Enjoyable aerobics classes are now held weekly for the class, which comprises mainly girls. “It’s all about getting the students to understand what benefits fitness can bring,” said aerobics instructor Julie Patching, who is running the college-based classes. “For many young women, sport is just not that trendy,” she continued. “However, a lot of them simply don’t realise just how important exercise is in preventing future health issues.”

16 year-old Katie Macinnis is pleased to be involved in the scheme. “Most of the girls in my class don’t do any exercise at all,” she said. “These classes have provided them with a great opportunity to get up and get active. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

Mr Goss, who heads the kitchen at Michelin-listed The Swan in West Malling, wanted to give students a taste of world-class cooking. “We’re re-doing the dishes I created for Gordon Ramsay on The F Word,” said Mr Goss, whose brasserie earned a place among 18 restaurants selected from 10,000 nominations to appear on the programme. “I’m contacting a range of local colleges because I’m keen to give Kent’s most promising young chefs a chance to experience life in a top-quality kitchen,” he continued.

"MidKent College was first on my list, as one of my own chefs was on a course here just last year. The students have been fantastic, really enthusiastic,” he said. “I’m very, very impressed.”

Mr Goss helped the students serve up a gourmet feast of blue stilton dumpling, loin of venison and Christmas pudding soufflé to more than 30 guests at the college’s high-quality, restaurant, The Apprentice. “I hope tonight’s diners will see just how gifted these youngsters are,” said Scott, “They’ve done brilliantly with some very technical dishes.”

The Apprentice restaurant is open to diners for weekday lunches and until 9pm every Thursday evening during college term times. Guests can enjoy high-quality cuisine at affordable prices in intimate surroundings. Call 01622 625873 for bookings and enquiries. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

Nearly thirty students who are receiving air cabin crew and customer service training at MidKent College’s Maidstone Campus departed Kent in the early hours of a cold and snowy February morning to take part in the JARE Training programme.

An action-packed day then saw the students completing an exciting range of activities. Tasks covered how to use a plane’s evacuation slide, what to do during a galley fire, how to cope in a smoke-filled cabin and how to conduct an over-wing exit. The training event also provided students with a chance to develop and improve their in-flight service skills.

Participating students were accompanied by college head of faculty Karen Mandeville and lecturers Jo Morrin, Debbie Siminson and Diane Payne. Ms Payne said: “The group thoroughly enjoyed the day - so much so, the college hopes to offer similar trips in the future.”

JARE Training supplied the college’s dummy aircraft, which is housed at its Maidstone Campus and used to train students studying for a cabin crew diploma. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

The novel neighbourhood programme sees foundation learning students from MidKent College’s Medway Campus conducting litter-picks, clearing leaves and checking for vandalism at the recently-opened Lower Lines Park in Gillingham.

“We’re extremely grateful to the students for helping us to keep the park looking its very best,” said the college’s maintenance team leader who also doubles as park warden, Kev Woolford. “They’ve been conducting weekly clear-ups since the start of February,” he continued. “The benefits are two-fold – the park stays looking great and the students get some brilliant experience to fit in with the horticultural unit they complete as part of their college programme.” As well as offering students at the college an opportunity to get involved in the up-keep of the 5.5 hectare public park, the freshly-launched, keep-clean initiative looks set to engage those within the local community. “Soon we’ll also be receiving support from High Hopes, the Sunlight Centre’s community gardening group, as well as other groups working in and around Gillingham,” explained Mr Woolford.

The Lower Lines Park is a picturesque wooded space set against the historic backdrop of the Lower Lines which includes a children’s adventure playground.

Designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Lower Lines comprise a series of fortifications and brick trenches constructed from 1803 onwards to help defend Chatham Dockyard from attack during the Napoleonic wars. Construction of the Lower Lines Park has seen 5.5 hectares of the open land linked to the Lines - and next to MidKent College’s Medway Campus - revitalised thanks to college funding. The picturesque community space now features a moat, woodlands and a large grassy plateau for local residents and visitors of the park to enjoy. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

"Regina was great," said holistic therapies lecturer and college equality and diversity champion, Mandie Lal. "She put the students at ease and ensured that each got to try out their new skills on staff and student volunteers."

A second workshop saw students getting to grips with the ancient art of henna tattooing. "Although bridal henna originates from the Mediterranean," said Mandie, "today it is commonly used throughout many regions of northern Africa and eastern Asia and can form an important part of Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Arab and Muslim weddings.”

The day-long workshop provided students with some hands-on experience of using natural henna and was organised with the help of level one beauty student Afshan Bashir. “Afshan does weekend work as a bridal henna artist,” said lecturer Mandie. “She helped to run the workshop and provided the students with some handy hints and ideas. I was amazed with the quality of the designs some of the students produced. They were just incredible."

