernest Appea Anmin There will also an Easter egg hunt in the Student Common room earlier the same day which many studetns eagerly participated in.

Three students worked out the cryptic clues before winning one of the prized eggs. They were; Claire Rich, Hakan Erkan and Ahmet Kilinic.

St Christopher Hospice Volunteer opportunities The most valued thing that students can offer is the ability to interact with the young adults in a very natural way, spending time with people their own age as part of the St Christopher Hospice volunteer project. A group of 20 Health & Social Care students have been selected to attend the workshops each Saturday as part of this invaluable volunteer opportunity.

ws!!

Ne Good

ad ve h e a h ts th tuden ted on s rt e Thre ticle prin e as pa t i r s an a ian Webs nt Voice a r d r g i Gua UK m e h t of ive. initiat

The students will work on a given theme each week that will encourage working in a context beyond the being together with other young people. On the last week of the project the students will be required to give a presentation to the staff and the young adults they have been working with about what they have learned through their volunteering.Those students who have shown great promise will then be offered a comprehensive training package that may lead to employment with the Hospice and at the very least all students will greatly enhance their CV and job prospects in the industry.

student life s e i r o t S e f i L l a Re Enjoying a new life at college

by Valerie

For six months I was held in detention centres.

You can’t rely on anyone in those places. They are awful; I saw young kids and their mums being held. In Swindon I knew what suicidal thoughts were, I spent my days staring at four walls, I remember being very scared, all of the time. It’s very tough on the children, and when you see your recent friends deported, it’s not a pretty sight.

In time I was released and I got a room in a house in Bristol. It wasn’t fit for human living, but I had no choice. I had no money, and was issued a weekly food voucher.

For seven years I was in limbo, waiting for my case to go through the system. It felt like a lifetime.

A solicitor helped me, but it was so hard. I left Bristol and moved to London. I couldn’t get a job, prospective employers wanted work experience.

“THIS COLLEGE HAS INSPIRED ME. IT HAS GIVEN ME STRENGTH. THESE DAYS, I FEEL I CAN DO EVERYTHING.”

When the land grabs started in Zimbabwe I knew I had to leave. The violence was shocking. I came to the UK, alone in 2003; I was just 17; so young.

And of course there was this gaping hole on my CV, seven years, I had to get an education. I tried to enrol at college but I couldn’t get funding, they didn’t know how long I’d stick around, if I would be deported before the end of the course. I tried everything. It was a very tough time for me.

Eventually I got awarded refugee status and a British passport. You can’t imagine how that felt and I became a student at Croydon College.

I applied for asylum as soon as I arrived in the First I did an English course and now I’m training UK. My mother was already living here, but she to be a nursery nurse. has a different surname from me, I couldn’t find her – or even prove to the authorities that she I support myself through my studies with two even existed –I had to go through the whole jobs. I work at the local gym in the evenings process on my own. during the week and at weekends. I also work at

e nrichm e nt the hospital. Everyone at college is supportive.

I am really settled here. I can make friends with confidence and I am positive about the future. I have a goal, and I have prospects.

I feel so sad for the younger generation still in Zimbabwe. They have no future, no job prospects.

I wish someone would help them.

At the Pledge Award ceremony, Croydon College

teasing In Italy because I could not speak Italian, so my thoughts where’ "history is going to repeat itself."

I found it difficult, because I was shy and anxious about whether people would understand me or not. These difficulties were over come in the first few months of college. Over a short time I began to make friends, I found really supportive staff that were willing to go the ‘extra mile’ to help me overcome my fears, they understood how I was feeling.

by Gloria

“NOW I AM DOING THINGS I NEVER DREAMED OF, IN THESE FEW YEARS I HAVE BEEN AT COLLEGE,” I consider myself to be a one of the privileged students to have been helped by Di Layzelle and her fantastic team at Croydon College; they made me feel at home, they challenged me to expect more of myself and made sure I gave my best.

When I first came to the UK I had no confidence, and I did not believe in myself, but now I can proudly say than I feel like I am someone, that I can achieve no matter what the circumstances are… and, with a little of hard work I can make it.

Now I am doing things I never dreamed of, in these few years I have been at college, I have progressed to class ‘rep’ and I have lead groups and organized events.

