College Life - Spring 2021

college life SPRING ISSUE 2021

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PASSING OVER THE BATON Introducing our new Interim Principal FOR THE LOVE OF SCRUBS Fashion student sews scrubs for NHS

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NEWS AND VIEWS ON ALL THINGS OAKLANDS

ZOE HANCOCK

PRINCIPAL’S FAREWELL

W

elcome to the Spring 2021 edition of College Life magazine and with it, my final column as your Principal.

It is very strange to say goodbye to Oaklands College after more than 12 years here, and even stranger to say goodbye in these challenging circumstances. I am hoping to return in October to witness the opening of the Evolution Centre, a new learning facility which will provide a modern environment for our current and future students.

I recently met with Jan Edrich, who will be taking over as Interim Principal, I have been really impressed with her and I am very reassured that I am leaving you all in safe hands, I am sure that her experience will really help the College in the coming months.

I really do believe that we change lives at Oaklands College – in all kinds of ways for all kinds of people.

I also believe that it is only possible because of the hard work, commitment, determination and care that our staff have for you, our wonderful students.

It has been a joy to witness the progression of all our students throughout the past 12+ years, many of whom have gone on to achieve great things, travelling the world, seeking Higher Education, reaching the pinnacles of sporting success, overcoming barriers and adversity and above all, making both me and Oaklands College proud.

As well as significant milestones for our students, I have also witnessed staff and tutors progress to become experts in their field, all the while championing the college values, working together to provide students with an excellent education establishment.

I have been honoured to be Principal of such a fine institution and I know you will go on to achieve even greater things and positively impact on thousands more people in the future.

Zoe Hancock Principal and Chief Executive, Oaklands College

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Spring Issue 2021

Oaklands College host England’s first COVID-safe National League Basketball games Oaklands College hosted the country’s first official National League basketball fixtures for the season, having met all of Basketball England’s Return to Play Guidance.

“It was an honour to host the first official basketball games in the country and I want to say thank you to everyone here at Oaklands College who behind the scenes made the event possible” said Michael Ball, Head of Basketball at Oaklands College. “It was wonderful to welcome so many basketball friends back on court and see teams playing once again. It will continue to be a challenge as we move forwards, but the sport has done a fantastic job of supporting each other and making sure that we can deliver a safe environment to compete in.

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Passing over the baton

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special era came to an end in February when Zoe Hancock, principal of Oaklands for the best part of a decade, said her farewells to the college.

Zoe has been a significant figure in the transformation of the college, providing clear leadership and expertise and leading the exciting £62million redevelopment of the St Albans campus, which will provide students with a modern state-of-the-art campus due for completion in 2023/24.

Replacing Zoe as Interim Principal is Jan Edrich. Jan has extensive experience in the further education sector across a variety of roles, including as Principal of Eastleigh College, which will undoubtedly bring enormous

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benefit to Oaklands College.

Speaking of her appointment, Jan said: “It is a real privilege and an honour to be appointed as Interim Principal of the college, I am looking forward to working with both staff and students for the next few months. There is so much about Oaklands to be proud of and plenty of potential to get excited about, with the St Albans campus redevelopment and new intake of students the September.

I wanted to thank you all for the effort that you have made throughout the pandemic, and for working alongside your tutors and fellow students to ensure that your learning has not been impacted as we work together in making our campuses a safe learning environment to return to.

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I want to be...

During these difficult times, your education may feel challenging, but planning for your future career shouldn’t.

I want a really creative career Film Director

At Oaklands College we are determined to provide students with the skills, knowledge, understanding and qualifications required to pursue the career of their dreams, by providing expert tuition, fantastic learning facilities and encouraging students to gain valuable industry work experience.

LEARN MORE

#FindYourFuture

I want to help save lives Firefighter If you are physically fit and mentally determined to pursue a career in the fire service, then studying a Public Services course at Oaklands College is a step in the right direction to fulfilling your career aspiration.

With Level 2 and Level 3 Extended Diplomas in Public and Uniformed Services, our courses provide students with the knowledge, experience and understanding to kickstart their career.

