News Summer 2010

Lord Coevisits Long Road

01223 507400 enquiries@longroad.ac.uk www.longroad.ac.uk

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Contents

2 Lord Coe visits Long Road Sixth Form College

4 French and Spanish A level students develop their fluency

5 Students of Courage / Open University success

6 Remembering the Holocaust: Lessons from Auschwitz, Psychology students visit Krakow, Eva Clarke, Holocaust survivor meets our students

8 A Midsummer Night’s Dream: college production

9 General Election hustings / London Zoo phobia trip

10 Art students in London, Media and Film students in New York

11 News round-up: Careers event, Geography trip to 2012 site, Sport news

13 Robyn Wilton: Junction ambassador

14 Students raise money for good causes

15 Phoebe Unwin, former student, exhibits in British Art Show 7

Lord Coe visits Long Roadto celebrate ‘Wheeling Towards London’

The aim of the event was to help raise awareness of the Paralympics as part of the London 2012 Get Set Education programme. A group of students from three secondary schools, Bottisham Village College, Parkside and St. Bede’s, worked alongside Sport National Diploma students from Long Road to find out more about paralympic sport, in particular wheelchair basketball.

“Our overall aim is to increase the number of students volunteering within the Cambridge School Sports Partnership and particularly disability sport,” explains Rob Day, Sport Development Manager at the college. “We are also looking for Long Road students to volunteer at this year’s Youth Games Plus and Festival at St. Ives Outdoor Centre in June. This event is organised by Living Sport, the County Sports Partnership for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and enables young people with disabilities to take part in sporting activities.”

Students met Graham Bool, three-time Paralympian, who has represented Great Britain at Wheelchair Basketball. Graham talked about the development of the sport and equipment alike. They also heard from Claire Thorby, who works for Living Sport and is in charge of running Disability Awareness Workshops in the Cambridge area.

This was followed by Wheelchair Basketball sessions led by Gordon Perry, who won the first London Wheelchair marathon in 1983 and competed in many more. His first love, however, has always been wheelchair basketball. Gordon has played National League

Long Road Sixth Form College was delighted to be able to welcome Lord Coe, gold medal winner in the 1500m in 1980 and 1984, to celebrate the college’s ‘Wheeling Towards London’ event on 13 May and to welcome us into the Get Set Network.

basketball at all levels for twenty-six years. With LGS Jets he won the First Division National Championships (the forerunner to today’s Premier League) three times.

Lord Coe started by viewing an exhibition of photographs by former Long Road student Thomas Griffith. Thomas was a photographer at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, and his photos have very much captured the excellence and endeavour of Paralympic Sport. Lord Coe then joined the warm-up drills for the wheelchair basketball training and tournament with the students from the three secondary schools, and watched the start of the tournament, which was run by Long Road students.

Get Set NetworkGet Set is the official education programme of London 2012. Between now and the Games the aim is to create a special community of schools and colleges that all have one thing in common – they are all doing things that show they care about the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

We received this special award for: • demonstrating a commitment

to the Olympic and Paralympic Values: respect, friendship, equality, excellence, inspiration, courage and determination

• using the London 2012 Games to inspire learners of all ages and abilities to get involved in values-based projects and activities.

We are now entitled to use the Get Set logo on our college publications.For more information, visit: www.getset.london2012.com

Award-winning studentsLouise Whitt female footballHannah Cox netballSteve Smith cricketDaniel Lovell basketballJames Cohen rugbyJohnny Milne 1st team footballMike Creamer 2nd team footballDaniel Pattern 3rd team football

QuotesRob Day said Lord Coe’s visit had raised awareness of the Olympics amongst the students at the college. He said: “It was really inspirational for the students and it kick-started excitement about the Games.”

Lord Coe said: “The College is doing great work – it’s very smart to use the Paralympic Games to change attitudes to disability and disability sport.”

Dan Lovell, who won the Basketball Personality Award, said: “It was a real honour to have my award given to me by such a huge sporting figure.”

Lord Coe spoke to students about the impact of London 2012 on sport. He went on to present eight Long Road students with Sports Personality Award trophies. These reward sporting commitment, hard work and endeavour over the course of the season. Awardees are always on time for training, they help out in organising teams for fixtures, show positive play on the field and show respect to the opposition and officials.

Finally, Lord Coe presented the Get Set Network plaque to the college.

