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| TeenStar Abbie hits all the right notes |
 Worthing College student Abbie Edwards from Shoreham-by-Sea is now just one step away from performing at The O2 in London after impressing the TeenStar judges once again! Abbie Edwards, aged 17 has now made it through to the Area Finals so is one good performance away from playing within one of the greatest live music venues in the world.
 TeenStar is an exciting brand new national talent competition for teens and pre-teens which searches for the UK’s best singers, singer-songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres.
One contestant who is impressing the judges so far is Abbie Edwards, now in the running to compete for a place in the National Final. Singing ‘Skinny Love’, she overcame her nerves and wowed the judges and huge audience in a Regional Final Showcase this weekend at the Hove Centre. “I walked on with bright lights in my face and people cheering – it was crazy!”
Abbie now goes forward to sing in the semi finals at the Portsmouth Guildhall on 18th May. More than 9,000 hopefuls entered TeenStar in its first year and Abbie Edwards is amongst the last few acts competing for a place at the Grand Final at The O2.
Chris Grayston, Events Coordinator for TeenStar comments “We are looking to find an act that has something unique to offer, someone who can go all the way, with both the ability to deliver a strong live performance but also potential to become a professional recording artist. There is so much talent out there I’m sure we can find a new star!” |
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| Sussex Engineering Education Scheme (STEM) |
 Five Worthing College students received great recognition on 18 April at the University of Brighton for their presentation about their STEM Engineering project. They received excellent feedback from their link company, SMR of Porchester and, after strict assessment, they each received a prestigious Golf Crest Award. Additionally the outcomes from their project on wing mirror molding are being incorporated into the production mechanisms at SMR.
For more information about what they did for the project click here. |
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| Academy of Arts - Art on the Pier! |
 Worthing College students, Connie Hebenton, Hannah Rowan and Rhiane Smith, from Fine Art, now have their artwork exhibited on Worthing Pier, after completing a series of evening classes in November as part of the Creative Waves community project.
Nadia Chalk and Vanessa Breen, who run Creative Waves community arts, worked with 20 young people at a pop up art studio at the Sidney Walter Centre, Worthing, the course was funded by Community Central.
Nadia said, ‘The aim of the project was to inspire the 
students to create a piece of artwork worthy of a place in the exhibition on Worthing's pier. They all exceeded expectations and worked extremely hard to develop their ideas and skills, resulting in a very high standard of work.
Their artwork is on permanent display, on the glass panels along the central walkway at the Southern end of the pier and will remain there until April 2014. Feedback from councillors, general public and students has been overwhelmingly positive. It is a great platform for students to experience the reality of an exhibition in a public space. It also improves the look of the pier and encourages people to view great artwork.’
Click the following link to see photographs of the workshops and the artwork produced http://www.creativewaves.co.uk/#/free-workshops/4571313345
Rhiane said 'Participating in the Creative Waves Workshop allowed me to produce a piece of work outside of my Fine Art A-Level. I was given the opportunity to use mixed media materials before using paint to generate a final painting for the Worthing Pier. My painting depicted the heads of two figures and I used a variety of expressive marks to paint into the piece. Throughout the workshop I was able to talk with both Nadia and Vanessa about my ideas and influences whilst also receiving support from them about how my painting was progressing. I would recommend the Creative Waves Workshop to students as it is an opportunity to produce a piece of experimental artwork whilst interacting with other students.' |
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| Duke of Edinburgh awards in Brecon Beacons |
Photo taken by Jo Ireland, a teacher from Worthing College, from the recent Gold DofE training and practice in the Brecon Beacons. As you can probably tell, it was bitterly cold, but Jo is hoping for warmer weather when she goes to the New Forest this weekend with the Silver qualifying group. More photos showing how that goes will follow soon. |
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| Higher Education Evening |
To all parents/carers of year 12 level 3 students, you are warmly invited to attend our Higher Education Evening, which provides an introduction for parents to the higher education system that operates within the UK.
Tuesday 7 May 6-8pm at Worthing College
The Following talks and workshop will be repeated every half hour at 6pm, 6:30, 7pm and 7:30pm:
• Why go to university? (talk)
• The costs of going to university (talk)
• How to choose universities (workshop)
• How to apply (workshop).
Please come and join all or some of these talks, which will be given by visiting speakers from local universities as well as our own guidance staff.
