The 12th Royal Marine Assault Engineers branch carpentry & joinery course comes to a close with the obligatory photograph outside Exeter College’s Faculty of Construction, based on the Sowton industrial Estate in Exeter.

This close partnership between the Royal Marines Assault Engineers and Exeter College goes back some 19 years, with the first course starting in November 1999 and running for 11 weeks.

Since 1999 and that first course, a further 11 courses have taken place with a total of 73 ranks passing out with flying colours, receiving qualification accreditation from City and Guilds.

The course is designed to meet the needs of the Assault Engineers branch, ensuring that their personnel have the knowledge and skills set to undertake tasks with confidence, safely.

Most recently, past course members put these skills to the test when deployed to the British Territories after storm Irma hit the Caribbean.

The course has been designed to cover bench joinery (manufacture of doors and windows), site carpentry (door lining, door hanging, flooring and roofing) and wood machining, which includes 110v portable appliances and larger 3 phase machines as found in the carpenter’s workshops at Stonehouse and Chivenor.

Over recent years, there has been an expectation that each course undertakes a specific task at CTCRM so that learnt skills can be put into practice, demonstrating the worth and value of this branch of the Royal Marines. To date this has included the roof coverings for both the Rhino and Thermal Cutting rigs, the renovation of the Modern Urban Combat facility, the air conditioning covers for the HQ Building, and more recently the remounting of the map tables within the Sergeants Mess.

The construction and remounting of the map tables was made more poignant, as Claire, W01 Steven Perry’s daughter works at Exeter College within the Faculty of Construction, she left her own touching message on one of the table frames in memory of her father.

There have been notable course members who have used this course as a promotion spring board within the Corp, this includes Steve Spears, Major Michael Dinger Bell and the outgoing AE Specialist Advisor Robbie Robson and his replacement Darren Daz Cardwell, to name but a few.

The opportunity to run this bespoke course for the Corp has been and continues to be one continual round of pleasure, one which brings a break from the norm for those who deliver on it, I look forward to the next course in January 2019.

Nick Spreckley is Deputy Head of Faculty (Construction and the Built Environment)

Monday 23rd April we held our 4th SET (Skills Enhancement Training) session for women’s rugby. Specifically targeting girls in their final year of school and the U15 rugby age group, the evening was a great success.

It was attended by over 85 girls including 71 external students from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset along with some of our current cohort of rugby academy, all of the girls had a great time.

The evening was organised by Dave Kimberley and Jack Fahy our Women’s Rugby Academy coaches at the college and supported by both the RFU and Tyrrell’s, who are the official sponsor of the Women’s Premier 15’s in its inaugural year. The evening was introduced by a Tyrrell’s representative and taken by none other than Bristol Ladies players Caity Mattinson, Clara Nielson and Poppy Leitch who were nothing short of fantastic in their positivity, coaching and attitudes towards rugby and women’s sport. They really are amazing role models for these young aspiring girls and they were able to teach them some important technical points within playing the game.

The SET sessions are free to attend and designed to bring girls in the area together to develop their skills, meet new people, experience different coaching and train in a new environment.

Many of our current cohort of players were there to discuss how the college has helped their rugby development and what they are currently studying with us. The coaches were able to chat with parents and coaches to discuss our aims and the direction of the college academy, as well as successes this year and a proposed tour of Canada next academic year. There will be more SET sessions on offer for girls of the same age group next season and we would be delighted if girls would like to come along. Please keep an eye out on our website, the Exeter Chiefs website (soon to be updated) and any of Exeter College social media pages for more information. If you are interested in studying with us next year, then please contact us to find out more, you can email us by clicking here.

Until then, keep playing!

Chinese teachers from Shanghai visited Exeter College in a mutually beneficial exchange visit, under an international partnership.

Two experienced teachers, Sun (Harry) Qianzhi and Zhijing (Joey) Zhang, from the world- class Shanghai Information Technology College spent an intensive two weeks undertaking tailored teacher masterclasses and observing teachers at Exeter College, ranked Ofsted ‘Outstanding’.

The Chinese teachers studied an Introduction to Inclusive Teaching and Learning qualification, accredited by City & Guilds.

The visit is the latest in the continued partnership between the Shanghai Information Technology College, and Exeter College. In November, a group of a dozen students from the Shanghai Information Technology College will be visiting Exeter College.