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I want to cook up a storm Chef Oaklands College serve up a wide variety of courses to equip students with the skills, knowledge and experience required to embark on a thriving career in the Hospitality & Catering sector. Study a range of Level 1 to Level 3 courses in our practical, on-site Stables Restaurant, cook up a storm during lunch and dinner services and start expanding your culinary skills.

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I want to work with animals Wildlife Conservationist Whether you dream of an exciting career as an animal welfare worker, nutritionist, conservation officer, zookeeper, trainer or anything else, working with and studying animals across our wide range of courses will enable you to pursue your career aspirations. From Level 1 to Level 3, our diverse range of courses offer students the opportunity to specialise in agriculture and land-based studies, as well as animal care and management. Level 3 students can progress onto University after completing the course.

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OAKLANDS COLLEGE

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

FASHION

FASHION STUDENT SEWS SCRUBS FOR NHS

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evel 3 Extended Diploma in Fashion student Shera Conway dedicated her time and skill during lockdown to create ten pairs of emerald scrubs for NHS front-line workers. Shera sewed her own personal message into the collars of each of the gowns after stumbling across a Facebook group called ‘For The Love of Scrubs’. The group, set up by a local tailor, was set up to raise money for equipment and materials to create more scrubs for key workers and volunteers.

Shera’s selflessness and act of kindness was an inspiration to all at Oaklands College. We are proud of the role that students have played in ensuring our community college continues to act on behalf of those around us.

FASHION

OAKLANDS FASHION STUDENT PHOTOSHOOT HEADLINE Photography student Ella May Horne made the most of lockdown learning by purchasing her own pop-up photography studio to use at home, staging her first fashion shoot for her portfolio work.

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Spring Issue 2021

STUDENTS COMPLETE HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF VIRTUAL LEARNING

LAMBING

OAKLANDS OVERCOMES DIFFICULT LAMBING SEASON

D

espite the ongoing situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, staff and students up at the Oaklands Farm have worked around-theclock to ensure that the much-anticipated yearly Lambing Season at the college was not affected.

With students following government guidelines and studying at home, the Agriculture and Animal Management department worked hard to ensure that students’ learning and participation was not hindered.

Staff have been wearing

GoPro devices in the lambing barns to enable students to check-in on the progress of expecting ewes from home, anticipating signs of early lambing as well as viewing live lambing.

After almost a decade of Lambing Weekends at Oaklands, the pandemic also prevented the college from welcoming the local community to the farm, and as a result

forced students and staff to think of engaging ways to involve the community.

As well as providing regular updates through the website and official college social media channels, on-site staff, of whom many are former students themselves, created @thehartoakherd Instagram account, delivering daily updates, pictures and video clips of the new-born lambs and doting ewes from the farm.

Oaklands College is incredible proud of its students and their dedication to their studies, which has seen them embrace the difficulties of home learning, notably throughout the third lockdown period.

Throughout the difficult 9-week period, Level 1 students completed on average 111 hours of study, with Level 2 students averaging 121 and Level 3 over 160 hours.

All students should be incredibly proud of their hard work throughout the entirety of this difficult period and it has been rewarding to see so many students going above and beyond to help their fellow students and the local community.

As a college, we are now entering a period of transition back into campus learning. We’ve been working hard over the lockdown period to ensure that the campus is a safe place to return, and that student’s learning experience will not be hindered by the changes to education, enforced by the government. We ask all students to continue working with us to follow the college and government guidelines so that we can continue to play our part as we aim to return to normality.

www.oaklands.ac.uk

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[ MEET OUR ]

Student Advisors Here at Oaklands College, we are dedicated to providing our learners with a safe environment to pursue their studies.

College can be a daunting environment for students, which is why we have a large advice and guidance team to support students throughout their time at Oaklands.

Whether you are unsure about course fees, getting to college or how you can access student support, our advisors are happy to help – so let’s meet them:

EMILY Hello I am Emily. I am the Safeguarding and Wellbeing manager for the college. I have worked here for just over a year now and enjoy helping all students with a variety of support. I have over 8 years’ experience supporting adults and young people in a substance misuse service and have over four years’ experience as a safeguarding lead. I believe I have a solution focused approach to support the team of safeguarding officers and students themselves to be safe and supported at college.