The College car park be available for parking and will be staffed to ensure effective use of the spaces. Should you have any difficulty in accessing parts of the College please inform the Information Centre on 01903 243389 so that we can make special arrangements for you visit. |
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| £500 raised for Red Nose Day |
Congratulations to our nursery staff Raina Eldridge, Tegan Taylor and Cara Tappenden who did a skydive for red nose day - jumping from 10,000 feet. They said how lucky they were with the weather, it cleared just long enough for them to be able to go up. Raina said “It was amazing, very very scary but well worth it”. They managed to raise just over £500 in the end all going to red nose day! |
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| Worthing College awarded £70k Sport England grant |
Worthing College is delighted to announce that it has secured a £70,000 Sport England grant to fund a personal training and wellbeing project for its students and staff over the next two years. The grant will enable the College to offer timetabled weekly personal training and wellbeing sessions numbers for students to complement their academic programme of study. The grant enables Worthing College to increase the number of Further Education students taking part in sport regularly, for at least 30 minutes once per week and will reduce the number of young people dropping out of sport between the ages of 16 and 18. For full details click here.
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| ESFA National Inter-County Final |
Sussex vs. Cleveland. Dave Hall successfully led the Sussex Schools U18 team to victory in the National Cup on Wednesday winning 1-0, the team included 5 students from Worthing college. For full details click here. |
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| Worthing College secures RFU partnership to deliver elite Women's Rugby programme |
Following a competitive selection process Worthing College has been selected by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to deliver its Women's Rugby Advanced Apprenticeship in the Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme. As an established RGU Beacon College this is further endorsement of the quality of rugby offered at Worthing College. For full details click here. |
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| Talented Worthing College student wows judges at TeenStar auditions |
Worthing College student Abbie Edwards from Shoreham-by-Sea has been given the big thumbs up by judges at the TeenStar auditions. Along with other impressive acts, Abbie has made it through to the Regional Finals and will now be performing at the live stages of TeenStar, the brand new competition for teens and pre-teens!
Abbie sang ‘Can’t make you love me’ by Bonnie Ray and is now in the running to compete for a place in the National Final at The O2 in London. “We went into a room with four other contestants and performed in front of six judges. The 30 minute wait for their verdict seemed like forever”.
Abbie said that since being at Worthing College her singing and her performing abilities have improved dramatically which has really boosted her confidence. She has also learnt to play the piano and accompanies herself when singing.
She went on to say “I want people to recognize me for my voice and not  for how I look. I don’t know what I’m going to sing in the next round but I’m really looking forward to it. I couldn’t have done it without the inspiration and support of my family and staff at Worthing College. Mum and dad are really proud of me.”
For more information about the competition go to the website www.teenstarcompetition.co.uk or better still come down and support your local talent performing! You can purchase tickets from the website. |
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| Visual Arts and Media Venice trip 2013 |
Forty students and four staff spent four days in Venice before half term. The extreme weather conditions tested the resilience of all, but everyone appeared to enjoy the trip and returned with brilliant memories and photographs that will inspire some interesting artworks this term.
They arrived in a blizzard, Saint Marks Square was magical with its covering of snow, and they left in spring sunshine having enjoyed the sandy Lido beach. Students experienced a mix of contemporary and historic culture, they visited the Academia, the Doge’s Palace, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, and the exotic glass factories of Murano. They witnessed the final days of the masked Carnival celebrations and became used to travelling between locations by boat.
Student Matt Lewis videoed his time in Venice - follow the link below to view the footage http://youtu.be/5qr7G_eNTQI |
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| Students get a lesson in housebuilding |
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| Sussex Engineering Education Scheme (STEM) |
A team of 5 Worthing College students are currently involved in a real engineering research project. These students are working on a project that has been coordinated by the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics group (STEM) at The University of Brighton (UOB).
Our 5 students are working with a wing-mirror manufacturer called SMR Automotives in Portchester, Hants. The project involves research and development of automated inspection techniques for the plastic moulded components produced at the Portchester factory.
After several trips to Portchester, the team spent 3 days in December at a residential workshop at the UOB constructing experiments in component inspection imaging and analysis.
