Whilst the country, and London in particular, is gearing up for the Olympic Year, a group of sports students are excitedly planning their own 2012 having just learnt they have been selected to take part in the Paralympic Games as LOCOG Young Games Makers.
The honour was awarded to the 10 students from the Faculty of Sport, Leisure and Tourism at Exeter College after a testing set of activities and interviews at the London 2012 HQ at the end of last year.
Talking after they received the news that they would be now be poolside with the competitors and officials at the swimming events Pete Chapman, head of the faculty said “This is really a once in a lifetime experience and we’re so proud of the group to have been selected against so many other applicants. The team had to prove they could work as an effective group and focus on problem solving – many skills they learn whilst studying their course however they were under immense pressure in London to succeed.”
Hannah Chard, 17 from Exeter, who recently also attended the Underwater Hockey World Championships said “I feel this will be a great experience, team places are so limited for Young Games Makers to volunteer. We are 1 of 200 teams which were selected for all aquatics (Swimming, Diving, Waterpolo and Synchronised swimming) for the Olympics and Paralympics from the whole of Britain. We worked really well as a group, there is a really good bond in the team, everyone gets on really well together. I’m really excited to be meeting athletes who are competing on the world scene and having the opportunity to meet inspirational heroes, some from similar backgrounds to us. It demonstrates no matter who you are, excellence can be achieved.”
Callum Shipton, 17 from Torquay said “Being part of the Olympic Young Games Makers programme is something I am really excited about because this could be the only time the Olympics will be in England in my lifetime. I am really looking forward to working with Olympic athletes and cannot wait to be involved.”
Brendan Fitzpatrick, 17 from Exmouth said “I am really looking forward to it, I will get a lot from the experience. The team is looking really good and I cannot wait to go!”
Rob Brimacombe – leader of the group said “We’re all looking forward to the next stage of training which includes team training, a test event at the British Championships and then in June the students will be drilled on how to work in the Olympic Park Aquatics Centre itself before the Paralympic Aquatic Events which run from Aug 30th to September 8th.”
Exeter College 1st xv are guaranteed to qualify for the British Colleges Elite League play offs, which will commence in March, having finished top of the Wales and South West group. Exeter will be drawn against the runners up of the South East, Midlands or Northern Section and await the draw to take place at the end of next week.
The confirmation of a top spot finish came following the decision of Bicton College to withdraw from the British College Elite league a week prior to the league finishing. The focus for Exeter over the next few weeks now includes the Devon Under 18's 7's (Feb 8th), followed by a re-arranged AASE League game at home to Henley College(Wasps Apprentices) on Feb 22nd, and a trip to AASE League neighbours Ivybridge on February 29th.
This weekend sees prop Will Norton, Fly Half George Meadows and Second/Back Row play for England Colleges against a Leicester Tigers Academy side at Welford Road, while Winger Linford Brock will be attending the South West Under 18's training weekend ahead of their clash with the Exeter Chiefs Academy side at Sandy Park on Sunday 12th February.
Over 70 pupils from schools across Devon not only got the chance to meet the region's two Michelin starred chef and his Academy students, but also were treated to a formal fine dining experience Exeter College's @34 restaurant, tasting top class delicacies such as pea and ham panna cotta and truffle pomme puree- certainly not your ordinary school dinner.
The pupils from QECC in Crediton, West Exe, Uffculme and Dawlish schools were treated to a gourmet four-course lunch to sample the standard of cuisine and style of dining that is at the centre of the new Michael Caines Academy and meet some of the Academy's first students, in its first year at Exeter College.
“We are very proud that our ex-student and now famous chef launched the Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College less than a year ago and that our first group of trainees are able to demonstrate to others their passion for the industryv, said Rob Bosworth Assistant Principal, “The Academy aims to nurture the region's future generation of talented restaurateurs, chefs, restaurant managers, waiters and front of house staff. The problem we sometimes have is that some 14-16 year olds have never experienced excellence in hospitality and therefore they cannot aspire to perform at that level. This event was to enable a wide range of students across Devon to experience the standard being produced by the new students and helping them to understand what excellence in hospitality looks, feels and tastes like.”
“We work in partnership with many schools across Devon on our 14 – 16 programmes in a wide range of subject areas which aim to help pupils gain vocational qualifications as a first step to careers. We're not always able to provide such unique experiences as working with an international star but we were delighted that Michael was able to meet these pupils and inspire them to not only consider the hospitality and catering industry as a first choice career but to challenge them to have the highest possible expectations.”
Current Michael Caines Academy students, who were selected for the Academy after a challenging interview and selection process, were able to talk to the school pupils about the range of visits, experiences and demonstrations that make up Academy programme and showed the would-be chefs the range of skills they now have.