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Brave studentshelp out at two emergenciesA group of brave Long Road students were treated to a special lunch hosted by College Principal Sandra Hamilton-Fox. The students had all carried out initial first aid at two emergencies: one a car crash and one medical. What’s more, they had to do so without the immediate assistance of anyone else.

Sport National Diploma student Jonathan Gibson was driving to college one morning along the A1307 and was stuck in a tailback on Babraham Road. A woman overtook the line of traffic, lost control of her car, hit a bollard and overturned.

“I stopped my car and jumped out,” explains Jonathan. “The car had ended up on its offside, and the woman’s arm was trapped underneath. I managed to lift up the car to release her arm.”

Jonathan then climbed up onto the nearside of the car (which was now the roof ), opened the passenger door (”which was really difficult”) and helped the woman to climb out.

“I dashed back to my car for my sport towel to wrap round the woman’s arm and called for an ambulance,” he continues. “Lots of people in the line of traffic were hooting me because I was blocking the road. I couldn’t believe it!”

Jonathan has taken a first aid course as part of his studies.Meanwhile, Louise Davies, Penny Newman, Heidi Porter, Sophie Molt, Nicola Stoner

and Jasmine Jones were walking along Long Road to get to the bus stop when a woman collapsed unconscious on the pavement. Louise carried out emergency first aid while Penny called for an ambulance. The other girls helped and took care of the woman’s dog, which was taken back to the college then collected by the dog warden.

“Luckily I had taken a first aid course as part of the Health & Social Care National Diploma,” explains Louise. “I put the woman in the recovery position, supported her head, which she had injured, and monitored her pulse.” Louise had a leg injury herself at the time and had dropped her crutches to run to the woman’s assistance.

“It was quite a scary experience,” adds Penny. “You don’t expect to have to do something like this, but we all pulled together to help the woman and her dog.”

“These students are a credit to the college,” comments Sandra. “They are an example to us all. It’s not easy to know what to do at an accident, and it takes great courage to step forward and help. The students demonstrated a sense of responsibility, a caring attitude and great bravery. We are very lucky to have students like these - there are many others - at Long Road.”

Open University successfor Long Road studentsEvery year high-achieving students at Long Road are given the opportunity to take a Level 1 Open University course. Senior Tutor Richard Skelding explains: “This is an excellent opportunity for our students to get a taste of what degree-level study involves. It also gives students a chance to demonstrate self-motivation and self-discipline. The Open University course takes place during the summer break between Year 12 and Year 13, so participation shows true commitment to studying.”

This year’s group of students took courses in subjects including Robotics and the Meaning of Life, Archaeology: the Science of Investigation, Elements of Forensic Science, Start Writing Plays, Start Writing Poetry, Start Writing Fiction and Start Writing Essays.

Students were awarded their certificates in a small ceremony in the grounds of the college.

From left to right: Kiki Band, Sophie Minall, Charlotte Brisley, Sophie Parker, Senior Tutor Richard Skelding, Alice Tome-Fernandez, Lyall Watson and Andrew Finlay. Also awarded but not present for the photograph: Luke Slater, Lisa Barnett and Heather Oakes.

Students photographed with their tutors at the lunch. From left to right: Liam Core, Steve Picton, Nicola Stoner, Penny Newman, Sheila Redhead, Jasmine Jones, Sophie Molt, Heidi Porter, Ben Hudson, Louise Davies, Jonathan Gibson, Lynette Smith, Susan Hards

Work experience and plenty of fun in sunny Spain!Six Spanish AS students polished up their language skills in different work placements in Segovia in the region of Castile and Leόn.

Stephanie Howard worked in a travel agency. “I sorted out hotel accommodation and flights for customers,” she explains. “I also helped with a big mailing of brochures.”

Hannah Weedon worked in a school translating their prospectus into English. “Because it was a private school, they wanted an international dimension,” she says.

Martina Orabona worked in the Hotel Corregidor on reception and in the restaurant. “It wasn’t all hard work,” she says. “We had a water fight outside one day!”

Matt Cunningham also worked in the hotel, serving in the restaurant. “I lost my shoes so had to wear blue pumps – not quite the correct uniform, but they forgave me,” he says. “I also ate a very, very hot chilli pepper – never again!”

Tom Freeman got his ideal job: in a picture-framing shop. “I love art,” he explains, “so it was ideal for me.”

Ciaran Grace found himself surrounded by little Spaniards. “I worked in a pre-school called El Tren. It was great

fun being with the children, and I think they enjoyed my singing!”

