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Boston College Students Recognised At Awards Ceremony
01/07/2010
The outstanding achievements of Boston College students were recognised in a spectacular ceremony at the College’s very own De Montfort Hall last week in the annual ‘Make Your Mark Awards’ - now in it’s 5th year.
Governors’ and staff of the College had the opportunity to meet with all the winning students and their family and friends for an evening of celebrations and achievements as the students prepare for life after College.
Guests were serenaded by Performing Arts students, and welcomed with Wine and Canapés provided by The Mill in Boston. Preceding the awards were some of the
College’s most inspirational students, past and present, who gave speeches on their experiences, their success and hopes for the future.
Principle, Sue Daley and Deputy Principle, John Rees presented certificates and prizes to award winners from each subject, plus particular awards in Apprenticeships and Train to Gain where employers were also recognised for their contribution.
Entertainment provided by Gareth Heath, lead signer of the 2010 Inter-College Battle of the Bands winning entry - Romantic Idols also impressed guests in an evening enjoyed by all.
Sue Daley said, “The College has almost 9,000 students so for the 32 award winners this is a great accomplishment of which they can be very proud. The event has been another huge success- a real celebration for students and staff and an excellent opportunity to showcase the achievements in all areas of the College.”
Student Awards
11/06/2010
High achieving students and staff were commended for validating Boston College’s Computing programme as an ‘Outstanding, Grade 1’ provision for the third year running at this years Computing Awards Evening.
Programme Leader Mick Bean thanked the students for their positive efforts, and the staff for their continual professionalism and commitment, adding, ‘We are all extremely proud of this achievement’.
Nina Hayton, Programme Leader for AAT, Business and UPS also gave thanks to her supportive staff, with great pride but sadness too, as this year signifies her final year as programme leader.
Awards for Best Effort, Best Academic Student, Most Improved Student and a Student of the Year Award for each course were distributed with Governor Derek White delivering his personal congratulations and presenting the awards, trophies and certificates to each winner.
The Winners for Computing were:
Introductory Diploma Best Effort – James Astill
First Diploma Level 2 Most Improved – Karn Glover
National Diploma Year 1 Most Improved – Ryan Bowler
National Diploma Year 1 Best Effort – Ryan Parks, Kane Bushell
National Diploma Year 2 Best Academic Performance – Michael Farrell
National Diploma Year 2 Best Effort – Kurt Duffin
National Diploma Year 2 Most Improved – Joe Kitts
Overall Higher Education Student of the Year (Tomlinson Shield) – Tom Broadhurst
Overall Computing Student – Daniel Relton (National Diploma Year 1)
The Winners for UPS, AAT and Business were:
National Diploma Business Year 2 Best Academic Performance – Grazina Simatolskiene
National Diploma Year 2 Most Improved Student – Rebecca Walling
National Diploma Business Year 1 Best Academic Performance – Ignas Grakavinas
National Diploma Business Year 1 Most Improved – Sarah Louise Kulwicki
First Diploma Business Best Academic Student – Joanna Weclawska
Foundation Diploma Business Most Improved Student – Figen Biticki
NCFE UPS Best Academic Performance – Karolina Jablonska
NCFE Most Improved Student – Liam Love
Foundation Diploma UPS Best Academic Performance – Sherrie Hewitt
Foundation Diploma UPS Most Improved – Tania Burkett
National Diploma Year 1 UPS Best Academic Performance – Emma Carey
National Diploma Year 1 UPS Most Improved – Liam Smith
The Longhurst Cup for Determination and Motivation – Jade Parnell
BRAD Best Academic Student – Clair Meadows
BRAD Most Improved Student – Olesja Gakavaja
FT AAT Best Academic Performance – Liam Allen
FT AAT Most Improved Student – Kelly Taylor
Outstanding Achievement by a Mature Student – Julie Speakman
PT AAT Best Overall Student – Samantha Spencer
National Diploma UPS Year 2 – Best Academic Student – Jade Scuffle
National Diploma UPS Year 2 – Most Improved – Russell Price
Read and Sutcliffe Award for Outstanding Effort and Achievement – Adella Lindley
Boston College Unite for Adult Learners Week
26/05/2010
Boston College and Unison – Britain’s biggest public sector trade union, collaborated for this years’ National Adult Learners Week The event held at Spalding’s South Holland District Council (SHDC) was aimed towards potential adult learners. SHDC Staff and Members of the Public were invited to come along to the event where representatives from Boston College and their Learning Centre in Spalding were on hand to offer advice and guidance on a variety of courses from flower arranging to basic computing or even English and Maths support.
