STAFF NEWSLETTEROCTOBER 2012

Events, hellos, goodbyes, horoscopes

and more...

College partners with Glynn Purnellin the search of two

apprentices

A word from the Principal

and interesting info about our new college

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Welcome to the first edition of our new college staff bulletin. In it you’ll find useful information, news and events, celebration of achievements and a

bit of fun. Each month I will take this opportunity to include a short piece (although this month’s is long) on what has been going on and an update on the main things the college is involved in.

The mergerThe last few months have been challenging for all of us, but I am pleased to say we achieved what we set out to do and have undergone a successful merger. I hope that my talk gave you a better understanding of the direction and targets for the college and the part that we all have to play in achieving these.

Despite having only a fraction of the time that most mergers take to organise and complete, and considering the complexity, it has gone very smoothly and I would like to thank you all for your patience, co-operation and hard work.

The futureOver the coming academic year, we will continue to focus our energy on providing the best for our students. If we focus on their needs and look after them everything else will fall into place. As always, teaching and learning excellence is the main focus and we will again be driving for excellence and to be a grade 1 college at the next inspection.

to the South & City College Birmingham Staff Newsletter

This year we will be taking part in more competitions, in particular the World Skills Competitions. Competitions help young people be more ambitious, raise their aspirations and help them grow in confidence and at the same time raise overall standards of work. Taking part in competitions also give us, as staff, a boost to our confidence and confirmation of our accomplishments. For example, for the first time last year the catering team entered students in the British Culinary Federation Cook and Serve competitions and were delighted to come third, only following Westminster Kingsway College and the home team Stratford, and coming well ahead of local colleges. There were also great competition successes in many other areas including construction, retail and care.

Good newsWe have had some very good news from the Skills Funding Agency that in view of the achievement of our adult funding target last year, we have been allocated just over £2million of additional adult funding. This is largely because many colleges nationally have underachieved their adult targets and there was an overall underspend. It is important that we continue to achieve our targets as it is likely that this pattern will continue as I know that many colleges are below target again this year.

A word from

MikeHopkins

Welcome

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Contents

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Other mattersFrom my numerous conversations with staff around the college I know that there are difficulties for some staff who aren’t used to the procedures and systems and we will be arranging training shortly. I also hope the first two day training session for all managers held on 15 and 16 October will result in a real improvement in communication and arrangements across the college. I hope to follow this up with similar all staff training later in the year.

To put staff minds at rest I will clarify the continued VS scheme. We always maintain this scheme. We do not need to reduce or lose staff, and VS is only available where we can release staff and not replace them.

For those of you who don’t know me very well yet and see me rushing around, this is quite normal and I apologise if I rush past or seem preoccupied occasionally but I will get to speak to everyone during the year.

I look forward to an excellent first year as South and City College Birmingham.

Mike Hopkins

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College News

FE News

60 seconds with...

How to...

Well done to...

Competitions

Doing our bit

Jobs & training

Staff member of the month

Upcoming events

Hello & Goodbye

Thinking Greener

Health & Safety

Horoscopes

South and City College Factfile

Did you know...?South and City College Birmingham has 1,167 directly employed members of staff

658 are female

509 are male

The biggest division is Access to FE with 125 staff members

The smallest division is Transport with 4 staff members. They look after our 57 college vehicles!

We have 15,152 students enrolled with us who study across nine main campuses

And we sell 5,760 bottles of pop a week across the college to keep them going!

Got something to go in the staff newsletter?

Email it to Demi.Williams@sccb.ac.uk

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College news

News

Birmingham’s Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell has teamed up with South and City College Birmingham to help find him two young apprentices to work with him at his fine dining restaurant Purnell’s and the newly opened Purnell’s Bistro on Newhall Street.

