Issue 1 final

Woking College Magazine AUG 2017 ISSUE

THE INTERVIEW We talk to Brett about college life

CABARET Why is this hard hitting theatre more relevent now than ever?

CREATIVE POST Advertising influenced

by Alan Fletcher

SPORT Have Woking FC finally found their stride?

1

Nicola Gill

Nakiyah Ali

Josh Boothroyd

Harriet Erskine

Barbara Imra-Pall

Annabel Griffiths

Rose Pettett

George Allen

Bethan English

Jacob Woodcock

Jade McPhee-Dunham Zinet Habib

Interview

BRETT’S QUESTIONS 1.

In your opinion, how was the performance of Woking College last academic year? What successes were there?

We’re really proud of the 99% Pass rate at A level and 100% pass rate at level 3 BTEC, it’s been pretty much that for the last half a dozen years. That just continues to show how good we are. I think that we have had a real big improvement in GCSE English retake passes so we had a big jump there and I am really pleased with that. I was also really pleased that 70% of our Level 2 students stayed with us and started on Level 3 courses. I think that’s great that students who perhaps underperformed a bit in school still have a really good chance through Woking college to go on to apprenticeships and universities after 3 years which most sixth form colleges don’t offer so I’m really proud of that. I think as well, some students do not realise what we do in the community with speakers of English as a second language and we work with so many different nationalities from people in Woking, teaching them to speak English from no English at all up to GCSE level. We teach about 400 adults and we do classes for Syrian refugees as well sponsored by Woking borough council and the fact that we do that as well makes us really special as a sixth form college. I know most students do not see it but we are really proud of it.

2.

What are the top three areas of focus for the college?

The fact that all A-levels have gone linear means that we really have to focus on getting the teaching and learning right so that students retain knowledge over 2 years. As well as this, the changes in exam structures and examination questions means we have really got to focus so the students learn the new exam techniques and they can make the most of their knowledge in passing their exams.

Another key push is top grades. We want all our students to be able to get into top universities, top apprenticeships and because they are so competitive now we really want to push students so that C students get B’s, B students get A’s.

I think the other thing is that we are a growing college so we had 450 students when I first came here 13 years ago and now we have nearly 1350. That is great, but we need to preserve that family atmosphere and that friendliness that I think colleges that are bigger than we are lose. I interviewed about 20 students from Farnborough College in the last 2 weeks who left there to come here because they did not like the atmosphere.

It was too big and they hardly saw anyone they knew so I think that is what makes us unique and we need to preserve that as we continue to grow.

The interview

3.

What are your first impressions of the new staff?

4.

How have new staff and students settled in?

I am not just saying this I really mean it I am so pleased. We took on 14 new staff this year because we grew a little bit and other staff got promoted to other institutions. I absolutely think they are excellent and there is no way we could have got a better field across the board. And also, the other great thing is that, because sixth form colleges are such a nice place to work in, maybe compared to schools, the field is strong and quite often they’re might’ve been five people and I could’ve appointed three of them easily. Therefore, we had really good fields and I am not going to name any individuals because they are all really good but I am really pleased with the quality of the staff we have taken on board.

I think the new students have settled in really well and the teachers are all commenting that the first years seem really good, really up for it and really wanting to work hard and they’re really friendly as well. Clearly, the key thing is it is easy to work hard for three weeks, but is it easy to work hard for 18 months? That is a different question.

Therefore, we have to find ways of making sure students maintain their interest, maintain their motivation, continue to have fun and work hard. I think the students in general have made a really positive impression on me. I mean some find it difficult to leave Year 11 and silliness on social media does bother me and students have to remember it is like firing a gun, when a pistol leaves a gun you cannot put it back in.

Social media is the same. When they are a little bit immature, people do not understand their place in the world and that they have a place in the world and that place will be on social media when they are applying for jobs later on and if people look them up and they see the stupidity, it is not going to look good.

5.

Why did you choose to become a principal for a college, instead of a school?

I have worked in schools; I have been an assistant head of a school many years ago.

I think: 1) We concentrate on teaching our subjects here; we do not have to worry so much about discipline. It is not about child control, it is about subjects and it is about progress.

2) Schools have to have many rules. Young people unfortunately, as they are going up, need to be controlled to a greater extent than when they are 16 year olds and over. I love the fact we have three rules here; turn up on time; work as hard as you can and be nice to each other - I love that. It is so tiresome saying ‘do your top button up’ a hundred times a day and I like the fact that we can treat you like adults and we have absolute minimal rules. Having said that, the joy of working in a school is that kids come in at 11, like babies almost, and they leave, if you have a sixth form, at 18 and they have done a massive journey and that is quite awe-inspiring. Equally, 16-19 is a massive jump as well so we do get to see a lot of that.

The interview

Production

CABARET

WILKOMMEN, BIENVENNUE and WELCOME to Woking College’s 2017 production of Cabaret! Leave your troubles outside for, in here, life is beautiful – and so is this musical!

Regardless of whether or not you are one of them, you may think that drama students live in a world of their own, and, in a way, they do. But what is it about that world that should convince you to come along and support Cabaret? I sat down with Claire Nevers, Head of Drama, director and overall hard-working busybody at the head of the college musical Cabaret to see what she had to say about this German extravaganza!

