Llongyfarchiadau i Tom Congdon a Hope Vaughan-Hughes ar ddod yn gyntaf yn Eisteddfod Cylch Uwchradd Llwchwr nos Wener yn Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr.   Roedd Tom yn cystadlu yn yr unawd llinynnol dan 19oed ar y fiolín, a Hope yn yr unawd chwythbrennau ar y ffliwt.  Cafwyd noson hir, ond llawn adloniant, a chanmoliaeth uchel i’r ddau, a chyfeilydd Tom sef Sam Vine.  Bydd yr Eisteddfod Sir yn Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe ar yr 2il Ebrill. 

Bu criw o fyfyrwyr celf Llwyn y Bryn yn cymryd rhan yn y cystadlaethau Celf a Dylunio a Thechnoleg dan 19 oed hefyd.  Dyma oedd canlyniadau'r categori Celf:

Mikey Davies - 1af

Ashleigh Brookes 2il

Emily Bruce 3ydd 

Canlyniadau’r categori Dylunio a Thechnoleg:

Justine Zamora - 1af

Proy Kanchula - 2il

Will Green - 3ydd

Da iawn hefyd i Ryan Jones a Carly Jenkins am gystadlu. 

Mae’r cyntaf a’r ail o bob cystadleuaeth yn mynd drwyddo i’r Sir; os enillant yno byddant yn mynd i’r rownd derfynol yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd yn Bala ym mis Mai. 

Pob lwc i bob un ohonynt!

Congratulations to Tom Congdon and Hope Vaughan-Hughes who came first in the Llwchwr Round of the Urdd Eisteddfod on Friday evening in Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr.  Tom was competing in the under 19 string solo on the violin, and Hope in the woodwind solo on the flute.  We had a long, but highly entertaining evening, and there was great praise for them both, as well as Tom’s accompanist Sam Vine.  The County Eisteddfod will be held at Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe on the 2nd April. 

A group of Llwyn y Bryn art students took part in the Art and Design and Technology under 19 compeitions.  The results in the Art category were:

Mikey Davies– 1st

Ashleigh Brookes– 2nd

Emily Bruce– 3rd

The Design and Technology category results:

Justine Zamora– 1st

Proy Kanchula– 2nd

Will Green– 3rd

Well done to Ryan Jones and Carly Jenkins who also competed. 

The first and second in each competition go through to the County round; if they are successful in there they will be through to the final round in the National Urdd Eisteddfod in Bala in May. 

Good luck to all of our students!

Café Metro on the Gower College Swansea Tycoch campus has been awarded 5 stars following a recent Environmental Health Inspection.  This follows on from the 5 stars awarded to the Coffee Shop at Gorseinon - a clean sweep of top ratings for the college!

IFE1 students from the Independent Living Skills department have donated a whopping 65 kilos of food to the Swansea Food Bank.  Collections have been happening across college for a number of weeks and students wish to thank everyone who kindly donated food to such a worthwhile cause.

Lecturer Liam Millinship said “Students have thoroughly enjoyed helping out the Food Bank – they have been surprised to learn about how many families need help across Swansea”

Student Cory Jones (pictured) delivered the donation on behalf of his class.

Head down to reception at Tycoch campus on Wednesday 19th March where Level 1 Health & Childcare students will be holding a Spring Vintage Fete.

There will be unique homemade gifts, cakes and hearts on sale - perfect for Mothers day and Easter gifts!

The fete will be held between 10am-1pm. Come along and see whats on offer!  

Gower College Swansea hosted the WorldSkills All-Wales finals for Accounting Technician Skills on Wednesday 12th March. Sketty Hall, the college’s centre for accountancy and a range of other professional courses, was buzzing with activity all day.  Several accounting challenges were presented to each of the 19 teams, which had come from colleges all over Wales.   Guest speaker at the event was Sandra McAlister of McAlister & Co, Insolvency Practitioners.

Ryan Jarvis, Learning Area Manager for Business commented:  “It was a really fantastic event which show-cased the incredible range of skills that our learners possess.  Everyone involved in the organization of the event was amazed by the manner in which all the candidates responded to the difficulty accounting challenges they faced.”