At the beginning of this month, 13 16-24 year olds began an 11 week Introduction to Cookery pre apprenticeship course at the college to learn the basic principles of professional cookery. Glynn Purnell, who was once an apprentice himself, will mentor the students during the course, with each student having the opportunity to spend time at his Michelin starred restaurant Purnell’s in Birmingham.

Once the students have completed the course, Glynn will then himself select two of the budding young cooks to become his apprentices. They will have the once in a lifetime opportunity

to learn the skills of fine dining whilst working alongside the Birmingham born chef.

The chef has big plans for the apprentices, who will work closely with him gaining hands on skills, whilst at the same time working towards a qualification at the college.

Glynn Purnell said: “We have incredible talent in the Midlands, but like with everything we need to dig deep to discover it. I was once an apprentice and I know how hard it is to get an opportunity to get your foot in the door. Working in partnership with South and City College Birmingham we aim to offer two exceptional students an apprenticeship to work with me and the team at Purnell’s restaurant, Ginger’s Bar and the newly launched Purnell’s Bistro.”

Mike Hopkins, Principal of the

college said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring young chefs in Birmingham. Not only will the students gain a recognised qualification, but they will work with one of the top chefs in the country, learning all the skills they need to give them the best start in their careers.

“Glynn is a great role model as well as a top chef, and he believes in helping young people in Birmingham, as I do. I hope this will be the start of a long partnership between Glynn and South and City College.”

The students that do not get the Purnell apprenticeship will be offered other apprenticeship opportunities or will be able to progress to a level 2 programme.

We will be closely following the progress of the students along their journey and will keep you up-to-date on how they are getting on.

Motor Vehicle Students Given Free Car

Heartlands Ford, based on Kingsbury Road, Erdington has donated a spare vehicle to students training in motor vehicle at the college to help develop their skills.

The vehicle, a Rover 25, will be used by the college to help students get first-hand experience in motor

vehicle maintenance and repair. Paul Burke, Sales Executive

at Heartlands Ford, explained: “As a local business we feel it is important for us to contribute to the community, which is why we want to support our local colleges and learning centres.

College in Michelin starred partnership with Glynn Purnell

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South and City College students on the road to success with National Express Foundation grants

News

College supports Birmingham youngster Harry Moseley’s charity

Did you see or hear about the only way is Birmingham and wonder what it was all about? For all those staff that haven’t seen our marketing campaign that was used to drive the merge and re-brand of the college...

In the style of a reality TV programme, we created videos showing young people who were trying to make their future dreams and careers come true. But they weren’t quite going to plan. The answer? A course at South and City College Birmingham.

There will be an online series of the only way is Birmingham showcasing the real life dramas of the young people in Birmingham. Auditions were held during Fresher’s Fayres and across the city.

Watch the videos on our website www.southandcity.com or visit www.theonlywayisbirmingham.co.uk to find out more.

The National Express Foundation has granted South and City College Birmingham £20,000 of bursaries over two years to help young people stay in education.

The funding given to the college will be awarded to 20 students as bursaries to help fund living costs whilst they stay in education.

Principal Mike Hopkins said: “The National Express Foundation reflects everything South and City College Birmingham believes in; helping young people advance their education and improve their futures.

“We are incredibly grateful for this support which will allow us to give young people in financial difficulty bursaries to help them stay in further education and help them get the jobs and careers they want.”

The college holds many fundraising events throughout the year, and from September 2012 Help Harry Help Others will be the college’s main receiver. The charity has been set up to continue the work which Harry started when he was living with an inoperable brain tumour, to help other people with brain cancer. For the last two years of Harry’s life, he selflessly dedicated his time to making and selling beaded bracelets, public speaking and creating a schools initiative to inspire children. The college raises money through student organised fundraising events, raffles, corporate donations, the annual fashion show and more.

In addition, Harry’s bracelets will be on sale during college events in the coming year. They are only £1 and money raised will go to Harry’s charity, so make sure you get one.

