News Autumn 2013 86166 autumn news.indd 1
31/10/2013 13:41
Students celebrate excellent examination results
A strong academic record …. Long Road is in the top 10% for helping students achieve better results.
Long Road students and staff celebrated an excellent set of results on A Level and Applied qualifications this summer. Overall, students achieved a pass rate of 96% A*-E on A level qualifications, with 66% of grades at A*-C. There was a pass rate of 100% on 18 unit Level 3 Applied qualifications (equivalent to 3 A levels) for the third consecutive year and a pass rate of 96.4% on 12 unit Level 3 Applied qualifications (equivalent to 2 A levels). “Value added” indicators have also improved, that is, a higher proportion of students have achieved grades higher than might have been expected from their GCSE grades than in 11/12. Principal Chris Sherwin commented: “Once again we are delighted with the high standards achieved by students on our A level and Applied qualifications. I and the rest of the senior management team offer them our congratulations that their hard work has been rewarded. Many thanks also to our staff, whose dedicated support and skilled teaching underpin this high performance. We wish our former students every success in their further studies and careers. We hope they leave with very fond memories of their time at the College, and that they will keep in touch and return to inspire the students who follow them.” Examination results are posted on our website.
2
86166 autumn news.indd 2
31/10/2013 13:42
Taster Day 2013 Nearly a thousand Year 10 students attended our taster day this year – the most ever! Students tried out six different subjects to find out what sixth form studies are really like – and also explored the Learning Resource Centre, Student Centre and canteen. Heather Chambers, Vice Principal, says: “Students came from all over the region to experience a day in the life of a sixth form college student. We are very grateful to schools for helping us organise the event, and also delighted by the large number of students who came from further afield.”
Learner Voice conference The annual Learner Voice conference in the summer gave students a chance to help improve their learning experience. As a result of student feedback, it is now possible to access files from home. The Virtual Learning Environment has been updated, and there are now Macs as well as pcs in common areas. The new system of Progress Coaches has been based on student feedback, and there are now additional targeted subject workshops for students. Students have also made a video called First Impressions, which shows what it is life starting at Long Road Sixth Form College. You can view the video on www.longroad.ac.uk/about-longroad/the-student-voice
Peer Mentors Over 100 Peer Mentors have been recruited and trained for the 2013-14 academic year. The students took part in Taster Day and Induction Day, and will also be very much in evidence at Open Evening in their trademark pink t-shirts.
Induction Day For every Year 1 student, September marks the start of new courses in a new place of study. To make the transition easier, the College organises an Induction Day. This helps students find their way around, get to know their new classmates and teachers and prepares them for study at a higher level in a more mature environment. This year our specially-trained Peer Mentors were allocated to subject classes so that they could give firsthand information not just about life at Long Road but also about specific subjects.
3
86166 autumn news.indd 3
31/10/2013 13:42
_ research _ assess _ analyse _ collate _ compare _ organise _ formulate _ present
Big Biology Day “Leonardo da Vinci had an idea about the ideal human in terms of their body proportions. How real are these for real humans? How does your head circumference relate to your height? How does your height relate to your arm span? Come and get measured, let’s get some data and see if Leonardo’s ideal was a renaissance fantasy or true in the 21st century.” This was the enticing blurb used to advertise the Long Road Biology stall at the Big Biology Day this autumn. Biology A level students Aaya Al-Hadd, Alessia Marigliano and Carolyn Everrett got out their tape measures to find out whether Leonardo had the right idea or not.
So, what did our students conclude? Your height and arm span are in a 1:1 ratio as you grow – as suggested by Leonardo da Vinci – there is very little variation from the 1:1 ratio in people. In addition your head circumference doesn’t increase as much as your height when you grow. In fact your head circumference is at its adult size by the time you are 4!
Applied Science analyse a pint! Applied Science A level students visited a microbrewery near Cambridge for a tour and to attend a talk on how to measure the ethanol content of beer. Back at Long Road they devised their own experiments to measure the level.
4
86166 autumn news.indd 4
31/10/2013 13:42
Physics students visit Duxford for STEM event Physics A level students visited the Imperial War Museum at Duxford to take part in a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) event. The day provided an opportunity for students to meet and learn from practising engineers, and they also took part in workshops run by 48 local companies on various aspects of engineering. The students also spoke to staff to find out about careers in the four fields.