I came to the UK when I was 18 years old I was born in Italy, but was taken to Ghana when Reflecting on these achievements, for this I was only one. At the age of six, I moved back assignment tears are coming into to my eyes and to Italy.

I am so glad and thankful to have found people who believe in me. I never had this kind of support I came to the UK to continue my education and in Italy, because of the colour of my skin. I learn English. When I first arrived here, I was always under-estimated myself and now I talk anxious due to the language barrier, I couldn’t so much that people that knew me before can’t speak English at all. I had already experienced believe the changes.

I want to become a paediatrician and hope I will gain more confidence and skills from before going university. Sometimes I have doubts, but I have faith that whatever I do will be something good and beneficial.

I would like to say to refugees, if you have the chance of education and have the right support take it. Yes it is difficult, there were times when I wanted to give up, but I told myself I couldn’t.

I would compare myself to others and say to myself; “They do not have a chance, you do make use of it.”

I have achieved more that I ever imagined and that for me, at this point in time is the most wonderful feeling, ever.

“I’D SAY TO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE WHO COME HERE AS REFUGEES THAT ENGLAND GIVES YOU A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES. BUT YOU HAVE TO LEARN – AND YOU HAVE TO WORK.”

Because I’m a Muslim, people think I walk round with bombs in my bag.

by Mohamed We fled Iraq in 2009, things were not good for me and my family. My father and my brother were kidnapped. They were released – though my brother was tortured and kept in captivity for 53 days.

Several of my relatives have died in the violence in Iraq. Close friends have been killed, too. One day before we left, I was playing in the street and a car came careering around the corner full of bullet holes. My dad was driving and he had been hit and badly injured.

Then when I went back to school, I was attacked and they put me in the boot of the car. My dad thought we’d had enough. He said we have to go to England and get an education. He told me that British qualifications are highly regarded all over the world.

So we eventually got out and came to Britain.

Straight away when we got here, I wanted to continue my education. Now, at 23, I’m at Croydon College studying IT. I’m doing BTec Level 3. My ambition is to go to university and become a computer programmer.

All the time I’m thinking about people made homeless through war and conflict. I’m a Refugee Ambassador I talk to classes at college about refugees. This work is so important to me. I want to help young people who have gone through experiences like mine and to make other people aware of their suffering.

I work closely with an organisation called ‘Refugee Week’, it’s a UK-wide organisation that celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK and promotes better understanding of why people seek sanctuary. This work has taken me to Parliament to meet the Speaker and to tell him about my experiences. My message to

e nrichm e nt other young refugees is to be strong and confident. I also tell them about the power of art and education and, understanding. On the whole, people are accepting of me. But because I’m a Muslim, some people think I walk round with a bomb in my rucksack.

I’ve had to do different jobs to support myself, including being a kitchen porter in a fish and chip restaurant. Working in a kitchen is a tough job physically and the hours are long. But I think it’s important to work before you go to university. You have to learn to work.

Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or Competition 2015 Hospitality Students Joseph Sullivan, Bonny Lochrane, Jack Stacey and Jack Hicks were successful in passing the written paper exam for the Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or Competition taken on 7th January 2015, in which over 120 Colleges took part.

The Toque d’Or Competition is a prestigious competition open to catering students throughout the country. The winning College will receive £2,500 worth of catering equipment and the team will gain a place on the Toque d’Or study trip, which is highly esteemed.

The team will now proceed to the Regional Heats stage of the competition, and Croydon College will receive £500 worth of catering equipment from the Savoy Educational Trust Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or equipment fund. The team will also receive vouchers to spend at Russums at a value of £30 each.

‘No Smoking Day’ The Student Life Team again observed ‘National No Smoking Day’ on Wednesday, 11th March.

Two learners, Robyn Bone and Pamhidzai Kujeke, (FDEG Public Health & Social Care) ran an information stand in the College foyer during the lunch period.

Coincidently, the students are on work placement with Croydon Council’s Public Health dept. and this session will be ably supported by Beata Tuszkiewicz-Piekarski, Croydon Borough’s Smoking Cessation Network Manager.

Students and staff were also encouraged to complete Croydon Council’s survey about their knowledge, and use of ‘Shisha’ which is becoming widespread in Greater London. The information gleaned will help to shape the borough’s policy regarding this substance.