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NewsNews

£15,000 raised at chari-tee golf day

InBusiness, the college’s unique business networking club, has raised over £15,000 for our newly allocated charity Help Harry Help Others.

A charity golf day was held at the Arden Mariott Hotel and Country Club and was attended by 72 people, many of whom are well known faces and celebrities including snooker ace Willie Thorne, rock star Bev Bevan and a whole host of sports personalities. Sir Doug Ellis, who has recently become a

friend of the college and InBusiness also attended, giving generously to the charity.

Harry Moseley’s mum, Georgie who officially launched the charity in September said: “There are a lot of football legends here and Sir Doug Ellis has come along. I am just really touched and it shows Harry touched other people. It really does mean the world to me, but more importantly it will change people’s lives with the money raised here today.”

South and City help Police get on their bike

South and City College Birmingham have donated a bike to the Police in Bordesley Green.

The top of the range bike will be used by the Bordesley Green Neighbourhood Team of the West Midlands Police, to patrol the streets in Bordesley Green where the college has a large campus.

Sergeant Antony Ashton, who accepted the bike on behalf of the neighbourhood team said:

“We are absolutely delighted to accept the kind gesture of a fully liveried mountain bike supplied to us by South and City College Birmingham. The bike will enable us to get about the ward quicker and also patrol the areas not accessible by car. The team often patrol on bikes, and due to the number of miles they accumulate they are starting to show signs of wear and tear. This gesture will go a long way to ensuring the team has the best possible equipment available to conduct their patrols around Bordesley Green.”

Mike Hopkins, Principal of the college said: “It is very important for our students, and for the community to feel safe in the place they work, live and study and Police bikes help ensure the Police are visible in the community.”

Andrew Kileen confirmed to talk at college

Published author and the writer in Residence for the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Andrew Kileen had been confirmed to speak to students at the college. Andrew will be delivering a writing session to our members of the Creative Writing Club. Open to students and staff, the club is meeting again on Monday 5 November at the Digbeth Campus, at 5.30pm. If you would like to attend, please email Katie Blakeman or Diba Choudhury.

Find out more about Andrew and his work at http://thefatheroflocks.com/

Got something to go in the staff newsletter?

Email it to Demi.Williams@sccb.ac.uk

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News

FE news

Consultation on ESOL regulations now open

Ofqual, the regulatory body of academic and vocational qual-ifications in England are consulting on the way ESOL qualifications are regulated, with proposed changes to the existing regulations.

Three options are being considered, including introducing new regulations for a qualification called ESOL for life in the UK which would allow awarding organisations to demonstrate more clearly that their ESOL qualifications

meet some of the Home Office English language requirements. There are also proposals to make changes to ESOL International qualifications and to withdraw the existing regulations for ESOL Skills for Life and ESOL for Work qualifications, removing any unnecessary burdens on awarding organisations.

To read more about the proposed changes and to have your say, visit www.ofqual.gov.uk

Ofsted have launched a new website enabling learners to rate their further education and skills provider. Learner View will allow learners to give their views all year round, giving Ofsted valuable information but also providing learners with real-time information.

National Director for Learning and Skills, Matthew Coffey said: “Learner View asks whether learners would recommend their education provision, if lessons are taught well and if their programme or course is preparing them well enough for their chosen next steps. This information will inform inspectors’ decisions about whether courses are effective in leading learners in the right direction either to employment or further study.”

For more information visit www.learnerview.ofsted.gov.uk

Ofsted launch Learner View

New minister for Further EducationFurther education now has a new Minister following a cabinet reshuffle in Whitehall. Matthew Hancock, the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has responsibility for apprenticeships, FE and 16-19, and careers. In a letter to the FE sector, he said he was honoured to take responsibility within the government for the future of apprenticeships, FE and education over the age of 16 outside of universities.

