University Information Day

The University of Cambridge was just one of many universities from the Eastern Region and the London area that were strongly represented at Dunstable College’s first University Information Day, which was held on Thursday 23 November in the main hall on the College’s Kingway site.

‘The purpose of the day was to help our learners make informed choices by bringing representatives of a number of universities together in one place. In addition, I wanted to particularly encourage our students, who do not come from families that traditionally go into higher education, to think about higher education, perhaps for the first time’, noted Maureen Asher, the College’s Careers Advisor, who along with Ruth Slack, the College’s Marketing Manager, was the main organiser of the information day.

The event lasted all day and was mostly targeted at College students who are currently studying for level 3 qualifications, such as A levels, BTEC National Diplomas and Access courses for older learners. A series of 30 minute talks on such topics as ‘Student Finance’, ‘Money Management’ and ‘Entry to Social Work’ were also scheduled and well attended throughout the day.

‘I went around at lunchtime and spoke to all the institutions represented and they were all extremely positive, both about the event itself, but particularly about the maturity and general attitude shown by the Dunstable College students as they made their way around the different stands’, observed Jerry Goodwin, the College’s Deputy Principal.‘Furthermore, you could tell the event was a great success from the request I received from Lal Joshi of the University of Bedfordshire, who asked us to repeat the event again next year, but on a slightly larger scale to include parties of students from the local schools’.

Waterfall Shoot

Early on a Sunday morning in November, a party of staff and students went on a trip to photograph, Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall in North Wales. One of the Seven Wonders of Wales, the fall tumbles 73 metres into the Tanat Valley below. The group enjoyed the experience so much that a return trip is planned for February 2007. The photograph above was taken by Tom Bliss, Foundation Degree in Creative and Editorial Photography.

Meeting the Marines

Ten lucky boys from the Public Services course were selected to attend a ‘Meet The Marines’ day in Milton Keynes.

They started the day with a briefing session, before boarding a minibus out into the woods. They were given an introduction to field cookery, shelter making and a game of paintball, in which the marines were the target for everyone!

After lunch, they were transported back to the lake, kicking off the afternoon with some scrambling through underground tunnels in the dark. A trip around the lake on power boats really managed to get the adrenalin pumping. To finish off the afternoon, they climbed a 50ft tower and then jumped off!

Tutor Haydon Littlewood, who accompanied the boys, comments, “The day was a great success and I feel there will be some Dunstable College marines in the future.”

Students presented with Top Society Awards

The Chartered Society of Designers visited Dunstable College on October 11 to present graphics students with their certificates and other benefits for their wins in the Student Awards 2006. This exclusive society boasts as its members the leading practitioners in their field in design, fashion and fine art. It was incorporated by Royal Charter and has as its Patron HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Three students from their second year of the Foundation Degree in Graphic Design and Advertising have won awards; two (Gemma Loosley and Gary Loveleock) receiving Commendations and one (Paul Blow) receiving an Acknowledgement.

Representatives from the Society visited the College to hand out certificates, do a presentation about the Society and their own work and present the students with free Membership of the Society for the duration of their studies. The winning students will also benefit from being able to attend the Society’s workshops and free seminars, plus receive their designer magazine. The primary benefit to students, however, will be that they will now be able to establish links with top design professionals, which will serve as a major career boost for them.

Course Team Leader Malcolm Jobling comments, “This Chartered Society win broadens and enhances the good links that we already have with industry. This is fantastic for the students and proves that once again we are attaining the highest standards in graphics, which are being recognised by the country’s leading practitioners.”