Moji and Emma have Headstart in engineering career Moji Sobanwa (left) and Emma Riley (right) both took part in the Headstart programme run by the Engineering Development Trust this summer. This enables students to spend four days at a university learning about different aspects of engineering. Moji (left) went to the University of Manchester. “We had a practical task each day. For Mechanical Engineering we were investigating fluid mechanics so had to work out the best shape for golf balls. For Chemical Engineering we had to work out how to get water from one tank to another without mixing the water. For Civil Engineering we had to build a paper tower and for Electrical, we had to make an insulator using paper cups. We also had a lecture on nuclear energy. We stayed in student accommodation at the university, which was fun. Before I took the programme, I wanted to be a mechanical engineer, but now I want to be a chemical engineer, possibly at Manchester.” Emma (right) went to the University of Salford. “I was studying aeronautics and some mechanical engineering - I went to the Spacecamp in Alabama with my previous school where we learned about space missions, how to build a rocket and how to design ablative shielding, so I was already interested in aeronautical engineering. At Salford we visited the laboratories to look at wind turbines and see how to make them more efficient. We also travelled to Wales to visit Electroimpact, an aerospace company. We visited Manchester Airport to look at Concord and study the engineering behind it. My programme was for girls only - the aim being to get more girls into engineering, so we also had talks from women who work in engineering. I definitely want to study engineering at university.”
Biomedical Research Careers event
Students from the Department of Science, Mathematics and Computing visited the Careers in Biomedical Research event at the Cancer Research UK building earlier this term. There were talks on Clinical Investigations, Radiography, the Tissue Bank, Clinical Oncology and Paediatric Research. Afterwards, the students visited stands to find out more about each field.
5
86166 autumn news.indd 5
31/10/2013 13:42
A personal account of a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau
“I’m ready to study in a more mature way …. to push myself harder.”
Lecture: the British Empire in India Dr Taylor C Sherman, from the London School of Economics, came to Long Road to give A level History students a lecture on the British Empire in India.
Psychology A level students visit Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland as part of their study of Stanley Milgram. Milgram’s research showed that ‘just following orders’ is only too easy, even when the consequences are as catastrophic as the Holocaust. For one student, Kate Pitfield, the trip had a deeper and more harrowing meaning: to visit the place where her great grandparents lost their lives. I wanted to visit Auschwitz because it’s ingrained in my past and my heritage. I felt it was something I needed to do in order to try and comprehend what happened to one and a half million Jews there including my great grandparents. This was the main reason I wanted to go: because of my family connection with the place, although it is possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. It’s important that people do visit Auschwitz so we don’t ever forget the tragedies that occurred there and the innocent lives that were lost. I wanted to be informed enough to tell the story of the Holocaust from my visit to Auschwitz and Poland and what we know of my family’s experiences of the Holocaust. I wasn’t completely sure what to expect at Auschwitz. I was just scared about what I was going to see and the fact it made everything ‘real’. The first few blocks contained pictures and statistics and facts which are impossible to comprehend, something happening to millions of people. I personally found impossible to imagine that many people in one place all going through this one horrific event, each person with a unique story and their own family, only a ‘lucky’ few ever seeing
6
86166 autumn news.indd 6
31/10/2013 13:42
the outside world again and able to tell their story. The next block, Block 5, I found the hardest: this block contained prisoner’s possessions, their hair, artificial body limbs and baby clothes and shoes; it literally sent shivers down the spine how prisoners were stripped of everything and degraded to nothing more than five numbers tattooed on their arm. There was a cabinet with two tonnes of human hair, real human hair and then 50,000 pairs of shoes; this was only a small quantity of the possessions which were taken from Jews at Auschwitz which just made everything worse. Every pair of shoes belonged to a person, and the worst thing was that those shoes could have belonged to my great grandparents. It’s impossible to desensitise yourself from that fact. The next few blocks blurred into one. I just remember looking for my family name on everything. Block 11 was the only place I didn’t take any pictures: it contained rooms with methods of torture including putting 40 people in a room with no light and only a small vent in order for them to die of suffocation. I took flowers with me to lay down in memory of my family who were murdered at Auschwitz; I laid them down where prisoners were shot, since we know my great grandparents were shot after trying to escape from Auschwitz. After seeing everything at Auschwitz One, nothing had the ability to evoke
86166 autumn news.indd 7
emotion in me: I felt completely drained and horrified by what I’d just seen. We walked round Auschwitz-Birkenau, and I felt numb. We saw barracks where 700 people would have slept on wooden bunk beds in filth-infested mess, and the heat in the room was unbearable with only 18 people in there, let alone 700 people. People had to put superhuman effort into working in unbearable heat of 40 degrees and the freezing cold of -20 degrees in the most inhumane conditions. People were kept in worse conditions than animals. By this point I don’t think anyone’s brain could comprehend the horrific events and dehumanisation that we were seeing. We saw the train tracks, and it’s eerie how they lead right into the camp and straight to the gas chambers. On the way back seeing train tracks sent shivers down my spine. The next day we visited Schlinder’s factory museum, and it gives me hope that there were people like him who risked their own lives to save people. The museum focused on the ghettoisation and the gradual dehumanisation of Jews, Jews were forced to dig graves for murdered Jews and see all the valuables taken off the dead bodies. The guidelines for the daily calories in the ghettos was between 250 and 300. This was even before the concentration camps. The most poignant quote that’s stuck with me is from the last room in Schlinder’s museum: “He gave me a warm coat and a
dress and I felt like a human being again”. In the afternoon we met an Auschwitz survivor, one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. She made everything I’d seen the day before real, and it left me sobbing. She said how everything had been taken away from her, and she was reduced to only her identity number, 70072, which is still tattooed on her arm and she says is still a constant reminder of everything she went through. What really stuck with me is the effect after the camps were liberated: she spoke about how she struggled to realise she was a real person since she had no family and an identity number on her arm. I can’t imagine how lonely and isolated you would feel. The first time she went into a playground
she lined everyone up against the wall and sent them to the left or right like the German doctor did when they first arrived at Auschwitz, because she knew no different and it was ingrained in her. The most amazing thing is that her mother also survived. The most important thing she said was that soon all the Holocaust survivors will be dead, and there will be no one who can tell the story from the first person, no one who can say ‘I’. She said it was our responsibility to tell the story of Holocaust because it can’t ever be forgotten. That’s why I’m writing this: because I don’t want to forget about 6 million Jews that were killed purely for being Jewish.