As well as working, the six students went on a tour round the area, visited Madrid and enjoyed their free time. “We made friends with Spanish people of our own age as well as clients in the hotel,” says Matt. “We also went to the cinema and enjoyed the nightlife!”

French students on intensive revision course in Limousin

What better way to revise for a French exam than in the idyllic setting of a tiny hamlet just north of the Dordogne? David Lodge was one of four students who stayed in Le Verger, an old stone house near orchards, little villages with cheese-laden market stalls and as many patisseries and chocolatiers as you could

possibly need. Le Verger is managed by David and Michèle Lambert and provides students with intensive language revision along with an opportunity to visit the area and met the locals.

David was so inspired by his visit that he wrote about it in his best French!

“La semaine dernière des vacances de Pâques, quatre étudiants de Year 13 sont allés en France pour faire un cours de révision. C’était une vraie expérience de “la France profonde” - nous avons logé au Verger, une vielle maison à la campagne du Périgord.

“Nous avons travaillé jusqu’à minuit chaque jour, et bien que c’était un peu dur nous nous sommes amusés très bien aussi. Nous avons visité la ville d’à côté, St. Yrieix, acheté des cadeaux à un marché typiquement français et fait des randonnées avec des amis de David et Michèle, le couple chez lequel nous logions. Ils se sont très bien occupés de nous, et nous avons eu deux jours plus que prévu après notre vol a été annulé à cause du volcan islandais!

“Je recommanderais Le Verger à tout ceux qui étudient le français. Le cours nous a vraiment aidés avec nos examens, et nous avons appris beaucoup de vocabulaire que nous n’aurions pas trouvé en classe.”

For those whose French is a little rusty – or non-existent, David talks about the hard work (until midnight each day!), visits to the nearby village of St. Yrieix for shopping trips, how well David and Michèle looked after them – and how the visit was extended by two days because of the Icelandic volcano! David recommends the trip thoroughly as a way to experience the real France and to learn more vocabulary than possible in a classroom.

French and Spanish A level studentsincrease their fluency on language trips

Hannah Weedon (left), Stephanie Howard (centre) and Martina Orabona (right).

Matt Cunningham (left), Tom Freeman (centre) and Ciaran Grace (right).

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Long Road studentslearn the lessons of the HolocaustEva Clarke visits Long RoadConcentration camp survivor Eva Clarke, who works for the Holocaust Education Trust, recently visited the college to give students a first-hand account of the Holocaust. Eva was born on a coal truck travelling between two camps. Her mother survived, but her father did not live to see her.

‘Eva Clarke with some of the students who attended her talk

Lessons from AuschwitzYear 12 students Nik Stewart (second left in photograph of Eva Clarke) and Adam Poole (third left) took part in this year’s Lessons from Auschwitz project. Lessons from Auschwitz explores the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance for today. The project starts with a preliminary seminar to prepare students for a visit to the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. There is a follow-up seminar, and students then go out to the community to share their experiences and raise awareness of the Holocaust.

Nik Stewart writes:

Groping with the notion of visiting Auschwitz was both surreal and daunting. Having read and heard about the infamous death camp, both in college and in private, made the prospect of actually visiting it slightly unreal. Coupled with this was the overwhelming anxiety on my behalf of how I would react when there, what emotions I would be confronted with, and whether the experience would ‘change my life’. Honestly speaking, to say I was comfortable with the seemingly simple task of flying to Poland to explore the very roots of inhumanity and evil, would be a lie. I was an emotional wreck, torn between wavering feelings of uncertainty and looming trepidation.

Fortunately, the Lessons from Auschwitz Project did an

excellent job preparing all those involved in embarking on the visit. The seminars beforehand provided us with the historical context to acknowledge and appreciate the circumstances that ultimately brought about the Holocaust, as well as bringing to consciousness the important questions regarding how the Holocaust is still relevant to us today, the very question I was particularly interested in. Having lived my entire life within the freedom and relative safety of modern life in England, I found it hard to imagine how anyone my age could possibly connect emotionally to the Holocaust, as it is an event in history no young, suburban teen would know how to relate to. Yet after these seminars, I realised it was not so much a matter of me personally being able to relate to the Holocaust on the basis of what happens in my everyday life, but rather understanding the fact that those who were persecuted and perished in the camps were indeed normal, unassuming individuals who were victimised under a system that operated on the basis of race and ethnicity. Therefore, what singled out those who were terrorised was not what they had done in their lives, or what beliefs they held, but the primitive conviction that they belonged to a certain racial group, principally the Jews. Although there were many other groups in society that were systematically persecuted within these death camps, such as homosexuals and gypsies, it was the Jewish people who were the foremost target.