After speaking to many of the school pupils, Michael said “I'm always pleased to get the opportunity to talk to younger students, particularly those who are already expressing an interest in Hospitality and Catering, since I know how important it is to be inspired and encouraged. I've had my challenges but I am passionate about my work and this event was a great way to show students from across the region the quality of the cuisine and service the Academy students are producing and the industry now demands. I'm really keen on ‘home-grown' whether that's the food products we use or the talent that we nurture! The pupils were quite shy to start with but as soon as the food was served it was great to see how surprised they were with the different flavours.”
Meeting Michael Caines for the first time, Elliott Hope from QECC, 15, said “This has been fun and exciting meeting people from other schools I didn't know – the food was exquisite.”
Commenting on the menu that included confit of duck terrine Mick Matthews from Dawlish said “The food wasn't what I expected, I thought we were going to get normal food so this was good – a surprise”.
Katie Stairs from Uffculme who's thinking of being one of Michael Caines Academy elite in the future said “It was a really good event with delicious food. It was also a great way to meet new friends. I'm interested in catering and though it sounds like hard work I'm confident that I could cope with the pressure.”
Mr Richer from West Exe, one of a small group of teachers who travelled with the schools groups, said “This has been an inspirational and motivational experience for all who are thinking of being involved in hospitality”.
Huw Southcott, deputy head of Hospitality and Catering at the college said “The school pupils seemed to enjoy the experience and we're hoping that it will have raised the profile of excellence in the hospitality and catering industry. It is very important for our Academy students to take every opportunity to develop their skills – whether that is here in the restaurant, in catering exhibitions and demonstrations or in the many ‘excellence visits' that take place across the year.”
Exeter College Men's Football team reached the last eight of the British Colleges Sport National Elite League Cup with a 4-0 win against City College Plymouth on Wednesday.
First year student Owen Howe scored all four goals in an entertaining match played at Exeter City's Cat and Fiddle Training Ground.
Coach Neil Saunders said, “We are really grateful to Exeter City Football Club's Head Groundsman Clive Pring and his staff for the work they put in on preparing the pitch in difficult conditions. The Cat and Fiddle is a fantastic venue for games such as these and as a development centre for Exeter City FC our players really benefit from our partnership with the club.”
“We played against a very good team today and were made to work hard for our win. Owen fully deserved his four goals but credit must also go to his team mates, especially the defensive players. Some of the football we played on a difficult pitch was excellent but what I was most impressed with was the players' work rate, attitude and discipline from start to finish”.
Exeter will now play away to the winners of Swadelands School SEFA and The Canterbury High School.
Exeter College and Truro College have a lot in common in their rugby programmes and this season has produced three exciting and close fixtures with very little to choose between the teams on all occasions. Trace back in history and you will see that Exeter and Truro are the only two Further Education Colleges to have been crowned Champions of England with victories in the Daily Mail Cup final at Twickenham in recent times. This is something that both colleges are very proud of and has certainly been a catalyst to their current successes on a national scale.
This season has seen very tight fixtures go down to the wire in the AASE League and British Colleges League and honours have been shared with one victory each and a draw (3-3!). On Wednesday it was Exeter College who earned a hard fought 21-11 victory in a British Colleges game at Cullompton Rugby Club which was a great response to last weeks 19-8 loss at the hands of Truro in the AASE League.
Exeter started this weeks game brightly with accurate tactical kicking from the astute George Meadows at fly half, in response to some outstanding recycling of possession by Truro. It was Truro who took the lead with an early penalty given for offside on the 22 metre line. The Exeter forwards became prominent after 15 minutes and made their dominance pay when they produced some excellent platforms for centre Jack Talbot to make good inroads into the heart of the Truro defence. From this attack, Exeter recycled possession and fly half Meadows delivered a 20m pass over the heads of the Truro defence to send in winger Justin Southam to score the first try of the game. Talbot's fellow centre Linford Brock made a number of breaks throughout the game, picking excellent lines and showing great strength in the tackle. It was from two of these such breaks, two penalties were awarded which Meadows duly converted to take the score to 11-3.
Truro responded with some solid attacking rugby with a backline that included Launceston's Sam Chapman and Aaron Struminski, and this led to another penalty which was successful to reduce the arrears to 11-6. This was to be the last score of the half after Truro successfully defended a barrage of close quarter attacks from the strong Exeter forwards including a driving maul which was held up over the line, and an error from Exeter forward Dean Folland who grounded the ball on the 5 metre line thinking it was the try line!