Gower College Swansea fielded three teams and all those participating found it to be an invaluable experience.  Pictured are Kristian Corbisiero and his twin brother, Alex, together with Zoe Parry, who formed one of the teams which represented the college.  The three are following the AAT Level 3 course through an apprenticeship programme.

In fact, all roads have been leading to Gower College Swansea this week with the finals for both Web Design and  IT Technicians taking place at the Tycoch campus.  The Electronics final was also held at Tycoch recently.

College Principal, Mark Jones, commented:  “Gower College Swansea regularly hosts these high profile events and I am delighted that the finals taking place this week are attracting such large numbers from across Wales.  Our involvement with staging these competitions is an indication of the strength of our provision right across the college, something which is recognised by numerous professional bodies, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), which recently awarded us the highly sought-after Platinum Approved Learning Partner, the only FE college in the UK to have received this accolade.”

Gower College Swansea student, Ronan Lewis, celebrates his 17th birthday this week by progressing to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate after successfully completing the Armed Forces Preparation course. He follows in the footsteps of Jessica Pritchard from Pontardawe who started at Harrogate last Monday!  Students must be aged between 16 years and 17 years and 5 months to apply for the Army Foundation College, where they continue their vocational education while preparing for entry to the Army.

Ronan, who hails from Tumble, has been an Army Cadet for the last four years and is looking at a career in the Queens Dragoon Guards.

Greg Morgan, Curriculum Leader for the Armed Forces Preparation course, commented:  “Gower College Swansea has run this course for several years and it has been proved that students who have gained the additional skills and fitness which it provides are much more likely to be accepted to the armed forces on their first application.  We are delighted that two of our students have been accepted to continue their studies at Harrogate.”

Gower College Swansea Madrid football tour

A group of Gower College Swansea students and staff have just returned from Madrid after a football tour.

The 40 students, forming 2Mens and 1 Ladies team visited the Spanish capital from Thursday 6th – Tuesday 11th March and managed to pack a lot of action into their 5 days – playing some of the country’s best teams, world famous players and even managing to get to watch a Real Madrid home game!

The ladies team in particular faced some tough competition with a FutSal tournament vs. Athletico Madrid. The rival team included a member of the Brazilian International team who was named player of the tournament at last year’s world cup! On Monday the Ladies team also faced Spanish premier league club C.D Canillas

The competition for the male teams was also fierce, competing against InterMovistar under 18’s – a top Spanish Futsal team who’s senior squad also boast Brazilian international players. The boys were able to get a taste of Spanish school life with a visit to Kings College, defeating the host team in a penalty shootout!

 There was also time for some fun with the staff and students spending the weekend visiting the Parque de Atracciones theme park, Hard Rock Cafe and even visiting Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – Real Madrid’s home stadium, getting a stadium tour and even watching the home team play!  

The visit went so well the team are even planning to make the Madrid tour a bi – yearly event and are currently organising a 2015 trip to Dubai!

Check out the full tour results here:

MENS 
Friday 7th March. 
Game Time (Kick off): 11:00
Team: Kings College International School Madrid
Result: Won on Pens 4-2 (0-0 Full Time)

 Friday 7th March
Game Time (Kick off): 18:30 (Futsal game)
Team: Interviú Movistar Academy U18
Result: Lost 4-3

 Monday 10th March. 
Game Time (Kick off): 20:30
Team: C.D. Coslada
Result: Drew 1-1

Ladies Team
 Friday 7th March 
Game Time: 20:45h 
Team: Atletico de Madrid Futsal Woman’s Team
Result: Lost 6-1

 Monday 10th March
Game Time: 21:30
Team: CD Canillas Female Woman’s Team (Primera La Liga Side)
Result: Lost 5-0

Level 3 Business students are holding a Cake Sale today (March 17th) In aid of Ethan Perkins Trust. There are a selection of delicious cakes and biscuits on offer so make sure to visit the stall open at Tycoch Reception until 2pm!

Gower College Swansea student Luke Flemming (right) is celebrating after being offered a 4 year scholarship to an American University!

Luke is heading to Lubbock, Texas, to study at Lubbock Christian University after being awarded the sporting and academic scholarship earlier this month. Luke is currently on a two year Performance in  Excellence in Football course at Gower College Swansea's Tycoch campus and is yet to make his study choices at the university but assures it will be a sport related subject.