Henna tattoos are applied to the skin using a delicate cone that acts much like a pen. If cared for correctly, they can last a number of weeks. "The students had such a great time creating their designs, we've now arranged for them to run a henna tattoo stall at the college in the run-up to International Women's Day," continued Mandie. "As well as raising money for the college’s Haiti Relief Fund, the stall will provide yet more students and staff with access to this great creative tradition. Henna is often linked with Indian culture, but there’s absolutely no reason why it can’t be enjoyed by those of all backgrounds and religions."

It is hoped that both workshops will shortly be made available to students at the college's Maidstone Campus. "This is definitely something we will be repeating on a regular basis!" said Mandie. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

Two student groups training at MidKent College's Medway Campus attended a special class run by college personal tutor and self-defence expert, Brent Lewis. "I knew that Brent had some prior experience of delivering self-defence classes in local schools," said fellow personal tutor Damien Tree. "So I asked if he would run this special class for students on our legal secretarial programmes. The benefits have been threefold: The students have received some worthwhile enrichment, everyone has had fun, and both groups have gained some valuable knowledge of basic self-defence." Teenager Romany Restall said she believed the session had taught her some worthwhile skills. "We're all girls so it's important that we know at least some simple self-defence techniques," said the 16 year old from Gillingham. "It's also been brilliant to be given the chance to take a break from the classroom and get involved in some extra-curricular enrichment," she added. "As well as taking part in this session, this year we will be planning a number of charity events as a class. I'm really looking forward to it."

An inter-college competition will see construction students from MidKent College’s Maidstone Campus competing alongside those from South Kent College, Canterbury College, North West Kent College, Thanet College and West Kent College.

This week, construction lecturers from each competing college will swap sites to judge how students have performed. For many learners it will be the first time they have been judged by anyone outside of their own workshop.

MidKent College will host its own part of the SkilledUp competition today, Thursday February 25, when a selection of construction students will complete a day-long challenge before having their work judged by tutors from nearby North West Kent College.

Competitive assessments will be undertaken in bricklaying, carpentry, joinery and painting and decorating, with first place winners invited to compete at the grand final on 23 June 2010.

This will be the second time Kent’s colleges have staged this cross-county event, and this year, for the first time, prizes will include power tools from sponsor, Makita UK, the UK’s number one professional power tool manufacturer. Further sponsorship is being offered by Wates Construction, one of the UK’s largest building and construction companies.

It is hoped that the popular inter-college event will help to prepare Kent’s youngsters for the international SkillBuild competition. Set to be hosted by London in 2011, the international event will see plasterers, builders, decorators and carpenters going head-to-head to show off their skills.

SkilledUp project director, Mike Stanley said: ‘The SkilledUp event is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their talents, which will ultimately boost their confidence and motivation to succeed and be recognised as the best in their craft.’

Monday 8 March6pm - 8.30pm Medway Campus Thursday 11 March 5.30pm - 8pm Maidstone Campus

The College welcomed a record-breaking number of guests to its last set of Open Evenings, held back in November 2009. Nearly 3,500 people braved the cold to make their way to the informative events – where they were given an opportunity to chat to staff and students, and take part in a range of department demonstrations.

“Our November Open Evenings historically attract quite a large number of visitors, but nothing of the scale seen in 2009,” said College Events & Promotions Officer Craig Bennett. “As a result, we’re making preparations to welcome a large number of guests to our forthcoming events in March.” All visitors are asked to attend the College campus which runs the course they are interested in. Full details of all courses taught at MidKent College are available from the Course Information Line on 01634 402020.

For those wishing to attend the Medway Campus event, limited parking will be available on site. However, a college-funded shuttle bus service will be available from the Dockside Outlet Centre. The free shuttle bus – which is branded with the MidKent College logo – will run every 15 minutes to and from the Medway Campus and can be caught from the back of Dickens World. An additional park and ride service will also be available from Gillingham Ice Bowl. Click here for full details, including service timetables and maps.

Carpenter and founder of Miss Workwear UK, Craig Kelly, paid the campus a flying visit to introduce the students to an exciting new line of pint-sized hard hats, boots and overalls.

"Up until now it has been simply impossible for females working in the construction industry to buy work clothing designed with them in mind" said college painting and decorating lecturer, Ellie Bentley. "Over the years we've had to pinch in huge waistbands, roll up our trouser legs and pad our boots. It is always disappointing to see girls enrolling on our courses having to adopt the same techniques."

One of only two girls in her class, 16-year-old painter and decorator Simone Cantlon, was relieved to try on some outfits designed to fit her 5ft 2in, size 8 frame. "I'm really happy that the college has organised this visit," she said. "Normally I can't find anything even close to my size. In fact the protective kneecaps sewn into my current overalls are actually nearly at my ankles."

