Southwark College fashion students have competed to create the hottest new design for popstar Rihanna.

Chanelle Edwards, who currently attends the college, was one of 12 young designers selected to appear Sky’s Styled to Rock, the new reality show on Sky Living. Former student Ben Moriah also took part.

“It was one of the best experiences I have ever done in my journey to become a fashion designer,” said Chanelle. “Because there was so much talent, I learnt techniques and new ways to design – for example, pattern cutting on a stand. Everybody’s style is different, but I took a lot away from everyone.”

Ben said: “To have her critique your garments, analyse it and give constructive feedback was great. It’s reassuring as a designer because you want somebody who knows about fashion.”

Chanelle is looking forward to completing the second year of her BTEC Extended Diploma and Ben is working for fashion retailer Reiss

Not to be outdone by record-breaking athletes, Bournemouth and Poole College chefs have landed a world record of their own.

The chefs toiled over a deep fat fryer on Poole Quay to cook a gigantic halibut, plus 59kg of chips to smash the previous record portion of the classic English dish.

Barry Dawson, Andrew Brown, Paul Dayman, Dan Andre-Parsons and Gary Kilminster already had vast experience in making giant portions of fish and chips.

They featured last year in the Monster Munchies TV series with Matt Dawson when they competed with a local restaurant in making a giant portion of fish and chips by “glueing” together dozens of fish fillets.

At the time Gary Kilminster, a lecturer in the college’s catering department, vowed to have a crack at beating the world record, which strictly rules that it can only be a single fish.
“We’ve been determined to beat this record now for so long. It feels great to finally make it,” he said.

When the cooking was over the real fun began. There was enough to make 180 normal size portions all served up to eager people of Poole for £2 a head.
The money raised will go to a local hospice charity and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Performers from the Havering College’s Olympic-themed show Inspiration entertained thousands of spectators as they relaxed between Paralympic events.

A group of 50 young people from the college and other learning partners staged a mini-version of their show on the Olympic Bandstand.

Inspiration is a music, dance, and performance art spectacular themed around the Olympics and Paralympics. It was first performed at at the London Palladium earlier this year as part of the official Cultural Olympiad.

Julie-Kate Olivier, daughter of Sir Laurence Olivier, Dame Joan Plowright, and Tim Faulkner — whose credits include Casualty, Inspector Morse and Allo! Allo! — co-presented the show.

Director Peter Dayson, who lectures in music at the college, said:

“To be invited to perform on the Olympic Bandstand is a once-in-a- lifetime experience for these young people. It was a spectacular looking stage and everyone was incredibly excited.

“Another group of our students recently performed for spectators attending the showjumping events in Greenwich Park. It was a great honour to be invited to be part of the entertainment for the Games.”

West Cheshire College sports tutor Simon O’Brien has returned from the Olympic Games after working as the sports therapist for the Botswana team.

Mr O’Brien worked with four athletes throughout the games, including 18-year-old Nijel Amos who won silver in the men’s 800m, breaking the world junior record.

“I was selected to be the official masseuse after I emailed a couple of small countries volunteering my services. Bostwana got back to me asking for my assistance,” he said.

“The experience was amazing. Being in the Olympic Village was like a different world and watching Nijel win silver and break a record against world-class athletes, was unbelievable.

“I met so many great athletes including Usain Bolt, Rebecca Adlington, Oscar Pistorious and my hero James Cracknell.”

Bands, artists and festival-goers were given the chance to record their own music in Leicester College’s Pop-Up Studio at the Summer Sundae Weekender festival.

The performing arts and music department equipped its tent with acoustic and bass guitars, electronic percussion instruments, microphones and the recording equipment needed to create mini-demo CDs, which were given to artists on the day.

John Meredith, programme area manager for music and sound engineering at the college, said: “We had such a great mix of genres and outstanding talent come to the studio, including performers such as The Skunk Boy Project, Furies, Jersey Budd, Siobhan Mazzei, the Daydream Club and Buenos Aires.

“We also attracted some up-and-coming talent including family bands, young guitarists, keen vocalists — even a ukulele player. We had such a fantastic time at the festival and I can’t wait to get working on the sessions album.”

Fareham College student Jake Haven has been celebrating his Triple Distinction, the top grade for a BTEC Level 3 course, after undergoing a kidney transplant last summer.

The business student has not only been on dialysis four times a-day, which he administered himself at college, he has also fought a rare form of cancer and diabetes.

“My parents and student services have been amazing; I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Jake.

“I want to give something back. I can relate to kids who have been through what I have as I’ve had kidney troubles since I was two.”

Jake also came third in the javelin at the British Transplant Games. He plans to continue his studies and, as a result of the care he received during his treatment, will go on to level 3 health and social care.

Doncaster College showcased its courses at the re-launch of the Doncaster Show.

Held in a 12 acres of sports fields, the show was a fun-packed weekend of entertainment with craft stalls, classic cars, Zumba lessons and live music from local bands.

A college spokesperson said: “It gave us a great opportunity to meet potential learners of all ages, showcase what the college could offer as well as supporting a local charitable organisation.

“The event offered something for everyone from dog agility courses, giant inflatables and fair ground rides, classic cars, archery, a whole host of local music acts alongside local retailers and emergency services.”

 

Three Burton and South Derbyshire College beauty students have scooped first place in regional WorldSkills competitions at the NEC Birmingham.

Naomi Radbourne, Nicola Cockerill and Laura Hayes were asked to demonstrate their ability to carry out modern and traditional beauty therapy treatments, all judged by beauty industry experts and professionals.

The three students will now go on to compete against the best of the best in the national final of the WorldSkills UK competition in November. Naomi has also earned a place in Squad UK for the next international skills competition – Worldskills Leipzig 2013.

Jackie Heaton, beauty therapy course leader, said: “All three students demonstrated skills to the highest level and have all now obtained employment at prestigious spas. They are excellent examples of professional therapists.”

Canterbury College celebrated 65 years with some of its first students returning for a special anniversary open day.

The afternoon began with a commemorative cake cutting led by two former students – the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Robert Waters, and long-serving governor Anne-Marie Nelson. Visitors then toured the campus where they saw an exhibition of college life from 1947 to 2012. The food hall stepped back in time to deliver 1940s cuisine that included spam hash, corned beef fritters and Lord Woolton pie.

In the opening welcome speech, principal Alison Clarke said: “Canterbury College has changed immeasurably during its lifetime but has always been at the heart of the city and offering its services to the whole of East Kent.

“It has grown from a few hundred students and a handful of courses to a large institution with about 10,000 learners and more than 500 subjects. So many people have benefited from their time here, including myself and several of the college’s own team.”