Racial discrimination and segregation is certainly an issue that is still present today. Despite the countless genocides that have rocked recent history, racism continues to lurk within the cracks of society, threatening to implode with hatred and ignorance. Time and time again we are confronted with harrowing images in the news of someone being attacked due to their ethnicity. Such acts are widely discounted as one-off cases, but they still quietly linger. What is more, there continues to be support for racially extremist political parties in Britain, such as the British National Party, advocating similar views to that of the Nazis. Fortunately, the vast majority of the population discredit these parties as being preposterously bigoted and somewhat ludicrous in what they believe, yet the fact they have not ceased to exist within this multi-racial society troubles me.

Whilst walking amidst the forlorn landscape of Auschwitz II (Birkenau), a certain sense of isolation fell over me. There is a palpable sense of sadness in the air, a sensation I have never experienced anywhere else. You truly feel you have reached Earth’s final frontier, secluded from any form of human contact. Despite the two hundred students with whom I was collectively sharing this experience, numbers could not diminish the growing sense of isolated disparity that was swelling inside me. The camp now serves as a museum/memorial, and it is appalling to think sixty years ago it was a death camp for those standing in the same place I was: it was too much to imagine. 1.1 million prisoners perished in the camp, ninety per-cent of them were Jews. Yet the fact the camp continues to stand today serves as a testament to those who survived, reminding us that those who lost their lives will never be forgotten.

Appalling atrocities of human genocide such as the Holocaust are there to remind us of what happens when racism and fear join together. The lesson from this is we must promote a society of racial harmony and equality, and with steadfast resistance oppose any racially motivated attacks. Social change starts from within, and if we all accept this, we will begin to transform our society into one that discounts prejudice, and promotes fairness and individuality, regardless of race.

Josh Jones (first left)“I found the atmosphere in the camp really eerie. It has been left exactly how it was at the time.”

Charlotte Ambrose (second left)“Everything was the same as it was then. I could imagine the people there, and seeing the shoes and hair made me very sad. It was cold while we were there, which made it worse.”

Beth Harvey (second right)“It was how I expected it to be, but I still felt very sad. Seeing pictures of the people who were there made a real impact.”

Sam Cranwell (first right)It was worse than I expected. It was very cold, and I imagined how it must have been for the people there. We saw babies’ clothing, which people found very upsetting.”

Psychology trip to Krakow and Auschwitz-BirkenauPsychology students visited Auschwitz-Birkenau last term as part of their studies of the Stanley Milgram Obedience to Authority tests. Four students were asked to comment on their visit.

The following pictures were taken during the Psychology trip to Auschwitz

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An enchanted evening in an enchanted garden:A Midsummer Night’s DreamLong Road Sixth Form College is renowned for its beautiful gardens, with extensive lawns, shady bowers, flowers, blossom, a pond, and a superb weeping willow. What better place to stage a promenade production of Shakespeare’s magical comedy?

“I was extremely impressed with our hard-working and conscientious student actors and three assistant directors: Josh Lucas, Olivia Berg and Caitlin Clarke,” says Drama Course Team Leader and overall director of the play, Jessica Hemmings. “Josh gained lots of valuable directing experience, while Olivia and Caitlin also worked with Julie Coulter (Performance Studies Course Team Leader) to devise the stunning make-up. What’s more, everyone spent a considerable amount of time devising the best way to use the gardens to full effect. As each scene ended, fairies led the audience to the next scene while our musicians (Saskia Neupert, Adam Poole and Gideon Hymas) and singers (the musicians, plus Holly Baker and Kate Holdsworth) under the musical direction of Kim Jenkins, Music Course Team Leader, and Ian Dickson, Accompanist, provided a link between scenes.”

The play started on the terrace outside the staffroom with the noble Athenians Theseus and Hippolyta, played with elegant sophistication by James Amey and Emma Shapiro, discussing their forthcoming marriage. Enter the gorgeously grumpy Egeus (Alex Reader), furious at his daughter Hermia (Lisette Cook)’s romance with the dashing, ruffle-haired Lysander (George Collier) while the cruelly-spurned Demetrius (Michael Faulkner) stands by. Hermia and Lysander escape to the forest leaving a

despondent Demetrius to be pursued by his unwanted admirer Helena (Emily Day).

