1 September 2010- A Century of Olympic Posters Exhibition

A heaving Europa Gallery hosted the launch of "A Century of Olympic Posters" - an excellent platform for the exhibition and the programme of events that accompanied it. The exhibition is on from 1 September to 31 October 2010.

This touring exhibition enables new audiences to see the Victoria & Albert Museum's collection in a new context. An official from the V & A said: "A Century of Olympic Posters" first opened in Beijing in January 2008 in the run up to the Beijing Olympic Games. Since then it has been travelling in China and Britain and it will be going on to Mumbai and Melbourne among other destinations. Lord Tope CBE said that they were delighted that more people will have the opportunity to see the exhibition in Sutton and it is great to have the exhibition on display in London- the 2012 olympic city.

The exhibition was opened by David Weir MBE, Paralympic Gold Medallist and Freeman of the London Borough of Sutton and includes a special exhibition from Lloyds TSB of works of art in tribute to him.

After the opening ceremony I enjoyed walking around the inspiring posters. They provided windows into the cultural concerns and international politics of their time- some of them gave a shiver of history as you walked past. What I enjoyed about the exhibition was the number of different stories it told. In one respect it was the story of the Games themselves. Tracing the development of Olympic posters is also a chance to take a look at one hundred years of poster design - revealing the evolution of graphic styles, approaches and printing technologies.

A facinating exhibition that is well worth a visit. Hope you can make the time to see it.

Saboohi Famili - Principal

27 August 2010 - Praise for SCOLA's TryIT Centre

How wonderful it was to receive an email from Scott Sheriff who is a voluntary teacher at the Sutton Refugee and Migrant Network and a student on the TESOL course who had this to say about SCOLA's TryIT Centre as the centre has been something of a second home to him over the past year.

"When using the centre, any technical queries or difficulties that I had were dealt with courteously, comprehensively, patiently and professionally. This was hugely beneficially to both my teaching at the RMNS and in my TESOL studies. I'm extremely grateful to Amber, Anne, Derek, Isabel, Jane, John, Marina and Sue for the way in which their expertise repeatedly facilitated the progress of my endeavours and made the centre such a conducive environment in which to work."

Saboohi Famili - Principal

23 August 2010 - Tim Vine's winning joke

Comedian, Tim Vine, our host at Adult Learner's Week in May this year, has won a prize for the funniest joke of the year at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The winning joke was 'I've just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I'll tell you what, never again!'

After a panel of critics short listed 24 jokes, the public picked Tim's one-liner as the funniest. Tim made our Adult Learner's Week presentation ceremony an evening to remember and we congratulate him on his success!

Kasumi Witty - Learner & Client Services Manager

18 August 2010- Meeting with LBS Libraries & Heritage Services

Today the college's Strategic Management team met with colleagues from the London Borough of Sutton's Libraries and Heritage Services. Cathy McDonough (Head of Library & Heritage Services); Martin King (Life Centre Manager); Sarah Groom (Head of Leisure & Arts) and Jon Ward (Facilities Manager - Libraries & Heritage) all gave a brief overview of their area of responsibility and discussions took place around how we can work together in the future.

A very positive meeting that hopefully will lead us to work much more collaboratively, offering an enriched provision for our client groups. SCOLA is already commited to supporting the residents of Sutton with their educational needs now works much more closely with the Council and specifically seek to take the support to various libraries and sites that enables residents to access various learning opprotunities in a better way.

The meeting provided us with a great opportunity to share and explore ideas on how we can extend and enrich our offers and I look forward to working with colleagues more collaboratively in the near future.

Saboohi Famili - Principal

11-14 August 2010 In search of the sun in Cumbria!

We headed north to the beautiful Lake District for a few days. Interestingly enough we did find the sunshine and our days were spent walking and enjoying the beautiful scenery. One of the places we visited was the former home of John Ruskin. Brantwood, in my view, is one of the most beautifully situated houses in the Lake District. The house was both a treasure of historical importance and a lively centre of contemporary arts and the environment. There were many displays and activities in the house, gardens and estate which reflect the wealth of cultural heritage associated with Ruskin’s legacy – from the Pre Raphaelites and Arts and Crafts Movement to the founding of the National Trust and the Welfare State. A breathtaking view from every room overlooking the water added to the beautifully preserved house with its original features. The House was filled with Ruskin's treasures: paintings, furniture, objects d'art and his personal memorabilia.On the walls in various rooms you could read inspiring quotations from him. This one took my interest : "Education is the leading of human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them." Driving back to London I felt proud to be leading a college that does just that! Leading human souls to what is best - we have seen such good examples of that throughout the year. Looking forward to the A Level results next week. One of many ways SCOLA helps the community in Sutton and beyond.

Saboohi Famili - Principal

14 August 2010 - SCOLA hits the High Street!

Saturday saw SCOLA having prime position in the high street. We set up opposite Boots and managed to dodge the rain all day! Rita Giffen gave a floristry demonstration in the morning, attracting many onlookers who asked questions and wanted more information. Polly Tyrer's cooking demonstration had the public wanting more as they tried her delicious guacamole, pate and houmous, which was made right in front of their eyes! People were amazed at how both Rita and Polly could come up with such wonderful creations - on the high street! All in all, it was a very successful day and a chance to show everyone a glimpse of what the College has to offer. Huge thanks go to Lisa and Rob for helping all day, as well as to Rita and Polly!

Kasumi Witty - SCOLA Learner & Client Services Manager

11 August 2010 - Promoting SCOLA in Times Squares

Armed with our exciting new promotional stand and prospectuses galore, the SCOLA marketing team positioned themselves, ready for action, in Times Square shopping centre. Lots of people instantly saw where we were from and approached us with questions or for a copy of the latest prospectus. Others, admiring our new promotional board, came to see what we offer and were pleasantly surprised. Although a few Sutton shoppers, perhaps fed up with being approached by the various organisations around the High Street, kept their heads down, most were happy to see us and grateful to be reminded to enrol for September! Thanks to Kerry, Maria, Pam and Frances for helping to man the fort and to Rob for helping to construct the stand!

We will be in the High Street on Saturday with cookery and floristry demonstrations so come and see us if you can!!

Kasumi Witty - SCOLA Learner & Client Services Manager