7
31/10/2013 13:42
Emily’s Morris Minors
”I’m ready to try new things and explore new ideas.”
Emily Cook, who completed our Art & Design Level 3 Extended Diploma with a triple starred distinction this summer, loves classic cars. Her grandfather owns a 1969 Trafalgar Blue convertible Morris Minor and a 1952 Ford Prefect called Monty, and her family goes off to car shows almost every weekend during the summer. How better to combine her two passions: art and Morris Minors, than to submit her stunning illustrations to Minor Matters, the official Morris Minor Owners Club magazine? Nicola Perkins, who edits the magazine, and who kindly gave us permission to reproduce the double page spreaad, says: “It was a pleasure to feature Emily’s work in the magazine.” Emily is now studying Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University. © Copyright Morris Minor Owners Club 2013. This material may not be used or published elsewhere without the permission of the editor of Minor Matters, the MMOC’s club magazine. Page design by Luck Design Ltd
8
86166 autumn news.indd 8
31/10/2013 13:42
Design Technology students meet Duncan Fitzsimons, winner of the 2013 Transport Design of the Year award Duncan Fitzsimons, who won the Transport Design of the Year award for his Morph Folding Wheel for wheelchairs, gave an inspirational talk to Design Technology students about the design process, including the benefits of modern 3D printing. The Morph Folding Wheel makes it easier to fold up wheelchairs and fit them into overhead lockers in aircraft, in the boot of small car and to store them at work, school or home. Lynn Reynolds, Design Technology teacher says: “It was really good to see such an inspiring person captivating the students by talking about his experiences when experimenting and discovering superb solutions to a whole range of design problems.”
Inspirational visit to the Norwich University of the Arts
Butterflies at Newnham Croft
Art & Design Level 3 students visited the Norwich University of the Arts degree show this summer where photography, animation, graphics, textiles, surface design and fine art was on display. They met two former Long Road students, Ella Betts and Polly Smith and also saw the work of former student Katie Bailey.
Level 3 Art & Design students spent a day at Reception class. Course Team Leader Karen Little explains: “We took a collection of butterflies and moths for the children to examine, then each Long Road student worked with a group of five children to create observational drawings. In the afternoon, each group worked on a different section of a butterfly, which we then assembled to make a giant butterfly out of string and tissue paper.” “I am very grateful to the school for allowing us to work on this project. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and it gave our students an excellent insight into how young children view art.”
86166 autumn news.indd 9
9
31/10/2013 13:42
50-1: an architectural day in Cambridge
”I’m ready to try new things and make new friends.”
Curwen Print Long Road A level Fine Art students, Daisy Birchenough, Polly-Anne Stanley and Rebecca Marcus, took part in a three-day print workshop at the Curwen Print Studios, based at Chilford Hall in Linton.
Art & Design Level 3 Diploma students spent a day researching the interior and exterior architectural features at two historic locations in Cambridge. Student Dennecia Gordon explains: “We started at the Fitzwilliam Museum, where we observed and drew different architectural aspects of the museum. After lunch (and a drawing crit.) we went to St. Catherine’s College Chapel. I drew one of the windows, and everyone made a detailed drawing of the Chapel organ. On the way back, I took architectural photographs in King’s Parade, and I also took a photograph of the details of the crest on the Guildhall. “I feel I have further developed my drawing skills. I looked closely at the different architectural features in Cambridge – and feel that I have been inspired by all the varied images.” Student Joe Richardson adds: “The visit showed me how to work on my drawing skills – to work at a fast pace and keep looking at the object you are drawing – otherwise you revert to using memory.” Course Team Leader Karen Little comments: “The purpose of the visit was for the students to identify architectural features for their 50-1 project. This involves taking one feature and then representing it in 50 different ways using a range of media: drawing, printing, sculpture, digital and so on. The students produced some exciting first-hand drawings and enjoyed the day. We are very grateful to St. Catherine’s College for allowing us to draw within the College.”
