Halesowen College News

Audiences have given the show high praise with students showing off their singing and dancing talent

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:40:40 GMT

Audiences have given the show high praise with students showing off their singing and dancing talents. The performers, including staff and students, come from all levels and subject areas from across the college.

Different specialist areas came together to bring the show to life with young people studying textiles and fashion putting together the costumes, media students creating an in-house DVD and graphics students designing the promotional material for the extravaganza.

And Electric Stage, a Birmingham company which provides staging and event equipment, gave its services free of charge to set up a lighting gantry for the production.

Elizabeth Bridgland, Curriculum Team Manager for Music, Dance and Drama, said: "Our students and staff have worked really hard and become a true ensemble of performers.

"The show promotes everyone’s talents from on stage to backstage and has been a true learning experience for all involved.

"It has been a fantastic achievement and everyone should be really proud; they have worked closely as a team with lots of support from the College."

New foundation degrees

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:36:01 GMT

Elizabeth Smith, from Oldbury, who spent three years at the college studying hairdressing, wanted to continue her education so chose the new Foundation Degree in Salon Management and signed up last September.

This Foundation Degree is ideal for anyone who wants to extend their leadership, management and business skills to enhance their career opportunities. Once the two year course is completed there is an option to study for a third year to get a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Wolverhampton.

Elizabeth, aged 19, said: “The Foundation Degree is giving me the chance to extend my knowledge and I would whole heartedly recommend this course to anyone who wants to progress to higher education within the hair and beauty industry and doesn’t want to move away from home.

“I have received ongoing support from my tutors throughout the duration of the course and I have thoroughly enjoyed every second of my first year.”

To find out more about the Foundation Degree in Salon Management contact Emma Ball at the Coombs Wood campus on 0121 602 7822 or email eball@halesowen.ac.uk

Other Foundation Degrees on offer include Business and Media Production, Business Accounting, Business and Creative Enterprise, Early Years, Guidance for Learning and Work, Health and Social Care; and Learning Support.

Students make the grade on new advanced course

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:43:57 GMT

They studied the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB), an advanced level two year programme recognised across the world as an alternative to A levels. It is an international qualification highly respected by universities.

Thirteen are going on to higher education and university and two are having a gap year before progressing their careers.

Jade Tipping, aged 18, achieved the highest grade with an overall score of 39 out of 45 and will be going to the University of Birmingham to study Law with French.

The other successful students include Laura Bates, Abigail Bennett, Eliana Delgado, Zoe Hale, Tilly-Mae Holmes, Louise Jeavons, Bryony Lawless, Zoe Midgley, Rebecca Morgan, Laura Prosser, Stuart Turner, Jessica Whiting, Anna Wright and Mariana Valeanu.

Laura will be going to the University of Keele to study Applied Environmental Science and Geography; Tilly-Mae is off to Birmingham University to study Diagnostic Radiography; and Bryony will be studying English and History at the University of Leeds.

Mick Grant, IB Coordinator, said: “We are delighted that this new course has been such a success.

“The IB is a great alternative to A Levels and has been designed for those students who want an extra challenge. The IB also gives students the chance to get involved in community activities and learn a range of skills. The students have worked very hard and fully deserve their success.”

Students study six academic subjects on the Diploma, including English, foreign languages, maths and experimental sciences .

Lighting up the stage thanks to Electric Stage

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:52:59 GMT

The company which provides staging and event equipment is giving its services free of charge to set-up a lighting gantry in the sports hall for the production.

The rock opera runs from today, Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 July.

Different specialist areas across the College have come together to bring the show to life with young people studying textiles and fashion putting together the costumes, media students creating an in-house DVD and graphics students designing the promotional material for the extravaganza. The performers, including staff and students, come from all levels and subject areas from across the college.

Top West End star Steve Fortune even took time out of his busy theatre schedule to do a special workshop over Easter. He has appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar at the famous Lyceum Theatre in London and passed on his skills, tips and techniques to students.

Elizabeth Bridgland, Curriculum Team Manager for music, dance and drama, said: "Thanks to the support of Electric Stage our students will definitely be in the spotlight.

"The show will be fantastic and everyone has been rehearsing hard to raise the roof."

Tickets are priced £2 for the musical which starts at 7pm. Tickets are available from the college box office on 0121 602 7777.

Former student gets prestigious drama place

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:13:33 GMT

Adrian is celebrating by coming back to College to pass on his skills and expertise. Adrian left Halesowen College last year achieving an A in A Level Drama and Theatre Studies and A levels in Law, English and History.

He took a gap year to gain practical experience of theatre and the productions he has been involved in include A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night and Much Ado about Nothing by William Shakespeare.

Adrian is an old hand at performing Shakespeare, for his A level Drama and Theatre Studies practical exam he performed the role of Laertes in Hamlet for which he was awarded 100 per cent.

While at College he was also accepted by the National Youth Theatre. He is currently working on a project called 'Relish' which will be showing in the West End in August.

He has run a physical theatre workshop with A level students to help enhance their skills and knowledge of the style in preparation for their drama exams in the second year.

Adrian, from Rubery, said: "I really enjoyed my time here at Halesowen College and really learnt a lot. It has been great to return to pass on my skills to others.