If you are thinking of giving up the habit please remember that on-going support is offered by Croydon NHS (Freephone 0800 019 8570) as well as our own Student Advice Service (SAS) team, here in College.

Now in the second year of delivery, the Curriculum Enrichment Programme of Study offers a comprehensive set of lessons for all full-time FE Entry, Level 1 and Level 2 students to develop skills that will ensure successful progression.

The intention is to promote a rigorous and learnerled approach that encourages students to aspire to achieve to their full potential whilst promoting active involvement in bringing about positive change in the local and wider community via the UNICEF Pledge Award.

The Programme sits within the context of an Employment, Enterprise and Progression Framework, which is underpinned by the development of social awareness and positive community engagement.

Sessions also incorporate opportunities for engagement in volunteering and community involvement as well as the development of critical thinking and transferable skills that will ensure successful achievement of the Study Programme.

A review of the programme was undertaken in February 2015 to evaluate the effectiveness of the model and to monitor the completion of the student handbooks.

The Curriculum Enrichment Programme of Study 322 Curriculum Enrichment badges to date and 636 Student life Open badges being completed currently!!!!

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Student Evaluation of the Curriculum Enrichment Programme Students were asked to complete a short survey about their experience of the curriculum enrichment programme. 160 students, from various programmes of study courses, gave their feedback. The students were asked if they would recommend their curriculum enrichment lessons.

The first graph that follows shows the overall response of the students, and the second shows the response given by the students belonging to each school.

Overall Rating of the Curriculum Enrichment Programme The students were also asked to rate the enrichment sessions generally picking the word that best described their experience. The second graph shows the results.

Here we can see that 92% of the students rated their enrichment sessions as either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ with the all the rest, but one student, rating them as ‘Satisfactory’. No one chose the rating ‘Poor and only 1 student out of the 147, who did the evaluation, rated the sessions as very poor.

From the 57 Curriculum Enrichment classes the number of students with 100% attendance is as follows: • September to October 2014: 287 Students • October to December 2014: 228Students • January to February 2015: 266 Students

DO WE REALLY CARE ABOUT THE PLANET?

In March 2015, People & Planet came to Croydon College to run a mini project with science students about climate change. In the first session, we explored the science and politics of climate change through videos, debates and games. We looked at who's causing climate change, the role of oil companies and politicians in framing the climate debate, and what young people can do about it. In the second session,

we looked ahead to this December's meeting of world leaders in Paris, and brainstormed what messages students wanted to give to the politicians and oil companies who are wrecking our planet. Students transformed their ideas into creative banners which will be displayed at the college and used at events and demonstrations in the run up to the Paris summit.

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Never have we heard about People & Planet.

But participating in this workshop drives us to think about our impact on the planet, people all around the world and the future.

WE NEED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO MAKE A CHANGE IN OUR LIFESTYLES NO MESSAGE COULD BE ANY CLEARER, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE YOU BETTER LOOK AT YOURSELF AND MAKE THAT CHANGE. -MICHAEL J JACKSON

It would be easy to continue our daily lives without thinking about the impact of our actions on the planet and other people in the world. We beginning of a change’ because this would do however realise that learning about the effects encourage other industries/companies. companies like Shell and BP (companies created to enhance and improve daily lives) are having On one hand it’s easy for us all to sit and blame on the planet.

BP or Shell for the damage to the planet, on the other hand to actually make a change we need to One of the banners says “DON’T BE SELFISH, realise we need to accept the fact that we’re all at SAVE THE SHELLFISH!” another banner says fault and we are all responsible and we need to “WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO KILL YOUR start taking charge to make a change.

GREAT GREAT GRANDKID?” another banner says “TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!”

Even when politicians and the media say that young people are apathetic, don’t let them, fool One student studying applied science level 3 at you we are not. We might be lazy or ignorant but Croydon College, think that ‘the oil companies this is due to lack of exposure. can’t solve the climate crisis, but they can mark a 60% of students said they now cared about and understood the issues more 56% of students said they now believed young people could make a difference on climate change 43% of students expressed an interest in doing further activities with People & Planet,

SPORTAND HEALTH Cricket Programme The cricket programme has seen huge developments (mainly due to regular attendance) this year which have included a number of in-door matches against local colleges to which the college has won 4 games to 2 losses. The developments has also meant that the college has pre planned the summer programme which will include up to 5 competitive twenty20 matches.