He said: “I am in no doubt about the importance of improving Britain’s skills, especially in these difficult economic times. I am fully aware of the crucial role that the Further Education and Skills sector plays in improving the skills base that renewed growth and greater competitiveness will require. I am determined to build on the passionate work of my predecessor, John Hayes, to improve Britain’s skills, and rise to that challenge.”

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60 seconds with...Job title: Enabling Service ManagerCampus: Bordesley Green

What are some key responsibilities of your role?I manage the support workers, work in supported learning and manage the taxi system for disabled students across the college.

How long have you been working in the college?22 years – I was first at the college as a student!

Why do you think you have been so successful in serving the college and students?l I believe in equal opportunities and I am

passionate about providing high quality support for disabled students.

l I’m a good communicator and have good interpersonal skills.

l I believe in the procedures, structure and I am committed to supporting my team.

What do you believe is your greatest accomplishment at the college?We have seen that our disabled students that receive support can be more successful than their able bodied counterparts, I believe this is down to the excellent support that we provide.

What are your hobbies?I play rugby, fishing and the geeky side of me likes online fantasy war games. I also love going out for a drink and a dance, especially with my team.

If your life turned in to a movie, what actor would you be?Phil Mitchell (according to people at work)!

How to...

College cars and vans can be used by staff for college business purposes. College vehicles can be booked out by the receptionists at each campus. To be able to drive a vehicle you need to:

l Be 21 years of age or over and have held a full licence for a minimum of 12 months.

l Provide your licence (both photo card and counterpart) to the reception staff the first time you go to use a car.

l From 1st November all staff who have not submitted their licence within the last five months will need to re-submit their licence. Any member of staff that has submitted their licence within the last five months will not need to re-submit unless any details have changed on their licence.

l If you wish to drive a college minibus you need to get authorisation from your director. You must complete an application form and undertake a vehicle orientation with Andrew Williams, Transport Co-ordinator. It is a requirement that all minibus drivers are aged 25 or over and have held a full licence for a minimum of 12 months.

All application forms, procedures and guidance notes can be found on Elvis/Transport/Information Documents. It is recommended that all drivers make themselves aware of the procedures before driving a college vehicle.

Drive a college vehicleBill Bucknall

Regulars

Spotted...

An umbrella spotted in Lake Como, Italy.

Send in your Spotted pics to Divine Chabata: divine.chabata@sccb.ac.uk

Well done to...Simon Lesley on his doctorate.Simon Lesley (MGL Music) has been awarded a PhD in music composition from Birmingham Conservatoire on 10 September 2012.

Simon thanks the college and the management team for their support and co-operation.

Congratulations Simon.

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Competitions Doing our bit

College staff have been volunteering in the community over the summer break. Thank you to Steve Manning, Matt Waldron, Raj Kumar, John Garbett, Richard Hooper and the painting and decorating staff who helped out at The Meb.

Well done Loris Cimarosti, Andy Nolan, Tom McGeever, Harj Kaur, Parveen Akhtar, Helen Fellows and Shelly Williams who have all been helping out with various different events being held within the community.

Thank you to Ross Page, Rawait Khan, Shakeel Akram and Asim Khan for helping to prepare for the big Eid festival bash being held in early October at The MEB.

Big thank you from Zaf for helping with the community work and hopefully together we can make all communities favour and respect South and City College Birmingham.

Staff volunteer in the community

Regulars

Competition Champions are needed to lead the way this year. Teaching credits or remission will be given to the selected champions and a central budget will be available. If interested contact your Divisional Director or email Paul Morris.

It’s competition time again!

The Skills Show at the NEC, Birmingham

15-17 November 2012 This is a national Worldskills UK competitions and careers event. The college is a major sponsor of this event. Staff and students are encouraged to attend.

Be a champion!

Building on the successes of last year, the college remains fully committed to supporting students through the Worldskills UK Competitions Programme for 2012-13.

Last academic year hundreds of our students participated in college competitions; over 50 progressed to regional competitions, with over 10 winning or being placed in their events and one of our bricklaying students has been invited to compete in the national finals.