10
86166 autumn news.indd 10
31/10/2013 13:42
Charlotte Hill: Royal Society of British Artists Scholar A level Art & Design student, Charlotte Hill, who completed her studies at Long Road in the summer of 2013, has been selected for exhibition at the Royal Society of British Artist’s (RBA) annual show at the Mall Galleries from 5th – 15 March 2014. Charlotte was one of a number of Long Road Visual Arts students whose work was exhibited at the Granta National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies NADFAS exhibition at Cambridge Central Library this summer. Granta NADFAS submitted Charlotte’s work to the RBA, and she was one of 27 students selected from 277 art works from 62 schools and colleges. Nathan Massey, Holly Shaw, Nick Cassidy and Hannah Sell were awarded certificates by NADFAS.
Charlotte’s award-winning trompe l’oeil
Charlotte with her artwork
Nathan with his artwork
Nathan Massey’s work
Knitting and Stitching Show Design Technology Textiles and other interested students visited the Knitting and Stitching Show in London this autumn. This is what student Jazzmine Baker said about the visit: “The trip to the Knitting and Stitching show was very inspiring and gave me countless ideas from the photos I took for my initial drawings. A lot of them involved techniques such as gold work, embellishment, machine embroidery, etc. which I can practise for the dress I’m making for my chosen era of the
86166 autumn news.indd 11
1920s. This focuses on evening gowns and heavy embellishment. The day was a real eye opener to what you can create using a sewing machine and your hands, mostly by just experimenting with different fabrics and products. The garments I saw at the show were unique, and every designer had their own distinct designs. I was inspired to be more creative with my designs and not be swayed by the high street stores for my own garment. I want to create something totally new, which hasn’t been designed or seen before.”
11
31/10/2013 13:42
Barclays’ Lifeskills Course gives Business L3 students interview boost
When it’s time to move on up, we’ll help you stand out from the crowd!
Business Level 3 Diploma students were privileged to take part in a special LifeSkills workshop organised by Barclays Bank. The workshop was designed to boost students’ interview skills and to help them prepare the best possible CV. The event took place at the Sawston branch of Barclays. East of England Area Directors and Branch Managers worked with our students on a programme devised by Claire Carse, the Branch Manager at Sawston. The first activity was a presentation on interview skills, hint and tips: what to ask and how to present yourself. This was followed by a mock interview, during which our students, who had arrived wearing their very best interview outfits, gave 10-minute Powerpoint presentations on why Barclays should employ them. They received on-the-spot feedback on both their presentations and their appearance. The interviewers then wrote a report on the mock interviews. The final activity focused on CV writing. The students were given a CV that could be improved upon and asked to spot the errors. They were then shown a correct CV, and their own CVs were checked and discussed. Nadia Cameron, Business Level 3 Course Team Leader, says: “Barclays have given our students a fantastic opportunity to benefit from their immense skills and expertise. Our teaching team have found working with Barclays a wonderful experience. Our students really enjoyed the day and researched and planned their presentations with great enthusiasm. They are conscious of the huge value such a day gives them: CVs scrutinised by industry experts, improved interview skills, practice with presentations and, most importantly, exposure to qualified employees in a real business and corporate environment.”
12
86166 autumn news.indd 12
31/10/2013 13:42
Ben and Jerry’s Marketing Competition 2013 This summer saw the first ever Ben and Jerry’s marketing competition with guest judges Alex Robinson, Lori Masson and Marta Ziolkowska from Ben and Jerry’s and Paul Baxter from Empire Cinemas. The Judges had the immensely difficult job of choosing the winners out of some fantastic presentations with groups doing anything to win including making the ice cream, conducting market in-depth market research, singing jingles and even creating adverts which went above and beyond what was expected from the groups. Eight teams armed with sharp spoons took up the fight to battle it out for the ultimate prize of Ben and Jerry’s champions. Midnight Madness coached by Business teacher Stuart Bailey came from out of the dark to claim that trophy and were awarded Ben and Jerry’s goody bags (including beach towel, apron, icecream scoop, funky pen), a factory tour and a £50 gift voucher, thanks to Empire Cinemas. It was a shock as after the first round Hell’s Heaven were bookies favourites with American Breakfast closing in. Midnight Madness presented after the break and set the bar for the
rest of the teams. There were rumours of foul play, of teams unplugging the other teams’ freezer and hiding their notes. But the professionalism of students shone through, and the presentations were epic. Other honourable mentions include Banoffee Pie, Extraordinary Strawberry Beany Swirl and Magic Beans. The day wasn’t just fun and games, as Alex and Paul reminded us. Although enjoyable the students learnt presentation, teamwork and creativity skills as well as gaining marketing knowledge for A level Business Studies. Alex and Paul highlighted the importance of the day to the students, but as Paul was giving a fantastic speech, large containers of Ben and Jerry’s arrived in the room. The room gasped with excitement, and like any experienced professional he knew not stand between a hungry crowd and pots of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Congratulations again to Midnight Madness (Best Team) Marielle Sabiniano (Best Presenter) , Raspberry Pop (second) and Bubble Trubble (third) who all did amazingly well!!
