Newsletter - Northbrook College

Newsletter
Summer Term 2007
GRADUATE FASHION WEEK
NORTHBROOK
FASHION
STUDENTS
STAGE
F
CATWALK
SHOW
inal year students from Northbrook’s
Fashion Degree course showcased their
womenswear and menswear collections
during a catwalk show at Graduate Fashion
Week in Battersea Park, London. The audience
included big names from the fashion industry as
well as international press. The judges included
Victoria Beckham.
Above: Models display the designs of Alexandra Sorelli and Lotta Lindblad
Student
Lotta
Lindblad’s
creative
womenswear collection attracted attention from
a talent scout from Totem (Paris) who has selected
her as a potential candidate to design for the
prestigious fashion designer, Hussein Chalayan.
Alexandra Sorelli’s beachwear collection
so impressed the Graduate Fashion Week
sponsors, River Island, that they interviewed
her on the Northbrook College exhibition
stand and offered her a design position at the
River Island head office in London straight after
the catwalk show. Gareth Williams’ stunning
menswear collection was short listed for the
finale of the River Island Gala show. In addition,
five graduates from Northbrook (Chloe Moore,
Gareth Williams, Oliver Atkins, Lotta Lindblad
and Claire Couchman) have been invited to
apply for bursaries for the MA Fashion Design
course at London College of Fashion.
‘APPRENTICE’ ANNOUNCED AT BUSINESS LUNCH EVENT
The first joint business event
organised by Northbrook College
and Worthing Chamber of Commerce
was held in the Arundel Room
Restaurant at the College’s West
Durrington campus. Guests from
over 40 organisations listened to
the business achievements of the
guest speaker, award winner Marc
Koska OBE, who later presented an
award to the winner of Northbrook’s
Apprentice Scheme.
Marc
Koska
provided
an
engaging speech outlining his
accomplishments and achievements
within the international business
arena, in particular to the research,
investment and launch of his
company Starsyringe.
To
round
off
presentations,
Northbrook
College’s
Business
Development team used the event
to announce the winner of its
innovative
Apprentice
Scheme.
A six month work placement was
awarded to Emily Edwards. Three
candidates have been working with
the team over recent weeks to try
and win the contract – a competition
supported by Tim Campbell, the
first winner of the BBC television
series “The Apprentice”.
Above: A six month work placement was
awarded to Emily Edwards
For course information contact freephone 0845 155 60 60 or enquiries@nbcol.ac.uk
NORTHBROOK’S REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
Northbrook has unveiled its plans to build an exciting new
college for Worthing on one central campus in Broadwater.
Exhibitions of the architect’s drawings – along with feedback
cards and suggestion boxes – are now open to the public in the
reception areas at both the West Durrington and Broadwater
Campuses between 10am and 4pm. You can also see the plans
online at www.northbrook.ac.uk/redevelopment
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
New buildings which will put Northbrook up there with
the best – that has been the College’s ambition for nearly four
decades. Now we have a real chance to nurture learning in
buildings which will be exemplars for the 21st century. That’s
the exciting news which the College has brought to the town in
the last few weeks, when it went public on proposed designs for
a new campus on its Broadwater site.
Work of extraordinary quality is achieved in the current
premises in Union Place, at West Durrington and at Broadwater.
Nevertheless, in all cases, there are problems with the buildings
and Northbrook has a once in a lifetime chance to replace all of
them with something exciting, new and sustainable.
A single Worthing campus will bring together, in one set of
interconnected buildings, the specialisms which are currently
dispersed around the town. These will be ‘zoned’ according
to the specialisms involved, so that there will be clear creative
quarters and those connected with other types of activity.
Two public meetings have taken place (at the Town Hall
and at Broadwater Campus) to offer local people the chance
to see and comment on the proposals at their current stage
of development. Displays are now in place at both the West
Durrington and Broadwater Campuses as well as on the website
(www.northbrook.ac.uk/redevelopment), where members of
the public can view the proposals and tell
us what they think. The plans will also be
on display at the Broadwater Carnival on
21st July.
This isn’t simply about what happens
in Worthing alone – it’s about getting the specialist facilities
together in logical clusters, in modern buildings which are fit
for the purpose. That is why we are concentrating our three
Centres of Vocational Excellence in engineering/technology
at Shoreham, where there is clearly a technology cluster
developing. Our ambition there is to have a widely recognised
centre of education and training for technology, to parallel our
established centres of excellence in the creative technologies.
At the same time, a centre for the trades and technologies
relating to the construction industry will be created at Broadwater.
