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New Evening Classes - New evening indoor puppyand pet dog training classes will be starting Tuesday 31st January 2012 at St James’ Hall, Downley. The puppy class will start at 6pm and the pet dog class at 7pm.
Chinese-Shandong Heavy Buys Italy's Luxury Yachts Maker Ferretti - Ferretti to be sold for £247 Million to a Chinese state-owned conglomerate. The group includes CRN which builds 85 metre mega-yachts for oligarchs. Riva the 170 year old company plus 6 other famous brands.
Total brands are Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Itama, Bertram, Riva, Mochi Craft, Ferretti Custom Line, CRN. www.ferrettigroup.com/
Website Information
Polish prosecutor Mikolaj Przybyl shoots himself after news conference - Mikolaj Przybyl shot himself in his office in Poznan after reading a statement in which he defended a military investigation into leaks related to a plane crash that killed Poland's president two years ago. [
Affordable housing shortage fears - Changes to benefits could mean that in many parts of the UK there won't be enough affordable housing for families on a low income, experts warn. [BBC Politics]
HCC students donate food hampers to local homeless shelter
A group of Hackney Community College students showed that charity does indeed start at home when they donated items from their cupboards to a local homeless shelter.
Students, on the 14-16 On Track programme at HCC, prepared two food hampers for the St Peter’s Crypt Night Shelter based in De Beauvoir Road.
The hampers, which will help towards feeding the shelterâs users in the coming months, was presented to shelter manager Barbara Walshe on Monday 23 January.
Student John Maughan, aged 14, said: “It made me feel really good to know that I was helping people.”
Chloe Sailsman, also aged 14, added, âI got involved because I thought it would be a good cause and other people should be helped. I put posters up around the college to get as much support as possible.”
The young students campaigned tirelessly for the charity over the last few months and encouraged fellow students and staff to contribute to its worthy cause.
St Peter’s Crypt Night Shelter provides hot food, a bed and breakfast for 15-18 homeless people every Monday night during January- March. The shelter is run by volunteers and funded by donations.
Learning support assistant Wendy Monksfield said: âI, myself, regularly volunteer at the night shelter and I know what a difference this donation will make. I am so proud of our students!â
To find out more about volunteering with the charity or to make a donation click here
HRH, The Duke of York KG hosts Tech event with Hackney Community College
His Royal Highness The Duke of York was present to assist Hackney Community College play host to Tech City employers on Wednesday 18th January at Open Kitchen, the Collegeâs training Bar & Restaurant.
The event gave the College an opportunity to outline to major international businesses how local education providers can work with businesses to provide them with the skilled staff they need and how businesses can recruit local people, to help increase employment rates in Hackney.
The businesses also outlined to HRH and the College, their growth plans, staff needs and latest technical developments.
The Duke of York offered to help host the event after a 2011 visit to the college to learn about its Tech City Apprentice and University Technical College initiatives.
The Duke has a strong personal interest in Apprenticeships and Youth Skills and believes that a key issue for the UK is to ensure that its young people develop the skills needed for todayâs workforce.
Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College said: âOur last Ofsted inspection, graded the College âoutstandingâ for our partnership work. This dinner, is another example of how weâre listening to employers and ensuring that we develop young people with the right skills, so they can benefit from the fantastic employment opportunities created by the regeneration of the Tech City area. We are most grateful to The Duke of York for attending; his involvement has helped us to secure really strong business interest in local recruitment.â
The Tech City Apprenticeships Company is just one of the ways in which HCC and its partner Renaisi, aim to help continue the growth of skills by working with key employers in the area to create employment opportunities for young people while they receive professional training at the College.
As well as the Tech City Apprentice Programme, the new University Technical College (UTC), the first school of its kind in London, being launched on the Shoreditch campus in September 2012, will further prepare young people with the needed skill-set to succeed in the creative industries with its specialist digital media training courses.
The curriculum will include computer programming, a major skills shortage in the area.
Head Teacher, Annie Blackmore is excited about the opportunities Tech City is bringing to Hackney: âHaving Tech City right on our door step brings fantastic opportunities for our UTC students. Not only is the curriculum employer-led, but through these links major businesses will provide exciting and relevant projects and work experience for all our students. “
A further briefing on Tech City Apprentices for local small and medium enterprises will be taking place on February 7th at 6pm at Open Kitchen
HCC Fashion students create unique global Olympics jacket
Hackney Community Collegeâs ESOL Fashion students gave a different meaning to global warming when they created a snug jacket using flags of some of the participating countries in this yearâs Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The dynamic patchwork piece was unveiled and modelled by students across the campus last week.