The audience was guided gently over to the cherry tree by the three delightful fairies, Peaseblossom (Catrina Adams), Cobweb (Jade Fallon) and Mustardseed (Lisa Rankine) to witness the first attempt by Quince (Ciaran Grace) to marshal his motley crew of actors into some semblance of order: Bottom (Sam Lucas), Snug (Nancy Bending-Beckett), Snout (Jace Exton), Flute (Loz Smith) and Starveling (Jennifer Green). Ciaran brought over Quince’s sense of gentle despair to perfection as his solid, pedantic cast quibbled over trifles.

Now it was time for the magic beings to appear: Oberon, played by a stylish, off-beat Dan Sparrow, Puck, whose mischievous plottings, sprinkled with a seasoning of cheeky malice, were brought perfectly to life by the pixyish Lizzie Spaul, and proud Titania (Laura Swingler, who combined glamour, queenliness and a delicate sense of the ethereal).

Once Puck had carried out his master’s orders, the audience was treated to two hilarious scenarios. Helena’s conflicting emotions of huffiness, bafflement and humiliation when she finds that both Lysander and Demetrius are suddenly in love with her; and (small) Hermia’s fury when she finds that the (tall) Helena has whipped away her man, were a joy to behold. Meanwhile, Bottom, complete with his donkey head, terrifies his fellow actors with his loud (and extremely realistic) braying. Sam brought over wonderfully Bottom’s puzzlement at acquiring a beautiful admirer whilst giving in to the pleasure of having his ears tickled by a troupe of fairy handmaidens.

Order restored, and back at the terrace, it was time for Quince’s players to perform: though Egeus, chin sticking

out with grumpy disapproval, tried to dissuade the noble Athenians and reunited lovers from watching the play. The audience was soon in fits of laughter as the players tried in vain to convey the pathos of Pyramus and Thisbe’s ill-fated passion. Jace Exton’s block-like Snout was a perfect wall; Jennifer’s lamp and non-existent thistles failed beautifully to be the moon; and Nancy Bending-Beckett’s lion whimpered to perfection. A squeaky Loz Smith, in long, blonde, woolly plaits, was one of the funniest sights in the play, and Bottom brought the house down with his perfectly-timed protracted death.

Puck, hunkering down on a rustic bench, brought the play to a magical end, just as the sun was beginning to set.

“None of this would have been possible without the support of college staff,” says Jessica. “This has been an excellent opportunity for our students to explore a wide range of setting and interpretations while developing their talents and confidence, and of course having lots of fun! I am very pleased with the outcome. We have all had a great time, and I am already thinking about next year.”

Adam and Saskia attend Chamber Orchestra courseAdam Poole and Saskia Neupert, two of our Midsummer Night’s Dream musicians, attended a Chamber Orchestra course in Yorkshire during the Easter holidays.

“It took place in the Jonas Centre in Wensleydale,” explains Adam. “We’ve been before and really enjoyed it. There were about twenty people on the course. We started off rehearsing together then went off to perform in different venues in the dales and on the moors, in churches, town halls and even an art museum.”

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Politics students at the Guildhall, CambridgeThe week before the General Election, Long Road Politics students, who already take part in regular debates at the college, had a chance to argue their case somewhere grander: the Guildhall in Cambridge.

“This was very exciting for our students,” explains teacher Tom Woodcock, who helped organise the event. “They were given three topics of local importance: the environment, housing and leisure, put forward their proposals, posed questions and cast their votes in a formal setting: an excellent experience for them.”

Hustings in the hallA few hours later, the Politics students were back at college and ready to join other groups of students in a formal General Election hustings. “We knew this would be the perfect opportunity for any students now eligible to vote to assess the different parties’ arguments and pose questions face to face, “explains Politics teacher Philippe Harari.

There was a buzz of excitement in the college hall as some 300 students waited for their chance to put the Cambridge constituency candidates on the spot.

The event kicked off with a two-minute ’sales pitch’ by each candidate, with Politics teacher Philippe Harari on hand to ensure fair play. The candidates then took questions from the floor.