I asked her why this specific musical was chosen to follow the previous year’s production of Guys & Dolls and received a more than enthusiastic answer. “[Cabaret] is one of my favourite musicals because it’s stylistically very interesting,” she says, “and unlike some other musicals, it’s quite sophisticated and challenging. Politically, what it’s about feels quite relevant in today’s society and I’m very interested to use that historical perspective to reflect on some of the things that are going on in the world now.” The story of the musical has a very defining theme; being set in 1931, Berlin under the rising Nazi law. “It’s a really interesting show; perhaps not conventional or lightweight musical theatre, it shows the more hard hitting and truthful events but in the framework of theatre.”

Production

It’s only been a few weeks into the term but rehearsals are already well underway.

With only 11 weeks before the show, everyone has been getting their heads down to learning dances and lines harder than ever before. Even the department is over the moon with the enthusiasm of the students taking part. “They’re really positive and really hard working!” Claire goes on to say. The mass of first years coming into the production this year was overwhelming for everyone in the department; it’s really great to see so many young, aspiring actors joining the family! In fact, the actual casting of the show is “bigger than it’s been for the last couple of years!”

“It’s always great to see what the students are doing outside of their lessons and we try to make the shows as enjoyable and professional as possible.

For a reasonable price you can get to see a lot of talent and as professional of a show as we can make in the very short amount of time that we have.”

It’s one thing hearing all of that from the ones in charge, but what about the talent onstage? I spoke to some members of the main cast about their experiences with the show this year, interested in the advice they could give to those who are starting off. “It’s all about having fun and learning your lines! Definitely do that as soon as possible.” says Helen Roper who plays Sally Bowles.

“It’s very stressful,” Ana Richardson, aka Fraulein Schneider told me, “but I know it’s going to be worth it because I did it last year and it’s such a good feeling to be on stage after all that work!”

“Everyone is extremely friendly; the drama department is genuinely like one giant, crazy family.” The first years were eager to tell me. No matter how much experience you have or what role you’ve got, you can count on the Woking College Drama Department to accept you with a warm welcome and open arms. “Cabaret is a great opportunity to meet new people with the same passions and interests with the added bonus of a show tune or two!”

Ticket information Adult: £12 Students/Concessions: £ 8 13th, 14th and 15th December 2017 Tickets are available after the half term!

Get them at the reception OR ask a member of cast!

See the back of the Magazine for more details.

Production

Creative Corner

GUARDIAN AD CAMPAIGN A selection of CTEC Yr 13 student advertsing campaigns for the Guardian Newspaper, influenced by the typographic illustrations of Alan Fletcher.

Creative Corner

Creative Corner

Sport

WOKING FC CONTINUE TO CLIMB

Woking F.C. have so far endured a successful start to their national league campaign, with Anthony Limbrick leading his Cardinals as high as third in the table. Having scored the second highest goal tally in the league and with 6 wins in 8, as of the 6th of October, it seems like Woking have finally found their stride, following their amicable summer separation from club legend Steve Thompson and Gary Hill. After joining in the summer from the West Ham academy following a stint as U-18 Southampton coach to develop such names as Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers, it feels like the players have finally bought into the philosophy of playing style he has been trying to implement from the beginning and everything seems to be falling right into place.

Limbrick has also favoured youth in his managerial role with Woking so far, putting his trust in Millwall-loanee Jamie Philpot and Charlie Carter who have scored 6 goals between them, whilst calling Sam Mason and Lazar Stojsavljevic up to play first-team football for the season.

If you would like to support Woking and watch them carry on their impressive run of form these are some of important home league fixtures coming up at the Laithwaite Community Stadium:

Saturday 18th Nov 3pm - Maidenhead United Tuesday 21st Nov 7.45pm - Ebbsfleet United Saturday 2nd Dec 3pm - Tranmere Rovers Saturday 23rd Dec 3pm - Barrow Sport

Sport AoC Regionals

Esher Away/ Aoc Cup R3

Aoc Cup R3

Collyers Home

Reigate Away

SJB Away

Free

AoC Cup R4

Esher Home

Basketball Hockey

Coulsdon Away

Woking Tourname nt

Netball

John Ruskin Home

SJB Away

Strode’s Away

Rugby

Free

John Ruskin Home

Strode’s Away

Pulse 6th Form Home

Merrist Wood Away

John Ruskin Home

Strode’s Away

John Ruskin Home

Football 1 XI Football 2nd XI Girls Football

Hurtwood Home

AoC Regionals

Esher Away/ Aoc Cup R3

Collyers Home

Claremont Home

AoC Cup R4

AoC Regionals

Richmond Away/ Aoc Cup R3

Free

AoC Regionals

Esher Away/ Aoc Cup R3

Free

Surrey Cup R2

Esher Away

AoC Cup R4

AoC Regionals

Wednesday 22nd November

Collyers Home

Free

Free

Wednesday 13th December

AoC Cup R4

Wednesday 15th November

Esher Away/ Aoc Cup R3

Wednesday 8th November

Coulsdon Away

Free

Wednesday 6th December

Free

Wednesday 1st November

Surrey FA Tournamen t

Wednesday 29th November

AoC Cup R4

WOKING COLLEGE SPORT FIXTURES: Everyone at the Woking College Magazine would like to wish good luck to anyone involved in the upcoming sporting fixtures:

Issue 2 out January 2018 @WokingMedia @wokingcmag

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