26 September 2011 - SCOLA Principal completed St Raphael's Hospice Midnight Charity Walk

SCOLA's Principal, Saboohi Famili and her Cockapoo, Lilia, took part in a 5 mile sponsored midnight walk in support of St Raphael’s Hospice on 24 September. Donations will be gratefully received and Barbara Eayrs will be collecting them on Saboohi’s behalf.

Since 1987, St Raphael's has offered the special skills of Hospice care to those facing life-threatening illness living in the boroughs of Merton and Sutton. The service is completely free of charge, and provides high quality medical and nursing skills, as well as support to family and friends. Medical, nursing and support staff do everything possible to relieve pain and sustain quality of life in an atmosphere of peace and comfort. In each case, Hospice care is tailored to the individuals needs.

By donating to this worthy cause we are able to do a little bit to help improve the quality of life for those suffering from life-threatening illness.

23 September 2011 - SCOLA represented at National LEAFEA in London

Today Geoff Kenward - Deputy Director of Curriculum at SCOLA represented the college at the National LEAFEA termly meeting on London where members are offered the opportunity to hear about emerging policies, practice and research; meet representatives of key national organisations; come together and engage in dialogue on current issues and send messages to government departments and other agencies.

22 September 2011 - SCOLA attends Talk London event at Secombe Theatre

Jan Koene and Scott Sherriffe attended a Talk London event at the Secombe Theatre, Cheam Road, Sutton, where Boris Johnson met residents and businesses in Sutton. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and a panel of guests took questions from those present on issues affecting the capital, including community safety in Sutton.

Thanks to Jan Koene and Scott Sherriffe for representing the college at this event.

Saboohi Famili
Principal

16 September 2011 – Principal attends HOLEX consultation day

Today the Principal took part in a consultation day designed both to inform HOLEX responses/forward activity and to help members share views on a range of “live” issues our sector faces including the future of OFSTED; Strategic dialogue in relation to the future of ACL and an efficiency Indicators consultation paper.
BIS has published New Challenges, New Chances a consultation paper which intends to promote the government’s main overall aims for adult skills to promote high-quality teaching and learning at all levels of the adult education system; free colleges and other skills providers from as many bureaucratic restrictions as possible in order to allow them to respond more effectively to the needs of their local communities; and secure a fairer balance of investment in skills between the taxpayer, individual learners and employers.
The consultation will close on 21st October 2011. SCOLA will be participating in this consultation. The primary purpose of the consultation is to inform HOLEX responses and our own individual college responses to government.

15 September 2011 - Foodie blog!

A blog of sorts has been started by two sisters, where they can post food info: recipes, news, anything relating to nutrition, wellness and health. The site is http://yourfoodlife.com/blog
They hope you like it! Lots of you are probably foodies yourselves, so they would welcome your feedback and you are welcome to post anything as well.
We would also appreciate if you would check out and 'like' the corresponding facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Food-Life/242500745794928?sk=wall
Thanks for your support!

14 September 2011 - Government u-turn on ESOL funding

The government has done a U-turn over the funding of English classes for immigrants. September is always a busy time for colleges as it is the peak time for enrolments. But after a government U-turn on funding for English classes for immigrants (known as ESOL), this year it has been busier than usual. The U-turn has been mostly welcomed by the sector, but it has caused staff in colleges around the country to work really hard to manage the volumes of ESOL students enrolling on courses. A campaign, led by ESOL tutors, against the changes has been running since the beginning of the year and colleges are keen to know why it took so long for the Government to come to a decision.