Over the next 10 weeks The National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants for employers. The grant of £2,500 aims to enable employers to offer new apprenticeships to unemployed 16 or 17 year olds with an immediate start. The £2,500 grant will be offered in addition to the cost of training (which is already met by the National Apprenticeship Service).

If you require more information about the grant or wish to discuss this initiative further, please contact Gill Burns on 01634 383142

Students from a range of local schools were given an opportunity to sample some of the college’s most popular courses, whilst its centre for higher education courses in construction and civil engineering - located at the Rochester Riverside complex - played host to an open event for those considering a move into university level training.

Director of the college’s foundation degrees in construction and civil engineering, David Brooks, said. "Progression weeks are held at regular intervals throughout the college year with the primary focus of highlighting the learning paths and progression routes open to students after they have completed compulsory education at school, or further education at college or in the sixth form.

“The open event hosted by my own department aimed to provide visitors with an opportunity to meet university representatives, careers advisers, and students already enrolled on the college’s higher education programmes."

The Rochester Riverside-based event was open to existing MidKent College students, local sixth formers and anyone else interested in completing a degree in construction. As well as university representatives and college careers advisers, also represented at the event was professional body responsible for representing construction workers worldwide, the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB).

For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

The MidKent College student from Rainham signed up for a five-week scheme run through gap year agency KenyanAdventure.com when she attended a volunteering fair held at the college's Medway Campus last term. The overseas programme will see the former Rainham School for Girls pupil travelling to Africa to complete five weeks' voluntary work, starting in August 2010.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said the 17-year-old Media student. "I'll stay with a Kenyan family who I'll be helping with household errands during the evenings and my days will be spent teaching Maths and English to children studying at the local school. I'll also offer additional support to the community by coaching the local football team," she added. "It'll be a challenging and scary experience, but one that will hopefully be rewarding, both for me and the people I'm being given an opportunity to help."

Cheryl, who studies full-time at the college’s Medway Campus, had initially planned to complete some voluntary work a bit closer to home. “I was looking to get involved in local charity work, but something about the KenyanAdventure.com stand at the fair caught my eye. After chatting to a representative of the scheme I was sure it was the right thing for me to do, so I signed up as soon as I got home. “One of the things that appealed to me most about the programme is that a significant proportion of the cost is fed directly into providing school meals for kids as well as funding building projects that will improve living standards and quality of life for people in the region.” Cheryl has already raised £300 for the project with the help of her family and friends. “Now I’m looking to raise a further £2,000 through a mixture of sponsorship and donations,” said Cheryl. “I’m confident I can raise enough to get out there and make real contribution.”

If you would like to help support Cheryl in her venture, please email cheryl.wilkie@student.midkent.ac.uk . All donations and sponsorship offers will be appreciated, however small.

For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

Hundreds of students volunteered themselves for carbon monoxide and lung age testing as par t of the day-long event, which resulted in more than 55 youngsters signing up for support with giving up.

One student who hadn’t imagined she would be convinced to quit was animal management student Rachel Weir. “I initially came along for the tests because I was curious to see what the results would be. I never imagined that they would be as bad as they were or that they would be enough to make me want to give up,” she said.

Tests conducted in the college campus’s entrance pavilion revealed that two years of smoking have aged 16-year-old Rachel’s lungs by an incredible three decades. With a lung age of 48 and carbon monoxide levels registering well outside of the ‘safe’ zone, she is adamant in her decision to give up. “I just can’t believe that two years of smoking can do so much damage,” she said.

The event formed part of a new college push to promote healthy living amongst its students and staff. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

Students' Union representatives, personal tutors and Medway Campus principal Sue McLeod joined 160 others as they spent a night sleeping in MHS Homes Chatham Maritime headquarters car park. The mammoth sponsored sleep-out, organised by MHS Homes Group, raised a staggering £19,000 for local charity for the homeless, Caring Hands in the Community.

"The event aimed to raise awareness of Poverty & Homelessness Action Week, which this year started on Saturday 30 January and ended on Sunday 7 February 2010,” said college enrichment coordinator Michelle Bigg, who was one of those to take part in the charity event. "I found the whole experience to be a real eye-opener and extremely humbling. I'm sure it made all of us take the time to think about how lucky we are.

"I'm pleased to say that thanks to the generous donations of our colleagues, families and friends, the college managed to raise nearly £1,000, which is excellent news. Well done to everyone who took part.”