Principal Ian Ashman said: âThe studentsâ work is visually stunning and of great quality. It is a fantastic example of the wide range of students benefiting from London 2012.â
In addition to learning new sewing techniques, the students picked up new foreign language skills too.
This project is part of a wider venture to produce artwork for the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) to showcase in various Olympic training venues.
Around 60 Art & Design, Media and Fashion students at HCC are involved in creating individual video installations, textiles and artwork â” all of which will be presented for exhibition.
All the work is based around the Olympic and Paralympic values of Excellence, Respect, Courage, Inspiration, Friendship, Equality and Determination.
Paulene Carr, Head of Art, Media and Fashion at HCC said: âI am really excited and thrilled that we have been given this opportunity to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both students and staff are inspired and motivated by this opportunity to contribute to what will be a longstanding legacy to the local community. We hope 2012 is not just a number or a year, but will be a constant reminder of success not only for Stratford and London, but for the United Kingdom; let people talk of 2012 for many years to come.â
To check out the studentsâ creative journey click here
For more information about our Fashion or any other courses please call 020 7613 9123 or email info@hackney.ac.uk
GB Olympian swimmer delivers master class to Sports students
âItâs not about winning, itâs about taking part.â Suki Brownsdon, GB Olympian swimmer
Hackney Community Collegeâs Sports students got an insight into what it takes to perform at the top level when they attended a master class run by Olympian swimmer Suki Brownsdon.
Suki, who represented Great Britain at four Olympic Games, shared her experiences with students from HCC and B Six College at the Shoreditch Campus on Monday 16 January.
The students were intrigued by her fascinating anecdotes of her time spent at the various Games â” her first being Moscow 1980 when she was just 14 years old!
The swimmer was joined by sport nutritionist Gill Horgan, who spoke about various athlete diet programmes and specialised fitness training regimes.
Students also learnt more about the rich history of the Olympic Games, with the seven Olympic and Paralympic values – excellence, respect, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality â” being the main themes of the presentation.
Level 3 student Lauren Trott found the session enlightening.
She said: âThe nutrition element of the presentation touched on my current study topic. I found it very interesting.â
Kofi Billy added: âThere was so much information about the Olympic Games and sport in general which was very informative.â
HCC offers a range of Sports courses from Level 2 to HNDs.
Students are able to train as part of their course, in SPACe, the Collegeâs sport and leisure centre which is also the main training venue for the 2012 Games.
HCC is dedicated to helping students maximise the opportunities made available through the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and continues to strengthen its ties with sporting figures, organisations and the local community.
For more information about our Sports and other courses please call 020 7613 9123 or email info@hackney.ac.uk
School pupils take on “200 days to go” basketball challenge at Collegeâs 2012 sports training venue
There are only 200 days to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Games!
To mark the milestone, Hackney Community College welcomed a group of local primary school children to have a shot at a â200 days to goâ basketball challenge, in its official London 2012 training facility.
Pupils from St John the Baptist School visited SPACe, the Collegeâs sport and leisure centre, on Monday, where they enjoyed a morning of fun, sporting activity.
The youngsters had a go at shooting 200 hoops on the playing courts, which will be used by athletes and volunteers preparing for the 2012 Games in the upcoming months.
Ex-HCC student and former professional basketball player, Jeff Danchie was on hand to help the children meet their target, along with the Collegeâs Level 3 Sports students.
The pupils were presented with certificates and a special customised trophy for their tremendous effort and achievement.
The activity was co-ordinated as part of the Personal Best initiative, a 2012-inspired primary school athletics programme, run by Hackney Council, to encourage more children to partake in sport.
Jeff, who played for the Plymouth Raiders and is a graduate of HCCâs highly successful Basketball Academy, said: âWith the Olympics coming up, there is a huge buzz within the community and itâs great to see the youngsters really excited about it all. The children today had the right attitude and worked well at motivating themselves and each other to achieve their goal. A bit of teamwork really does make the dream work.â
Eight year old Jodie-Mai Davis said: âI really enjoyed doing the basketball challenge. It was lots of fun. Iâm also very excited about the Olympics coming to London. I canât wait to watch the gymnastics.â
HCC Principal Ian Ashman added: âHackney Community College is absolutely delighted to be playing such an instrumental role in preparing volunteers for the Olympics. Being selected as an official training provider for London 2012 is a strong testament to the excellent facilities we have here at the College. With just 200 days to go, we’re looking forward to helping make this the best Games ever.â
HCC was announced as the official training venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Games last year.