As in previous years the College was invited to play in the Sportivate indoor cricket tournament which was held at The Oval Cricket Centre.

The day started on a great note with all the players following the match between Australia and Pakistan on their phones / gadgets while arguing about cricket in general. Once we were at the venue the students prepared themselves and socialised with the other competitors.

The tournament itself was laid out into 2 groups of 3 teams with the winners going onto the final.

Group 2 was consisted of John Ruskin College, Reigate College and Croydon College to which a lot of people thought were the 3 strongest teams.

The first match saw Croydon College convincingly beat John Ruskin however there were areas for improvement including wide balls thrown. The second match (Reigate Vs Croydon) was a hugely controversial match which saw Reigate narrowly win by 1 run due to some odd umpiring. However after recap of the game the team were able to accept that if they hadn’t given away so many points due to wide balls the odd umpiring wouldn’t have made a difference. The third match had huge interest with Croydon unusually supporting their local rival John Ruskin however they were

unable to stop Reigate from winning and thus topping the group and going through to the final.

The other group which consisted of Carshalton Boys, Rutlish School and Coulson College ended with Rutlish going through to the final, Carshalton boys 2nd and Coulsdon College 3rd.

Reigate went on to win the tournament in ease and in quick time which allowed Croydon College and Carshalton Boys to play in a 3rd/4th place play off. Croydon Won 79 – 64 which meant 3rd place however the boys were ruing the fact they should have beaten Reigate and potentially won the tournament.

The day finished with a number of groups pictures and selfies by the oval cricket pitch and the lads deciding to go to Kennington park to play more cricket and have lunch in the sun.

Mustafa Dawlatzi kindly supplied all the team and Croydon College staff with a container of biryani prepared by himself while Captain Mumin Miah rounded up the day with closing speech which included convincing Ben Stopani that each player deserves a free game of pool due to the success of the day.

e nrichm e nt Salsa Showcase On Friday 6th February 2015 Croydon College took part in the first ever Salsa showcase hosted by Croydon Sports Partnership in conjunction with Salsa Naturally. The showcase included acts from local schools, youth centres, and dance organisations as well as performance activities delivered by professional dancers.

The event was a huge success with a great range of dancing talent and style being shown which concluded with a number of awards including Best Choreography for Croydon College.

The event was the icing on the cake for what has been a hugely successful programme which started in March of last year and has now given us a basis on which to improve on next year.

Calling all hidden sporting talent Artil Assllanaj Is a student who epitomises the purpose of the college sporting programme as he has found fun and success in trying a new sport! When he came to England in 2013 he had never wrestled before but found himself not only trying but succeeding in the new sport. He has since become an independent competitor who trains at Easy Gym or Nuffield Norbury and has competed twice at national level including 2nd Place at the English Junior Championship on 7th March 2015.

In the common room alone we have a number of students who each have their own sporting story and we are now looking at ways to support or promote them so they can further develop.

These students include Yannick Maiesse who after attending football training and a match for the college was supported in finding a football club – he now plays for Merstham Football Club and has been a key player in the clubs Surrey Senior Cup success which sees them in the final against Met police on 6th May.

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Sport and Health Activities upcoming events

Table Tennis Croydon College once again competed in the South London Table Tennis Championship with the main headline going to Amiri Buckley who managed to reach the semi-final before being knocked out by the eventual tournament winner.

On Thursday 19th March the common room hosted the Female only Table Tournament which although large interest had 4 participants. This meant that we were able to play a league format where everyone would play eachother once.

Lola was a surprise entry who actually improved throughout the tournament and ended looking and completely different player to when she started.

The final league match saw Mariana face Jalila in what was basically a final as each player had won all their games.

Although they had played each other many times before (with Mariana winning the majority of them), the match was obviously different and meant more to both of them. Jalila who had been quiet but confident throughout the tournament got stronger and stronger through the final including and large number of backhand winners which were almost unplayable and resulted in Jalila winning the tournament.

