Face to face with a shrunken head!

BA (Hons) in Graphic Design for Print and New Media Students spent an inspirational day in Oxford where they went to the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Oxford Museum of Natural History.

Course Team Leader Celeste Henney comments, “The Pitt Rivers is full of curios which can be discovered by torch. It is free to get in and houses all manner of objects from instruments, shrunken heads and amulets to Egyptian Mummies, which can all be found in a small space and is well worth a visit. Fantastic Buildings and great book shops (such as the Alice Shop, based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland) ensured the trip was both educational and enjoyable.

I’d particularly like to thank to Malcolm Jobling who drove us there and back.”

University Information Day

Maureen Asher, Careers Co-ordinator reports

The College held its second annual 'University Information Day' on Thursday 22 November 2007. The day was a repeat of the successful event which was held at the College for the first time in 2006.

The event was planned with the AIMHIGHER priority areas in mind with a particular focus on raising aspirations, motivation and awareness of HE, providing impartial Information, advice and guidance, facilitating progression routes and developing partnerships.

Representatives from Universities across the eastern region attended as well as a range of Gap year and voluntary organisations.

A selection of talks on topics such as HE finance and University life, and subject specific talks were also on offer.

Colleagues from Bedfordshire University's teaching, nursing, social work and student recruitment departments supported the event by providing students with information and advice for those planning to enter specific vocations.

AIMHIGHER as well as Dunstable College's HE provision used current HE students to offer information and advice about all aspects of HE. The benefit of providing existing students to talk to prospective HE students makes the whole aspiration of attending HE more realistic and achievable for those considering it.

Increased Flexibility News

The 14-16 Beauty Consultancy group have recently been very busy:

They carried out a make-up demonstration to 4th Methodist Guide Troop. As part of their practical assessment for the Level 2 Beauty Consultancy Diploma the students are required to present a make-up demonstration to an audience of four or more people. Jessica Defoe, Emily Metcalfe, Lynette Peach, Micah Taffurelli, Liz Poole, Kim Eccersley, Amber White and Kim Ellis in pairs demonstrated the application of make-up to small groups and then proceeded to instruct the guides on how to apply to suit their individuality and age. The Guides thoroughly enjoyed their evening and have been successful in adapted their new look.

The evening with the guides was so successful the students were asked to repeat a similar session to the Brownies at the Salvation Army. This time Micah Taffurelli, Liz Poole, Kim Eccersley, and Megan O’Dywer demonstrated skin care and make-up with the emphasis on taking care of your skin. The students demonstrated cleanse and tone and minimal make-up application before the Brownies practiced cleansing, toner and moisturising their own skin. When leaving, the Brownies were overheard telling Mums what they needed to buy to look after their skin and stay looking younger.

Marc Wales on the 14 to 16 Increased Flexibility carpentry programme at Kingsland has designed a chopping board using all the waste off-cuts which would otherwise be discarded. He has matched up the end grains to form a pleasing circular chopping surface. He finished off the board with a non-toxic natural oil. Tutor Paul Bailey comments, “We are pleased to say his efforts will be incorporated into the skills development programme, for other students to follow.”

Designer Furniture Available To Order

Luke Burton, 17, based at Noah Enterprises, is following the City and Guilds Furniture Making programme. This talented student is currently wowing his tutors with the quality of his work. This table is just one of the stunning pieces he has completed. If you would like to know more about commissioning a bespoke piece or about the other items currently available for sale at Noah, please call Judy Eaton on 01582 736751.

Learning Warehouse Indulgence Day

The Learning Warehouse Leighton-Linslade held an Indulgence Day on 24 November. Hair and Beauty Treatments were on offer and a raffle, all of which made £94 for Keech Cottage Hospice.

Public Services Trip to Cottesmore

Student Kelly McGarry writes . . .

The Royal Air Force Station in Cottesmore has a reputation for “outstanding capability across the full spectrum of their activities.” It is able to boast an impressive collection of four Harrier Squadrons; 1 (fighter) Squadron, IV (Army Cooperation) Squadron, 800 Naval Air Squadron and 801 Naval Air Squadron. And it was the destination of choice for Martin Rawles and his Public Service students for a recent excursion.

The students were shown around the station where they saw lots of flying which Martin said was “a very popular part of the tour.” One of the most exciting parts for students was getting to see inside a Harrier Plane engine. Though the students weren’t able to do much “hands-on” work they did acquire a wide range of new information through interesting talks and demonstrations.

According to Martin, the main aim of this trip was twofold. The first goal was to “give the students the opportunity to experience something different to give them a new career option.” The second ambition was to give them the ability to understand what they learn in the classroom a little better. Martin feels “Students learn better if they are able to experience the lesson for themselves, rather than just being told in the classroom.”

Groups of students from Public Services go to visit The Royal Air Force Station at Cottesmore regularly and they were once again impressed by how much was learned and what they were able to do. Martin feels this experience always has a positive impact for the course and says he “looks forward to going again.”

Salon facelift

Hair Salon One and Beauty Salon One in Kingland’s Hair and Beauty Department have both been re-fitted and will now provide the customer with a more professional up-to-date environment.