Caring Hands in the Community offers food, shelter and support to homeless people in Medway. Its outreach team also takes soup and sandwiches to those sleeping rough in Rochester and Chatham each Monday. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

Animal management staff at MidKent College first grew concerned about the health of college ferret Hobbs when his weight dropped dramatically in May 2008. With vets baffled by his condition, and a series of blood tests providing no suitable answer, his carers were warned that it was likely to be lymphoma – a form of cancer. However, surgery identified an overactive adrenal gland and pancreas as the cause of the problem and he was given an implant to regulate his hormone levels. Things started to look up. However, much to the team’s dismay, just before Christmas the same year, Hobbs’ health plummeted once again.

Desperate to save him, the college’s animal management staff took him to Trinity Vet Centre on Heritage Lane, Maidstone where vet Mark Rowlands removed his by now diseased adrenal gland and identified Cushings Disease as the root problem. “He was given an innovative new implant and prescribed a course of antibiotics and steroids,” explained Animal Collection Technician Eliz Thomas. “He was so weak, he needed round-the-clock care and we had to take it in turns to spoon-feed him at home. However, after a number of agonising months he finally started to get better and he’s now back to his old self,” she added.

Hobbs’ remarkable recovery was made possible by state-of-the-art technologies housed within his new implant – which is so rare he is currently one of only a handful ferrets in the UK to have one.

“We’re very grateful to Mark Rowlands and his team,” said Animal Collection Technician Stephanie Lovejoy. “Without their help, Hobbs would certainly not have made it. I was a student at the college when he first became ill and he was still extremely unwell when I later returned as a member of staff. The students would let his sister run around and play, but little Hobbs wouldn’t even move. It was really quite distressing to watch.

“His recovery has been remarkable and a real inspiration to the staff and students here. He really is everything to the department - the friendliest ferret you will ever meet.”

The darkly humorous rock musical written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman tells the tale of luckless orphan Seymore Krelborn. Secretly in love with co-worker Audrey Fulquard and rebuked daily by bad-tempered boss Mr. Mushnik, Seymore thinks his luck might have changed upon discovering an unusual Venus Flytrap he affectionately names Audrey II. However, things take a turn for the worse when Audrey II develops a taste for human blood.

18 year old singer and actress Emily Brown of Chatham’s Chalk Pit Hill was thrilled to be cast in the lead role of Audrey. “This production offers the perfect antidote to the traditional Christmas pantomime,” she said.

“It gives audiences something to get their teeth into and is much more of a challenge for us to perform. I’ve certainly learned a lot from the experience as Audrey is quite a shy, timid character and I tend to be cast in more ballsy roles.”

17 year old Aaron Simmons of Maidstone Road in Rochester played ill-fated floristry assistant Seymore. “It was a real privilege to get a lead and I’m particularly happy to have been given the opportunity to play Seymore,” said Aaron. “He’s the kind of character you can have fun with.”

Youngsters enrolled on animal management courses at MidKent College’s Medway Campus visited South Africa at the end of last year. They began their action-packed field trip with three nights’ stay at Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre near Tzaneen, where they looked after a collection of monkeys and baboons.

Then, after a spectacular expedition along the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga, the students spent two nights in Swaziland’s Hlane Royal National Park, where they encountered elephants, lions and a selection of other equally impressive big game.

Next on the agenda was beautiful Kosi Bay where the group enjoyed some salt-water snorkelling and an international ‘friendly’ with the local school football team.

“This year’s trip was a great success,” said Alastair Down, programme area leader for animal management courses at the college. “The students learnt a great deal about wildlife and conservation, and gained some experiences they will never forget.

“It was great to see the learners maintaining a ‘have a go’ attitude throughout the trip,” he added. “Everyone was keen to get involved in the action, from assisting with veterinary care duties to carrying out an autopsy on an African rock python.”

Teenagers studying horse management at the college accompanied the group on its once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Kicking off their two-week adventure at an equine veterinary practice and top racing yard, these students went on to work the cattle on a real-life ranch and take part in an endurance ride through the Drakensburg Mountains.

“The trip gave our students an opportunity to complete both safari and endurance rides in incredible surroundings” said college equine studies lecturer Julie Lukehurst. “It really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, and one they loved every minute of,” she added.

Michael Ellis, Christopher Davies and Chantelle Goodearl - all of whom currently study Hospitality and Catering at MidKent College's Medway Campus - were selected by judges from 65 teams entered across 38 colleges nationwide.

Competition judges included Martin Bates CEO, The Craft Guild of Chefs, and Mark Irish, Head of Brakes Development Chef department. The judging panel officially revealed its list of regional finalists in late December, stating that it had been "incredibly impressed" with the standard of this year's entries. The MidKent College team will now battle it out for a place in the national finals at the regional heats to be held on 24 January 2010. For all media enquiries, please contact Heather Collingwood, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01634 383037 or at heather.collingwood@midkent.ac.uk

The winter themed event saw learners paying to ride on a rodeo bull machine, battle it out on a twin bungee run and go head-to-head in a sumo suit wrestling ring.