This will accompany state of the art facilities for our important
vocational work in Health and Early Years, Hairdressing, Beauty
and Floristry, Hospitality, Computing, Pre-Vocational Studies
and our Professional courses in Business, Finance and Teacher
Education. Our work with adults in Languages, Skills for Life and
Community Learning will also find a new, modern home.
All in all, we are getting nearer to fulfilling our ambition of
having two centres of learning of which all may be proud.
NEW MOTORSPORT
AND AUTOMOTIVE
COURSES
CAR MAGAZINES DONATED
Northbrook College’s new range of Motorsport Engineering courses
got off to a flying start when 42 years’ worth of books and magazines were
kindly donated. A local couple, who wish to remain anonymous, delivered
14 carrier bags of motorsport literature to the College’s Shoreham Airport
campus.
Following news coverage of the first donation, the department was
given a complete collection of classic car magazines. A local Shoreham
couple, Bill and Joan Earl, handed over every issue of three titles: “Classic
and Sportscar”, “Classic Cars” and “Thoroughbred & Classic Cars”.
Below: Magazines donated to Northbrook’s Shoreham Airport Campus
Above: Northbrook has purchased two rally cars. Both
vehicles are Peugeot 306 GP ‘N’ spec. ex Welsh Rally
School cars.
An exciting new range of courses at
Northbrook College’s Shoreham Airport campus
will give students the opportunity to train as
racing car engineers.
There are two new courses aimed at school
leavers – National Diplomas in either Motorsport
of Automotive Engineering - which will be run
in conjunction with the Institute of the Motor
Industry (IMI). The Motorsport courses will have
an emphasis on race cars, whilst the Automotive
courses will focus on the production of road
cars.
Accredited by the University of Brighton,
two new Foundation Degrees (in Motorsport or
Automotive Engineering) are also now available.
These high level courses take students deep into
the technical aspects of vehicle engineering for
either road or race applications such as engine
design and aerodynamics.
The department held an open day last month
during which the big hit with the youngsters was
the newly installed rally car simulator. Users are
able to sit in the front seat and use the steering
wheel to manoeuvre a range of tracks on a lifesized projector screen.
STUDENTS RACE AT ANGMERING
A group of Increased Flexibility schoolchildren raced a car they built at Angmering
Oval Raceway. The teenagers, aged 14-16, have been building the vehicle at
Northbrook College’s Automotive Engineering Department where they study for one
day a week.
ANITA RODDICK
DONATES BOOKS
Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop and
entrepreneur-activist, has made two donations of books to
the College libraries. These total 148 books covering art,
design, photography and business, including signed copies
to the College of seven of Anita’s own published books.
NORTHBROOK LEADS
THE WAY IN NEW
TRAINING INITIATIVE
MAYOR MEETS CAST
OF ‘THE WILD PARTY’
Above: Nina Fletcher completed an NVQ Level 2 in Swimming Teaching at
Northbrook College
A new government scheme that offers businesses subsidised
training for their workforce is being offered by Northbrook
College Sussex. By the end of 2010, the government expects
Above: The Mayor and Mayoress of Worthing met the cast of ‘The
Wild Party’
The Mayor and Mayoress of Worthing attended the matinee
performance of the south east premiere of ‘The Wild Party’ at
The Northbrook Theatre. Major Tom Wye MBE and his wife
Lesley talked to the cast, who are all second year Foundation
Degree Theatre Arts students, during their rehearsal for the
2.30 performance.
that more than half a million people will have achieved a first
full Level 2 qualification through its new initiative “Train to
Gain” (Level 2 is equivalent to five good GCSEs). Northbrook is
leading the way in Sussex and recently announced the county’s
first Train to Gain success. Nina Fletcher completed an NVQ
Level 2 in Swimming Teaching at Northbrook College through
its partner Brighton Swimming Teachers Centre.
ENTERPRISING ENGINEER
An Engineering student at Northbrook College has set up his own business after
getting inspiration from a doodle. Jacques Griffith, from Worthing, has created
a series of unusual coasters based around a ‘bubbles’ theme and now sells them
under the brand name Bubbleware. Jacques is on the part time HNC in Mechanical/
Manufacture Engineering at the College and used one of his projects to design and
make the moulds.
TUTOR’S NEW
BOOK HITS
THE SHELVES
Northbrook’s Chinese Brush Painting
tutor, Jane Dwight, has had a book on
the subject published. The Chinese Brush
Painting Sourcebook contains more than
200 motifs to recreate with step by step
instructions.