The college team player has also competed in the Welsh schools International and Welsh Colleges International teams at under 18 and under 19's levels.

Sports Lecturer and Football Academy Co-ordinator Richard South said of the news: "This is a great opportunity for Luke and very well deserved. He works hard both in college and as part of the football team and we're all very proud of him."  

Vocational Computing students at Gower College Swansea were encouraged to think about their future career paths in a recent “Be Inspired” all-day event which had been organised by IT staff.  Inspirational guest speakers from a range of backgrounds ran a series of workshops, allowing students to experience first-hand examples of technology used in industry.

“The day was a vital part of the students' education since it showed the subject in real life and highlighted the purpose of studying and achieving on the course.  Following the event many students stated that they now knew what they wanted to achieve after completing their qualification”, said IT lecturer, Bev Morgan.

Speakers taking part in the event included Paul  Webb, Hi Tech Crime Unit Manager for South Wales Police, Stephen Griffiths from Swansea Business School, Dr Stephen Lindsay, and former Gower College Swansea student, Joel Eastman, who is currently employed as a network IT technician.  The topics covered ranged from Computer Forensics to creating Business Models using new concepts in technology.

“Guest speakers have been keen to come forward and we are grateful for their involvement as it helps ensure we are equipping our students with the skills demanded by Industry”, says Clive Prosser, IT lecturer at Gower College Swansea.

Pictured (left-right) are Salma Jassim, Jack Whitter Jones (former student, currently studying Network Security at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David), John Cherry and Paul Webb from the ITEC Crime Unit, South Wales Police, Steve Griffiths, Assistant Dean, Faculty of Business and Management at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Jacob Dobson and Joe Ventre.

Eve Taylor Prescriptive  Facials – Mother's Day Offer

What better way is there to show a mum she is thought of so highly than to pamper her by treating her to the ultimate beauty treatment in facial therapy?  The Broadway Centre on the Tycoch campus of Gower College Swansea, is offering you the chance to purchase this perfect gift, which provides a unique opportunity for her to relax and unwind, making her feel extra special.

The treatment cost is usually £15 but we are offering - for a limited time only - a "Two for £20" special offer. So why not come along, too, and enjoy a little self-indulgence?

Call Broadway on (01792) 284049 to book your appointments.

A Swansea student was awarded a bronze award for his Patisserie skills in the final of the Skills Wales Patisserie competition, held in Carmarthen on March 12th.

Edward Grove, 17, currently studying on the VRQ Level 2 Professional Cookery course at Gower College Swansea, baked against eight competitors, who each prepared a ‘sweet pastry apple flan’, ‘eight enriched buns’ and a ‘three layer strawberry gateau’ in three hours.

Mark Clement, Learning Area Manager for Hospitality said “The brief is extremely challenging, particularly when working with fresh cream and chocolate in a very hot kitchen! I am so pleased for Edward. He has shown great commitment and determination leading up to the competition. His practical skills have developed significantly over the past few weeks. He is a credit to the College.”

Gower College Swansea has hosted the Web Design and IT Technician WorldSkills finals at the Tycoch campus, which attracted teams from colleges across Wales.  Claire Rees, the Learning Area Manager for Technology, commented: “The day provided excellent experience for all the students who participated.  The dedication of the college IT teaching team, the IT technicians and the external funding team in preparing for this event ensured a successful day for everyone involved."

Mike David, the WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Web Design, was an unexpected guest on the day and spoke to the competitors with a view to inviting one of them to join the team which will compete for a place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015. This would be an amazing opportunity for one of the competitors, with WorldSkills investing £180,000 in each competitor.

Gourmet Evening with wines to match each course, cocktail on arrival and liqueur coffee - a "once in a life-time" dining experience on Thursday 27th March, and all for £29!
 

Bookings being taken now on 284252/284218.

Jake Reed, 18 a level 2 Professional cookery student at Gower College Swansea was recently awarded a Silver medal by the Welsh International Culinary Championship judges, for his entry in the Skills Competition at Llandrillo on 25-2-14.