Top of the list of questions were tuition fees, funding for universities and education in general. Students went on to ask about the decommissioning of Trident, ID cards and the Digital Economy Act. The theme then moved onto the economy: how to reduce the deficit and whether the nationalisation of certain banks might be reversed. Finally, there were heated debates about the likelihood, and

implications, of a hung parliament.Candidates commented on how well

our students had responded to them - and expressed delight at the number of students who had attended: a good indication that both students able to vote for the first time at this election, and slightly younger ones who will be able to vote in the next round of local elections, were showing a mature interest in the political process.

“I was very pleased with the way that the event went,” says Philippe. “It was a highly-professional debate, and the enthusiasm shown by our students is an encouraging indication that the democratic process in this country is alive and well.”

“It was 7.30am on a cold March morning as the Psychology students began to arrive for their trip to London Zoo. The coach gradually filled up with chattering, shivering, excited students and at last we set off.

“We arrived in good time and spent the first hour looking at the type of animals that may cause a phobic response in some people – such as snakes, lizards and spiders. Then it was time for the first lecture.

“This consisted of a clinical psychologist talking about phobias and how the behaviourist method of systematic desensitisation was an effective method of treatment. After this we had lunch and then it was back to the lecture theatre for some hypnosis.

“The psychologist explained how the hypnosis would work and asked if there was anyone phobic of spiders. A couple of hands went up. It was made clear that anyone who did not want to be hypnotised was free to go. All students stayed and we continued with the session.

“The speaker talked everyone through progressive relaxation and at

the end when we were all very relaxed he talked about spiders and how they were not scary etc. At the end everyone said they felt very relaxed and the speaker brought out a very large hairy spider and asked if anyone would like to hold it. At first no-one responded but gradually hands began to go up and eventually every student and teacher in the room wanted to have a go. We all filed down to the front of the lecture theatre and each person not only held the spider but stroked it! It was quite amazing to me that I was able to do this (as I don’t really like spiders) but also weeks later I still fell a warm attachment to that spider.

“After this the students had time to look around the zoo in groups before the journey home.”

Students hone their debating skills

Facing your fears at London ZooPsychology students recently had a chance to make some furry friends at London Zoo. Teacher Tina Abbott reports:

From left to right: Daniel Zeichner (Labour), Tony Juniper (Green Party), Julian Huppert (Liberal Democrat), Philippe Harari (Politics teacher and Chair), Nick Hillman (Conservative), Peter Burkinshaw (UKIP) and Martin Booth (Trade Union and Socialist Coalition).

Art students at the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery

“We knew this would be an excellent trip for our AS and National Diploma students,” says Art National Diploma teacher Karen Little, “and it was.”

Students set off for London to see the subjects of their studies in the flesh. First stop was the National Gallery, where students gained inspiration for forthcoming examinations or for painting projects.

“We then spent a relaxing hour in Trafalgar Square eating our lunches,” continues Karen, “before making for the National Portrait Gallery,”

Here the students listened to a lecture by gallery staff: “Contemporary Portraiture Photography”, followed by an hour of private viewing. “We weren’t alone in the gallery!” comments Karen. “There were several celebrities there, including Dennis Lawson from Star Wars.”

After a stroll through Leicester Square to take photographs (and view more celebrities – Sarah Hardy from Girls Aloud was also there), the students arrived in Chinatown for a Chinese meal.

“The trip was really fun!” says student Hannah Baker. “I enjoyed getting inspiration from the galleries.”

“I leant a lot and took some great photos which helped my artwork,” adds Lilli Mathod.

Film and Media Studies students visit New York“This was the third trip we have run to New York for Film Studies students, “ says Barney Oram, Film Studies Course Team Leader. “This time we invited Media Studies students as well.”

The students visited Times Square, the Rockafeller Center, The Museum of the Moving Image, the Museum of Modern Art for a Tim Burton exhibition and took a limo ride around Manhattan. The Film students also watched a range of films including The Prowler and City Island, which is a low budget film set in New York. Students and staff had a fantastic time, and the student comments were extremely positive.

“Want to do it all again, and sad to be leaving NY. Rounded experience and had an amazing time! Everyone who can, should do it. Loved it.” – Heather Barral

“Had an amazing time, one of the best trips of my life, will never forget it, enjoyed the whole week.” – Sophie Pelling

“The best trip I’ve been on in my life. New York is more amazing than I imagined and I can’t wait to come back.” – Elliott Hickey

“Really amazing. Truly educational and enlightening. I’ve made and reinforced friendships and had one of the best times of my life. Thank you.” Max Elgar

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“It all started when I won a competition last March. The prize was to go to the Brit Awards. The competition was set up by Simon Bates, who now works at The Junction. He wanted to find a way to get young people more involved in The Junction and got in touch with me. I encouraged more people to join, including Cian Dingle and Benjamin Furness, and now there are lots of ambassadors.”