The College will accommodate over 70,000 Games Makers; plus hundreds of athletes, including basketballers, who will train in the professional standard facilities also used by HCCâs renowned Basketball Academy.
The Academy consists of both men and womenâs teams, who have won numerous trophies and national titles over the years.
It maintains its phenomenal success by instilling drive and discipline in the players to consistently perform at exceptional standards.
Students train hard alongside their main course of study and are motivated to excel both on and off the court.
Many graduates of the Academy, such as Jeff, go on to play professionally at national and international level.
As well as the Basketball Academy, the College runs sports academies in football, athletics and cricket.
For more information about HCCâs Sport Academies please email academis@hackney.ac.uk or call 020 7613 9586.
HCC students volunteer at local homeless charity over the festive period
Hackney Community College students brought merriment and cheer to the less fortunate when they volunteered at local charity, North London Action for the Homeless, over the festive period.
Students offered their support to the drop in centre, currently based at St Paulâs Church Hall, Stoke Newington, to help lift the spirits of the homeless and people in needy circumstances.
As well as lending helping hands, the College also donated a sum of money to the charity which will go towards some much needed new kitchen equipment.
The donation was made in the place of spending money on corporate Christmas cards.
Level 3 Housing student Theresa Oleru, who intends on becoming a long term volunteer said: âI really enjoy serving people. It gives me great joy to see other people happy. Itâs been very rewarding working at the centre. Plus I donât mind doing the washing up!â
Manager Mike Tomes said: âItâs been a pleasure having the students volunteering over such a busy time at the centre. They have been very helpful. Many thanks to Hackney Community College for their continued support over the years.â
The North London Action for the Homeless serves food to approximately 40-90 people twice weekly. The charity provides three course meals at each session, which consist of soup, a main meal, dessert, tea and coffee â” just the thing to keep the cold away.
The centre also provides take away food, clothing (upon request), Welfare Rights Advisers, and Health Access workers. As well as all of this, they run literacy classes, music sessions and outings.
Volunteers are always needed at the centre to help prepare and serve the food, set the tables, deal with any requests and of course that all important washing up.
For information on volunteering or to make a donation, visit the website at www.nlah.org.uk
HCC’s Hospitality and Catering students serve up a treat at popular contemporary design exhibition
Hackney Community Collegeâs Hospitality and Catering students served up a treat for thousands to enjoy at the East London Design Show last weekend.
The Level 1 students from the London City Hospitality Centre, HCCâs on-site hospitality and catering training facility, prepared a variety of dishes to tickle the taste buds of exhibitors and visitors at the popular annual event held at the Shoreditch Town Hall.
They delivered an appetising menu of hot and cold dishes presented in a self-service style buffet along with bar snacks and sweet accompaniments.
Delights, including thai chicken, teriyaki salmon and sweet potato curry, were all rustled up in the Collegeâs professional standard kitchens, under the guidance of head chef Scott Kelly.
The trainee chefs catered for the entire duration of the contemporary design showcase, which ran from Friday 2nd â” Sunday 4th December.
Student Philomena Asumang from Hackney said: âPreparing for such a huge event is definitely a great experience. It is giving me a taste of my future career. I am really enjoying the course at HCC.â
Classmate Maudella Daley also from Hackney added: âThe course is fun and enjoyable. You learn how to cook so many new and different dishes. I would definitely recommend others to study at HCC.â
The students worked in collaboration with Chew, a London-based hospitality and catering agency, for the event.
For more information about HCC’s Hospitality and Catering courses please call 020 7613 9123 or email info@hackney.ac.uk
For more information about the East London Design Show click here
Londonâs first ever University Technical College (UTC) is set to open on Hackney Community Collegeâs Shoreditch campus in September 2012.
Specialising in Digital and Health Technologies, Hackney UTC is a specialist school for 14-19 year olds. It offers a specialist course of study, designed in partnership with employers, skills sector agencies and universities. The emphasis will be on technical, vocational and employability skills.