Delegations of students and staff from both colleges have visited each other in recent years as part of the growing relationship between both leading education colleges.

Malcolm Walsh, Assistant Principal, Exeter College, who presented the teachers with their certificates at the end of the two week exchange visit, said: “This unique partnership between one of the best IT colleges in China and ourselves is very exciting. Students from both countries have experienced each other’s cultures, ways of study and completed real digital animation projects for local businesses.

“This most recent step in the relationship has seen two Shanghai staff come to Exeter to learn about our ways of teaching. They told us that whilst there are many similarities that there have also been some key differences of approach. They have been model students and wonderful representatives of their college.”

Emma Ackrill, Programme Leader, Business and IT, who coordinated the exchange visit, said: “It has been a privilege to host our visitors Joey and Harry from the Shanghai Information Technology College over the last two weeks. They have worked incredibly hard in studying towards their teacher qualification and have taken a great interest in our teaching and learning methods which they can take back and apply in their own teaching in Shanghai.”

Partnership between Exeter College and Chinese college goes from strength to strength – Teachers from the Shanghai Information Technology College visited Exeter College in a mutually beneficial exchange visit. Here the teachers are seen (pictured centre) after receiving their award at the end of their two-week visit to the college.

Twenty five exceptional individuals and community groups have been chosen as finalists for the prestigious 2018 Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards. Those shortlisted include coaches, clubs, volunteers and sportspeople from right across Devon. This year they reflect a really diverse range of sports including surf lifesaving, community fitness, swimming, football and gymnastics.

The Awards, which will take place on 22nd June at Sandy Park, celebrate sporting contributions and achievements from community level coaching and workplace fitness right through to the next generation of elite sports performers. The main purpose of the Awards is to recognise those who inspire people to participate at all levels of sport and physical activity.

“Each year the Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards go from strength to strength and help to recognise the truly outstanding work that is being carried out throughout the county at all sporting levels” said Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation.

A glittering evening beckons and finalists will be presented with their trophies and certificates by Conrad Humphreys who has spent over two decades as a professional yachtsman, including three round the world races.

The expert judging panel, coordinated by Active Devon who are overseeing the Awards in partnership with the Exeter Foundation and Exeter College, have carefully whittled the entries down to the final 25 individuals, teams and clubs from an extremely strong pool of nominations.

Rob Bosworth, Vice Principal – Schools, Partnerships & Curriculum, Exeter College, said: “Exeter College is delighted to be a partner in the Devon Sports Awards and recognise the contributions made by those who inspire sports performers at all levels. We are especially pleased to be able to recognise the unsung heroes that keep sport and physical activity thriving in Devon.”

In addition to the 7 main Award categories and those recognising Performances in Community Sport, the most prestigious honour of the evening is for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon. It is awarded from amongst the winners of each category and will be announced right at the end of the celebration evening.

“The judges really do have a tough time having to choose from such a strong pool of entries” said Matt Evans, Chief Executive of Active Devon. “We are always keen to recognise the people who work so hard in their sports and so often go unrecognised. The Devon Sports Awards is a special way in which we can celebrate their achievements. We want to thank everyone who nominated someone special in their sport and say ‘keep up the good work!’ ”.

The full list of finalists are:

Devon Coach of the Year

• Chantelle Cox, Teignmouth Thunderbirds (sport Netball) – Teignbridge
• Mike Beagley, Falcons Gymnastics (sport Gymnastics) – North Devon
• Matt Hodgson, Dawlish United FC, (sport Football) – Teignbridge

Devon Young Coach of the Year

• Josh Hardwidge, The Wave Project (sport surfing) – Plymouth
• Nathaniel Rookes, Tavistock Swimming Club (sport swimming) – West Devon

Devon Volunteer of the Year

• Sue Jennings, Lets Ride Plymouth (sport Cycling) – Plymouth
• Sean Philpot, Apollo Sports Club (Circuit Training & Football) – Torbay
• Dave Skeet, Just Jog Bideford (sport Running) – North Devon

Devon Young Volunteer of the Year

• Paul Corbiere, The Lodge Action Sports Club (sport Skateboarding) – Teignbridge
• Ieuan Noakes, Tavistock Swimming Club (sport Swimming) – West Devon
• Molly, Joe & Phoebe, Wellity (sport Various) – Exeter