Jake was required to complete the following in three hours:

• Four classical cuts of vegetables including Julienne of leek, Brunoise of carrot, Macédoine of swede and Jardinière of carrot
• Prepare, roast and present a 4 bone, 1kg belly pork, to be served with jus roti, two vegetables and a potato accompaniment
• Two portions of Glazed délice of plaice Veronique

Ioan Lodwig, Hospitality lecturer said “The competition highlights the essential knife skills, butchery and fishmongery techniques required of any professional chef. I am delighted for Jake.”

A group of Geology students are celebrating their third consecutive win at the Geological Society Schools Challenge for Wales

Five South Wales colleges competed in the competition, which took place at Barry Comprehensive on Tuesday 18th March. The Gower College Swansea team consisting of Rhys Samuel (Captain), Sara Hicks, Sam Cheshire, Josh Evans and Danny Lugg, produced a poster, gave a presentation on ‘Geology and the future of the Welsh Economy’ and competed in a series of geological challenges. The poster was particularly praised, winning a prize from WJEC and the team came first overall in the challenge, winning an engraved trophy and over a hundred pounds worth of books. 

The Schools Geology challenge is organised by the prestigious Geological Society of London, the world’s oldest geological society. The team now goes on to compete with other schools and colleges from the United Kingdom on 8 May at in London.  After placing third in the 2012 final and second in last year’s  hopes are high for this event
Geology lecturer Dr Chris Walley said ‘I am delighted with the result; the students produced a very polished poster and presentation and did well in the challenges. I’m very proud of them and look forward to the London event.”

Students at Gower College Swansea have been gaining valuable skills in financial management with a range of Money Week events organised across all the college campuses. 

The Shopping Basket Challenge proved as popular as ever; students were invited to guess the savings they would make by choosing a supermarket’s own label goods over premium brands.  Other challenges which were enjoyed by students included the Top Tips Challenge, a Money Personality Quiz and Taste the Difference Test – blind tasting of “no frills” options against the more expensive brands.

Pictured are Helen Williams and Sean Sarsfield, Barclays Money Skills College Champions, who were available during the events to give advice to students and answer questions on money matters.

Over 900 students also experienced a Money Week Tutorial, which introduced students to a variety of money management skills, from the importance of budgeting and saving, to planning to go to university or how to set up their own business.

Plumbing students following a Level 2 course at Gower College Swansea recently went on a visit to a Vinci Construction site.   

The company has secured the contract for the first phase of a £450m Science and Innovation Campus at Swansea University.  During the visit the students had a health and safety induction, followed by a briefing on the design and build of the project.  They then had the opportunity to walk around the site, looking at the different structures that were being built and first fix plumbing work.  

Lecturer, Kelly Hinder, who accompanied the group, commented:  “The visit was very beneficial to the group, as they could see what they learn in the classroom put into practice on a large scale.” 

Students on the Armed Forces Preparation course at Gower College Swansea have organised a sponsored cycle with a difference.  Pupils from Pen-y-Bryn Special School completed a virtual ride around the coast of Gower, without leaving the Sports Centre on the Tycoch campus! 

They were set a challenge to collectively cover the 46 miles in 15 minutes, which is some feat.  They actually exceeded this, travelling a total distance of 61.1 miles! 

Not only did the students organise this sponsored event, raising money for Pen-y-Bryn School, but they also coached the pupils and provided support and encouragement on the day.  They have now decided to make this an annual event.

The Pen-y-Bryn pupils are quite at home in the Sports Centre as they regularly attend college on Wednesday mornings to undertake an OCN qualification in leisure activities.

A group of brave college staff and students headed to Staffordshire recently to take part in the gruelling Cannock Chase Walk and totalled 850 miles in just one day!

25 Students and staff took part in the 31st Annual 40 mile walk organized by the scouting Association in Cannock Chase on Saturday 15th March, with over 600 competitors taking part in total. This year’s result was the best ever for the college;18 people completed the grueling 25 miles – a 60% success rate.

Parents and interested parties were able to watch participants throughout the day since teams were `tracked` on their progress.  It was a long day for all involved; after a night of camping they had to wrap up against the March weather, with the first walkers setting off at 4:45 am on Saturday and the last walkers coming in at 0:45 on Sunday morning!

The walkers took part to raise money for The Kenya Community Education Project and anticipate over £600 will be raised!