If I were Prime Minister...

Students have been challenged to come up with tweets that say in a nutshell what they would do if they were Prime Minister,

The activity comes in advance of this year's general election and was designed to increase political awareness among students.

Said Robert Sigley, Lecturer in Foundation Studies: "The tweets were well written, detailed and highlighted real problems face by our learners both nationally and locally. It has been a successful learning activity promoting thought provoking discussions and identifying further learning opportunities."

Here are some of the Prime Ministerial tweets:

♯As Prime Minister I would be more environmentally friendly by using water power to its full advantage.
Alasdair McMillan, Level 1 Horticulture

♯As Prime Minister I would lower the hourly working week to 35hrs to give people more family time as was promised 20 years ago. Reduce foreign aid from 10 billion and spend the remaining money where it is needed most.
Janie McIntyre, Level 1 Horticulture

♯As Prime Minister I would change how our service people are treated outside of their work, they should be treated with more respect.
Katharine Smith, Level 1 Animal Care

♯As Prime Minister I would look at protecting people who use social media for the fact that it has made society a dangerous place
Charlotte Kelly, Health and Social Care, Level 1

♯As Prime Minister I would create more jobs for people with disabilities.
Jack Stokes, Life Skills and Employment Training Level 1

♯As Prime Minister I would ensure that social workers are given more time to spend with families to help them with their problems.
Gregory Cartledge, Life Skills and Employment Training.

♯As Prime Minister I would build more supported housing estates for people with disabilities.
Jonathan Rhodes, Life Skills and Employment Training

♯As Prime Minister I would stop building on green belt land.
Joseph Hyatt, Life Skills and Employment Training

♯As Prime Minister I would change the way in which homeless people are treated, they should be entitled to free accommodation for a period of time to get the help and support they need.
Amy, Health and Social Care, Level 1

♯As Prime Minister I would enforce a zero tolerance drink drive rule.
Jacob Massey, Level 1 Business, Retail and IT

♯If I could change something in my community I would ensure that there is more access for people using wheelchairs.
Chloe Wilkes, Level 1 Arts and Media

 ♯If I could change something in my community I would change how much public transport costs.
Caitlyn Barker, Early Years

♯If I could change something in my community I would like to see more dog bins in the local parks, this would stop the amount of fouling in our parks and on our pavements.
Derek Bradley

♯If I could change something in my community I would change how disabled people are treated when looking for employment. Strict health and safety policies stop people from getting employment because of the high insurance costs.
Elizabeth Dawson, Health and Social Care, Level 1

♯If I could change something in my community I would allow people with a disability bus bass to use their bus pass in the mornings and not have to pay. 
Theresa Conlon, Level 1 Performing Arts

♯If I could change something in my community I would ensure that more CCTV camera were situated in my local community, this would stop large groups intimidating the local community.
Tony Dean, Life Skills and Employment Training, Level 1

♯If I could change something in my community I would stop all forms of discrimination in our community. Everyone should be given a fair chance regardless of their disability, race or background.
Courtney Simpson, Life Skills and Employment Training, Level 1

♯If I could change something in my community I make sure that bus passes continue to be available for students at a reduced rate.
Gregory Cartledge, Life Skills and Employment Training

♯If I could change something in my community I would have more ‘out of school groups’ for people with learning difficulties.
Rebecca Walley, Life Skills and Employment Training

♯If I could change something in my community I would re-open all of our youth centres to get people off the street. Create more sports clubs for people with learning difficulties.
Seva, Level 1 Sport

♯If I could change something in my community I would change how the older generation are treated. There needs to be more social clubs and events for them to take part in.
Naomi, Health and Social Care

#If I could change something in my community I would create more jobs specifically for young people.
Courtney Dobson, Health and Social Care

Learners showcase Enterprise skills

Foundation Studies learners hosted a sales event at the College's Transform Flowers Shop on Monday 24 March. 

The event was part of the Faculty Enterprise and also a FETN project (the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Project) that learners are involved in.