Devon Club of the Year

• Freemoovement (sport Community fitness) – Exeter
• Barnstaple Ability FC (sport Football) – North Devon
• Storm Running (Running) – Plymouth

Contribution to Inclusive Sport

• Barnstaple Ability FC (sport Football) – North Devon
• The Wave Project (sport Surfing) – Plymouth
• Sam Towers, Hub Club (sport Swimming) – Plymouth

Business Contribution to Sport in the Community

• Bright Solicitors (sport Various) – Plymouth

Business Contribution to Staff Well Being through Sporting Activity

• The Environment Agency (sport Various) – Exeter

Performances in Community Sport

• Buckland Athletics Ladies FC (sport Football) – Teignbridge
• Cameron Williams, Dartmoor Darts Aquatic (sport Swimming) – Plymouth
• Ethan Kirby, Newton Abbot Athletics Club (sport Athletics) – Teignbridge
• Jack Willis, Teignmouth Surf Lifesaving Club (sport Surf Lifesaving) – Teignbridge
• Lauren Dolan, Mid Devon Cycling Club (sport Cycling) – Teignbridge
• Robin Delve, Mid Devon Cycling Club (sport Cyclo-cross) – Exeter

More information about the Devon Sports Award are on the Devon Sports Awards Facebook page @DevonSportsAwards and Twitter @DevSportsAwards. Tickets can be purchased for the Awards at Sandy Park with Conrad Humphreys. Contact enquiries@exeterfoundation.org.uk for more details.

More information on Active Devon available at www.activedevon.org or speak to Kerrie Clifford on 01392 925150

More information about the Exeter Foundation at www.exeterfoundation.org.uk or contact Aimee Arscott AimeeArscott@exeterfoundation.org.uk or Flo Eggins FloEggins@sandypark.co.uk

Exeter College students, studying IT – Game Development, have been working with Exeter University PhD student, Sofia Romualdo De Carvalho, to develop a computer game aimed at bringing history to life. The game will be premiered at an interactive exhibition, Gamerama, on Saturday April 7th 2018 at Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum in the Courtyard.

The exhibition will showcase computer games that have been inspired by collections at RAMM and the Seaton Down Hoard. It aims to help people discover new and fun ways of learning by playing with museum objects.

There will also be an opportunity to meet the games creators and speak about the process of developing a computer came, from taking the brief to coding and styling the game.

Programme Leader, Oscar O'Brien said: “Working to develop these skills is highly important for students I teach on this course, it's important that they not only understand how to make a game, but also develop it to immerse players in a believable world and reach a target audience. Working with RAMM and Sofia has been a great enabler to this.”

Sofia Romualdo De Carvalho, PhD Student at Exeter University said: “As part of the research project that RAMM is developing, in partnership with the University of Exeter, studying the use of videogames and gameful design in interpretation and engagement practices in the museum, and we wanted to encourage young people to be inspired by the museum’s Roman collection in order to create games, making them not just players, but also creators of gameful content. The Exeter College students applied their game design skills into the creation of a game that is both educational and fun, and which can be played in and outside the museum's galleries. We are excited to share the results of their work with the museum's community.”

The one day event is free to enter and a perfect day out for families over the Easter holidays. For more information visit the RAMM Website.

Exeter College have announced that they will offer a range of new concessions for school students and educational institutions wishing to bring groups to their spring performance of ‘Oh What a Lovely War’. The aim is to encourage more schools to bring groups of students and see how students of higher level learning work and to raise the profile of performing arts within the area.

Exeter College BTEC Extended Diploma Performing Arts students are performing the musical, written by Joan Littlewood & Theatre Workshop. It will run from 16-20 May 2018 at Exeter’s Barnfield Theatre.

Tickets are on general sale at £12 (£10 concessions). New this year Exeter College have announced school groups can pick up tickets for only £8 per child, with one adult free for every 10 tickets. Meaning a group of ten students could attend with a chaperone for as little as £80.

This is a welcome return to Exeter’s Barnfield theatre where Exeter College last year performed the Diary of Anne Frank, to great reviews.

Head of Media and Performing Arts, Katie Wild said: “We felt it particularly important to perform a piece to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War. But this work goes much further than that, the play resonates enormously with the world today.

Tickets are available by visiting barnfieldtheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873584465 or calling the box office on 01392 271808.