“In addition to the hired-in activities on offer, students from a wide range of departments organised their own fundraising stalls,” explains college Students’ Union president Candy Worf. “All the money raised from each stall will be divided equally between a charity of the students’ choice and Demelza House Children’s Hospice.”

Fundraising activities included a treasure hunt and languages of the world test, hoopla, face and nail painting and a gut-busting rowing and cycling challenge.

“Winter Wonderland is an important event in the college calendar, so it was lovely to see the day proving such a phenomenal success,” added 21 year old Candy. “The charity fundraiser aims to unite students across all departments and provides learners with a great opportunity to get involved in some fun activities.”

Beauty student Vikki Baldock was eager to try her hand at every activity on offer - including the rodeo bull. “It’s harder than it looks,” said the 18 year old from Bearsted, before adding, “The key to today’s event is to let your hair down, have a go at every activity, and most important of all, have fun!”

The prestigious competition saw 11 winning electrical and plumbing apprentices assessed on their practical site-based work and the achievement of their apprenticeship framework. Maidstone-based MidKent College electrician Ross Mills was named Best Apprentice, with Medway-based Phillip Hadaway awarded a close second.

“These awards honour the top electrical and plumbing apprentices in the region,” said the college’s faculty head for construction and building services, Stuart Nice. “It was fantastic to see three of our students nominated and even better to witness two being awarded winning trophies.”

23 year old Best Apprentice, Ross Mills of Paddock Wood is tipped to do well in the national competition, which will see him up against nine other regional winners from across the UK.

16 year old Jonathan Stamp said he thought the restaurant’s new-look was certain to attract a wide variety of customers. “The whole atmosphere in here has changed,” said the Hospitality and Catering student from Shepway. “We’ve got new furniture, new flooring, a new colour scheme and modern table decorations. It looks and feels a lot fresher and better reflects the quality of the food that we serve. I’m sure we’ll be getting plenty more bookings from hungry customers wanting to sample our dishes now.”

Students on courses in Hospitality and Catering at the college run the modern restaurant, which is open to the public and offers a three-course dining experience at minimal cost.

For bookings, contact The Apprentice Restaurant on 01622 625873.

Students on courses at MidKent College invited elderly guests to take part in a day’s worth of activities at the college’s Maidstone Campus at Oakwood Park. Hair and beauty students treated visitors to a range of pampering sessions including manicures and hair treatments. Flower arranging sessions were then provided by floristry students before guests were shown light mobility exercises by learners studying courses in sport.

Once the activities were completed, guests were treated to a roast dinner fully prepared and served by the college’s hospitality and catering students - the ingredients for which had been kindly donated by catering company Caterlink.

The day’s activities gave students from across the college’s Maidstone and Medway sites a unique opportunity to engage with the elderly and learn about their experiences. Following lunch, performing arts students used all they had learned about their guests to help them devise a short piece of drama. This was then performed for the visitors’ entertainment.

“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed mixing with the older generation and sharing our skills with them” said 46 year old floristry student Annie Rust. “And it has been lovely to chat to the guests and teach them some of the things we have learned as part of our course”.

One visitor thrilled to have been invited was 90 year old Joyce Wickwar. “I came to the same event held here last year,” said the permanent resident of Mont Calm Residential Home in Bower Mount Road. “It’s not often I get the chance to be pampered these days; it’s a lovely treat for me and something I really look forward to.”

Senior activities coordinator at the Prince George Duke of Kent Court home in Chiselhurst, Sally Williams said: “This is a wonderful, positive opportunity, both for our residents and the students. There is so much bad press about young people these days. Unfortunately for some of our elderly residents, this is the only picture of young people they are ever presented with, so it has been brilliant to see the different generations mixing and getting along so well.”

Beverly Noble, head of faculty for the college’s hair and beauty courses, said: “Colleges Week is all about getting students to engage with their local communities through voluntary work and events of this kind. Today has been a great success, and demonstrates the kind of work we would like to see repeated at the college throughout the academic year.”

The part-time programme offers learners the chance to obtain a range of skills, including those in bookkeeping, typing and IT, and is specially designed for those who have taken time out of employment to bring up children or are looking to return to work after a period of unemployment. “We are committed to doing all we can to provide learners with the support they need to make a success of their time with us and get back into the world of work,” said college lecturer Susan Swabey. “Lessons start at 9.15 and finish at 2.30, enabling those who need to collect children from school to do so, and students are encouraged to learn from each other as well as their course tutors,” she continued.

“For many of our adult learners, the hardest challenge can come when they are expected to get to grips with some of the computer skills absolutely essential to the modern office environment,” she continued. “For this reason, we often combine this adult group with the younger students on our full-time Administration courses. Computer skills are second nature to many of our 16-19 year old learners, and they are always more than happy to provide their adult colleagues with some additional guidance and support.”