Information for the many learning opportunities available through the College were showcased but it was the PCDL courses, which offer a variety of subjects and can also be studied at Local Learning Centre’s in Spalding, Boston and Sleaford which proved the most popular.
Those wishing to test their Numeracy or Literacy skills could do so on the day by taking part in diagnostic testing which would determine what level of learning they were at. Programme Leader, Geoff Whitwell was also on hand to give advice on literacy and numeracy skills, and to encourage learners to explore ‘Summer School’ sessions taking place in the workplace to help employees gain their Level 2 Maths.
Visitors to the exhibition also had the chance to enter Boston College’s Adult Learners Week competition. This year, the annually publicised prize incorporated the international theme running across the nation, with a luxury hamper filled with delicious treats from across the world and a request for entries to name the countries illustrated by their flag on the competition sheets. Lynn Williamson from the SHDC’s Legal and Members Services Section won the coveted first prize after her correct entry was pulled out of the hat. Congratulations Lynn!
Students Simulate Riot to Help Police Tackle World Cup Fever
24/05/2010
Boston College’s Uniformed Public Service students joined Cambridgeshire Police during a riot training exercise last month in preparation for this years’ World Cup.
Police Officers can often be faced with the terrifying experience of hundreds of protesters screaming abuse and hurling dangerous items at them during tournaments so the students were asked to aid the Officers’ training by acting out real-life scenarios from street scuffles to full-scale disorder.
The riot scenarios were brought to life on a specially constructed ‘battlefield’ made up of freight containers which were sited to create ‘streets’ and ‘alleyways’ in and around RAF Alconbury. The student’s role was that of a replicated ‘angry mob’ of football hooligans, as it is important that the force imitate real-life scenarios in order to effectively train officers to cope in the most extreme environment.
Lecturer, Richard West said, “For those students wishing to progress onto careers in the Armed Forces or with the Police this was an amazing opportunity to learn and interact with real training exercises.”
To see footage of the training please visit:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Video/How-riot-police-learn-to-face-an-angry-mob.htm
http://www.facebook.com/bostoncollegeuk
Performing Arts presents - A Victoria Soiree
20/05/2010
Performing Arts students invited friends and family to ‘A Victorian Soiree’ in preparation for their ‘Snippet of Victorian Boston’ performance at the Assembly rooms in October.
The performance, held at Boston College’s Sam Newsom Music Centre, celebrates the 150th anniversary of Herbert Ingram’s death, an affluent and influential Boston man from the Victorian Era. The National Diploma Year 1 students provided an entertaining taste of the performance they will be showcasing which included interpretations of traditional Victorian Family Life, recitals of poems and demonstrations of appropriate etiquette from the time.
International Women’s Day
10/05/2010
As part of the celebrations for ‘International Women’s Day’ Boston College ran a photographic competition. Competitors had to create images that celebrate women of the 21st century in novel, interesting and personal ways in which they developed themselves.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th March with many countries throughout the world including China, Russia and Bulgaria declaring it a national holiday. It is a global day of festivity, recognising the social, political and economic achievements of women of the world whether, past, present or future. International Women’s Day has roots as far back as 1911, when it was original celebrated on the 19th March. The date was changed to the 8th March two years later, as the original date coincided with a revolution, which proved politically embarrassing to the ruling classes at that time.
The underlining theme of the competition titled ‘looking good, feeling good’ was to honour the diversity and equality of women and society. The College judging panel, including a local newspaper editor, had a difficult decision to find a winner with such a large quantity of entrants and the diverse nature of the quality entries.
Gary Scattergood Linc Free Press Editor commented “The quality and standard of the entries was extremely high. It has been a very interesting experience for me. It has been really difficult to pick a winner from all the entries“.
The winning entry titled ‘A Life story’ by Joanna Spenke of Boston was chosen because it met the criteria very well, covering many aspects of diversity. The image itself was striking and photographic technical skills were evident.
