26 May 2011 - Thanks to team at SCOLA's North Cheam Centre

As Principal of SCOLA I encourage suggestions and comments from both students and staff alike. What a pleasure it was today to receive such wonderful comments regarding Pam and her team at the college’s North Cheam Centre.
One of our tutors had a busy day ahead of her today facilitating professional discussions for the NVQ Business and Administration Levels 2 and 3 at North Cheam. Despite some technology hiccups, she says the day was very successful and that this was mainly due to the help and support given by Pam and her team. The support had not been requested, but was automatically provided.
This ranged from detailed lists of appointment times printed and posted onto the door, assistance with meeting and greeting learners for appointments to providing the tutor with much needed cups of tea along with lots more. The tutor says that the environment that Pam provided ensured that the business centre at North Cheam indeed lives up to its name and provides a professional and supportive environment.
Well done, Pam and the North Cheam team. Your commitment to the college is very much appreciated!

Saboohi Famili
Principal

14 May 2011 - Family Fun Day during Adult Learners Week

Celebrating the 20th Adult Learners' Week in 2011, the initiative continues to be the largest drive for learning of its kind - celebrated in over 55 countries across the world. Founded and co-ordinated by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), Adult Learners' Week in England is backed by thousands of supporters.
During this week-long festival of learning, events take place in workplaces, libraries, cafes, prisons, museums and colleges across the country, motivating adults of all ages and backgrounds to take up new activities. Throughout Adult Learners’ Week the achievements of remarkable adults that have transformed their lives through learning are celebrated.
On Saturday 14th May SCOLA held a Family Fun day as part of Adult Learners’ Week, which was a great success. There was great team spirit on the day – from those involved in making posters, standing in the high street handing out flyers and balloons to those overrun with late enrolments in the enrolment centre. Hundreds of families came to see us and we gave out hundreds of prospectuses too!

The day was a great success and we received positive feedback from our partner family support groups who attended the morning event and also the families attending the morning and afternoon sessions.

Parents, grand-parents and carers had the opportunity to gain advice and information on family matters, find out about new SCOLA courses and have a fun time!

The families also took part in activities ranging from music and dance, making a miniature garden and ‘fake wounds and fun first aid’. This latter course caused much amusement as the children and adults were given very realistic ‘fake wounds’ which caused many heads to turn!

Thanks to everyone who gave so tirelessly of their time to make this event the success it was!

Saboohi Famili
Principal

19 May 2011 - SCOLA Reading Evening at the Wallington Library

When I was invited to attend the Reading Evening being held at the Wallington Library at 7pm on Thursday 19th May, I was very pleased to accept. I am always interested to learn what people think and what they have to say, especially when it comes to our students at SCOLA. There are many ways to express our view of the world and to share the views of others. Reading and writing are certainly powerful ways to share our views.

I was thinking about how I might describe this event to someone else, and was reminded of a project for young readers and writers that a colleague had run. It was called, “Brave New Words”. This seemed to me to encapsulate what the evening was about. Learners had set out on a voyage of discovery. As they develop their skills they open themselves up to the ideas of countless others. At the same time, some may decide to chart their own innermost thoughts either in the form of a poem, a work of fiction or even in the form of an autobiography. It can be a brave step forward, both to commit their ideas to paper (or screen) and even more brave to decide to share them with others.
During the evening students read the pieces that they had written. Some students when starting their course at SCOLA had no reading or writing skills, but were now able to pen touching poems and wonderful stories.

So, bold adventurers of SCOLA, I salute you. I enjoyed hearing what you had to say immensely, and to sharing in your projects as you progress along your journey. I am so grateful for the invitation - it was a great pleasure to have Lord Graham Tope and Cathy McDonough - supporting the event. I’d also like to thank all those who have supported these learners on their journey both in terms of their family and friends, as well as those at SCOLA who are sharing this journey with you.

A very pleasant evening and one that reminds us why we are in the industry we are in and why we do the job we do!

Saboohi Famili
Principal

18 May 2011 - COSLP Best Learner Awards at the House of Lords

Today I attended the COSLP Best Learner Awards which took place at 3.30pm at the House of Lords at Westminster. Thanks go to Lord Graham Tope for hosting and facilitating this wonderful event.

It was my privilege to introduce SCOLA’s winner of the Best Learner award, Margaret Sparks, to colleagues from various South London Colleges, families and friends of the Best Learner award winners and members of the House of Lords and Parliament. Formerly a librarian, Margaret retired in 2007. She has been studying printmaking with SCOLA for 3 years. She had studied history at Oxford University and originally specialised in basket making. She has always been interested in making crafts and studying part time whilst working. As design and drawing were part of her studies, she decided to attend drawing classes in order to expand her skills to printmaking.

Her tutor, Simon Burder, encouraged her to enter the V&A’s annual ‘Inspired by’ exhibition. Her entry, a lino cut entitled ‘A Medieval Forest’, the first print she has ever submitted or exhibited was not only chosen for exhibition, but also won the ‘Medieval & Renaissance Gallery’ prize and was on display at the V&A in Kensington in November 2010.

At the risk of embarrassing her, Margaret has developed her skills and confidence, becoming a dedicated and committed student. She is a wonderful example of a student using and enjoying retirement to continue to further her knowledge and skills, participating with and inspiring her fellow students, and always being very modest about her achievements.

Margaret says that having her work exhibited has changed the way that she looks at herself and has given her the confidence to develop artistically and most important of all, has made her family proud!

I was accompanied by Angela Williams, Programme Manager – Creative Studies, Art & Design, who works tirelessly to ensure her department runs smoothly and has the admiration and support of her students and colleagues, Simon Burder a dedicated and very encouraging tutor who has been instrumental in Margaret’s achievement and of course Margaret herself who I am sure, enjoyed the proceedings. We were sad that Margaret’s daughter, Hana, was unable to join us to celebrate this event - having given birth to twins in January this was fully understandable. We made sure we captured the event in photographs for her to enjoy.

I must add that my greediness of tucking into not only one, but 2 freshly baked scones did not go unnoticed. Not sure if I am going to live this one down… I guess people will question my munching on celery if they find out about this… better think of an excuse and quick. Any ideas?!!

Saboohi Famili
Principal