Meet the staff Business Level 3 Diploma students had an opportunity to meet specialist administrative and support staff at Long Road and to ask them questions about their work. There were staff from Registry, Finance and Reception.
13
86166 autumn news.indd 13
31/10/2013 13:42
Student poet on the road to fame
It’s not how good you are …. it’s how good you want to be.
Mujthaba Zahid, who writes under the name Aukash, has been writing poetry regularly for the last couple of years and has just been published in a compilation of the best ten poets in the country (regardless of age). The book, entitled Ten of the Best: a showcase of poetry will be available in bookshops. Aukash went on a radio tour in the summer and was interviewed on local radio in Cambridgeshire, Newcastle, Blackburn, Huddersfield and Leeds. “They interviewed me about my poetry, but I was also asked to judge poetry competitions: young people sent in their work, and I chose the best. I was really pleased to be invited onto radio programmes – this came from my YouTube video. Aukash has donated a signed copy of the book to the College Learning Resource Centre, which has created a display with a sample poem.
English students produce weekly newspaper English Language A level students had a chance to put their study of different writing genres into action when they produced a weekly newspaper.
14
86166 autumn news.indd 14
31/10/2013 13:43
Performing Arts and Drama students attend a Macbeth workshop at The Globe
Performing Arts Level 3 and A level Drama students attended a Macbeth workshop at the Globe earlier this term. The students were taken on a tour of the theatre followed by a lecture and then visited the Exhibition before watching the performance. Afterwards, they spotted Joseph Millson, who plays Macbeth, outside a coffee shop. He kindly offered to have a picture taken with them all. The cast also included Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd, who played Banquo. Alex Spooner, Performing Arts Level 3 student, says: “ I thought the performance was great, with a
particularly good use of stage from all the actors. The actor playing Macbeth used really good gestures to help us really get into the plot. Also Lady Macbeth’s final speech was delivered extremely well: it made me believe she had actually gone crazy. Overall a great experience, especially as we were standing, and being so close the actors, we could actually see the blood dripping from their bodies! Loved it and would definitely go again!” Kate Gardner, also on the Level 3 course, adds: “ I felt the performance was brilliant! The space they used was excellent, and the language was fluent
Well done Finn – Best Horror Film Actor! Finn Morrell who left Long Road Sixth Form College in July 2011, has picked up the award for Best Actor at this year’s British Horror Film Festival, in Leicester Square, London, for his role in Belly of the Wolf. Finn, who studied Psychology, Drama and Theatre Studies, Media Studies and English Literature at Long Road Sixth Form College is currently working with Cambridge-based theatre company Nightlight Theatre on an Icelandic show entitled ‘Rift Zone’, which will be touring the UK and Europe 2014-2015. It will debut at the New Diorama Theatre London for three weeks in March. Finn also starred in Les Miserables, where he played a soldier. Finn says : ”I had a few lines, but they didn’t appear in the film. The experience was insanely
amazing. I was the youngest soldier on set, and it was very hard work. I learnt a lot about film and even had lunch with Hugh Jackman and a few others after we did a scene together.” You can learn more about Finn’s awardwinning film at www.bellyofthewolf.com
- I felt it was how they spoke genuinely every day. The costumes were very realistic and they worked well with the character changes. I loved the way they included the audience and I felt standing rather than sitting was a great experience - it didn’t feel as if we were standing for hours. Overall it was an excellent performance ,and I’d definitely go again.” Wendy Frost, Performing Arts Level 3 Diploma course team leader comments: “The students really enjoyed the production. It was exciting, dynamic and the acting was outstanding. One of the best pieces of Shakespeare I have seen.”
English at Stratford – and The Globe Students from all three English A levels (Language, Language and Literature, and Literature) enjoyed two Shakespearean theatre trips this summer when they visited The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratfordupon-Avon to see Hamlet and The Globe in London to see The Taming of the Shrew.
15
86166 autumn news.indd 15
31/10/2013 13:43
Long Road Young Critics star at Cambridge Film Festival
“I’m ready to be independent …. to be treated as an adult.”