“I really enjoyed taking part in the International Women’s Day Competition and producing my picture and I am very happy to have won and to receive the prize. I am enjoying my time with the College and the family that I am staying with have been very helpful with my English.”
Second place was claimed by Urte Kundrotaite entitled ‘Butterfly Swing’ and third place went to ‘Fly High’ by Kerstin Book of Boston.
Josie Pedersen Equality and Diversity Manager at Boston College said ” It is really encouraging to see so many people taking part and the standard of the entries was amazing. At Boston College we actively celebrate the equality and diversity of not only our learners but also our staff, no matter what their race, religion, gender, disability, or age. The photo competition helped us raise the awareness of International Women’s Day and we are planning several other competition and events such as One World Week later in the year for everyone to enjoy”.
Apprenticeships Team Shine at Local Awards
04/05/2010
Boston Colleges Apprenticeship Team shone during this years Lincolnshire and Rutland Work based Learning Awards, after 4 of their learners/employers came out with prestigious awards.
• Stephen Locke won the Alumni award
• Stewart Needham won Adult Apprentice of the Year
• Ben Davies won apprentice Personal Achiever of the Year
• and, Mon-Ami won small employer of the year- nursery owner Samantha Lunnemann
All four had been put forward by College Assessors based on their performance during 2009.
Stephen Locke – Alumni Award
Stephen Locke of Boston runs his own Plumbing and Heating business and after years training for his Apprenticeship his hard work has paid out.
“I did not know what I wanted to do when I left school. In my last year I was having a careers lesson and decided to send an application form to Boston College. I decided the plumbing apprenticeship was for me.”
Stephen undertook his training between September 2002 and May 2005, but has also been on the other end of the spectrum by taking on an Apprentice himself. The Apprenticeship schemes are something that Stephen strongly supports.
“Learning my trade has given me so many opportunities I would never have had. Going to College taught me to do things the right way. It helped me understand the rules and regulations of plumbing. Things could have been a lot different for me if the opportunity of an apprenticeship had not been there”.
Following his Apprenticeship Stephen feels he has been given a platform to build a solid career and life.
Stewart Needham - Adult Apprentice of the Year
Stewart decided to train through the apprenticeship route as he did not achieve well at school, lacked in confidence and self esteem and felt that the College route was more suited to his life style for learning.
Following a difficult time at work he could not attend a full-time College course and therefore the Apprenticeship was an ideal opportunity for him.
Training Advisor, Sara Dockray said, “Stewart found being in College very difficult, but thrived on the Programme Led Course, enhancing his employability skills immensely as well as building his confidence in himself.”
Through determination Stewart has overcome obstacles that have faced him and by winning this award has shown that the hard work has paid off.
To read more on Apprenticeship successes please see our Successes section: http://www.boston.ac.uk/casestudies.asp
Boston Is Only College In Country to Win Prestigious Award
04/05/2010
The Boston community have another success story to celebrate; their local College has just retained a prestigious National Award. It has been confirmed on Friday 23rd April by ENTO, the organisation responsible for the assessment and accreditation of the Matrix standard, that Boston College is the only College in the Country, to have successfully retained their accreditation with the Matrix Standard for the ‘whole College’ including all its internal and external services. The College have been awarded with the accreditation because of the quality of their information, advice and guidance given to their students, staff, companies, individuals and for the quality of their management structure.
The Matrix Standard is a national quality standard owned and developed by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (DBIS) to reflect the quality of the Information, Advice and Guidance that an organisation, from a range of sectors, delivers in its services. Boston College was successful three years ago in achieving Matrix Standard and more recently Matrix Excellence. There are only a handful of colleges throughout the country who have gained whole college accreditation internally and externally, but the ENTO confirmed that this is the first time they have awarded an accreditation review for a full College accreditation, for internal and external services.
Rachel Overton, Student Services Manager for Boston College and Matrix project lead for the College commented “We knew that the level of support, information, advice and guidance that we provide to students, staff and companies is of excellent quality, but to be the only College in the Country to have achieved a reaccreditation is brilliant news. We have been able to demonstrate to the Matrix organisation that for the last three years IAG is firmly established and embedded into everything we do from careers advice to the College marketing. This has really boosted everyone at the College”
This award has now been added to the numerous collections of awards that Boston College has achieved recently which include: The Training Quality Standard (TQS) for its work with employers, The Careers Mark for careers advice to individuals as well as their recent Ofsted report to name but a few.