St Albans Safeguarding officers KAROLINA Hello, I am Karolina. I am very approachable, friendly and attentive. I really enjoy supporting students with their safety and wellbeing at Oaklands College. I am passionate at fighting for students needs and feel it is important students feel they can depend on me to advocate for them.

I am the link advisor for: Animal Care, Horticulture, Equine & Catering, I.T and ESOL (students not in care).

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Spring Issue 2021

PAUL Hey, I am Paul. I am friendly, calm and dependable person. I have been safeguarding and working with young people for over 20 years. I’ve spent the majority of my career as a Police officer before becoming a football coach for Watford FC Trust and later joining Hertfordshire Football Association.

I am the link advisor for Residential, Sports & Public Services, Constructions Crafts & Motor Vehicle and Business (SAC).

BETH Hello, I am Beth. I am happy, friendly and enthusiastic person. I enjoy supporting young people whilst they are at college so they can do well on their course but also support them to gain confidence as a young person.

I believe everyone deserves the same chance to succeed in the future but also recognise the importance of students’ individuality. I am also undertaking a master’s in Gender and Sexuality studies.

I am the link advisor for: Art & Photography, A Levels & GCSE, Apprenticeships, Plumbing & Electrical.

SARA Hi, I am Sara. I have been at the college for over three years now and have joined the safeguarding team. I have been the 14-16 coordinator for the past year. I am highly organised, chatty and motivated and always look to support students to help them achieve academically and personally.

I am the designated teacher for Looked after child, care leavers & young carer students in the college including ESOL (students in care).

DULCIE Hello, I am Dulcie.

I have worked at the college for over six years now. I am passionate about advocating and supporting students to help them to get the right support they need to achieve as a young adult.

I have many years of experience supporting young people including working in children services to help support families at a time of need.

I am the link advisor for: Business and Travel & Tourism, ICT and Employability Skills.

TELSA

Welwyn Garden City officers EVE Hello I am Eve. I have worked at the college for three years now and joined the safeguarding team last year. I am friendly and kind person who really enjoys talking to students to support and advise them to make changes in their lives. I am passionate that students gain the right support from agencies and I always work to help young people to feel safe, happy and thrive at college.

I am the link advisor for: Health & Social Care, Childcare & Early Years and Hair & Beauty.

Hello I am Telsa. I have been at the college over ten years now and have worked across different roles in the college.

I have been with the safeguarding team for over 8 years and love being a person that students speak to for support at a time of need with my caring and empathic approach.

I am the link advisor for: Engineering & Construction Management, Gas & Electrical Installation, MMPA and Applied Science & Access.

You can find me located in the Careers and Advice Hub at our Welwyn Garden City campus.

Jo Birch

PRESIDENT / SAC / A LEVELS

Katy Sheftali

VICE / SAC / L2 ANIMAL CARE

Steph Lawrence

Lewis Mascoll

PRESIDENT / WGC / L3 BUSINESS

VICE / WGC / L3 HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

I N T R O D U C I N G YO U R

2021 Students’ Union

Each academic year, Oaklands College students are offered the opportunity to campaign for a place on the Students’ Union board. The OSU play a crucial role in giving students a voice, making sure ideas, events and feedback are given a suitable platform to be heard and addressed. Throughout the year, the Students’ Union run a series of campaigns highlighting key issues relating to students, raising the college’s awareness on important issues including climate change, recycling, equality, diversity and much more. www.oaklands.ac.uk

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HAIR & BEAUTY STUDENTS

Top hair products for under £10 Take a look at our hair product must-haves, as students talk us through some of the best high-street products for under £10 that are essential to healthy, shiny hair this Spring!

Hairdressing Must-Haves

Wow!

Sydni Tear

Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing The Schwarzkopf got2b hairspray ‘GLUED’ is a musthave, with the large 300ml product available in all good retailers for just £4.29.

This is a brilliant product because it has a strong hold, can fix fly-away hairs, but also stays in client’s hair until the next shampoo wash.

To use this product, hold at an approximate 30cm distance from your hair and spray evenly all over the hair for a total hold and even coverage.