Film Studies A level student Abigail Loosemore has won first prize in the Young Critics award at the Cambridge Film Festival, which has just taken place at the Picturehouse in Cambridge. “Long Road Sixth Form College entered a group of us for the competition, and we were given free tickets to see three films,” she explains. “We then had to write 250-word reviews and submit them within 24 hours. I reviewed George Washington, Dead Cat and The Strange Little Cat, and I also wrote a review of the French film which opened the festival, Avant que de tout perdre (Just Before Losing Everything).” Abigail was one of six short-listed students invited to the final evening of the Festival, which was hosted by the BFI (British Film Institute) - Long Road Film student Rory Greener was also short-listed and highly commended. “I was really happy to be announced as the winner and to receive an i-pad mini,” Abigail adds. “John Lewis sponsored the event and used one of their shop windows to promote it. They used one of my reviews in the display, which was great!” Barney Oram, Film Studies Course Team Leader adds: “I would also like to congratulate Hannah Rideout, Tegan Wallace, Charlie Davis and Josh Flowers, who also took part in the Young Critics award.” Abigail and Rory are now both taking part in the regional BFI Film Academy workshop. Barney Oram, explains: “The Cambridge Film Consortium, in which Long Road is an active partner, was selected to be one of 24 BFI Film Academy partners across the country. Our association with the Consortium has already provided our students with varied film making opportunities in the past few years, and this is an excellent further development. Abigail has already shown her ability as a film critic, not just in the Young Critics Award, but also in Media Magazine, for which she has written an article.”
16
86166 autumn news.indd 16
31/10/2013 13:43
Digital Design Agency Mobas works with Art and Media students on BIMA D-Day Cambridge-based digital design agency Mobas came to the College as part of BIMA D-Day. BIMA Digital-Day (or D-Day for short), is a national initiative created by BIMA (the British Interactive Media Association) to introduce school and sixth form college students to the possibility of embarking on a career in digital. BIMA D-Day links schools and colleges with mentors from digital agencies. Mobas came to Long Road to give students a presentation that offered insight into life in the industry, before using a specially-created resource to take them through one of a series of challenges from digital design, mobile apps, social media and web development. Media and Art & Design Level 3 Diploma students at Long Road were encouraged to use creative decision making and project management skills to contribute to the success of the task. Heather Chambers, Vice Principal at Long Road Sixth Form College, says: “It’s great to be supporting such a brilliant initiative. The UK industry, both nationally
and regionally needs to inspire the next generation of young people to consider digital as one of the most dynamic and rewarding career paths that they can take. We were also delighted to welcome back three former Long Road students, who now work for Mobas: Peter Chaloner, Becky Lamont and Craig Townsend.”
Animations at Shelford Level 3 Media Diploma students visited Shelford Primary School to work on an animation project with Year 4 children. Steve Thorne, Media Studies teacher explains: “The children wrote a set of limericks linked to the history of the drainage of the Fens, which they then illustrated. Our students, Tom Carter, Ellen Maulder, Jackson Harenberg and Amy Vince, along with Long Road Media Technician Arron Voice, then worked with groups of children to show them how to use cutouts of their drawings to make six short animations. “We were very pleased to be featured in the school newsletter and hope to be able to work with Shelford again.”
17
86166 autumn news.indd 17
31/10/2013 13:43
Sociology and Politics –trip to Liverpool and Manchester
Any course you need …. in any combination you want.
Sociology and Politics students visited Liverpool and Manchester for a four day trip in July. They stayed at the University of Liverpool in Salisbury Hall on the Carnatic site, and visited a number of places in the city. One of the highlights was a visit to a youth centre in Huyton, one of the most deprived parts of Merseyside, for a talk on the work of the youth offending service and the support the youth centre offers to young people in the area. They also had a tour of Liverpool John Moores University, and were provided with lunch by the Sociology department, after which students attended a lecture on studying Social Science subjects at the university. Students visited the Albert Dock, home of Tate Liverpool, and the Liverpool Museum, and had a guided tour of Port Sunlight, built by the philanthropic capitalist William Hesketh Lever for his Sunlight soap factory workers in 1888. Students also spent the day in Manchester, where they visited Manchester Metropolitan University for a talk about studying Social Sciences, and they were then shown around the excellent facilities and halls of residence the university has to offer. In the afternoon there was a quiz to fill out at Manchester People’s Museum, which focuses on the history of working people. During the four days they also went out to dinner, visited a comedy club and bonded over games and quizzes at the halls of residence. Dr Karen Legge, Sociology Course Team Leader, comments: “The purpose of this trip is to introduce aspects of the A2 syllabus to students at the end of the AS year. It is a lot of fun, but we also get the opportunity to look at issues that relate to crime and deviance and political ideology. We also do two university visits, which gives students an excellent insight into studying social sciences in a large city, and what to expect from student life if they chose to go to university.”