Itâs different from schools and colleges, as it operates very much like a business day. The school day is 8:30am-5pm, students wear business attire and projects are employer-led, making sure theyâre prepared for employment upon graduation.
Hackney UTC is sponsored by Hackney Community College, The University of East London, BT Group and Homerton University Hospital. All of whom will provide exciting opportunities for work experience, mentoring and workplace visits.
60% of the time will be spent on general education, which includes English, Mathematics, Science, a Modern Language, Humanities, English Baccalaureate, Sport, Citizenship and Enrichment Activities. The following âbridging subjectsâ are also included: financial literacy, understanding and setting up a business, IT and careers education and guidance.
The remaining 40% of the time is devoted to the specialisms of Digital and Health Technologies.
The designated Head Teacher, Annie Blackmore, hosted an information evening at Open Kitchen on Hoxton Street last night. The evening was attended by local schools and careers advisers, with the aim of providing information on what Hackney UTC has to offer.
Annie commented âWeâre really pleased with the interest that Hackney UTC has had so far. With unemployment at an all-time high, the employer-led curriculum, combined with our partnerships, will provide students with a real opportunity to gain valuable skills for working life. Itâs a really exciting time for young people in Hackney and weâre proud to be taking part in this new initiative.â
Admissions will be open from January 2012 and an Open Evening for parents and learners is being planned for February 2012.
Notes to editors
For information about University Technical Colleges, go to www.utcolleges.org
University Technical Colleges are a new concept in education created by the Baker Dearing Educational Trust and supported by the Department for Education. A UTC offers 14-19 year olds the opportunity to take a highly regarded, full time, technically-orientated course of study. They are equipped to the highest standard, sponsored by a university and offer clear progression routes into higher education or further learning in work including apprenticeships.
How are UTCs different?
They are different in three crucially important ways:
1. They are 14-19 not 11-18 schools
2. Each must be sponsored by a university or an FE college
3. Employers will be involved from the start in shaping the curriculum
? Their school day runs on âbusiness hoursâ e.g. from 8:30am to 5:00pm
? They have a longer school year of up to 40 weeks and a different term pattern is being considered e.g. 4 term year.
? Extra-curricular activities are compulsory.
? There is a broad general curriculum, and the core subjects of maths, English and science are taught through highly demanding technical projects.
? Pre 16 students will spend about 60% of their time on academic subjects and 40% on technical ones. Post 16 the percentage is reversed with about 40% academic teaching, 60% technical.
? The curriculum content is determined and shaped through the partnership of employers and universities.
? All students study a foreign language related to their technical curriculum
? Experience of work is a central element of the curriculum.
? The Government is fully supportive of ensuring that students combine work and study.
In the recent budget announcement, the Chancellor pledged continued support to UTCs, unveiling the funding for 24 UTCs.
The Hackney UTC partners include Hackney Community College, The Learning Trust, the London Development Agency, BT Group, the University of East London and the Homerton University Hospital NHS Trust.
Hackney Community College has an excellent track record of improving quality and student success rates and was graded Good by Ofsted in 2010. Hackney Community College has been acknowledged as a strong lead partner in the development of the Hackney UTC.
HCC wins prestigious Queenâs Anniversary Prize for outstanding mental health support service
Hackney Community College has been awarded the most prestigious accolade available in the FE sector â” recognising the exceptional work it does to help people with mental health needs in education.
The Queenâs Anniversary Prize is a National honour, approved by Her Majesty, which acknowledges excellence in higher and further education across the country.
The College was the sole London College and one of only three FE institutions in the UK to receive the special award this year.
The prize was in recognition of the dedicated support scheme created to assist those with mental health support needs in making a smooth transition back into education and employment.
The College was officially announced as a winner at a ceremony held in St Jamesâs Palace on Thursday (24 November).
A formal presentation of the awards will be held in February 2012 at Buckingham Palace.
Principal Ian Ashman said: âHackney Community College is extremely proud of the work that we do to support people with mental health needs to succeed through education. We are thrilled that our efforts have been recognised by Her Majesty; it is a huge honour and is a great tribute to all our staff who work with people with mental health needs.â
The Mental Health Education and Employment Service was established in 1997 to address concerns around the lack of provision for supporting mental health service users to access education and training; and to provide support with study and progression.