In another bizarre twist, Folland was to make the same mistake again five minutes into the second half when after a 15 metre driving maul, he grounded the ball short once again! This error looked like it could be costly as Truro began to use the wind to play some sensible territorial rugby and pin back the Exeter Defence. Excellent defence from both sides saw no further score until 15 minutes from time when Exeter's pack drove over the try line for Folland to make amends for his earlier errors (16-6). Meadows missed a difficult conversion into a strong wind. Truro came back strong and scored a driving maul try of their own after Exeter had conceeded a number of penalties (16-11). It was Exeter who then controlled the game with winger Lewis Edwards, back rowers Will Hodgetts and Captain Ben King carrying well to gain good territory for scrum half James Bath to scamper over from 5 metres following a ruck to put the result beyond doubt (21-11).
The future looks bright for both colleges with both teams blooding a number of first year students in their squads this season. In fact, all three of Exeter's tries on this occasion came from first years. This weeks AASE fixtures see Exeter take on Henley College (Wasps Apprentices) at Cullompton RFC (2.15pm Kick off), and Truro take on St Paul's (London Irish Apprentices) at home in a double header.
It’s not often that students get the chance to quiz a gold medallist as part of their training but that is exactly what a group of automotive students did this week at Exeter College's Automotive Training Centre when Tony Litchfield, 22 delivered a masterclass on how he became UK SkillAuto Auto Re-finishing champion at the end of last year.
Tony, who works at Kynaston Autobodies and originally hails from Teign School, was entered for the UK Championships in the lead up to the World Skills competitions and beat off over 700 competitors to make it through to the regional and then WorldSkills 2011 final – the world's largest international skills competition for young people – sharing joint first place with a fellow talented autofinisher from Northern Ireland.
Returning to talk to his fellow apprentices, Tony is now continuing with his training with Exeter College working on his Level 3 Apprenticeship and is a great role model for apprenticeships showing determination even when the recession meant he needed to consider a career move.
Tony says “I was a plumber but was laid off. So when something came up at Kynaston, I thought I'd give it a try. I've always been a hands-on person and here I've found myself working in a really friendly atmosphere. I have learned a lot from the people at the garage who have been doing this for a while, and at Exeter College where my tutor Nathan Weston also has a background in the trade. It's nice that they are able to pass their knowledge on.”
Part of the celebratory masterclass was a short presentation by Principal, Richard Atkins who marked Tony's national achievements and Mike Battrick from SATA, a leading spray gun manufacturer, presented him with an personalized paint gun in recognition of his success in the competition.
Mike Hawkins head of the Automotive team at the college that trains Automotive apprentices and full time students said “This was a super human effort by Tony and the team and we are all very proud of his outstanding achievement. It was a really tough competition and Tony’s talents and calmness really paid off.”
Mike Battrick from SATA said on presenting Tony with his prize, “We're delighted to be recognising Tony's achievements and this is another way that SATA supports the college. We provide equipment, training modules and personal support to students in training venues across the UK and we've been working closely with the college this year with the great paint spraying and body workshops at Marsh Barton.”
SkillAuto head of Professional Development at the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) said “Our congratulations go to all the gold medalists who competed in the SkillAuto panel and paint final. All the finalist have demonstrated the world class skill levels at which individuals now need to work at in the automotive sector, this reinforces their status as professional engineers and delivers long overdue status and respect.”
Four female Exeter College rugby players have been selected to play for the South West Team at the National Colleges Championships to be held at Bath University on the weekend of 30th March.
The fab four – Emily Underwood, Michelle Boyce, Molly Tregedeon and Chelsea Chamberlain – all students at Exeter College, heard the great news after travelling to Bath for the final South West Colleges Rugby trial on January 18th. Playing against the Bath Ladies U19 team, the south west team racked up an impressive final score but even more importantly all Exeter College students were then selected to go forward to the championships. Following the previous success of female rugby at the college with previous student Garnet Mackinder being placed in the England squad the college is hoping for great things to come.
Around 50 Year 9 pupils from schools across Devon will attend the Devon Education Business Partnership-run Women in Construction event on Friday (January 20) at Exeter College to find out more about the many exciting opportunities available to them in the Construction industry.
Clearly demonstrating the 'Not for Girls' ethos sometimes associated with the industry carries no weight in the modern-day workplace, Exeter College Construction teaching staff, existing female Construction students, and local successful women already working in Construction will show the pupils, all girls aged 13 and 14, the broad variety of study and career options open to them.
In a series of workshops taking place throughout the day, they will be treated to taster sessions in everything from brickwork and painting and decorating to professional careers such as surveying, and basic design principles.