“I WON’T LIE, SHE DONE WELL” MARIANA

Jalila was presented with a prize of Gift vouchers to which she replied “I’m so happy, I can buy so many books with this, thank you”.

• NEW Running club (start date TBC) See Ben Stopani or Chris Ossei-Boateng for further details • NEW (student driven) Health & Sport Working Party – have your say on the health and sport provision for students and help to mould the future offer • Summer Cricket Programme to include a number of twenty20 matches • Community Coaching Programme – to include training and delivery to children from local primary schools • Gym / Swimming scheme now in operation with more 50 passes given to over 20 students. Please see Ben Stopani in the Common Room to sign up for the scheme.

• Zumba, Football, Cricket, Basketball, Street Dance, Body Ball & Jiujitsu all still available through the enrichment programme. stopab@croydon.ac.uk If you would like any other information or would like to join any of the sporting activates please see Ben in the Student Common Room

students have the the right right to to tudents have edom of thought but also edom of thought but also ave the responsibility responsibility to to ve the contribute to the contribute to the student voice voice student across the the college college across through the Student through the Student presentative Structures. presentative Structures.

All students students have have the the right right to to All freedom of of thought thought but but also also freedom have the responsibility to have the responsibility to contribute to to the the contribute

PR E S E N TAT I O N

R E PR E S E

All students students have have the the right right to to All freedom of thought but also freedom of thought but also have the the responsibility responsibility to to have contribute to the contribute to the student voice voice student across the the college college across through the the Student Student through Representative Structures.

Structures.

Representative

R E PR E S E N TAT I O N

The Student President ‘Representing the voice of the students of Croydon College continues to be an experience that will last the test of time and working with both students and staff in ensuring a better Croydon college has been extremely great.

Hearing the testimonies of students on how they have gotten into high profile jobs and high standard universities through their voluntary work within the college is something to write home about.

I AM VERY PROUD TO BE A STUDENT OF CROYDON COLLEGE AND OF COURSE THE STUDENT PRESIDENT. FRANCIS UWAGBOE STUDENT PRESIDENT

Student Voice Audit The UNICEF Steering Group has completed their annual audit to monitor that the processes and mechanisms for Student Representation across the FE body are effective following the audit in 2014. The focus of the audit was to identify Course Representative attendance at the scheduled School Committee Meetings with the Head of School, where the views of the tutor members can be represented.

All schools have an elected Course Representative in place with an average of 91% across the Schools.

Based on the findings, several actions need to be taken to ensure future improvements in Student Representation, particularly in consistent

repre se ntat io n

attendance to School Committee Meetings and attendance to the training sessions provided to support the role. These issues can be overcome if certain actions are addressed: • Deliver training for tutors on the importance of Student Representation and clarify the tutor role to support the Course Representative.

Student Parliament and UNCEF Ambassadors • Monitor the impact of this training.

UNICEF Steering group and UNICEF Ambassadors • Liaise with Course Representatives and tutors to check that the correct contact numbers are on college files. This ensures that all Course Representatives are made fully aware of the date and location of the School Committee Meeting.

Student Parliament and UNICEF Ambassadors

• Inform Course Representatives about changes to attendance procedures to School Committee Meetings/Student Parliament Meetings. Organise re-elections as appropriate in tutor groups.

Tutors/Student Parliament, UNICEF Ambassadors and HoS • Monitor across all Schools that Course Representatives are being given the appropriate time to feedback in tutor sessions following a School Committee Meeting and the Student Parliament Meeting.

Student Parliament and UNICEF Ambassadors • Develop innovative methods to promote the Open Badge and achieve an increase uptake so that at least 60% of the Course Representatives have begun the Open Badge.

Student Parliament and UNICEF Ambassadors

YOU SAID

Students requested shelving to put their shoes on in the prayer room especially when it is the Friday Prayers session.

WEDID:

There are now shelves up in the prayer room for students’ shoes

The Psychological Effects of Domestic Violence Conference The Big lunch with Age UK

Forthcoming Events UNICEF Steering Group Educational Conferences for local school children UNICEF Steering Group Children in Danger Events Student Debate

The Dinner for Families with Children with Autism in Chefs Refugee Week Events Student Elections The UNICEF Pledge Award Ceremony