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Spring Issue 2021

Heidi King

Level 3 Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing Label M Protein Spray is available for around £8 and works brilliantly when combined with L’Oréal Elvive Dream Length Serum, both available for around £8 at any good retailers. On freshly washed hair, apply Label M Protein Spray all over the hair and comb through; this protects the hair from heat damage and UV-rays. Then add two pumps of L’Oréal Elvive Dream Length Serum through the mid-lengths and ends and shape to style using a high-quality hair curler.

The Ultimate Hair-Care Ritual Level 2 Hairdressing student Jessica Coveney delivers her ultimate guide to glossy hair.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

First, we need to cleanse our hair with this fantastic rose oil hair & scalp shampoo that is revered in the hair and beauty industries. Rich in antioxidants as well as moisturising components, the product helps to replenish the natural lipid barrier leaving hair supple and silky.

It’s time to condition your dry tresses! Apply a small amount of Schwarzkopf Argan and Barbary Fig Oil to your palm and massage through the lengths of your hair.

This product is available for around £7 and contains a high content of essential fatty acids to nourish and provide intense hydration to even to the most dry and dull hair types.

Next step is to apologize to your hair! And what better way to do that with a deep intensive treatment masque? Apply to your damp hair and massage through mid-lengths and ends, leave in for 5-10 minutes. This product is available from around £8 and promotes shine, silkiness and softness to the hair. It helps renew dry, lifeless hair, split-ends and restores damaged hair.

The last step is to seal the hair with a luxury finishing oil! The Mediterranean Finishing Oil by Schwarzkopf is the most expensive of the products we use in this hair-care routine, retailing from around £15, it uses a rich blend of natural oils, infused with pure white jasmine flower blossoms and refreshing citrus notes of lime and orange and worth every penny!

Jessica Bruce

Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing Wella Professionals Oil Reflection Serum is available for under £10 at any good retailers. An incredibly affordable, high-value product which has visible effects on your own or client’s hair. This serum helps to repair the hair by adding oils such as macadamia and avocado, leaving hair with a natural, healthy, glossy shine.

www.oaklands.ac.uk

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CAMPUS REDEVELOPMENT Since the first lockdown, the St Albans campus redevelopment has made significant progress and returning students will notice the eye-catching Evolution Centre building, which stands proudly opposite the new student Residential Homestead, although still under construction, the new facility will introduce 49 modern classrooms and become a central learning hub to the campus.

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Spring Issue 2021

P

hase 2 of the £62 million redevelopment of our St Albans Campus is well underway, having been given the green light to transform the college back in 2017.

Building specialists Willmott Dixon have been on-site, heading up a huge operation to provide a modern, state-of-the-art campus for the future.

Having delivered the Residential Homestead, the first of four phases, students at the college have already enjoyed a sample of what is to come, with 80 students now living on-site in the brand-new residential accommodation facility.

Phase 2 focuses on The Evolution Centre, which began in March 2020 and is due for completion in Autumn 2021. The Evolution Centre will contain 49 new classrooms, as well as various offices for curriculum staff, housing our Pathway 4 special needs provision. A key building which will occupy a central part of the campus, foundation work has already been completed and the building

PHASE 3 WILL INTRODUCE AN EXCITING NEW CONSTRUCTION CENTRE, AS WELL AS A SPECIALIST SPORTS PAVILION FOR THE COLLEGE’S ELITE OAKLANDS WOLVES SPORTS ACADEMY STUDENTS.

has begun taking shape. The new learning centre will provide modern classrooms for A Level students, as well as full-time learners.

Phase 3 will introduce an exciting new Construction Centre, as well as a specialist Sports Pavilion for the college’s elite Oaklands Wolves Sports Academy students.

Adjacent to the new sports pitches, the Pavilion will house hydrotherapy and physiotherapy areas, as well as six brand-new changing rooms. Phase 3 will also see the demolition of the large black barn which sits central to the campus, to be replaced by a state-ofthe-art Construction Centre (pictured), a large facility containing industry-standard workshops for our construction students, as well as a central, eye-catching entrance for all students learning vital trades. Phase 3 is expected to be completed by Summer 2022.

Finally, the fourth and final phase of the £62 million redevelopment will introduce a stunning new facility, the brand-new Gateway building. The Gateway will be the central hub of our St Albans Campus, housing a new Learning Resource Centre, cafe and library for students. The building will occupy the space opposite the current Reception and Learning Resource Centre and is due for completion in 2023/24.

www.oaklands.ac.uk

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OAKLANDS WOLVES

AROUND THE WORLD CHALLENGE This February, Oaklands Wolves Sports Academy students were challenged, along with fellow students and staff members to take on the Around the World Challenge.