The group’s first project was to redesign the foyer. They worked with architecture students from ARU, and the refurbishment is now underway.

“We then set up surveys on Facebook and other sites to find out what people want. From this came the idea of putting on our own event, Take Over The Junction, on 8 May.

“We had to organise the whole thing from scratch. We applied for funding from the Youth Bank Fund in Cambridge and got a grant which covered all our costs. This was a lot of hard work. Nine of us had to work together on the application form, and it took weeks to get everything set up. I had to take a First Aid course, liaise with Connexions to produce advertisements to go on the side of local buses and learn how to stage manage an event.”

This was no small task. During the day there were workshops on how to be a DJ, sound and lighting engineering, hip-hop dance with Sin Cru, poetry with Luke Wright and projectory art, which involved making videos to show on the screens behind the DJs.

Later on, in the evening, the music started in earnest with the emphasis on dubstep.

“We had six new bands,” says Robyn, “and three young DJs, including Charlie Raiser and Saul Blake from Long Road.”

The headline event though was DJ Shy FX. “It was amazing to have him along,” says Robyn.

Apart from making posters to put up, Robyn tried out two other promotional methods. “I was interviewed on Star 107 the Thursday before the event: that was exciting! I also designed and printed ‘gaffer’ tape and covered my bike with it!

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to gain lots of experience,” adds Robyn. “We’ve all learned masses, and I can’t wait to do more work with The Junction.”

Robyn WiltonAmbassador to The Junctionmeets Shy FXRobyn Wilton is one of three students at Long Road who have become ambassadors for The Junction.

Careers Event a major success

Matthew Charterhits the targetMatthew Charter, who is studying Geography, Mathematics, Physical Education and Psychology at AS level, has also been enjoying success at archery.

“I took it up in July last year,” he explains. “I’ve always been interested in sport: I used to swim competitively and played golf, but this is something different to try. I go to my local club three times a week and take part in competitions regularly.”

Matthew has already shown that he’s an excellent shot. ”I use a recurve bow,” he says, “which has tips that curve away from the archer, unlike a traditional or a compound longbow. You can shoot very fast with a recurve bow. There are different types of target and distance, but I was very pleased to get my top score of 540 out of 600 using a Portsmouth Round. This is for the indoor version of archery: you shoot five dozen arrows from a distance of 18 metres.”

Matthew became the Cambridgeshire Archery Association Junior Gents Indoor Recurve Champion in February. “I wasn’t the only Long Road student to do well in this competition,” he says. “Peter Fletcher won the County title for Junior Gents Indoor Longbow Champion. We are both members of the Parkfield Archers based at Wimblington and went to Cromwell Community College in Chatteris.”

The outdoor season started in April, and Matthew is now working towards the Junior Outdoor Championships in July.

Geography students visit 2012 siteGeography A level students took a different view of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics when they visited the construction site at Stratford recently.

“We have been focusing on the development of the area as part of our work on urban regeneration,” explains Geography Course Team Leader Sarah Graham. “We were looking at the long-term sustainability of the site: how it will be used after the games are over. These are to be the ‘greenest’ games to date, and we have been looking at how this will be achieved.”

Long Road students had an excellent opportunity to find out about their future options at our 2010 Careers Event in March. Exhibitors included Microsoft, Schlumberger, Deloitte & Touche, Northern Rock and Hotel Du Vin as well as local companies such as Marshalls Aerospace, Napp Pharmaceuticals, the Cambridge Cookery School, Dixon-Phillips Solicitors, Classworks Theatre and Julie Crick Art Restoration.

There were representatives from the emergency services, Addenbrooke’s, local training providers like CRC and College of West Anglia and gap year specialists.

We were also pleased to welcome professional institutions and organisations such as the Royal Society for Chemistry, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Women in Science Engineering and Technology Initiative and the National Apprenticeship Service.

14 15

Current and former students

raise money for good causesLong Road students have been working extremely hard to raise money for good causes both here and abroad.

Nancy Bending-BeckettNancy needs to raise £4850 to go to Senegal for a year to teach English. Nancy, who is studying French, Drama and Psychology at Long Road, will be a volunteer with Project Trust.

