EXETER COLLEGE is forging ahead with two major building projects over the summer months having listened carefully to students’ suggestions about where improvements could be made.

Bridgwater-based contractors Henry W. Pollard and Sons have now moved on site and begun work on a new café and an outdoor amphitheatre complete with an all-weather seating area to the side of Exeter College’s Centre for Creative Industries (CCI), off Queen Street.

The steel girders which will eventually serve as a structural framework for the contemporary designs making up the project are already up and the foundations are down with a view to it being finished by the beginning of the Autumn term. The venture is expected to cost around £750,000 in total, for the building work and fitting out.

Meanwhile, the contract to refurbish the College’s recently-purchased building on Queen Street – once home to the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Arts and ideally-situated close to other campus buildings, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Central Station, and the city centre – has been put out to tender.

Work on creating a new home there primarily for use by the Music Academy students is expected to be completed by the end of this year with the cost of buying and refurbishing the property expected to be in the region of £1 million.

Head of Estates Steve Strang said: “The new café is going to be contemporary in design. We have deliberately included a lot of glass to make the space light and airy, and the café walls will be used to hang students’ artwork so it can be used as a gallery space as well as an inviting social space where students from across the College can meet for lunch and during their breaks.

“Outside, we will have an all-weather seating area which, together with the amphitheatre, will really come into their own in the summertime, both as a place to relax and enjoy the sunshine and also an outdoor performance space which can be used in addition to the CCI’s theatre,” he added.

“In the evenings, it will also serve as a perfect gathering place for our higher education and adult learners attending evening classes at the College, especially if they are looking to grab a bite to eat and something to drink after work.”

Inspiration for the new building works came primarily from students via their Learner Voice representatives at the College – a body of students chosen annually to represent their peers alongside staff with a view to airing concerns and putting forward suggestions as to how College life in general can be improved.

Currently in the process of organising their end-of-year celebration and awards event at the Thistle Hotel later this month, Health and Well-being Manager Nick Bridge says: “The suggestions for the café and for further provisions for the music students came from listening to our students and responding to their ideas.

“We value our students’ needs highly. It is important that while they are at the College, their student experience is enjoyable as well as educational. So rather than simply deciding ourselves how the College is run, Learner Voice allows staff at the College to make sure that the students have their say in the decision-making process too.”

RAPUNZEL is not the only person to let her hair down once in a while, and last night it was certainly time for hard-working Hospitality, Hair & Beauty Students at Exeter College to do the same.

As the end of their academic year draws near, they were celebrating student success stories during their own faculty awards night with prizes ranging from sparkling silver trophies to useful books, hair products, beauty kits and even a relaxing foot spa – many of which had been kindly donated by our suppliers and companies.

Full-time students, apprentices, and adult learners collected awards before an applauding audience of staff, fellow students, and friends in the College restaurant, @34, at the 2010 Faculty of Hospitality, Hair and Beauty Annual Celebration of Achievement.

Guest prize presenters included Julien Wilkinson for Hospitality, from Abode restaurant in Exeter, Peter Winch for Hairdressing, from Headstart salon in Exeter, and Kelly Potter for Beauty, from Eden day Spa in Exeter.

The evening opened with Pimms and canapés, followed by a welcome address from the Head of Faculty, Tricia Pugsley.

Julien Wilkinson, General Manager at Abode – the flagship restaurant of Exeter College alumni Michael Caines MBE – opened the ceremony and presented the prizes for hospitality.

Julien congratulated the award winners on their success and said how delighted he was at the very high standard of training in the faculty.
He added: “The facilities are exceptional and provide all learners with the very best educational experience linked to the needs of industry and employment.”

After Peter Winch and Kelly Potter had also presented prizes, to Hairdressing, Beauty and Spa Therapy award winners, Assistant Principal Rob Bosworth rounded off the evening by congratulating all award winners and thanking the guests and faculty staff for their support.

Speaking later, Tricia said: “I speak for every member of our faculty when I say that celebrating the success of our learners at this very special annual event, with invited guests and key members of our industry, is wonderful.

“We are immensely proud of our learners and delighted their hard work, determination and high level of skill is rewarded and recognised with these awards. We value our positive relationship with our employers and thank them for their partnership and support throughout the year.”

She continued: “We recognise our learners could not achieve without our valuable clients and customers, who regularly visit our restaurant @34, and the h2b salons and clinics. We look forward to welcoming them back in September.”