WORTHING MICROBIZ FAIR
Northbrook College’s Business Solutions team and Business School participated in
Worthing’s first Microbiz Fair at the Pier Pavilion. The event was attended by around
300 representatives from local small businesses and the College was one of about
50 exhibitors. As well as promoting business training opportunities, Northbrook put
forward 3 one day workshops for the prize draw.
Below: Julie Hunt and Emma Bashford manned Northbrook’s Business Solutions stand
Jane learned the art of traditional
Chinese brush painting in Manila in the
Philippines. Her beautiful paintings have
appeared in many articles and books.
Chinese brush painting uses a minimum of
strokes to describe the essence of a subject
and capture its rhythm and beauty.
ART COMMISSION
FOR TOWN HALL
Fine Art Degree student, Jeff Sharp, has
been commissioned to paint a picture for
Worthing Town Hall. One of Worthing’s
Councillors was impressed by Jeff’s work
when he visited the recent exhibition of
student work.
Below: A recent painting by Jeff Sharp
INTERIOR DESIGN
PRESENTATION
Students on the one year City & Guilds course in Interior Design
presented their design proposals to the licence-holder of The Olive
Branch pub in Yapton. The pub is currently considering a range of
solutions to accommodate the impending ban on smoking in public
places. Course leader, Kathy Harrison, says the scheme, which runs each
year, “maintains a successful commercial link between the education
sector and the wider community”.
Below: Tutor Kathy Harrison (centre) with two of her students
PART TIME STUDENT USES NEW
NORTHBROOK
SKILLS TO GET PROMOTION
STUDENTS
A Northbrook student has landed a top job after interviewers were impressed
with her depth of knowledge and skills. Shirine Davies, who is studying towards
WORK FOR THE a Level 5 Diploma in Management, has just been promoted to a Category
for Corporate and Customer Services in the commercial department
LEARNING AND Manager
of a large local employer. Shirine was told that she gained the promotion
in her interview, she was able to demonstrate a wide knowledge of
SKILLS COUNCIL because,
management skills such as understanding of change management, motivation,
Three of Northbrook’s Pre-Vocational
students spent a day’s work experience
at Sussex University. The students spent
the day ushering participants and helping
University staff at the Learning and Skills
Council ‘Developing LLDD Provision in
influencing techniques and continuous improvement. These are all areas she
has been studying in her course.
SCULPTURE AWARD
A Northbrook Fine Art graduate received the Sam Alper Award for Best In
Show at a sculpture exhibition. Jacqueline Long, who completed a part time
Sussex’ Conference.
Left to right: Wayne Wright, Partnership Director
NORTHBROOK
WORK
FOR THE LEARNING
AND SKILLS
LSC; Peter STUDENTS
Little OBE,
Conference
speaker;
Rachel
COUNCIL
Buckwell, Life Skills Course, Northbrook; Anne
Rodriguez, Partnership Manager LSC; Owen Palfrey,
Basic Work Preparation Course, Northbrook
degree in Fine Art (Sculpture), submitted the winning design as part of an
exhibition by the Royal British Society of Sculptors (RBS) to showcase the work
of talented artists at the beginning of their profession. Jacqueline, who also
received a Bursary Award to fund future projects, used glass, steel rope and
sheet steel to create her sculpture, entitled Primitive Pathways.
FOND FAREWELL TO KAY
Three of Northbrook’s Pre-Vocational students spent a day’s work
experience at Sussex University. The students spent the day ushering
participants and helping University staff at the Learning and Skills Council
‘Developing LLDD Provision in Sussex’ Conference.
NEW APPROACH
TO WORK
EXPERIENCE
Caption:
Left to right: Wayne Wright, Partnership Director LSC; Peter Little OBE,
Conference speaker; Rachel Buckwell, Life Skills Course, Northbrook; Anne
Rodriguez, Partnership Manager LSC; Owen Palfrey, Basic Work Preparation
Course, Northbrook
Companies
were
offered
a
‘free
assistant’ by Graphic Design course
leader, Mike Skinner, using a different
method to get work experience for
students. Eight out of ten companies
approached by Mike agreed to take a
student into their workplace. The HND
students work for free one or two days
a week at Graphic Design studios in
Worthing, Shoreham and Brighton.
Northbrook was sad to say goodbye to Kay Rodger, Schools
Engagement Manager, who has been with the College for 16 years.
Kay and her family will be spending a year travelling around Europe
– something they have always wanted to do. Kay began teaching
Art at Northbrook in 1991 and in 1998 she became the College’s
Curriculum Links Coordinator.
