Hello there, I hope that you have been able to take at least a few days’ break over half term to be refreshed for the next seven weeks’ term which lies ahead!

 

The world appears in some parts to be in turmoil, with citizens actively challenging the ‘status quo’ in their countries, where for decades they have been unable to have the freedom to have an individual or even collective voice about what happens to them, their families and friends. How very fortunate we are to live in a democracy and to be able to educate our children holistically, as they progress through their school lives into adulthood, to become productive members of our economy.

 

Spring into Spring with Bedford & Shuttleworth Colleges  -  Interactive Seminars – Local partnership working with Develop EBP

Building on events that Shuttleworth College has been delivering with Develop EBP and our Taster Days, we will be offering a ‘Carousel of Events’ throughout the Colleges between March and May, which will introduce pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 to what provision the Colleges can offer to enable them to qualify for the careers they want to enter.

These events are also ‘showcases’ for our students’ work, sharing - through interactive workshops - specific areas of the curriculum and some examples of the work that is being produced.

As part of many of the qualifications that we offer there are criteria where the students need to work as a team, to complete a community event, perform to an audience, produce an action plan etc. – this is an innovative way for our students to achieve these.

Groups - mixed ages and mixed schools, (10 – 12 max) are invited by Develop EBP, after being sent an outline of what is on offer, to ask their pupils to choose what they would like to take part in.

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Look at the NAGC website: www.nagcbritain.org.uk for more information about the organisation and pictures of what took place over the two days.


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Private Arts Viewing:

Wednesday 6th. April 2011

Teachers: 3:00 – 6:00pm

Parents/Carers: 6:00 – 8:00pm

For more details on this viewing and to find out about other upcoming events, please visit www.southbankarts.com

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I’ve had lots of opportunities, already this year to visit a number of local partnership schools, along with other colleagues and our Student Champions for Parents’ / Carers’ Afternoons/Evenings and Careers’ Fairs, it is even more important in the current climate to ensure that all our children and their parents/carers are given relevant and current information, advice and guidance - particularly at transition/option time. I’ve particularly enjoyed visiting Year 9 students and delivering presentations on behalf of the Senior Manager Gail Cocozza, on our provision in the 14+ Bridges Centre._________________________________________________________

Harrowden Middle School  

I was given a tour of Harrowden’s Key Stage Three Options Curriculum, accompanied by two very well mannered and informative pupils. I subsequently delivered two interactive ‘Aspirational’ assemblies, which will be followed up by visits from students/ colleagues at the college and then visits to the college to various departments by pupils and staff. A broadening and expansion of the relationship/partnership we initiated last year.

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Sensory Impairment Conference
This took place on Monday 21st. February at Bedford College, David Pridmore, the Vice – Principal, gave the welcome address and Bedford Borough Councillor Nicky Attenborough gave the closing speech. Some Student Champions and I supported other colleagues with serving refreshments and as scribes/typists in the workshops, which took place during the morning. It was an opportunity for service users to state to representatives from Bedford Borough Council, amongst others, what they felt needed to be put in place to provide them with better provision/ facilities locally to enable them to live independently.

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Midland Road Action Week Event

This took place during the half term week and we attended the ‘Aspire’ event on Monday 21st. February, 2:00 - 6:00pm held at the Prince’s Trust Building.  Two of our Student Champions shared their experiences of why they chose to come to volunteer whilst studying at Bedford College and took part in some of the activities. Dani Stone, Performing Arts Advanced Practitioner, and four of her students performed an act from a play that they had recently produced at Bedford College entitled: The Heights by Lisa McGee; the audience were most impressed with their performances.

Visit www.bedfordtoday.co.uk, scroll down and click on the video to see more.

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National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) - The Big Family Weekend  - Saturday 26 and Sunday 27th February 2011

Despite awful rainy weather, over ‘250’ parents and children from ‘far and wide’, were welcomed by Chris Godwin, Head of Bedford Prep School to the event and the Keynote Address was given by: Deborah Eyre, Nord Anglia Education. Families took part in a variety of activities and workshops aimed at:’ enthusing, educating and entertaining’. Five Student Champions, my colleague Sue Wilson and myself worked alongside Bedford Prep School, Enrichment Co-ordinator, Kelly Faulkner, led by NAGC staff (too many to mention here individually but led by - CEO Denise Yates, Julie Taplin and Julia Cloke) to ensure that the weekend ran smoothly and successfully.


Bedford College sponsored the Enterprise ENIGMA Challenge (13+ age group) – entitled: The Entrepreneur. Two Student Champions and myself supported the students, who in groups, opened a box full of different items and then proceeded to come up with: a company name, marketing and business plans, advertising posters, marketing survey and the products to sell during the lunch break – all in under two hours! Bedford College Certificates will soon be on their way to all of the students who took part in this._________________________________________________________

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

 

The Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Course at Bedford College will exhibit earlier this year than in previous years from 6th to 19th April 2011.

 

The end of year exhibition will include student work from:  Fine Art, Textile Design, Fashion Design, Illustration, Graphic Design and 3D Design.

 

In addition to their practical studio work the Foundation students have had a fantastic year of activities including a three day field course to the Shuttleworth estate to make land art. The art history and contemporary art and design studies were delivered by a range of guest speakers representing fine art, fashion, ceramics and design. Finally, the Foundation students took part in a cultural trip to Berlin to explore historic sites, contemporary art and the world renowned Bauhaus Archive Museum.
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