Former catering unit manager Kim Phipps said the course has helped to increase her confidence. “It’s been lovely to be able to work alongside the younger students,” she said. “They bring a sense of fun and liveliness to the classroom and are often a great help – especially when we are asked to complete computer assignments. I’d never so much as touched a computer before I started this course. Now I’ve developed so much confidence using them, I’ve actually bought one for my family to use at home.” Ms Phipps hopes the programme will enable her to make a total career change. “Before now I’d been employed within the catering industry for my entire working life,” said the 43 year old mother of one. “It’s definitely time for me to get out of the hot and sweaty kitchen and into nine-to-five employment,” she continued. “I’ve had to hold down two or three jobs at a time to make ends meet in the past. Now I’m looking forward to finding one that will support me and my family and help to fund my daughter’s university education.”

Further information on this course can be obtained by calling the college’s course information line on 01634 402020.

A one-day workshop saw learners at MidKent College’s Maidstone Campus, designing, making and manipulating ‘baracu’ – a form of large-scale, multi-person-operated puppet.

The workshop, which was organised by lecturers at the college, was run by visiting puppeteer Jo Munton of Vagabondi puppets in Wales. “The brief for the projects we run is always left wide open, giving student teams the scope to decide exactly what they want to make and how,” she explained. “This particular workshop is all about gaining an understanding of what puppetry involves while working together as a design and performance team,” she continued. “Puppetry encompasses much more than most people think. It’s its own highly respected art form and can provide a great route into theatre and stage design.”

17 year old Anjela Chhantyal said the workshop had made her reassess her career options. “I’ve really enjoyed working in a team to create some imaginative puppet characters and the workshop’s certainly given us plenty of practical work to get stuck into,” she said. “But I’ve also learned a bit more about alternative routes in to a career in art and design. I certainly never would have thought about moving into puppetry before today; who knows how many more career options are available to me that I’ve never even thought about,” she added.

The advisory evening, held last month at MidKent College’s Medway Campus in Gillingham, offered visitors guidance on the Government’s newly introduced Diploma courses.

In September 2009, school and college pupils across the UK were able to choose from up to ten Diplomas to study as an alternative to GCSEs and A-levels. There are now 14 subjects on offer, with a further three set to become available by 2011.

“The Diploma gives students a wider experience of learning than that offered by traditional qualifications such as GCSEs and A-levels,” said Medway Council Diploma Development Manager Tracey Gray. “Learners benefit from a blend of theory and practical work and local students can gain access to the specialist facilities and industry experts available here at MidKent College,” she added.

“Tonight is about informing visitors of what support is available within three specific lines of the new Diploma –Travel & Tourism, Hospitality & Catering, and Hair & Beauty,” she continued. “We’re hoping to encourage schools in Medway to find out more about what Diplomas are all about, and perhaps consider delivering them, either independently or in partnership with the college.

“This is just one of a series of events we have planned that will offer local schools additional support of this kind. We want to help head teachers fully understand what Diplomas involve and give them the support and guidance they need to progress their school’s own delivery of these important new qualifications.”

Diplomas currently on offer include those in Business Administration & Finance, Construction & The Built Environment, Creative & Media, Engineering, Environmental & Land-based Studies, Hair & Beauty Studies, Hospitality, Information Technology, Manufacturing & Product Design, Public Services, Retail Business, Society Health & Development, Sport & Active Leisure, and Travel & Tourism.

Visiting youngsters used the opportunity to get friendly with a wide range of the cuddly (and not-so-cuddly) critters housed in the Animal Management department at the college’s new Medway Campus on Medway Road. “We’ve stroked loads of soft animals and touched some scaly ones too,” said eight year old Jadon Johnstone. “I’ve loved it,” she added.

College Animal Collection Technician Sophie Marriott was pleased to see the children having such a great time. “This provides our students with an ideal insight into what it’s like to work with animals and the public,” she said. “No matter how much preparation you put in, you can guarantee to be asked some questions you would never have considered. It certainly keeps you on your toes,” she laughed.

“Of course it also provides a great opportunity for our guests to meet a diverse range of species – helping them to realise that there can be more to working with animals than walking the dog or brushing the cat,” she added.

“This has been my first experience of working with children,” said 18 year old MidKent College student Amy Wells. “The whole experience has been really exciting. They ask so many questions, it really puts your learning – and your memory - to the test, but it’s satisfying to realise how much you actually do know and great to be able to pass that knowledge on.”

Designs for the new community space, soon to be opened at the Lower Lines Park on Gillingham’s Medway Road, are being led by Art lecturers working at MidKent College’s Medway Campus. “We’re keen to ensure our ideas reflect the history of the Lower Lines Park – of which the garden is set to become a key feature,” said Art, Design & Creative Media lecturer Claire Griffiths at an open ideas workshop held at the college last month.