Exeter College Girls Rugby Academy entered into the Girls Open Schools U18 Rugby 7’s Tournament at Rosslyn Park and were seeded in Pool F along with Stowe School, Llandovery College and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School. The event is the largest schools 7’s tournament in the world and all of the girls were understandably nervous. However, Exeter College managed three wins in the pool stages:

• Stowe School: 30 – 0
• Llandovery College: 27 – 7
• Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School: 31 – 5

They then progressed to the quarter finals overturning Clifton College 59 – 7 before beating Blundell’s School 22 – 21 in the semi-final.

The final (which was streamed live on numerous sites) was an exciting affair against Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf who had amassed over 200 points scored at this point, including beating Amman Valley School 29 – 7 (the previous winners for the last three years) and were looking very strong. This meant that the final was set to be a fascinating game.

“In the final, the Exeter wing showed electric pace for the first try and two further first-half tries gave Exeter a 15-0 lead at the break. Glantaf hit back with a try soon after the restart, but ultimately Exeter were too strong and came through 27 – 7 to be named champions.” Rosslyn Park National Schools 7's

The team were delighted and crowned National Girls Winners. Huge congratulations to all the girls and the coaches. If you are interested in joining the Exeter Chiefs Girls Rugby Academy then please contact us for further information.

Squad:

• Beth Wyatt
• Megan Heath
• Madeline Robinson
• Maysah Craig
• Sarah Nathan
• Alice Tombolato
• Merryn Doidge
• Chloe Hetherington
• Gabby Gower
• Gemma Batts
• Phaedra Leveridge
• Tegan Bond

As second-year BTEC students our final major project marks the countdown to our release into the real world. While we stress about having to be functional people, it’s almost enjoyable to be a bit silly and pretend to be a horse or play the kazoo in rehearsals.

The first week seemed a bit daunting, as there was a long, long trail ahead. We started off by learning songs: Row, Row, Row; Peace in our Time; and Our King and Country. We were mutually shocked when we sounded good, the harmonies worked and blended together nicely, and we created a good sound. The next thing to tackle was dance, the opening number is ‘Row, Row, Row’, there is a lot of pressure on this one as it's the first impression the audience will get of what’s to come. But after a few hours, it began to come together with our very own Young Jonnie Jones and his girlies. Next, it came to putting the first few scenes on their feet, this was a lot of us being very confused and trying to interpret ‘Nige’s Vision’. The first rehearsal consisted of us trying to read and speak German and what seemed like musical chairs.

Week two brought even more song learning (there are a lot of songs in this show, some are only short but still a lot of songs), a cohesive beginning and snow! This was the first time we worked as an entire company as we attempted to run what we had of the show so far and work out whose where and moving where at which times. It took a while, but we made it to the end of the first section of the show with a glimmer of hope for the rest of the show and the rehearsal process. However, just as everything started to go to plan, along came Storm Emma to throw a spanner in the works. Emma caused us to have two days off rehearsal which put us behind.

Week three. Back at it. Learning even more songs. Some interpretive dance and catching up on scenes. Workshopping our ideas. And figuring out how to be a horse and soldiers at the same time (this involved a lot of trotting and looking very silly).

It’s time to introduce the kazoos, welcome to week four. We were way ahead on songs and almost halfway through act two and yet we hadn’t reached the end of scenes for act one. On the kazoo, we had to learn sections of different national anthems (Britain, French, Germany, Russian and Belgium) as part of the war game at the beginning of the show. You’d think it be easy to learn and remember a few bars of a song but when there are no words it’s deceptively difficult (until they get stuck in your head on repeat for days). We then began putting together more sections of act one which were just as confusing as it was it was the first time, however with our finalised staging it was slightly more organised. Then closed out the week with the final scenes of act one, Christmas in the trenches and Goodbye.

We’d reached the halfway point, it was in pieces but it was something.

Then the snow struck again. On that Monday we were meant to piece together act one ready to show to the design team on Tuesday. Who knows what was going to happen in that run through.

Week Five. Tuesday back in, more songs to learn, one in French. Then the run through of act one, no one knew what was going to happen, nor did they know exactly what they were doing nor what was going on (well, I’m not sure about everybody else but I certainly didn’t quite know what I was doing). Nevertheless, we made it through. And it wasn’t terrible. It was actually pretty good (still not convinced on pretending to be a horse but apparently it’s funny). For the first time, it felt like we had a show even if it was just the first act. We finally began to understand ‘Nige’s Vision’.

