Posted: 06/09/19
Wonderful week of welcomes at West Notts
The corridors and classrooms have been buzzing with activity at West Nottinghamshire College this week as a new academic year begins, seeing almost 3,000 full-time students taking their next steps in further education.
-
A Level students Mike Higginson, Paola MoreiraRubino and Sam Howlett are glad to be back at college for another year of studies
-
Activity leadership students Clayton Tearall (left) and Jack Carrick joined in the inflatable fun challenge
-
BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design students Ellie Radford, Rowan Severn and Diana Gulbe with their Frida Kahlo art
-
Vincent Van Gogh was created from screws by another group of BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design students
-
Hospitality and catering students Morgan Taylor (blindfolded) and Charlotte Blockley learn communications and trust skills
-
Students discovered more about the palette with different kinds of foods
-
Children's birthday party was one of the afternoon tea themes created by catering and hospitality students
-
Year one performing arts students during their performance about democracy
As well as getting to know their new timetables, classmates and tutors, there has been plenty lined-up in terms of induction activities, aimed at helping students to bond with their peers, bring out their team building strengths and test their creative skills.
Throughout the week students could get involved in fun activities such as laser tag, an inflatable gladiator challenge and a bungee run, and visits from local gyms and companies, as well as competitions.
Catering and hospitality students had a range of group challenges to get them thinking and working together. One task involved being blindfolded while a partner guided them through an obstacle course while carrying a pan of pasta, while another group had a blind taste test designed to enhance the senses.
Students learnt about the way different foods taste on the tongue from sweet and sour to bitter and salty. Another group had an ‘against-the-clock’ product knowledge test which got them working together to learn about different fruit and vegetables.
Groups also worked together to make themed afternoon teas, creating a mixture of sweet and savoury items with a suitable mocktail. Groups were judged on presentation, taste, suitability, quality and marketing. Themes they had to follow were best of British, golden wedding anniversary, around the world, baby shower and children’s birthday party.
BTEC Foundation Diploma Art and Design students enjoyed their task of creating famous artists using the floor of the art and design building as their canvas. They used a range of materials including cardboard, paper, nails, string and pasta. Winning designs came from the groups who produced Frida Kahlo out of blue paper and the Van Gogh creation made from screws.
Performing arts Level 3 learners took to the stage to put on three short performances based on democracy. Their performance touched upon the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
Students on the BTEC Diploma Level 2 in Travel and Tourism headed off to the National Justice Museum in Nottingham on Friday (6 September) to study interpretation of visitor attractions and collected information on how guides provide information to visitors. They also took part in a simulated court trial with actors.
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley said: “It’s been tremendous to welcome back our returning students and to see so many new faces at the college. The start of a new academic year brings with it a wonderful energy and positivity and I’m delighted to sense this with so many students and indeed, our staff.
“Induction week provides a really important start to a student’s time in college. They break the ice with their peers and get to know each other while enjoying some creative and interactive tasks, which will provide a strong foundation for the many exciting challenges that their courses will bring to them.
“Discovering new strengths and working in teams during induction are good attributes to build upon for the rest of a student’s studies at West Notts. I’ve enjoyed meeting many of our new students and I’m looking forward to meeting many more as they settle in.”