REPORTERS and filmmakers turned up in hordes last night for a taste of Oscar night red carpet glamour – Exeter College-style. And for a change the spotlight was on them.

The celebrities for the night, from the Faculty of Media and Performing Arts, had turned up in style for this year’s Media and Film Awards, which took place at the Centre for Creative Industries (CCI), off Queen Street.

There were 12 categories in total, with each award winner taking home their own Oscar-style trophy in recognition of their hard work in the fields of Film and Media over the past year.

Students receiving them were aged between 16 and 19 and enrolled on a broad range of courses covered at the College, including the National Award in Journalism, AS- and A-level Media, First Diploma in Media, AS- and A level Film and Video, National Diploma in Media, and AS- and A-level Film.

The titles they took home were varied, with winners being recognised for their outstanding achievements in categories ranging from Best Trailer to Best Magazine Feature Writer and Best Short Film.

The second annual award of its kind for the faculty, Head of Media and Performing Arts Judy Lye-Forster said: “The ‘Oscars Night’ is the culmination of a year of hard work by both students and staff. It a chance for us to really celebrate each others’ achievements and successes over the past year – both creative and academic – and all that is rich and diverse about Film and Media work that is undertaken here at Exeter College.

“As the Oscars theme suggests, those attending were ‘dressed to impress’ and relished the idea of walking down the red carpet to receive their awards.”

AROUND 60 Exeter College Music Academy students were last night awarded end-of-year prizes in recognition of their huge achievements in their chosen fields during the past 12 months.

Between them, they received a diverse range of accolades ranging from Best Recording and Best Solo Performance to Best Arrangement, Best Music Journalist, and Best Stage Performance at the 2010 Music Academy and Project Music Awards, held at the College’s Centre for Creative Industries (CCI).

Winner of the award for Music Student of the Year was Joe Straker. Presenting the awards was ex-music student Simon Pilgrim, drum manager for Project Music, which also sponsored the awards evening.

Also attending the event was special guest Emanuel Mbaji who had travelled to the UK from his native Kenya. A representative of the Kesho charity, he paid a visit to thank students for their fundraising efforts during the last year and to talk to them about life at the village school which they have helped.

Founded by Kate Noakes of Okehampton, a former Exeter College student herself, the Kesho charity sponsors Kenyan children from the area of Kalifi to enable them to go to school.

Exeter College Head of Music Laura Wright says: “I met Kate through a friend of mine last Summer and she told me about Kesho and I mentioned the charity to my National Award Second-Year students the following day.

“As a result, they decided to donate any profits from their Autumn performance to the charity and were delighted to discover the £120 they raised had been used to sponsor two children. The group has since raised an additional £60, which they couldn’t wait to give to Emanuel last night, and I would very much like to keep up our involvement next year.”

As the Kesho charity is based and run from the village that the children live in, they are able to build up a strong relationship with those helping them access education. The charity not only helps pay for transport, particularly as some children live many kilometers from their school, but also uniforms, essential equipment, and emergency relief for the poorest families when needed.

“The value of their education is immeasurable,” continues Laura. “Who knows what they might go on to achieve. The letters we have received from the two sponsored children, both girls called Rehema, and the school, have made it all very real for us. As one student said, ‘It makes you realise you are part of a world community, not just the one in Britain.’

“I feel really proud that every single student I spoke to said they wanted to help Kesho. Many have since told me that it has really made them think about how easy it is for us to take education for granted. They have thought about many aspects of their lives, and it has led them to consider how we should all start thinking on a more ‘global’ scale, and about what being part of the human race actually means.”

Among the students is Tom Raubenheimer, aged 18, of Okehampton. The former Okehampton College pupil, who has just completed his National Award for Performance and his National Certificate in Music Technology, explains: “It is important for me to be able to feel like I’ve helped other people. It’s about helping people out who wouldn’t have had the option of an education without that help. With an education, they can get better jobs, bring more money into the family, and have more of a chance to do what they want in life.”

Visiting Devon from Kenya on an awareness-raising trip over the next few weeks, 22-year-old Emanuel has experienced first-hand what it means to be sponsored by the Kesho charity. Having been able to go to school because of it, he now hopes to go to university in Niarobi in September to read Human Resources Management

Emanuel gave a short talk to the audience expressing his gratitude for the chance he has been given to access a good education. He said that he enjoyed the awards event and looked forward to continued communication between the Music students and the Kesho charity.

FOR SOME of the staff at Beacon Heath Children’s Centre, their earliest memory of colleague Jessie Ley, or ‘Jess’, was in her nappies.