They will also be given a tour of Exeter College's Construction facilities at the faculty's Sowton-based skills training centre – recently revamped thanks to a £1 million expansion plan. Presented with certificates at the end of their visit, prizes will be awarded to those who performed best over the three subjects experienced.
It is now hoped that, as a result of the enjoyable experience, some of the girls may feel inspired to take up a Construction course at Exeter College with a view to then entering directly into employment in the building trade or going on to university.
Teachers and pupils are expected to attend from Exeter’s Isca and West Exe Schools and from Uffculme, Honiton and Cullompton.
This is the ninth year that Kathy Snow, Partnership Advisor for Exeter-based Devon Education Business Partnership, has organised the event “It originally started as an event supported by the Construction Industry Training Board which used to fund projects which promoted the Construction industry in schools but was so successful that we have continued to run it ever since..”
“The aim was – and remains – to encourage students to come into a college and get them interested in Construction at all levels, from bricklaying to architecture, finance and marketing. For the last six years, it has been hosted here at Exeter College because of the excellent facilities they can provide for the event.”
“While there are more women going into Construction now than perhaps a decade ago, there are still not enough. So it will be great to see female students already at College who are not that much older than the school pupils offering them such positive encouragement, as well as the women employers who have also kindly given up their time along with College staff to put on the workshops and show them around.”
Delighted that Exeter College was hosting the event for a sixth year running, Chris Whittaker, Head of the Construction Faculty, added: “We are pleased to host this event again this year to help promote construction careers to potential female students of the future. Our focus this year is mainly on painting and decorating, and our level 3 technician programmes. These are areas that naturally attract female employees who seem to do very well within the construction industry, whether that's working on building sites, in households or for large construction organisations as part of the design or management teams covering topics such as quantity surveying, structural engineering or site management.”
“We hope this extremely popular event will stimulate the pupils' interest in construction and will enable them to make more informed decisions about their future education and careers.”
The students will be joined by current female Construction students as well as representatives from regional industry experts. Jo Down, representing Cowlin and the National Skills Academy for Construction said “As a construction ambassador, I'm very proud to be involved in this event. The National Skills Academy for Construction's main focus is to encourage young people in to Construction. It's a brilliant day and has shown us that day's like this really do work!”
Rebecca Smith, Environmental Manager for Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, added “It is great to be involved in such an inspirational event. It is encouraging to see the students being enthusiastic about the different construction tasks and hope they leave with a new positive perspective to careers within the construction sector”
It has been a great few weeks for the Exeter College Rugby Academy with a number of players gaining recognition for their efforts to date in the AASE league and Elite British Colleges League fixtures. Before Christmas, six of the current 1st xv squad were invited to train with Plymouth Albion, in a link which is hoped will develop further in the future. Back/Second Row Ben King, Back rowers Paul Davis and Alex Priest and Fly Half George Meadows have been selected for the Plymouth Albion Warriors this coming Monday in their ‘A’ Xv game against Launceston, with an opportunity to showcase their skills.
Ben King, George Meadows and prop Will Norton have also been selected to play for the England Colleges Elite Squad in their forthcoming game at Welford Road against a Leicester Tigers Academy side which is due to take place in February. This is prior to a tour of Portugal later in the season, as well as International Fixtures against the Welsh and Irish Colleges.
This week, back three player Linford Brock was selected into the South West Divisional Under 18’s squad following a trial at Hartpury. Linford has been attracting a lot of attention from higher level clubs due to impressive performances in AASE Games as well as the AASE Festival earlier in the season. He also made his 1st xv debut for Barnstaple before Christmas. His try scoring exploits this season include a hat trick against Ivybridge 1st xv earlier in the season.
Prop Will Norton continues to go from strength to strength and made his first start in National Two last week for Launceston in their win away at Westcombe Park. Norton has made a number of impressive appearances off the bench including games against Redruth and Taunton, and at 18 years of age is definitely a hot prospect. He caught the eye of the London Irish Coaches in Wednesday’s 25-7 AASE League defeat against St Pauls (London Irish Academy) at Sunbury. Norton has also just been shortlisted for the Express and Echo Amateur Sports Personality of the Year award which are due to take place at Sandy Park. Norton’s National league Two appearances follow on from those of fellow College Back Rower Will Hodgetts who made his Launceston 1st xv debut earlier in the season including a start at blindside flanker in the game against Redruth.
With the New Year just started, some of last year's greatest success stories were being celebrated in style at the Exeter College Student Awards 2010- 2011 event held at the Thistle Hotel last week.