“The Park, which is right next door to our new Campus, will soon boast a lovely range of open spaces and wooded areas. It’s an amazing project to be able to get creative with. We’ve held talks with students, fundraisers, local artists, environmental groups and the University for the Creative Arts to help us gather possible sculpture ideas,” she continued.

“Now we’re keen to get local people involved – so that we can use their personal stories and memories of the area to inspire us.”

The Lower Lines are designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and comprise a series of fortifications and brick trenches that were constructed from 1803 onwards to help defend Chatham Dockyard from attack during the Napoleonic wars. Now 5.5 hectares of the open land linked to the Lines - and next to MidKent College’s Medway Campus - is being revitalised thanks to college funding. Once complete the picturesque community space will feature a moat, woodlands, sculpture park and wildlife trail.

The Park is set to open to the public in January 2010.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the sculpture garden project should email claire.griffiths@midkent.ac.uk

Lecturers from Koning Wilem I (King William I) College in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland paid a flying visit to MidKent College’s Medway Campus in Gillingham last month. During their visit they met with tutors from the faculty of advanced construction and engineering to finalise plans for the innovative scheme - set to launch later on this academic year.

“The exchange programme will see students exploring comparative construction methods and ways of working,” said MidKent College lecturer John Gent. “With a focus on sustainability, this collaborative project is all about building with the environment in mind while learning from our European counterparts at the same time.

“Our involvement will provide students with a great opportunity to broaden their experience as well as learn about alternative construction methods,” he added.

Dutch lecturer Gertrude Kolthoff said she was delighted her own construction students would get to visit the state-of-the-art new MidKent College campus. “This building is like heaven on earth in comparison to the College’s previous site at Horsted. It’s bright, clean and quiet and will be a wonderful place for our Dutch students to train while on their visit to the UK.”

Competition judges were so impressed with the body-popping skills 17 year old Charlie Dono demonstrated at the South East Street Dance Challenge, they named him best solo performer at the event.

“It was such an adrenaline rush to hear my name announced,” said the MidKent College student from Chatham. “I’ve won competitions before, but this is my first south eastern title. It was great to know that I had been judged the best solo dancer in the whole competition. Some of my opponents were really talented.”

The annual UK Street Dance competition sees breakdancers, body poppers, body lockers, and krumpers demonstrating a range of cutting edge dance moves, as they battle it out for the title of best soloist, duo or quad in Kent.

This year’s competition, held at White Oaks Leisure Centre in Swanley, saw Charlie competing on behalf of Sugar Free Streetdance, the UK’s leading street dance group (as featured on Britain’s Got Talent). “Sugar Free competitors are some of the best in Europe” explains Charlie. “It’s an honour to represent them and even better to have won a title under their name” he adds. “UK Street Dance competitions are always a buzz” says the talented youngster. “Anyone over the age of 16 with a flair for the right moves can get involved. It’s not about your age, gender or preferred style – it’s just about showing up and having a good time.”

So what exactly is body popping for those of us not in the know? “Poppers use their muscles to jerk or jolt isolated parts of the body into different positions,” says Charlie. “The technique evolved from oldskool moves like the robot in the 70s. It’s all about illusion; it’s about moving your body in ways that appear impossible or strange in some way.”

Years of dedication have seen Charlie perfecting the skill. “I’ve been dancing for near-enough my whole life and popping for the past six years,” says the 17 year old trophy winner. “I really took to the style from the word go; it just seems to come naturally to me.”

The organised demonstration, performed at MidKent College's Maidstone Campus, marked the end of a day dedicated to promoting Aim Two of the government’s Every Child Matters agenda - which outlines that all children and young people have the right to stay safe. Attended by all students from the college’s faculties of construction & engineering and public services, the day's worth of activities aimed to get students thinking about the dangers of everyday life.

"Although I'm not old enough to drive, I'm hoping to start learning as soon as I turn 17," said 16 year old Motor Vehicle student Nathan Pitt of Maidstone. "This demonstration has been a real eye-opener. Seeing Fire Officers actually cut someone from a car has made me realise just how dangerous driving can be,” he added.

“This is the first time MidKent College has run a Stay Safe day of this sort and on this scale,” said college lecturer and event organiser Ellie Bentley. "We wanted the day's activities to focus on issues related to staying safe in everyday circumstances - from driving or being a passenger in a car to keeping safe on a night out with friends.”

The students benefited from talks on drug and alcohol awareness and crime investigation as part of the day-long scheme. They also got to watch and take part in a range of first aid demonstrations. Following the success of the event, it is hoped that it may be repeated in the next academic year.