So when she returned two years ago asking if they would take her on as an apprentice child care worker with Sure Start while she completed her NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development at Exeter College, they were happy to oblige.

Having now gained her Advanced Apprenticeship in Child Care, it’s celebrations all round.

Not only is she to be taken on as a Sure Start employee, she could also stand to win the 2010 Heinemann and Nursery World Childcare Student of the Year title next week, having made it as one of the last four out of hundreds of nominations nationwide.

Jess will attend the final of the prestigious competition in Oxford on Thursday, July 1, where Marion Dowling, President of The British Association for Early Childhood Education, will be presenting prizes. There, she will be given a short task to complete before meeting childcare author Penny Tassoni and Nursery World Editor Liz Roberts.

Excited about having come so far in this year’s competition, the former St James School pupil, aged 18, of Exeter, says: “I wasn’t aware of being put forward for it, so when I found out I was in the final 10, I was amazed. Now I know I’ve reached the last four, I’m really excited.”

Thanking Exeter College and Sure Start for their role in helping shape her career, she continues: “I love my job. I went to Beacon Heath Children’s Centre when I was a child, so it is nice to be working with some members of staff who supported me and my family, and I love being able to help the parents and children who use it now.

“I have lots of happy memories of coming to the Centre as a child. Some of the friends I made there, I then went to school with, and they are still my friends today.”

She adds: “Susan Bright is a brilliant teacher and is fantastic at her job. I wouldn’t be here today without her help. I’m very grateful to her, and I’d recommend this course to anyone if they have a passion for working with children like I do.”

No stranger to award-winning since deciding to pursue a career in child care, Jess has already picked up two in-house titles at Exeter College in the last 12 months – Faculty of Health, Care & Public Services Childcare Apprentice of the Year 2009, as voted for by staff, and Childcare Student of the Year 2009, as voted for by her course peers.

Exeter College tutor Susan Bright says: “Jess took to her studies and her work with Sure Start straight away. When I paid my first visit to her on placement, even though she had only been there a few weeks and was still only 16 at the time, she seemed to have a natural ability to work with families and children – so much so that parents were coming up to me and telling me how lucky they felt to have Jess with them.

“In terms of its kudos, Nursery World really is the trade magazine for our profession, so this really is the award to have. To have reached as far as the finals, therefore, is a huge achievement for Jess and I am absolutely delighted for her.”

Sure Start Beacon Heath’s Centre Lead Ann Brandrick continues: “I knew Jess when she attended the centre as a child. She came back for work experience when she was a student at St James School and told me then that she wanted to work at the Children’s Centre when she left school, so I was delighted to receive her application. Jess has been a joy to work with and has grown in confidence and expertise over the last couple of years, making her a huge asset to our team.”

Speaking on behalf of staff at the Whipton Children’s Centre, where Jess has also been working with Sure Start during her apprenticeship, Early Years Lead Lesley Crook adds: “Jess is a local girl who has been able to use this to her advantage, offering families empathy and support. She is a bright, bubbly young woman who has been an asset to our Children’s Centres’ Childcare team.”

The Children’s Centres at Beacon Heath, Whipton, Clyst Vale, Heavitree and Polsloe are managed by the children’s charity Action for Children.

MEMBERS of the public will be able to see Exeter College as they’ve never seen it before this Saturday when it opens up its Hele Road Campus to everyone for a fun-packed day of free attractions and events, between 10am and 3pm.

The first of its kind to be held by the College, July 3 promises to be an open day with a difference, say organisers who have planned all sorts of activities for the occasion.

Aimed at welcoming existing and prospective students and their families, it is hoped that visitors from across the city and Devon simply curious to find out more about the College will also come along.

Making the most of both the open outdoor spaces surrounding the main campus and the buildings themselves at Hele Road, all the College’s faculties and a number of external organisations will be present throughout the day.

A programme of live music will be provided by: Exeter College Music and Performing Arts students Sinead Perry and Cyndi Wood (vocals and guitar), and Emily Elston, Daniel Goodwin and Judy Pratt (vocals and guitar); Exeter College Enrichment Choir; local musician Daniel Schamroth; band Neat Little House; 12-year-old guitarist Isaac Gomis (who will also be one of several stilt-walkers on the day); a band from West Exe Technology College; and the Exeter College-sponsored Stick Youth Band.