The real stars of the evening were the 27 award winners whose high achievements were honoured in the presence of their families, VIP guests, including community and business leaders from across Exeter and Devon, and College management and staff.
The award categories spanned across the College's broad curriculum, ranging from Higher Education, Adult Community Education, 14-16 Student, Apprentice of the Year to Sports Academy Student of the Year, and many more.
Academic successes included Sharena Sivlal from Clyst Vale who amassed distinctions in her Business National Diploma as well as taking on the role as President of the Young Chamber of Commerce at the college. Now studying Business at Aston University, Sharena, the Business and IT Student of the Year, was described by tutors as “truly inspirational and an excellent role model for young women”.
Claudia Treacher, English and Languages Student of the Year, not only gained 100 marks out of 100 for her Extended Project but also her A* grade for English Literature was just one mark off full mark in the summer exams. The ex-St Lukes student, now at University of Sussex, was described as the best example of an independent learner who has used the skills learned at college to the make the transition to university.
Another ex- Clyst Vale student award winner was Ariadne Lyroudia who, as International Baccalaureate Award winner, was described as a dedicated, organised and friendly student who achieved real academic excellence – an astounding 44 points out of 45 in the world-renowned qualification putting her in the top 1% in the world.
Completing her course with highest honours, the Construction Student of the Year Mellissa Sparkes, was described by tutors as “an outstanding ambassador for the industry” also promoting female entry into the industry. Since starting at the college as part of her 14 – 16 course at Isca College of Media and Arts, she has now progressed from National Diploma through to her Higher National Certificate whilst successfully gaining a job as trainee quantity surveyor with Mansell working on a number of projects including the college's own building project at Monkerton.
Just starting his career in construction is West Exe Technology student Sam Passmore, who as 14-16 Practical Learning Student of the Year has now swapped full time education for an apprenticeship in carpentry continuing his training with the college following his “consistent flair for all aspects of his course”.
Being an expert in their field was also celebrated with local students Tom Cross and Ben Lee from St Lukes and St Peters. Tom, Art and Design Student of the Year, was rewarded for his exceptional graphics work above and beyond that needed to meet the course criteria whilst Ben, won the highly competitive Music Academy Award for his wide range of accomplished instrumental repertoire. He gained all distinction grades in the Extended Diploma in Music Performance and he is described as having all the qualities that underpin the ethos of the Music Academy – outstanding musicianship, an unassuming nature and generous sharing of his skills.
Sheer determination and commitment was also recognized at the annual ceremony with many positive and personal stories of students' achievements against a number of challenges.
Richard Hooper from St Thomas area, now one of the valued security team at the college, was awarded the Adult Community Education and Employability award for his determination to get a new job role through reskilling through the JobCentre Plus programme at the college. “Richard is a genuine success story of training and determination to get a new job role” says his tutor.
Seb Cullen's progress as the Foundation Studies Student of the Year was described as exemplary with his 100% attendance and sheer hard work on the Fast Track GCSE programme rewarding the ex-St Peter's student with the grades to continue with his AS levels.
John Bargent, from St James, was honoured as Sports Academy Student of the Year. He had “phenomenal leadership skills and determination” despite his own rugby training being hampered by illness, and he was described by tutors as being a complete role model for the whole academy. Now at Nottingham University John noted that the Sports Academy and his A levels went well together.
Kelly Roberts, originally from West Exe College, is now on a Foundation Degree course at the college having proved to herself and her tutors she could overcome a lack of confidence as she won the Access to Higher Education Award. On receiving the Award Kelly noted “I feel I'm providing a positive role model in terms of education and what can be achieved with determination and hard work to my three children.”
And proving that she hadn't let herself down was Gina Perry, from St James area who was awarded the Skills for Life Student of the Year Award for her courage as an adult to come back to learning, enrolling on Move on Literacy course and learning to read and write which she says herself has transformed her life.
Presenting the awards to all the winners, Richard Atkins, Principal of Exeter College said “This Annual Student Awards Ceremony is the culmination of a highly successful year and we are acknowledging particularly those students who have achieved excellence in their studies, persevered under difficult situations and have contributed positively to their colleagues, faculty and the community.”
“We are particularly proud of the college's role in the community, reflected also in the wide range of sponsors joining us tonight. We are also celebrating a year in which we had the highest number of university-level students graduating from our range of Foundation degrees and higher education courses and we were delighted that one of our university partners, Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter was our Guest of Honour.”
The sponsors joining the college at the glittering evening were: aBode Exeter, Devon County Council, Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Exeter City Council, Exeter City Football Club, Express and Echo, Jones Lang LaSalle, Foot Anstey, Mansell, the Met Office and Stagecoach South West.