Now on to act two, the first scene involves a lot of different countries, so we read through it a few times swapping characters as there were some questionable accents.

We also took some time out of rehearsal to do some marketing, as there’s no point performing to an empty audience and we need more than just family and friends to come and watch. So look out for our poster across Exeter.

As we enter the sixth week of rehearsals and continue with act two, the end is drawing nearer. The show is coming alive like a silly Pierrot drama, which is fun to be a part of, so hopefully fun to watch.

Do come and see us in Oh What A Lovely War down at the Barnfield Theatre on the 16th-20th May, it’s shaping up to be a great show. Get your tickets here!

By Zara Sillitoe.

We are pleased to announce Summer Clift as our Apprentice Employee of the Month for March. Summers works at Devon and Cornwall Police and is studying for her Level 3 Accounts Assistant Apprenticeship. Summer was nominated because of all the positive feedback from her line manager and the wonderful results she has achieved. We spoke to Summer about her experience of Apprenticeships.

Why did you choose to do an Apprenticeship with Exeter College?

Whilst attending Exeter College as a student the college provided me with information on Apprenticeships and how I could develop my skills and knowledge whilst working. The College invited current Apprentices from different organisations to come in and speak to students who were thinking about applying for an Apprenticeship. I found this really beneficial as hearing first-hand experience from individuals who are currently in an Apprenticeship gave me the reassurance that this was the career path for me. The Exeter College website has many Apprenticeship opportunities on there and they host the Apprenticeship Expo so it was very easy for me to find out what Apprenticeships were available.

What is your favourite thing about your Apprenticeship?

My favourite thing about my Apprenticeship is the organisation that I am working for. I feel so proud and honoured to work for the police force. It’s such a large organisation with many opportunities for development and progression. The accountancy department are great to work with and provide the best support; they want me to do well and you can see that. They know how determined and motivated I am to progress with my career; they’ve allowed me to move around the finance department to gain as much experience as I can.

Did you have any worries before starting?

There was a couple of worries before starting my Apprenticeship as I knew a few people who had previously struggled with finance so I was a little apprehensive. However, that didn’t stop me, I knew I would enjoy finance as I had completed my finance course at College. Furthermore, I didn’t know anyone who was in the public sector for finance so I didn’t know what to really expect.

Would you recommend other people do an Apprenticeship?

I would highly recommend an Apprenticeship as there are so many benefits. I can work towards my professional qualifications and gain the working experience at the same time. I believe an Apprenticeship will help me to develop my personal skills and set me up for my career. Apprenticeships are more ‘hands on’, I feel that you learn more being in the working environment. On the job training has made me understand accountancy much more than just studying it. I also get paid to learn and the force pay for my qualifications.

To discover more about our Apprenticeship vacancies click here

Exeter College is ranked in the national Top 10 for Apprenticeship achievement rates amongst Further Education (FE) colleges, according to new figures.

Apprenticeship achievement rates at the college have been measured at 83.1 per cent for 2016/17, significantly higher than the national average of 69.1 per cent for FE colleges.

Out of FE colleges in England, Exeter College is ranked 9th nationally overall in the Top 10 for achievement rates for Apprentices, according to statistics released by the Department for Education (DfE).

As well as being in the Top 10 for achievement rates, the college has previously been ranked 7th in the country for employer satisfaction, both amongst FE colleges.

The college today thanked its staff, Apprentices and the employers that it works in partnership with to deliver Apprenticeships.

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive, said: “At a time when apprenticeships are in the news, I am delighted that our Apprenticeship provision at Exeter College is now ranked within the top ten of all colleges for both achievement and employer satisfaction.

“This success is not an accident: we have great staff, excellent apprentices, but most critically exceptional employers – who work with the college not as a provider, but as a partner.”

Brian Lodge, Managing Director of swcomms, said: “It is great to know our apprentices and apprenticeship programme are being provided by one of the best and we are glad to be able to contribute to their work as a willing employer.

“The apprenticeship team at Exeter College is second to none. Their dedication and support has created a fantastic working relationship which is bearing fruit in terms of our recruitment of new staff and development of existing employees.”

Exeter College is an Ofsted Outstanding college. The college is recognised at both a local and national level as an outstanding, award winning provider of Apprenticeships. The college works in partnership with more than 950 employers across the South West.