12 September 2011 - Induction of new staff at SCOLA

SCOLA’s Principal met with new staff to share the ethos of SCOLA with them. Over the coming months there will be a variety of initiatives and activities that will engage and involve all staff in various exciting and worthwhile projects in order for us to Live with PRIDE @ SCOLA. Staff are being asked to ensure that they consider PRIDE in everything they do. PRIDE (SCOLA’s values – Creativity/Quality/Inclusiveness/Diversity/Integrity - in action) – P is for putting students first; R is for rewarding relationships; I is for inspiring people; D is for delivering excellent service; E is for exceeding expectations. SCOLA is fortunate to attract talented and dedicated professions to join its creative, enthusiastic and friendly team of staff. Those attending the inductions also had the opportunity of meeting the Principal’s pooch, Lilia, who is very popular and makes regular appearances at the college!

12 September 2011 - 24th All Staff Briefing

Last week saw the Principal holding her 24th Staff Briefing to which all staff were invited. Approximately 70 members of staff attended the two meetings, where the Principal outlined the future plans for the college. Staff had the opportunity to ask questions and to share their views. These staff briefings are a great opportunity for staff to be kept informed on what is happening locally, regionally and nationally.

12 September 2011 - SCOLA is ready to face the challenges ahead!

The big picture across the education sector as you have probably seen and read is at best uncertain and turbulent. The government’s cuts to the FE sector, and removal of various access schemes such as Aim Higher, or helping-hand programmes as well as the Review of ACL continue to put a huge squeeze on colleges and as a result thousands of the most vulnerable will no longer qualify for help to study. Some curriculum areas have lost their funding, some provision has been cut and other public sector cuts such as libraries are putting a substantial strain on education. At SCOLA we have been working hard to remain focused on what we value most; to be a community college providing excellent quality provision to our learners.

9 September 2011 - Student recruitment surge and hard work of SCOLA staff!

This week was one of the college’s busiest times for enrolments. The team work amongst both support and academic staff has been evident and it is great to see staff working together so tirelessly as a team so that SCOLA can deliver on our promises and values. Over 1000 enrolments were taken by the dedicated enrolment team at SCOLA. At times prospective students had to patiently stand in a queue, but this was quickly rectified by SCOLA support and academic staff who helped to clear the queue as quickly as possible. SCOLA has many new programmes this year and is always happy to listen and engage with students who have ideas that they would like to share.

8 September 2011 - The Big Event

SCOLA ran its first annual Autumn BIG EVENT at Manor Park, Sutton, on Saturday 3 September 2011.
The event brought together 15 partners from various areas together and resulted in over 1000 people visiting the different stalls. The Marketing team is seeking official feedback from all involved to ensure that we improve and do what we do best even better next year.

On the day the great sense of team work, the wonderful atmosphere and the positive vibes felt by the volume of people who came and enjoyed the event was a real testament to the success and effectiveness of the college’s efforts. The Principal thanked staff for the time and hard work they put into ensuring the event was the success it was, saying “ I know how much work is involved in arranging an event like this and especially at one of the busiest times of the year for us. I am proud to say that once again SCOLA exceeded expectation and delivered to a high standard. I have already received many positive comments from our partners who mentioned our professionalism and the approachable and friendly manner in which we conducted ourselves and ran the event. A very rewarding and enjoyable time was had by all.”

It was great to see everyone working together in such harmony and with such energy. A true sign of an excellent organisation and a great mark of the mutual respect we have for each other as colleagues, the dedication and commitment we have to the work we do and the pride we take in doing a job well.

8 September 2011 - Thank you from a happy student!

Thanks and appreciation has been received from Elspeth V. Clarke M.B.E., a student studying at SCOLA. Elspeth wanted to thank those who had contributed to a great course - Spanish A2 - Thanks to ... Caroline O'Reilly (Programme Manager - MFL/Cultural Studies); Jenny Sims (Director); the exam supremos - Rhona Edmonds and Jane Waldman and the super tutors - Alicia and Natalia, as well as the friendly staff on reception and the caretakers who welcomed her in a jolly, friendly way on the day of the exam!

Alicia wanted the Principal to know how much she enjoyed her time at SCOLA - 'it was like a breath of fresh air'.

Thank you to SCOLA staff for making Alicia's experience of SCOLA so memorable!