"I am also really excited about starting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in October to study acting for stage and screen."

Ravinder Jhite, Head of A Level Drama at Halesowen College, added: “We are very proud of Adrian’s accomplishments, he was a highly committed student who did extremely well at College.

"It is testament to his hard work and commitment that he has secured this highly sought after place in London at this very prestigious school."

Adrian is in good company as the former attendees at the London School include Judi Dench, Laurence Olivier, Pauline Collins, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

Students 'sew' their creative side

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:07:11 GMT

The BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care students completed the creative task based around children's learning activities and play.

During this two year course they attend College and four different placements to learn more about the world of work.

Selena Hall, Early Years Lecturer, said: "The story sacks are of a really high standard and everyone is really pleased with the end result.

“Most of the work on this course is written assignments so it is great to see them be more creative and to research what children would like to see and use."

Ofsted 'outstanding' for nursery

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:44:19 GMT

The report also said staff were 'dedicated, enthusiastic' and that ‘children make excellent progress in their learning as they experience a wide range of exciting and stimulating activities which meet their interests and developmental needs.’

The day nursery was assessed in a number of areas including the effectiveness of leadership and management, equality and diversity, children adopting a healthy lifestyle and feeling safe.

The report said: "This is a fully inclusive setting. Every child is recognised as an individual in their own right and activities reflect this as they are encouraged to develop self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. Children who need extra support are cared for very effectively by experienced and knowledgeable staff who fully understand and respond to children’s individual needs."

Theresa Poole, Student Services Manager, said: "Halesowen College is only among very few nurseries who receive the top and excellent grade of outstanding.

"We are delighted and it also shows all the hard work put in by staff to provide the best environment for all the children we look after."

The nursery opened in 1997 and currently has 42 children on roll.

Finalist in fashion awards

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:54:48 GMT

Emma, aged 18, has designed and made three outfits for the annual competition for fashion students and graduates in the Haute Couture category.

She has used the theme 'sirens in Greek mythology' and created three Grecian gowns complete with feathers and 'wings'.

The National Diploma in Textiles with Fashion Studies student submitted her designs as drawings and models will be wearing her outfits on the catwalk.

Emma said: "I am really delighted to be announced as a finalist for this competition. In my second year at Halesowen College I’ve used these designs as part of my final major project.

"This will be a great showcase for my work and hopefully a great step onto the career ladder."

Becky Howson, Course Leader, said: "Emma has worked really hard on her designs and they look fantastic.

"The course includes fashion design and pattern cutting and Emma has really put the skills she has learnt at College to brilliant use. I’m sure she will do really well in the competition and stand out for her flair and creativity."

The awards are being held in Birmingham in October and finalists had to create three outfits inspired by Spring/Summer or Autumn/Winter in Ready to Wear for men and women, Evening Wear and Haute Couture.

Halesowen students in final of accountancy contest

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:19:27 GMT

In the regional heats, which the College also hosted, they competed against seven other teams in the Worldskills (UK) Competition to reach the final.

Team Barnet, made up of Thomas Priest, Amy Richardson and Miriam Lynch, took part in the three hour competition to prove their financial expertise and team working skills at Coombs Wood Business Centre. They are now preparing for the final in London in June.

The part time students are all studying the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level Three and are all employed in an accountancy role.

Mary Samuels, Employer Engagement Manager at Halesowen College, said: "Nationally 40 teams took part so we are delighted that one of our teams has reached the final.

"The team will now be working hard for the final, honing their accountancy skills and techniques."

The competition, sponsored and organised by the AAT is part of the framework of WorldSkills (UK) vocational skills competitions for young people and adults in education or employment.

Armed Forces veteran memories

webmaster@halesowen.ac.uk (webmaster) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:57:05 GMT

Daniel Hughes, Eleanor Ford, Ryan Turner, Chloe Morgan and Mitchell Tromans have worked in partnership with Dudley Council to film some of the interviews.

Dudley Council's art museum exhibition officer, Adrian Durkin, carried out the interviews with a number of service veterans to record their memories.

The third and final television interview has just been recorded with Ray Brown, a Korean War Veteran, who served with the Artillery and chatted about his recollections of service during the early 1950s.

The interviews will be broadcast during the exhibition entitled 'In Service of our country', which will be displayed at Himley Hall from June 26 and continue to September 5 as part of the Armed Forces celebration.

Keith Bate, Halesowen College Principal, said: "It was an honour for Halesowen College to be involved in this project. Our students not only learnt a lot about life at war – they also put all their filming and editing techniques to the test.

"This is a great project and will help keep forever these emotional and often touching first-hand experiences and memories showing what life was like at the time."

Councillor Peter Miller, Mayor of Dudley, added: "The interviews bring to life some of the events that service personnel have experienced and this is a chance to hear about their memories first-hand.

"The week long event will celebrate all of the people who are connected with the armed forces in recent conflicts as well as those who have served in the past."

Servicemen and women from across the borough and beyond are invited to go along to a special event to celebrate Armed Forces Day on June 27 at Himley Hall. People who are members of armed forces or a veteran living in the Dudley borough should call 01384 815201 for more information and to reserve a place.