Virtually all students who got involved enjoyed the competition experience, and became more confident, focused and driven to achieve and progress in their education. A big thank you to all staff who acted as competition champions, your dedication, expertise and time was fully appreciated by the students and college as a whole.

Jobs & trainingMain Grade Lecturer – PlumbingFixed term £22,677 – £36,749 pa

Pastoral Mentor x 4Permanent £14,359 – £15,910 pa

Placement OfficerFixed term until 31/07/2013£20,185 – £22,058 pa

Assistant Director (Skills for life, Division 9)Permanent £36,343 – £39,088 pa

Please see Elvis for more information and how to apply.

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SimonTams

IT Technical Division

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Upcoming events

Next month

Black History Month October

Colleges Week 11-18 November

The Skills Show 15-17 November UK‘s biggest skills event

Hello & Goodbye

New staff

Ian Jenkin MGL Plumbing

Heather Millichap MGL Supported Learning

Hugh O’Conner MGL Motor Vehicle (LVM)

Clare Scattergood MGL Supported Learning

Colin Smith MGL Electrical

Sophia Afzal Nursery Officer

Mohamed Ajaz Receptionist/Admin

Naomi Aldridge Learner Support Mentor

Rachel Andrews Apprentice - Hair & Beauty

Kimberley Barker Apprentice - Care

Simone Barrett Receptionist/Admin

Nadiah Begum Nursery Officer

Gulshan Bibi Nursery Officer

Samina Bibi Receptionist/Admin

Andrew Bucknow Learner Support Mentor

Philisha Clarke Learner Support Mentor

Kirsty Doran Apprentice - Care

Emma Hacket Nursery Officer

Joanne Hathaway Cook Supervisor

Naomi Hemans Nursery Officer

Nazia Hussain Nursery Officer

Linda Johnson-Simms Receptionist/Admin

Stuart Maddock Cook Supervisor

Anila Mushtaq Nursery Officer

Saliqur Rahman Learner Support Mentor

Kirsty Richards Apprentice - Care

Claire Steele Nursery Officer

Kelly Stevens Communication Support Worker

OPEN DAY18 October

Michael Thorpe Catering Technician

Dawn Treanor Learner Support Mentor

Margaret Ward Cook Supervisor

Jack Wood Apprentice - MIS

Carlton Youngsam Community Liasion Officer

Amanda Morley Access to FE

Savannah Badley Finance

Tahmina Begum Quality

Anne-Marie Shorthouse Health & Care

Ryan Swift Construction Craft

Stacy Vallint Student Services

Leavers

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Reducing our energy consumption not only reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, but also delivers significant and tangible cost savings. Benefits include:

l Using our resources more efficiently

l Reducing our operating costs l Greater environmental excellence

as laid down in our sustainability policy

Why should we take action to reduce carbon?

l Being responsive to students and staff concerns

l Developing a brand identity that is recognised as a market leader in our field

l Adhere to the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, a mandatory emissions reduction scheme

We are currently looking for Green Champions – staff and students who would be interested in contributing and communicating real green initiatives that have a real impact

Be a Green Championon the carbon footprint and sustainability of our organisation. If you are interested in being a Green Campion, please email paul.clarke@sccb.ac.uk

We are going to start Thinking Greener in everything we do. As part of this, with help from the Carbon Trust we have produced a five year plan to reduce our carbon emissions – our Carbon Management Plan. The college has already implemented a number of successful carbon management initiatives in the past and this plan will help us continue to build on this success.

Thinking Greener is our sustainability awareness campaign to help us achieve our carbon reduction goals and we need everyone to get involved. You will see and hear more about Thinking Greener in the coming months.

Climate change is one of the major challenges facing the

world today. The scale and speed of the change may have an

adverse effect on our students, staff, economy, environment and local community and reinforces our commitment to take action.