From supporting approximately 50 learners in its first year, the service has evolved into a multi-faceted network delivering a range of interventions, opportunities and activities to over 4,000 learners and prospective learners with mental health support needs.
The service, which is funded by the East London Foundation Trust and City and Hackneyâs Primary Care Trust, also provides professional support to teachers and support staff.
Its development and success is due to intensive multi-agency liaison, dedication and professional expertise across all partners.
Many students have benefited immensely from this service.
Georgina, who had been suicidal and suffered serious mental health issues is now thriving in her job, owing to the support she received from HCC.
She said: âThe College has given me unbelievable support and has helped change my life. I can now walk around with my head held high. Itâs a whole different world to me now. If there are people like you in this world then itâs better to live than to die.â
Earlier this year, HCCâs outstanding Mental Health team helped the College pick up an Association of Colleges Beacon Award for Widening Participation in Education, for the excellent service it delivers to individuals with mental health support needs, plus its significant outreach partnership work with other community organisations.
John McClean, Mental Health Adviser added: âHaving this support service is extremely valuable to our learners with mental health issues. Seeing them progress into confident individuals, who go on to further study, or into jobs is very rewarding. To be acknowledged with this fantastic award really does mean an awful lot and we are extremely proud of our achievements.â
What makes this achievement all the more poignant, is the fact that it is the second time HCC has been awarded a Queenâs Anniversary Prize.
In 1996, the College was awarded the prize for successfully encouraging more young women to excel in science through its innovative and engaging course programme.
For more information about the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes click here
Students from the South West visit HCC to talk 2012 Olympics
Hackney Community College was a source of inspiration for a group of 2012 Youth Ambassadors from the South West eager to maximise on the opportunities of the Olympic Games coming to the UK.
Students from Weymouth College in Dorset visited the Shoreditch Campus on Monday to find out about HCCâs involvement with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and how the College is preparing students to contribute to the global event next year.
They were treated to a tour of the Collegeâs superb facilities, including the professional standard catering kitchens and Construction workshops and spoke with staff and students to get a better insight into how the Games will impact the local community.
They also watched a showcase of films which HCC Media students produced about the Olympics, including footage of a recent vox pop conducted by Level 2 Media students capturing locals’ opinions about the Olympics coming to Hackney.
Plus, they heard about all the other exciting projects HCC students have been involved with, including the exploits of the Collegeâs Hospitality and Catering students who volunteered at the Vancouver Winter Olympics where they gained valuable work experience.
The afternoon was rounded off with a complimentary lunch in Open Kitchen, HCCâs on-site training restaurant, which the group thoroughly enjoyed.
Overall, they were very impressed with the College and its facilities.
Joe Walker, 18 who studies Public Services at Weymouth said: “The facilities at HCC are amazing. The quality of learning is of a massive standard. I was very impressed, especially with how much the College is involved in the Olympics.”
The visit to the College was part of a three day 2012 Olympic-inspired tour which also included a trip to the Gamesâ main site in Stratford.
Weymouth is currently busy with Olympic preparations of its own- with the coastal town expecting to welcome thousands onto its shores when it hosts the sailing events at the Games next summer.
The young ambassadors intend to use the information they gathered on their visit to HCC to fuel their own projects back in Dorset with the aim of encouraging others to get involved with preparing for the Games in their community.
Last week, HCC was officially announced as the principal training venue for the 2012 Games. The College will be in charge of preparing over 70,000 volunteers to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As well as providing a training venue, the College has already made other commitments for the Games, including training hundreds of students and unemployed people to take up 2012 jobs in industries like security, catering, retail and cleaning.
HCC has also put forward ambassadors to support sports events, students to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies as well as have an involvement in the cultural Olympiad.
Hackney Community College is proud to announce that it has been chosen as a key training location to prepare London 2012âs volunteers.
LOCOG (the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) is in the process of recruiting up to70,000 volunteers to be Games Makers during the London 2012 Games. With just eight months to go until the start of the Games, applicants are still being interviewed and provisional offers have started being issued to individuals.
From early next year, successful applicants will then receive orientation, role-specific and venue training. Most of the Games Makers selected to volunteer during the London 2012 Games will receive their role-specific training at the Shoreditch Campus or Morley Hall on Mare Street in Hackney. The training will take place from the middle of February to the middle of May 2012.
Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College commented âHackney Community College is delighted that it will be one of the locations hosting the training of the London 2012 volunteers. It is recognition of the really high quality facilities we have available, as well as being a practical illustration of LOCOGâs commitment to put resources into host borough communities. We will be using these resources to help support our students and programmes, including our four sports academies.
We will also be encouraging the 70,000 volunteers to make the most of Hackney’s facilities while they are with us; for example, to visit local restaurants, bars and museums, so that others will also benefit from our success.â
Art & Design, Media and Fashion students at HCC are also getting the fantastic opportunity of creating artwork for the training venues. Around 60 students are involved in creating individual video installations, textiles and artwork â” all of which will be presented to LOCOG on 2nd December. The winning pieces will be selected on the 12 December. All the work is based around the Olympic and Paralympic values of Excellence, Respect, Courage, Inspiration, Friendship, Equality and Determination.
Paulene Carr, Head of Art, Media and Fashion at HCC said: ‘I am really excited and thrilled that we have been given this opportunity to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both students and staff are inspired and motivated by this opportunity to contribute to what will be a longstanding legacy to the local community. We hope 2012 is not just a number or a year, but will be a constant reminder of success not only for Stratford and London, but for the United Kingdom; let people talk of 2012 for many years to come.â
As well as providing a training venue, HCC has already made other commitments for the Games, including training hundreds of students and unemployed people to take up 2012 jobs in industries like security, catering, retail and cleaning. They have also put forward ambassadors to support sports events, students to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies as well as an involvement in the cultural Olympiad.
Ian Ashman concluded; âWe believe London 2012 offers a great legacy to the local area and winning the contract to be venue for the volunteer training is one more example of the benefits of the Games to our community.â
Over 250 people were at Hackney Community College on the 9th November to meet with employers who are recruiting for staff in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Retail People, Amadeus and Clean Event were all at Shoreditch to talk to students and non-students about the 3,842 jobs theyâre recruiting for between them.
The information sessions brought a lot of excitement to people, as they realised the fantastic job opportunities that the 2012 Games are bringing to them. Vadim Golubevs, aged 17, who’s studying ESOL alongside English, Maths and Science GCSE at HCC, attended the Retail session. He commented “It was an interesting and useful day. I’ll be applying for a job straight away! I look forward to earning money while being part of the Games.”
Lucy Rider, from The Retail People thought the event was a real success for the employers: “Having a dedicated room with students booked into slots worked really well. It gave us a chance to talk to students about all the opportunities that are available and the feedback was very positive. A tiring, but really excellent day!”
The College is planning a number of other recruitment events, which will be made public via their website www.hackney.ac.uk.
Hackney Community College students performed with great credit to take second overall place in the third annual Host Borough Inter College Sports Festival, over 6 days of fierce but friendly competition from 7-14 October. The Festival targets students who wouldnât necessarily represent the college in organised sport, with the intention to widen participation. Hackney students topped the log in Cricket and Indoor Rowing.
The Inter College Sports Festival is a sports participation and volunteering initiative where students from each of the nine participating colleges have the opportunity to compete in a series of free sporting competitions.
The Festival has been granted the InspireMark the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: âThe Inter College Sports Festival is encouraging young people to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Hackney Community College we are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost young peopleâs participation in sport.â
During the festival, numerous Hackney students competed against Newham 6th Form College, Newham College of Further Education, Greenwich Community College, Tower Hamlets College, BSix Sixth Form College, Leyton Sixth Form College, Waltham Forest College and Barking and Dagenham College. The festival was held over six days with over 400 students competing across 11 sports.
This yearâs Inter College Sports Festival was the biggest since its inception three years ago. Hackney Community College hosted activities on day 2, where participants competed in a basketball tournament and indoor rowing.
Paul Lazarus, Head of Department for Sport commented: âEvery Hackney student represented the college proudly and displayed great sportsmanship, respect, enthusiasm and commitment to their opponents and their chosen sports. Congratulations to all students, volunteers and staff involved throughout this hugely successful week.â
The Inter College Sports Festival was once again made possible thanks to the help of the University of East London.
The Duke of York visits HCC to speak to apprentices
Apprentices at Hackney Community College were paid a surprise royal visit by HRH Prince Andrew this week.
The Duke of York arrived at the Shoreditch campus on Monday (10th October) where he met and spoke with a group of Business and Hospitality and Catering apprentices.