“I’ve always loved travelling,” she says. “I went to Peru last year with our local Woodcraft group on an

International Children’s Rights camp.”After a week’s training on the Isle of Coll in Scotland in July,

Nancy will be flying to Dakar, the capital of Senegal. She will then be heading off to a remote village in the east of the country. “I asked to go somewhere rural,” she explains.

Nancy has only raised half the money she needs so far. She is organising all kinds of events to boost her funds, ranging from a pub quiz, a children’s Easter workshop, a drama workshop, a screening of a Senegalese film, an auction on 23 May at the Ross Street Community centre and a gig at The Junction on 1 June: All for One and One for All, which will have eight bands playing plus a poetry session. Most intriguing is the Stationolympics - not sport on the platform at Cambridge station but games and sports using items of stationery!

Nancy has a page on the Justgiving website: http://www.justgiving.com/Nancy-Bending-Beckett

Josh GladwellJosh, who is studying Environmental Studies, History and Photography, is raising money for quite a different cause, and in quite a different way.

“My dad, uncle, friend, brother and I are taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge this July,” he explains. “We’re raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The aim of the the

challenge is to climb the highest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) in 24 hours - including travel time from one to another. Two friends will be driving the climbers from mountain to mountain, so there may be time for a quick nap, but this is a very tough challenge.

“I’ve never done hillwalking before,” admits Josh, “though my dad cycled from Plymouth to the Gambia a year or so ago, and raised about £2,000 for Macmillan - we have family experience of Macmillan and are keen to support them.”

Josh went to Snowdonia over the Easter holidays to get fit. “I have played rugby in the past,” he says, “but haven’t had much time recently.”

Josh, his family and friends have raised about £900 so far. They too have a page on Justgiving: http://www.justgiving.com/Sean-Gladwell

Brendon BerryFormer Long Road Photography student Brendon Berry is also raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, but in a different way.

Brendon was selected as one of the top new photographers from the Graduate Photography On-line Project run by Source Photographic Review. Since graduating from the

University of Wales, Newport, Brendon has been working for Hotshoe international photography magazine and its gallery in Farringdon as well as setting up a group exhibition in Bristol. However, he has taken some time off to prepare for his fundraising efforts.

“On 19 September 2010 I will be taking part in the Great North Run with teammates Mark Howell and Tom Scruby,” he explains. “Macmillan Cancer Support is an exceptional charity, which improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. Cancer affects us all and we can all help.”

Brendon’s page on Justgiving is: http://www.justgiving.com/brendanberry

Phoebe UnwinBritish Art Show 7: In the Days of the CometArt & Design teacher Rose Scott was delighted to discover that one of our former students has been selected to exhibit in this year’s British Art Show.

“The show only takes place once every five years, but showcases both established and new talents. Damien Hirst exhibited in 1995, and in the last exhibition, in 2005, all four Turner Prize nominees were included.”

This year’s British Art Show will include the work of 39 artists and artist groups, including young British artists. The show begins in Nottingham in October 2010

before moving to the Hayward Gallery in February 2011. It will be in Glasgow between May and August 2011, arriving in Plymouth in September and concluding in December. More than 300,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Phoebe took Art, Art History and Design Technology A level at Long Road. She then went to CATS (Cambridge Arts and Sciences College) to take a foundation art course. She studied Fine Art at Newcastle University then went on to the Slade School of Fine Art.

Phoebe’s most recent solo exhibition is Feeling and Other Forms at the Wilkinson Gallery, London. Her work is also featuring in the Newspeak: British Art Now exhibition, which opened at The Saatchi Gallery in June 2010. Phoebe has also exhibited in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Mallorca and California.

Phoebe comments: “My teachers at Long Road were all wonderfully inspiring: those two years at sixth form provided some of my most intensive and rewarding learning experiences. I was excited to be able to focus on the subjects I love and to find what it meant to understand them in new depths. The teachers set ambitious goals, providing at the same time an atmosphere of unbounded enthusiasm and encouragement.”

To see more of Phoebe’s work, visit the Wilkinson and Saatchi Gallery websites.

Orange Room 2007, Acrylic on linen

Small Place 2008 Oil on linen

Aeroplane Meal 2008, Spray paint and oil on linen

Nancy in Peru in 2009

Nancy in Peru in 2009

Long Road Sixth Form College Long Road Cambridge CB2 8PX

Open Evenings

2010

Wednesday 17and Thursday 18

November5-9pm