Sue Daley Boston College Principal added “This is excellent news; this award has been achieved through the dedication and hard work of all the staff at the College, so I would like to congratulate every one of them. I think we may have to purchase a bigger display cabinet to house all the awards we are winning. The Matrix assessor informed me that the College does not shout enough about the quality of our work and the support and service that we deliver to individuals, companies and to the local community. Well now that we are the only College in the Country to have been successfully reviewed for full accreditation, I think that it’s time to change that, in fact I think the whole of Boston should be shouting”
The College currently offers over 400 different courses and has over 8000 full or part- time learners currently studying with them. On Wednesday 28th April from 6pm-8pm the College is opening its doors for potential learners to meet staff and students and to see their ‘College in Action’ so why not pop along as see what Boston College has to offer you.
Teaching And Learning Receives A Boost
20/04/2010
Boston College’s teaching department has had a boost following their annual NVQ Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (STLS) presentation and awards evening. Over 40 learners were awarded their NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualifications, with many also receiving special recognition for the work they had done in schools.
The Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools NVQ is a qualification designed for all staff who work with teachers in classrooms (Teaching Assistant, Classroom Assistant, Learning Support Assistant and Special Needs Assistant). It is a part-time course that is also suitable to school volunteers, as candidates must have access to a work placement in a school, a further education college or a private training provider working with a school.
The valuable work that teaching assistants play in the world of education was highlighted during a passionate speech by guest speaker Mr Daran Bland, Head teacher of the Spalding Special Schools Federation.
Daran spoke of how invaluable teaching assistants have become in schools, “the level of contribution they make to all the enrichment activities provided for pupils and the life of schools in general is fantastic - they are a great asset”.
Lynne Gent, Supporting Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator for Boston College commented, “The Boston College STLS team are very proud of all the achievements of our candidates here this evening. The adults who have received their NVQ certificates have worked very hard, often combining study with school placements, other jobs and caring for their families. They have made great progress, and a positive contribution to the schools, as well as having a significant impact on the education of the young people they work with”.
The evening concluded with an emotional address from Mr Ken Bush who was invited to present ‘The Kathryn Stimson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning’. The award had been created in memory of his daughter Kathryn who died suddenly whilst volunteering in a Spalding school as a trainee Teaching Assistant.
It was the first year that such an award was included in the presentations, and Steven Withers was the deserved winner. Steven recently became a Teaching Assistant at Holbeach Bank Primary School after completing his Level 2 NVQ STLS as a volunteer, through this qualification he was recognised by OFSTED for his own personal outstanding work and achievements.
Steven Withers stated, “My life completely changed after I had an accident that affected my back, making it impossible to carry on in my previous job as a Grounds man. I volunteered at Holbeach Bank Primary School and started working with the pupils and realised that this is what I really wanted to do. I spoke to the College and the School to get their support and began my training. Having now qualified and received this award it makes all the hard work worthwhile. I really enjoy my new found career and the positive impact that the work of teaching assistants have on the pupils and the schools where we work”
All in the Name of Charity
08/04/2010
Imagination has run wild at Boston College these last few weeks as students have put their thinking caps on in the name of charity. The atmosphere at the College has been very animated with many entertaining contributions, including those who have shown bravado in leg waxing, humility in dressing up and courage in cream cracker eating challenges.
Thanks to the compassion shown for those in need by our thoughtful fundraisers, over one and a half thousand pounds has been raised for numerous charities including Breast Cancer UK, Help for Heroes, Sports Relief and the Haiti Appeal.
Boston College’s Marketing Officer Michelle Marklew praised the students efforts, “It’s great that the students have used their own initiative in creating ideas that have allowed them to raise so much money for great causes”.
Among the variety of activities was the traditional cake sale but more inventive requests for donations included, the beauty department undertaking leg waxes on the motor vehicle students, bucket collections as the infamous 118 twins and a LAN party.
Not only are these very worthwhile causes benefitting from these events but the development and enthusiasm they bring out in the students is highly commendable, for which staff and colleagues of the College should be congratulated for their consistent support and unwavering encouragement.