His visit, which was organised by the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) body, was part of a tour of the up and coming Tech City area in Shoreditch and Old Street.
Prince Andrew, who is an official ambassador of the UKTI, was especially interested in the rapid development in this area of Hackney and the strong potential it has to attract further investment to drive the community and boost the economy.
Shoreditch is fast becoming a hub for hundreds of leading information technology and digital media companies at the forefront of cutting edge innovation.
With this welcomed boom in commercial enterprise comes thousands of job opportunities for local people and the College is working hard to ensure that students are fully equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge required to be able to meet the demands of this growing industry.
Apprenticeships are just one of the ways in which HCC aims to help continue the growth of Tech City by working with key employers in the area to create employment opportunities for young people while they receive professional training at the College.
As well as the Tech City Apprentice Programme, the new University Technical College (UTC), the first school of its kind in London, being launched on the Shoreditch campus in September 2012, will further prepare young people with the needed skill-set to succeed in the creative industry with its specialist digital media training courses.
Prince Andrew was impressed with what the students had to say about their apprenticeships and was able to identify the significance such schemes have in developing and producing a highly skilled workforce.
Hospitality and Catering student Jasmin Bushell is very happy she decided to do an apprenticeship.
The 22 year old from Holloway is a trainee chef on the Fifteen Apprentice Programme, run by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. She studies at the London City Hospitality Centre, HCCâs on-site training facility, once a week while she works at the Fifteen restaurant in Hackney for four days.
She said: âApprenticeships are absolutely brilliant! Iâve had friends that did apprenticeships and have gone on to have very successful careers. This is definitely the way forward for me.â
Business apprentice Hafsana Akthar echoes Jasminâs sentiments.
The 18 year old from Hackney who works in the Collegeâs Marketing team said: âApprenticeships give you the chance to get valuable experience on the job and gain a qualification at the same time.â
Principal Ian Ashman said: âWe’re really fortunate to be based right in the heart of Tech City. It’s an incredibly exciting time for Hackney and we’re pleased that His Royal Highness took the time to visit Hackney Community College, learn about our University Technical College, our Tech City Apprentice Programme and share our Apprenticesâ experiences.”
HCC offers a wide range of apprenticeships, including business, construction and hospitality amongst many others. For more information about our apprenticeships please call 020 7613 9430 or email employer@hackney.ac.uk
Pictures were taken by HCCBTEC Multimedia Level 3 student Stevie Snaith
Hackney Community College supports the Time to Change campaign to end mental health discrimination
Hackney Community College officially pledged its support to the Time to Change campaign in a bid to help end mental health discrimination.
The College hosted its own Mental Health Awareness Day for staff and students to mark World Mental Health Day and to back the national campaign at the Shoreditch Campus on Monday.
Both staff and students, were able to enjoy therapeutic massages and nibble on âgood moodâ foods at the event, as well as watch informative short films about various mental illnesses.
HCCâs award-winning Mental Health team, along with other support services, were also on hand to provide confidential one-to-one sessions for students wanting to discuss mental health.
The event was held to help quash misconceptions of mental health and to encourage people to speak more freely about the subject.
Principal Ian Ashman said: âHackney Community College is very proud of the work that we do with our partner organisations to support people with mental health needs to succeed through education. It’s really important that we challenge discrimination against people with mental health issues and we are therefore delighted to support the Time to Change campaign.â
Earlier this year, the outstanding Mental Health team helped the College to pick up a prestigious Association of Colleges Beacon Award for Widening Participation in Education, with its excellent service to students and prospective learners with mental health support needs, plus its significant outreach partnership work.
The Mental Health Education and Employment Service was established to address concerns around the lack of provision for supporting mental health service users to access education and training; and to provide support with study and progression.
It has evolved into a multi-faceted service delivering a range of interventions, support and activities for learners and prospective learners with mental health support needs. The service also provides professional support to teachers and support staff. Its development and success is due to intensive multi-agency liaison, dedication and professional expertise across all partners.
Students like Georgina have benefited immensely from this service.
Georgina, who had been suicidal and suffered serious mental health issues, said: âThe College has given me unbelievable support and has helped change my life. I can now walk around with my head held high. Itâs a whole different world to me now. If there are people like you in this world then itâs better to live than to die.â