18
86166 autumn news.indd 18
31/10/2013 13:43
Keiran Wakley at the Conservative Party Conference Keiran Wakley, who is studying Politics, Economics and Sociology is one of the youngest ever Parish Councillors and takes a keen interest in Politics, so he jumped at the chance to attend the Conservative Party Conference. Here is his report: As I walk through the tight security gates and pass through airport-style checks, my first view of the 2013 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester is of how many familiar faces are scattered around: Nick Robinson (from the BBC) interviewing Phillip Hammond MP (Minister for Defence), with Jeremy Hunt wandering around with his Chief of Staff, and Adam Boulton from Sky News having his own stage on which to interview everyone. The first night there, was one I will never forget. My local Branch Secretary and I went to Manchester Town Hall for a welcome event and a speech from the Mayor of Manchester. Although he was a Labour member, and all the people he was addressing were Conservatives, he was very good and got his speech spot on. He commented that Manchester welcomes the party conference as it is big money earner for the local economy and also looked forward to hosting us again in 2015. After the reception we then moved to the Midland Hotel. We were having drinks when someone nudged me in the back. I turned to say sorry and none other than George Osborne (Chancellor of the Exchequer) turned and said sorry, closely followed by Adam Boulton. At dinner, both Party Chairmen (Grant Shapps and Andrew Feldman) walked in and sat down at our table. We introduced each other, and then spoke at length about election strategies for 2014 and the impact that UKIP has had on the electorate in East Cambridgeshire. Afterwards we went back to our hotel, and everyone was talking animatedly, then all of a sudden the whole hotel went deathly silent. As we turned to look, David Cameron walked to the bar. A standing ovation followed, with people shaking his hand and patting him on the back. You could tell he was leader of the party: he had a charm and charisma. With that, the first night of Conference came to end. Day two was the first full day of events. My day kicked off with an economics event with the Secretary of State for Transport and Karen Brady (from The Apprentice) before the Chancellor George Osborne gave his keynote speech. After lunch I went to two youth fringe events. One was on
86166 autumn news.indd 19
homeless children making the transition into education and / or employment. This gave me an insight into how the government plans to tackle the issue in the future and was, like all the events, a chance to shape government policy. This was my main aim at conference: to go to the youth events and to the events that were directly about subjects I was taking this year to give me a greater knowledge of the subject area. The second youth event was about higher education and how to get young people involved in politics. Run by MEPs the discussion lasted the whole afternoon. I put a particular emphasis on politics being taught at an earlier age so we can understand the system we hope to be a part of when we finish education. The third day started with the Mayor of London’s speech. Boris Johnson’s speech was funny, intelligent and informative, making the whole of the main hall stand to applause when he had finished. The next event for me was about child abuse and the sexualisation of children on the internet. This event championed the charities removing hundreds of images every day, and the way we can prevent more images being uploaded. I then spoke about stopping the problem before it starts by changing our attitudes to sex through sex education classes at schools by teaching romance and love. This was championed by Maria Miller MP and the idea will be put forward to Michael Gove. When that event and lunch was over, I ran across the main square to see the Health and Education event taking place. This produced what was for me the talk of Conference by Jeremy Hunt. He talked about what he had done and what he planned to do, admitting that mistakes had been made and how he was planning to get rid of these problems in the future. He was the only Cabinet Minister other than David Cameron and Boris Johnson to get a standing ovation. The final day only lasted the morning with David Cameron’s speech the only event of the day. Afterwards we left the secure zone for the last time with a definite desire to go to Birmingham next year, especially with it being the conference just before the 2015 General election.
Health & Social Care students at Ness Court Level 3 Health & Social Care students visited Ness Court in Burwell earlier this term to meet staff and residents. The visit was designed to give the students first-hand experience of a care setting as well as to provide ideas for future careers.
19
31/10/2013 13:43
Long Road Sixth Form College win T20 Triangular Cricket Tournament
“I want to do the best I can, and I’m ready to push myself.”
Nigel Ballard, Sport and PE teacher, and Cricket Team coach, was extremely pleased when Long Road won the inaugural T20 Triangular Cricket Tournament this summer. Wisbech Grammar School hosted the tournament, with the 1st XI from the Kings School, Ely making up the triangle. After beating the King’s School, Long Road played Wisbech in the final and won a resounding victory, reaching their target with 3.5 overs remaining. The final tally saw Long Road reach 103-4 (Jennings 27, Marsh 21), with an impressive run rate of 9 per over. Nigel comments: “Against excellent cricket teams like Wisbech Grammar School and the King’s School, Ely, it was truly a magnificent result to come away as winners. Every student representing Long Road should be both proud of their efforts and feel a true sense of achievement. Each player contributed well, but overall Man of the Match went to Elliott Jennings for top-scoring in both games and bowling well in the final.”
Sport Level 3 Diploma students visit Wembley Sport Level 3 Diploma students visited Wembley, with the main focus of their visit on collecting information about the historical development of football and the influence of modern technology on the game.
20
86166 autumn news.indd 20
31/10/2013 13:43
White water rafting at Lee Valley
Get ready to get fit!
Sport Level 3 Diploma students got thoroughly wet as they tried their paddling techniques on the Olympic course at Lee Valley. There was a serious side to the day – the visit was designed to supplement their coursework on sport facilities.
This summer Level 3 Sport Diploma students took a Level 2 Gym Instructor course run by Fitness Qualifications. “This is the third year we’ve offered our students this course,” explains Sport Course Team Leader Lynne Little. “The course consists of one week of theory followed by a week of practice, and fully qualifies students to work in a gym as an instructor. This year we were able to offer the course to all Long Road students, not just Level 3 Sport Diploma students.”