Jo Morrin flew with First Choice Airways for four years after completing her MidKent College course in Travel & Tourism. Now the student-come-lecturer will lead training on the College’s brand new Cabin Crew Diploma – delivered with the aid of a newly installed ‘dummy’ aircraft.

Constructed using the inner panels, seats and overhead lockers of a recycled aeroplane, the new facility provides students with an unrivalled and unique environment in which to gain hands-on experience of in-flight services.

“The installation of this brilliant new facility has enabled the college to offer this level 2 diploma for the first time,” said Miss Morrin. “The course, which relies heavily on role play, will teach students the full range of skills needed to enter the air cabin crew industry. Students will study crew room duties, health and safety at work, in-flight services and working with customers as part of the course.

“They will also learn about onboard safety procedures and how to guide the public in an emergency situation. This will culminate in a January trip to Birmingham, on which they’ll jump down a plane’s emergency slide while wearing a smoke filled helmet.

“These experiences, and others, are ideal for preparing students for work in what is an extremely competitive industry,” she added.

“I wanted to be an air steward before I knew this course existed,” said 16 year old former Cornwallis Academy student Louis Delaney. “When I heard that the College offered the Cabin Crew Diploma I thought: What better way to prepare for the career I’ve always dreamed of.

“I’m really pleased I made the decision to apply. It’s a competitive industry and finding work on the more prestigious airlines is really hard. I want to do everything I can to improve my chances of success.”

The college will shortly be interviewing for 2010/2011 entry to this popular course. If you would like to apply, call the college’s Course Information Line on 01634 402020.

In conjunction with the college, 22 Army Education Centre – as part of the Army’s Basic Skills provision - is now offering non-native English speakers working within the Military Provost Guard Service the opportunity to complete a fast-track level one course in ESOL. The speaking & listening qualification - which is delivered in just 30 hours - covers a wide range of everyday situations, from engaging in polite conversation to being at work and attending a job interview. 43 year old Arun Rai was one of the first to benefit from the scheme. “Even though I’ve been speaking English for a number of years, this course has been very beneficial to me as it’s the first civilian qualification I’ve had the chance to complete,” he said. “Not only will the course help me to perform better within my current role, but it will also provide me with a qualification that is recognised outside of the Army.”

Programme Area Leader for ESOL courses at the college, Renu Sharma, was delighted to have been invited to offer the in-house training. “Fellow lecturer Alan Smith and I have really enjoyed this experience,” she said. “And we’ve discovered that ex-Gurkha soldiers make model students - committed, highly motivated and extremely punctual.”

“The celebratory event was the last of a range of activities that took place in Medway throughout October,” said MidKent College’s Director of Human Resources, Andrea Ashman. “Other activities included the Karva Chauth Festival for Indian Arts, Diwali, and a large selection of seminars and workshops.

“Black History Month has been celebrated in Britain for over 20 years. It provides us with an important opportunity to highlight and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people and Black communities, as well as to understand the histories that shape them,” she added.

The event, held at the college’s Medway Campus in Gillingham, marked the first birthday of Nubia magazine, a publication for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities living in and around the Medway area. Launched during last year’s Black History Month celebrations, the magazine aims to inspire BME communities by celebrating their successes and achievements, and promoting community cohesion.

The magazine’s founder Angela Asieba said: “Our aim this evening has been to engage, inspire and entertain by celebrating Black history and creating a forum for learning about and appreciating difference.”

Guest speakers at the event included the Mayor of Medway, Cllr David Royale, Paul Reid of the Black Cultural Archives and Sabirul Islam, who at 19, has already launched his own successful website development company, worked as a London stockbroker and published two books on entrepreneurialism.

Performers included singer Ebonie G. The former Rainham School for Girls pupil has recently completed a degree in Popular Music at the University of Southampton. “I’m extremely proud to have been invited to perform at this event,” she said. “These celebrations are about inspiring more young people to achieve their dreams and be proud of who they are, whatever their ethnic origin.”

MidKent College principal Stephen Grix said: “We know that the recession is having an impact on the local area and that these are tough times for people living in Medway. For that reason we want to aim our summer courses at those who need a helping hand to boost their skills and increase their employability.”

43-year-old Donna Aris has already started up-skilling at the new training site. “I volunteered to get enrolled on a number of courses here while on a recent visit to the Job Centre,” said the mother-of-four from Strood. “I had to leave work six years ago due to personal circumstances so I’m really keen to back into employment. I know I can do it. I just have to make the most of the courses on offer here and look for further opportunities wherever I can find them. I know there’s an open door waiting somewhere for me.”

Courses currently on offer at the centre include confidence building, letter writing, CV writing, action planning, ICT skills, and health & safety. Anyone interested should contact their local Job Centre.