College News

Sue Poole named IOEE Enterprise Educator of the Year

Gower College Swansea's Sue Poole has been named the IOEE Enterprise Educator of the Year following a recent presentation ceremony at the House of Lords.

The Celebrating Enterprise Awards were hosted by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) and the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), bringing together educators, entrepreneurs and other key figures from the UK’s small business, enterprise and skills sector.

Royal recognition for Glan-y-Môr pupils

Ysgol Glan-y-Môr pupils Charlie Hall, Lewis Ellar and Bradley Webb were treated like royalty last week when they were invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace with HRH The Duke of York.

The royal invite came following their success at the National TeenTech Awards, where they won the Transport Category with their innovative idea for a sensor guidance system for wheelchairs, an idea they developed with the support of Steve Williams, Curriculum Leader for Digital Technology at Gower College Swansea, and students Corey Nixon, Declan Wells and Adam Edwards.

Second student takes to the stage for Frantic Assembly

For the second consecutive year, a Performing Arts student from Gower College Swansea has been selected to take part in a showcase performance with the award-winning Frantic Assembly theatre company.

Ryan Norman was one of just 12 young male dancers to successfully audition for the Ignition Company – part of Frantic Assembly – for their recent sold-out performance of physical theatre at Stratford Circus Arts Centre.

Ignition features only the brightest and bravest male performers aged 16-20, who are brought together following a UK-wide search and selection process.

New student photographers appointed

Gower College Swansea has appointed two brand new student photographers to help capture the many activities and events that take place throughout the academic year.

Nikkila Thomas, who is studying A Levels in photography, music and law at the Gorseinon campus, has already established herself as a freelance photographer for the Llanelli Star and is particularly interested in event photography and portraits. In addition, she has worked with local theatrical groups and as a stills photographer for a film group who are in the process of creating their own comedy.

Investing in young local talent

Plans are well underway to nurture the skills and talent of local youngsters and boost the local NHS and life sciences workforce.

Over 200 pupils in Year 11 from Bishopston Comprehensive were invited to a recent special careers conference highlighting the variety of jobs in the NHS and life science sector, such as laboratory and scientific testing to help diagnose and treat illnesses.

The first Elevate Conference was held at Swansea University earlier this month and it proved a huge success with the Bishopston pupils.

German exchange visit a huge success

A group of German apprentices recently spent three weeks at Gower College Swansea, during which time they gained an invaluable insight into the electronics and digital technology industry in South Wales.

As part of their visit, the students toured a range of companies with close links to the college such as Elite Aerials, Zeta Alarm Systems, Trojan Electronics, BSC and TongFang Global.

“Inspecting workshops, warehouses and assembly lines, they were able to compare and contrast with how things are done back home in Stuttgart,” says Curriculum Leader Steve Williams.

Students visit World Heritage site

As part of their study of coastal processes and landforms, A Level Geography students from Gower College Swansea were given the exciting opportunity to participate in a recent two-day residential field trip to England’s first natural World Heritage site.

The students - accompanied by lecturers Valeh Warrey, Mark Lethbridge, David Bawden and Yana Austin - visited part of the Jurassic coastline at Dorset and also got to study the awe-inspiring landscapes of Chesil Beach, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Poole Harbour Spit and Bournemouth.

A milestone for college’s Diversity Fayre

Staff and students at Gower College Swansea recently celebrated a very colourful milestone – the tenth anniversary of its Diversity Fayre.

Every year since 2005, students, staff and community groups have gathered at the college for a carnival of music and dance.

Among the entertainment on offer this year was African drumming, Brazilian martial arts, and displays of Bollywood, street and Chinese dance. Live music was provided by students from Llwyn y Bryn and Gorseinon as well as the Gower College Swansea choir.

Enterprise students head for Bootcamp

Nine Enterprise students from Gower College Swansea have successfully applied for the Welsh Government’s intensive three-day ‘Bootcamp to Business’ Challenge, which takes place in November.

This follows a recent audition event at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David where the students were coached and mentored by the college’s Enterprise Officer Lucy Turtle.

Lancet editor visits Gorseinon students

Students planning a career in medicine/psychiatry got the chance to meet one of the leading figures in the field recently, when the founding editor of The Lancet Psychiatry visited Gower College Swansea.

Niall Boyce met students at the Gorseinon campus to talk about emerging areas of mental health research.

"Mental health research is in a very exciting phase right now, including some world-class work going on in Wales,” says Niall. “I hope some of the students at Gower College Swansea will consider careers in this area."