Below: Kay Rodger (centre) with the Schools Engagement Team
MATURE STUDENT
GETS DURRINGTON
FESTIVAL ONLINE
CATERING STUDENTS’
BOURNEMOUTH SUCCESS
A Northbrook College student has created a new
website for a major Worthing summer festival. Jane
Jakeman, 53, who is studying on the HND Computing
course at the College, designed and implemented www.
durringtonfestival.org.uk as part of a College project.
Northbrook College sponsored the Durrington Festival.
ENTERPRISING
STUDENTS PICK UP
AWARDS
A team of Hospitality & Catering students recently represented
Northbrook College at a national exhibition at the Bournemouth
International Centre.
They competed in the Wessex Salon Culinaire in five
different classes including Bakery Skills, Patisserie Skills, Knife
Skills, Hot Starters and a Static Display of a restaurant lay-up.
Abigail Solomon won a gold medal, Timothy Bacon won a silver
medal and three bronze medals were awarded to Wilson Mak,
Christopher Upton and Jeanette Squire.
A team of students with learning difficulties from Northbrook
17 YEAR OLD NAMED YOUNG
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
College have been presented with two awards by the Mayor of
Adam Cartwright, a 17 year old Fine Art student at Northbrook
Worthing. Over the past year, the six students have run their own
College, has been named Young Photographer of the Year at
business and, this week, won awards for Best Team Programme
Worthing Museum’s Open Photography competition. Adam,
(team work) and Best Product/Service in the Young Enterprise
who is studying towards a National Diploma, submitted The Dry
South Downs Finals. Before collecting their awards from the
Gardens, a black and white canvas print, but never expected to
Mayor, they had to set up a trade stall and give a presentation
win. “It was a huge surprise,” said Adam, “especially as some
explaining what they had learnt over the year. Their company
of the entrants were a lot older than me and this was the first
is called Celebrations and they make and sell handmade cards,
competition I had entered.” There were over 300 entries and
candles, magnets, plant pots and picture frames.
seven prizes in total.
DISABILITY EQUALITY TOPS THE AGENDA
All Northbrook teaching and support staff attended a training event on the Disability Discrimination Act as part of an
ongoing commitment to promote disability equality throughout the College. Dr Christine Rose talked for two hours on issues
and implications for College staff and how to implement the requirements of the Disability Discrimination legislation.
CHARITY TASTES GREAT
AT NORTHBROOK
Catering students held a three course
luncheon in aid of charity. Students
Abbie Solomon, Geoff Cooper, Sebastian
Esfahani and Jasmine Singal organised
the event in aid of the NSPCC as part of
their BTEC National Diploma Promotional
and Selling Skills unit.
SUSSEX SPRING
AWARDS SUCCESS
Students from Northbrook College
won three prizes at the annual Sussex
Spring Awards sponsored by Sussex
Learning Network.
SAUCY SEASIDE FILM
A Communication Design student from Northbrook College has exhibited
her work at Littlehampton Museum. Sarah Dunn, who is due to graduate
this year, took part in the “Sauce of Inspiration” show in May. Her animation
“Bird’s Eye View” was shown on a big screen and she also showcased her
3D models and storyboards. This fun and colourful exhibition focused on
the life and works of the comic seaside artist Donald McGill.
COMMUNITY CARE
Seven boys from St Andrews High School were awarded ASDAN
certificates for community volunteering, thanks to a collaboration between
Northbrook College, St Andrews School and the Outset volunteering group.
Five of the boys worked at painting a colourful mural in the Stray Cats youth
club in East Worthing. The other two boys did voluntary work for Worthing
Shopmobility.
Jane Croucher, a Hair & Beauty
student, received two awards. She is
joint winner of the Learner Progression
Award, which is for any college-based
learner who has demonstrated success
within a vocational learning context. She
is also the individual category winner
of the Skills for Productivity Alliance
Award.
Theatre Arts student Katy Roberts
was named Foundation Degree Learner
of the Year. Katy has also been asked
to participate in the Foundation Degree
Forward conference this year.
Northbrook catering students served
guests with a silver service three
course meal and wine whilst Furniture
Production students exhibited their work.
Below: Katy Roberts (right) receives her award
TRIBUTE TO ROSEMARY
RUSSELL FROM TEACHER ED
It was with great sadness that members of the Teacher Ed team and
the Principal attended the funeral of Rosemary Russell on 13th April.
Rosemary was a teaching assistant and an assessor for the NVQ team.
She lost her battle with leukaemia in April.
Produced by the Marketing & Communications Department, Northbrook College Sussex, Littlehampton Road, West Sussex BN12 6NU