Visitors will also be able to join in a Penalty Shoot-out, organised by the Sports and Leisure department, witness the Maths and Science department’s very own crime scene investigation, take part in 3D CAD design tasters, explore the History of Football with the help of Humanities staff, or buy from the Book Sale, to be operated on the day by English department staff dressed as their favourite authors.

The Construction team will be giving painting and DIY demonstrations and have planned a giant wooden puzzle game, while Business and IT will be running a game show-style interactive quiz. Automotive will be wowing onlookers too, with spray-painting, a wheel-changing competition, and a Ferrari on display. Public Services, Health and Social Care will be free face-painting for children, and Foundation Studies will be selling a selection of tasty treats on their Cake Stall.

Hair and Beauty tasters, a family Treasure Hunt with prizes including an Exeter City family ticket, delicious smoothies made by the Hospitality department, a BBQ, and an ice cream van are also expected to appeal to all ages.

External organisations to be represented will include the Police and Fire and Rescue services and the NHS. Connexions will be at hand to offer useful career guidance and a Cycle Exeter team of riders will be performing mountain bike tricks.

Co-organiser Stephanie Darrie, Deputy Head of Student Experience, says: “For prospective students, the Summer Exe-travaganza is going to be an exciting way to see the College and will prove really useful. There will be an Information Zone open throughout the event where they will be able to find out more about courses they are interested in, and about other issues such as funding and travel. In addition, tutors will be available to talk to individuals with any questions. And it won’t matter what the weather does as, rain or shine, we are well-prepared either way!

“We want Saturday’s event to be really helpful and informative, but at the same time one which the whole family can come along to and enjoy. We are hoping people coming into the city to visit the Exeter Summer Festival or other attractions on the day will take the time to stop by. It’s going to be a real community event – and even better, it’s completely free!”.

PUBLIC SERVICES students from Exeter College triumphantly showed off a huge silver trophy this week, having been among 30 in total who battled their way to victory in this year’s Naval Careers Service Challenge Cup.

In order to come top overall in the inter-college competition for the South-West, hosted this year by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines at their Pier Cellars training centre, near Cawsands in Cornwall, they had to demonstrate they were in shipshape condition.

Competing in exercises designed to develop teamwork, communication skills, leadership qualities and fitness, as well as improve their overall knowledge of the work and lifestyle of real-life naval officers and marines, they successfully sailed their way through the following activities:

• A naval-themed confidence-building course
• A seven-mile orienteering route
• Tug of war
• Deck hockey
• Practical learning and thinking tasks
• Improvised talent show
• Royal Navy terminology and general knowledge

Delighted with his students’ success at this year’s event, Exeter College Public Services Lecturer Paul Hepburn said: “Throughout the competition, all three teams performed exceptionally well and were a real credit to Exeter College.
“The overall result was based on the cumulative score of all three teams we entered. As a result of their superb performance on the day, they were the overall winners, meaning they could bring home to Exeter the prestigious Royal Naval Careers Service Challenge cup.”

Bank of England supremo Spencer Dale has pocketed a Gold Award from the Association of Colleges (AoC). Spencer, Executive Director and Chief Economist at the bank, was nominated by Exeter College in recognition of his remarkable success in his chosen field following his time in further education.

Spencer, who is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee, has credited his College with sparking his interest and enthusiasm in economics. He was presented with his award at the House of Commons yesterday (15 June).

The AoC Charitable Trust presents the Gold Awards to a select number of former College students each year in recognition of the vital role further education plays in the careers of the winners and of their continuing achievements in their chosen field.

Spencer studied A-levels, including economics, at the College from 1984-86 and his success prompted him to go on to take a BSc and then a Masters degree in Economics before joining the Bank of England in 1989. He was appointed Private Secretary to Mervyn King in 1997. Between 2006 and July 2008 he was on secondment from the Bank of England, working as a visiting Senior Adviser in the Division of Monetary Affairs at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

He maintains strong links with the College; he has visited to speak to current students of the College’s Reach Academy, and has met his former tutor, Richard Taylor, who still lectures there. He has also agreed to lend his name to a new award – the Spencer Dale Economics Student of the Year – to celebrate the achievements of current students.

Spencer paid tribute to his College and said: “I am very honoured to have been nominated for an AoC Gold Award. I owe a big debt to Exeter College. It was the place at which I was first introduced to the potential power and reach of economics, and my Economics A-level teacher Richard Taylor helped to develop my interest and enthusiasm for the subject.”

His former economics lecturer, Richard Taylor, remembers Spencer as “an exceptional student who always did seem destined for great things”.