 

The group sold nappy cakes as well cards and key rings for Mother’s Day, all of which were made by learners from Foundation Studies. 

Sports Relief Mile

Well done to the Foundation Studies department who took the crown for the Sports Relief Mile.

The first person across the finish line was Level 1 Public Services student Omar Walizada.

 Life Skills student Danielle Brough was the first female across the finish line.

Foundation Studies lecturers Angela McAree and Anna Stonier were awarded the Best Fancy Dress award for their 118 188 outfits.

Staff and students from Foundation Studies made a great effort taking part in the Sports Relief Mile.  Well done everyone!

Click here to see all the photos from Sports Relief.

College wins Book Prize

Newcastle-Under-Lyme College has won a Bronze Award signed by action writer Andy McNabb in the national Six Book Challenge which recognises the increased reading and success rates of learners.

More than 50 students from Foundation Studies at the College took part in the challenge which improves the chances in life for people who find reading difficult by building their reading confidence and motivation.

To win the award the College had to encourage students to achieve six “reads” – whether they be on or off-line, books, magazine or recipes - and record their success in a diary to gain an individual certificate.

This was a major step forward for many of the learners who had previously rarely read  for pleasure. To qualify the students also had to borrow at least one book from a library so the College supported by ensuring there was sufficient age-appropriate reading material available to meet the readers’ interests in the Learning Resources Centre.

Said Jeannette Sword, Curriculum Manager for Foundation Studies: ”This is a superb achievement as this was only our second year running in the project. It’s a good example of how we encourage and support improvement in every part of the College.  This success came hot on the heels of our success with the Active Citizen FE project which we completed successfully over two years, encouraging critical thinking and proactive members of society. We are now keen to widen Book Challenge participation and aim for a silver award next year.”

Olympic Torch Honour

Well Done to NULC students from the Foundation Studies department who carried the Olympic Torch through Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 31 May.

Ross Cope and Tom Buckett were selected to carry the Olympic Torch in recognition of their dedication to the local community and overcoming adversity.

Check out a range of photographs from the event on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page. 

Six Book Challenge

The Foundation Studies department at Newcastle-under-Lyme College delivered the first of two launches on  Tuesday 29 May to a group of learners who have expressed an interest in participating in the Six Book Challenge. 

The Six Book Challenge has been integrated in to the curriculum, as it is hoped it will maintain the momentum for the Colleges established readers and inspire others to get in to the reading habit.

Participants are encouraged to increase their use of the library and share reading experiences with others. To complete the challenge, learners will keep a diary of book reviews.  Once they have read three books they are awarded a ‘half way’ prize, then on the completion of six books they are awarded a certificate and six book challenge mug!! 

 

 To find out more about the Six Book Challenge visit www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk

 

Olympic hopeful inspires youngsters

 Olympic hopeful Kate Dennison visited students at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) to chat to students as part of the Colleges commitment to sport.

Kate Dennison, aged 27 is a Pole Vaulter and held the British Record for two years between 2009 and 2011, taking it from 4.45m to 4.60m.  She said: “I’ve had a brilliant day at the College and I’m very impressed by the facilities the students have here.  It has been great to chat to young people and hopefully inspire them to take a career in sport.”

Kate spent the day at the College where she toured the £60 million campus on Knutton Lane and gave workshops with a number of students from subject areas including Sport, Public Services and Foundation Studies.

Foundation Studies students were particularly interested in picking Kate’s brains as they prepare to compete in the Special Olympics this Summer.

During the day pupils from Seabridge Primary School were also invited to meet Kate who made time to chat to the pupils individually and provide them with information about diet and nutrition.

NULC is a member of the London 2012 Get Set network, in recognition of its commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

Kate's first World Final resulted in a 6th placed finish at the 2009 IAAF World Championship in Berlin with a height of 4.55m. She then went on to win a Bronze medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Championships in Delhi.

To find out more about the range of courses available at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

To read more about Kate Dennison visit her website by clicking here.