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Health & Safety

What to do if you:

l Operate the nearest fire alarm (break glass call point).

l Do not attempt to tackle the fire unless you have been trained to do so.

l Remain calm. Leave the premises via the nearest available route and report immediately to the assembly point at the centre.

l Leave quietly. DO NOT stop to collect your belongings.

l DO NOT rush.l DO NOT overtake others as you leave.l Emergency doors shall open in the direction of

escape.l Close the doors behind you as you leave and

if possible close windows too.l No one will remain inside the building during

an evacuation.l Do not use Fire Extinguishers unless you are

trained to do so.l If you are a wheelchair user or have mobility

difficulties which prevent you from using the stairs make your way to the nearest refuge area with your nominated buddy. Implement your Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).

Discover a fire:

Hear the alarm:

l All accidents/incidents and near misses to staff, learners, work experience persons, visitors, contractors, tenants, clients and members of the public must be reported in the Accident Book kept at reception, in specialist workshops and provided for college excursions.

l All accidents and incidents should be reported immediately, or after first aid, by the person(s) involved. An accident form must be signed and dated.

l Notice MUST be given to your employer of any entry into the accident book.

l The list of first-aiders is available at all receptions.

l All cases of occupational health illness whilst working on college premises must be reported.

The full range of Montie Workplace Health and Safety and Skills Training videos are now available for college staff. They are on ELVIS – under Health and Safety Information Documents.

Health and Safety Training Videos

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Are involved in an accident or incident

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HoroscopesAriesOctober is a sociable month for Aries. Your work life will improve, especially for those in Hall Green Campus.

A full moon will mean you will be excitable and relationships can be formed or strengthened mid-month.

TaurusWork matters are in strong focus for you in October before the half term comes. You’re also more concerned

about your health and a fitness routine will benefit you. Troublesome romantic matters are cleared up, and you will have a new sense of purpose and a new interest in home improvement.

GeminiA very sociable, light hearted and playful period in your life begins this month. Home life seems to be

improving, although you are giving it less attention. The last week of the month is busy and perhaps demanding when it comes to work.

CancerThe first two weeks of October remain strong for pushing personal projects ahead. Impulse buys are

something to watch for, especially for Digbeth and Fusion staff that are close to Bullring temptation. 

LeoOctober will be an especially busy and hectic month for you Leo. You are realising you need to build your skills

set and you are lucky to be working in the right place to do so. But don’t forget to find a balance in your work and personal life.  

VirgoChanges in your life have been intense recently, and this month new priorities are emerging one of which is

finances. By the end of October, you begin to feel re-energized and considerably more light-hearted. Look out for a golden ticket in Handsworth.

LibraOctober is a strong month for you in which your own personal needs, desires, and projects assume more

importance. Creative staff should use this energy for a new project. Towards the end of October, focus shifts to security, finances, and comfort matters.

   

ScorpioOctober is a time of repose, of tying up loose ends, and perhaps letting go. The last week of the month brings a

strengthening of personal spirit as well as increased focus, energy, and confidence. Tutors will be able to use this energy and confidence to deal with tricky students well.

 

SagittariusOctober is a powerful month for you. By mid-month, your confidence in pushing matters forward and asking

for what you want from life increases by leaps and bounds. Friendships tend to be supportive, particularly between managers and staff.

 

CapricornResponsibilities and accountability are big themes in your life in October. It’s a very busy month for career and

professional matters. It’s a time of proving your worth, and you’re likely to shine under this pressure. You might find yourself Staff Member of the Month in November for your achievements this month.

AquariusOctober is a mostly happy and energetic month for you. Mid-month is a strong time for pushing forward with

personal plans. In the last week of the month, you’ll be paying considerable more attention to your career, and training within the college might be a good opportunity for you.

PiscesThis month, money matters is a big theme for you. Career matters begin to move forward after a period

of seeming standstill or stagnation and internal progression might be possible.