The Association of Colleges’ Chief Executive, Martin Doel, said: “The AoC Gold Awards draw attention to the superb work done by both students and their Colleges across a variety of sectors and prove that, no matter what your aspirations, further education can make a significant contribution to your future success. I’d like to extend my congratulations to Spencer, who demonstrates just how far students can go when their talent and ambition is both recognised and nurtured.”

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To highlight the important role further education plays for students today, the AoC Charitable Trust runs a ‘mini me’ campaign alongside the Gold Awards with the nominating Colleges each selecting a current student who shows promise in a similar field to their Gold Award winner.

David Burridge, 18, has been taught Economics by Spencer Dale’s former teacher, Richard Taylor. David is expecting A-grades in his A-Levels in Economics, Maths and Human Biology this year and already has an AS Level in Business. He has applied to study Economics and Finance at university.
In September, he was one of a select group of students who attended the lecture by Spencer Dale when he returned to Exeter College to talk about his experience as Chief Economist at the Bank of England. David remembers: “It was inspiring to meet such an important person in the field of economics. I was particularly interested to hear how he had progressed from our College to the Bank of England.”
David is keen to follow in Spencer’s footsteps and become an economist for a large corporation and hopes one day to fill his father’s shoes and take over the family business. He was excited at the prospect of being able to meet Spencer personally and said: “To meet Spencer Dale is an amazing opportunity. I couldn’t wait to ask him what he enjoys about his job and if he has any tips or advice for me.”

Both teams travel to the National Futsal Championships held at Swindon indoor Futsal Arena on Wednesday 16th June 2010. The teams played at this same venue in the Regional qualifier on Wednesday 3rd February. This new form of indoor Football has been developed and introduced though the Colleges Focus Status scheme which only a handful of Colleges nationally have been awarded.

The regional finals in February started with the men’s team notching a fantastic 4-1 win against Coleg Sir Gar and a nervous start for the women’s team resulted in a draw against Kingston College A team in a hard-fought game. A very intense encounter followed for the men’s team against Richard Huish, where the points were shared 2-2. The women’s team then produced a very skilful performance to beat Queen Mary’s College 3-0.

Exeter College Sports Academy Director Chris Wall says: “With both teams performing extremely well, everything was balanced moving into their third and final matches. The sides were aware that a win would ensure their return to National Championships. Both teams were involved in a very tense contest where the result was 2-1 to the College, ensuring they capped a special day to indicate why the College has received the prestigious Football Focus status.”

Teams:
Women’s – Sam Lacey, Jess Hookway, Sian Aslett, Hannah Dawe, Meg Goddard, Amy Whitcombe, Alice Whitcombe, Carla Staddon
Men’s – Joel Foster, Jacob Scrivens, Louis Bateman, James Rowe, Alex Gray, Jonny Holding, Jonjo Fellows, Pete Eveleigh, Louis Horton, Phil Veal

Following stunning success at Exeter Cathedral Carol Concert and other concerts during the last 25 years, this month Exeter College Big Band will take up its regular annual slot at the Barnfield Theatre for the climax show of the year, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 16 – The Big Gig 2010. As always, the event promises to be a bold and brassy blast of an evening for the College and public alike.

Familiar classics such as Come Fly With Me have already been earmarked for Exeter College Big Band’s 25th birthday bash, and a good mix of instrumental showpieces have been promised on the night too, ranging from the swing era right up to more modern arrangements such as Charles Mingus’s Moanin’.

Also thrown in to the programme for good measure will be Big Swing Face from the Buddy Rich Band and Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night In Tunisia, not forgetting, of course, Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life, I Get A Kick Out Of You and Let’s Face The Music And Dance.

Band director Brian Moore, of Exeter College, says: “A particular feature of this year’s concert will be the huge range of songs and vocalists. Exeter College has a very strong tradition of producing great young singers, and this year is no exception.”

Described by Brian as a concert that is going to be an apt tribute to the Big Band’s 25-year history, and to all the members who have passed through it during that time, he adds that it is also a fitting way to celebrate the achievements of its founder, Exeter College music lecturer Io Pugh, with whom Brian has co-run the band for the past decade.

Brian adds: “Io has encouraged and inspired young musicians in the band for such a long time. It is sad that, because of illness, he will not be on stage with me this year. But the range and quality of musicianship in the show will be a real testament to the lasting legacy that Io has produced in his many years at the helm.”

The Big Gig takes place on Wednesday, June 16, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £8 (£5 concessions), are available from the Barnfield Theatre Box Office on 01392 270891