The Business and Enterprise enrichment students raise over £400 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance Business and Enterprise enrichment students pooled their ideas and their Business contacts to host a charity raffle for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EEAA). Prizes included tickets for the ADC Theatre, Empire Cinemas and the Arts Picturehouse along with vouchers for Nando’s, Pret a Manger and, for over 18s, All Bar One – plus TWI (The Welding Institute) offered a crate of wine (again for over 18s). Book tokens, a voucher from Cote, tickets to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, a voucher from Hair and Beauty and tickets to Shepreth Wildlife Park were also kindly donated. Business teacher Josh Tadman, who runs the enrichment group, says: “Thanks to the initiative of the group, the generosity of local businesses and attractions and the enthusiastic ticket-buying of staff and students, we have been able to make a large donation to the EEAA .”
Students nominate Sport Champions Year 1 Sport Level 3 Diploma students were asked to vote for one student in their class who they felt was a Sport Champion: someone who worked hard both inside and outside class, helped others and commanded respect. The winners received commemorative t-shirts.
Liam Doonan (right) with teacher Nigel Ballard
21
86166 autumn news.indd 21
31/10/2013 13:43
Junior Chambers International (JCI) Mentors work with Long Road students
“What about after Long Road?”
A new initiative between Long Road and Junior Chambers International (JCI) has just been launched. JCI has trained potential Mentors, who met the first batch of seven Long Road students in a ‘speed-dating’ session. The Mentors come from a range of business backgrounds (many owning their own businesses), but all are members of JCI, which works on projects in the community. Andy Goodwin, Careers Manager at Long Road and project co-ordinator, says: “All the potential Mentors were vibrant, enthusiastic and able to talk to students on their level. It was great to see how the students opened up over the course of the three-hour event. They are to be matched up over the next week or so following the introduction, and then they have all committed to keep in touch for the following 6 - 9 months. We are very much looking forward to working with the JCI and extremely grateful for their support.”
22
86166 autumn news.indd 22
31/10/2013 13:43
Sport students come back with great advice
University Road Shows come to College Both the Anglia Ruskin and University of Hertfordshire Road Shows have visited the College recently, providing students with easy access to information about possible programmes of study. Staff and student ambassadors came along on their buses to answer questions and provide a picture of student life.
Back row: Sam Plant, Elliott Anderson, Sam Spencer, Ryan Jackson, Matt Cole, Tom Guy, Peter Reed and Taylor Allison. Front row: Ellen Bridges and Vicky Houchin
Level 3 Sport Diploma students have a great career ahead of them - that’s the message that came across loud and clear when former students were invited back to the College to talk to current students. Ryan Jackson completed his studies at Long Road in May 2011 and is currently studying Sport and Exercise Management at the University of Kent. Ellen Bridges graduated from Long Road a year later and is currently studying Sport and Exercise at the University of Durham. Taylor Allison left Long Road in 2011 and works front of house at Sport and Leisure Management (SLM): Cambourne Fitness and Sports Centre. Peter Reed has just finished a degree at Anglia Ruskin Chelmsford Campus and is currently working as duty manager at Jesus Green swimming pool. Another sport centre duty manager is Tom Guy, who works at Impington Sports Centre. Sam Spencer works for Premier Sports and coaches in primary schools for them. Sam came along with Gareth Simpson, the Premier Sport franchise manager for Cambridgeshire, who took the opportunity to interview our current students for possible future employment. Another Premier Sport manager is Elliott Anderson, who runs the Premier Sport franchise in Huntingdon. Elliott studied both Sport and Business Studies at Long Road and has evidently put this to good use. Also at the event was Hannah Dawson, who has been running the Level 2 Gym Instructors’ course. Hannah runs her own training business so was able to give our students another insight into entrepreneurship. 2010 Long Road graduate Vicky Houchin has been combining work and studying. She works part time at the David Lloyd Centre and commutes to
London to study for a degree in Sport. Vicky is planning to set up her own business. Matt Cole, meanwhile, has been working at Cambridge Regional College in the leisure centre, but is about to start a degree in Sport Science at Anglia Ruskin. His ambition is to work in the NHS in a cardiac rehabilitation and prevention programme. The final ex-Long Road student has re-joined the College - but this time as a member of staff! Sam Plant has just completed his QTS at the University of Bedford and has joined us this September as a newly qualified teacher (NQT).
UCAS support for former students Students don’t always go straight to university after leaving Long Road – some may decide to take a gap year before applying. This autumn members of our Careers department, and our Progress Coaches ran guidance sessions for former students to help them with their applications.
23
86166 autumn news.indd 23
31/10/2013 13:43
86166 autumn news.indd 24
31/10/2013 13:43
Facebook: Long Road Sixth Form College 2011/12 Twitter: @LR6FC
01223 507400 enquries@longroad.ac.uk Www.longroad.ac.uk
Long Road Sixth Form College Long Road Cambridge CB2 8PX