T

he challenge, which aims at walking, running, cycling or swimming a combined distance of 40,075km, incorporated all eight of Oaklands Academies, with students from the Rugby, Hockey, Football, Basketball, Netball, Athletics and Cycling academies combining their efforts to reach the monumental target.

The challenge, which began on 6th January 2021, set participants a target of 461miles/742km per day for 54 days, the equivalent of an 24,901 mile/40,075km trip around the world.

Following the pioneering 18th Century route taken by Phileas Fogg, Oaklands students followed suit, setting out from London to Paris and then onto Turin, Italy.

The first milestone of the trip saw students virtually arrive in Avallon, a historic French Town between Paris and Turin, famous for its 15th Century Gateway Clocktower and JAN 2021 Churches dating back to the 12th Century!

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Spring Issue 2021

The ‘wolfpack’ reached their second milestone shortly after, when their collective kilometres took them to the popular skiing destination of Chambéry, in the French Alpes. Students were able to learn of the birthplace of popular French footballer; Olivier Giroud, 15th Century Cathedrals and the Rue Croix d’Or. 1,467km into the challenge saw participants land in Brindisi, Southern Italy, on the heel of the boot. Brindisi is considered to be the start of the Appian Way and a most important historical Roman Port. Brindisi has lots of monuments and Churches BARI and you can also enjoy a spot of 021 FEB 2 wine tasting.

After a further

2475km and they made it to Suez, a seaport in North Eastern Egypt.

Home to the southern start of the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most heavily used shipping lanes. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea with EGYPT The Red Sea and gives the shortest maritime route to Asia from Europe.

Over 7,600km on, students arrived just kilometres from Mumbai, the seventh most populous city in the world, the gateway of the Arabian Sea and home to India’s financial and commercial centre.

The safe return of competitive Basketball on January 23rd enabled both Men and Women’s Basketball JAN 2021

Academies to start practising and taking part in league fixtures again.

The additional training helped the wolfpack reach the Grand Palace in Thailand, contributing over 4,000km to the target.

The next stop on the tourist trail saw the ‘wolfpack’ take in the virtual sites of Hong Kong, well known for its skyline, temples and cultural markets. Hong Kong also boasts the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) HONG KONG statue, which is a bronze FEBRUARY 2021 monument built in 1993.

Another 2,973km and they found themselves in the Japanese City of Yokohama, just South of Tokyo.

Yokohama was one of the first Japanese ports open to foreign trade in 1859 and contains a large Chinatown with Hundreds of Chinese restaurants and shops. It is also known for Sankeien garden, a botanical park containing preserved Japanese residences from different eras and the seaside Minato Mirai district, site of the 296m Landmark FEB 2021 Tower.

With a week of the challenge to spare, the around the world tour arrived in the United States to take in the sites of New York, including the famous Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the Empire States Building and positioned the wolf-pack just over the Atlantic Ocean and heading towards Dublin.

The penultimate landmark was

JAPAN

an appropriate one; The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, home of the dark IRELAND Irish stout that was DUBLIN first brewed in 1759 and now one of the most successful alcohol brands in the world, selling over 850 million litres a year.

After a quick virtual toast to the college’s efforts, all that remained

was the final trip back to where the journey started; the St Albans Campus. The campus is the final landmark of the 40,075km round trip and a location which in itself, is becoming quite the eyecatcher – With its new £62million redevelopment (Pages 14-15) which will see the unveiling of the new state-of-the-art teaching block; The Evolution Centre.

www.oaklands.ac.uk

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I want to help people reach their potential Personal Trainer If a career in the sports industry gets your pulse racing, you will be blown away by the courses and facilities available to students at Oaklands College. As well as a full-sized gym, floodlit synthetic pitches and a state-of-the-art sports hall, Oaklands offers a wide range of courses from Technical Diploma’s in Sport and Personal Training to specialist studies in Exercise Science, Coaching and Development – Embark on your future at Oaklands College.

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#FindYourFuture