This has been a great opportunity for our students who will qualify for the prestigious CREST GOLD AWARD after presenting their findings at the UOB in April. |
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| Health and Wellbeing News |
 There was an excellent Safety & Security week which included an array of advice for young drivers. A driving simulator experience with the traffic police on hand to help was very popular, as was the safety equipment for scooter users, by the Fire Service. The institute of Advanced Motorists offered advice and promoted their young drivers courses. 
A drug and alcohol awareness stand was popular with students brave enough to demonstrate the pitfalls of undertaking a variety of activities wearing the 'drink goggles'!
Operation Velo, the security information and free cycle marking from West Sussex police, was offered and taken up by more than 50 students.
Valentine’s Day is Healthy Heart Day. Nurse Louise Trotter will be in the Student Centre promoting healthy eating and activities to prevent or reduce heart problems in later life. Not certain that even she can mend a broken heart though, for students (or staff) who didn’t get a Valentine’s Card |
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| Fabulous Fergany boys excel at England trials |
 The Worthing College Men’s Football Performance Programme celebrated some excellent news for one of its players during December when forward Ryan Fergany was selected to represent England Schools Under 18’s squad for this coming season.
“I’m so pleased to have been selected and 2013 will be an experience I will never forget. When I was released by Brighton I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. A coach told me about the Worthing College Football Programme and it has really developed my performances, especially in terms of attitude and work rate off the ball, which I know needs to be right if I want to get a starting place for the first England game. Dave Hall and Danny Cullip have really helped me over that last year or so and they have been an inspiration for me to strive and be the best I can.”
Ryan’s brother James was also invited to attend England’s February training camp after impressing, but injury in the final trial kept him out of the final squad. James’ disappointment turned to joy as Buckingham was so impressed with James during his earlier trials that he has been invited to the England training camp on 1st-3rd February at Lilleshall along with his brother to prove himself and hopefully gain a place in the final squad.
On hearing this news James said “To be honest, after that Friday I was totally gutted, but to be given another chance is so exciting and its one that I’m determined to grab with both hands. |
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| Worthing Schools Science Competition |
Worthing College Principal awarded prizes to the winners of the Worthing Schools Science Competition. This great annual event is organised by Paul Wright and was won by Davison School (see left).
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| College Charity Day raises £836 for the Chestnut Tree House |
 The end of term went with a bang at Worthing College, with a Charity Day that united students and staff in raising £836.01 for the Chestnut Tree House.
Highlight of the day for many was the return of The ‘X Factor’ competition. More than a dozen acts took part and it was won this year by Emily and Ruth performing Adele’s ‘Make you feel my love’.
Sports Academy students were also very active with a mixed Netball Tournament. Board and computer gamers also took part with a PlayStation and Wii room, and even a poker tournament. The Student Union organised a ‘Mission Impossible Nerf challenge’ and the Grand Library Quiz was won by team ‘I thought it was a Disco’ by just one point.
For staff the main event was a bagatelle challenge organised by Richard Kendall. Lasting for 5 days this raised £400 and was eventually won by Sports Apprentice Katy Trevis.
Other events included a Big Bang Theory Room, a raffle, the Periodic table made in cakes, and various guessing games. One of the college’s visiting international students Emilio Conti from Italy said “This is amazing. We don’t have anything like this in my school.”
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| Worthing Education Fair 2012 donates £1124.78 |
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| Aspire event, an inspiration |
Competition for places at Britain’s top universities remains red hot. That was the clear message for a packed audience at Worthing College’s recent Aspire event.
The College’s unique Aspire programme offers inspiration and support to students aiming to apply for places at The Russell Group of universities which includes Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, Bristol and Durham.
The audience heard that a clutch of grade As and A*s are as important at GCSE as at A Level; so the message was loud and clear for all Year 11s present - “Keep up the good work at school and hit your high grade targets as your first step”.
Aspire co-ordinator Antony Allchin drew parallels with our top Olympic athletes aiming for gold: the key is hard work and careful preparation. Aspire programme students benefit from university visits, expert speakers, summer schools and specialist advice. For several years Aspire has been running successfully but this year we have launched it early to make sure all current Year 11s are aware of the fantastic opportunities it offers.
Admissions Director Steve Flitton was delighted with the interest the launch generated. “Our wide A Level programme is well known and second to none in the area. We were able to highlight the extras we can add through the Aspire programme including Cambridge Pre-U and the Extended Project Qualifications which enable students to prove themselves against the very strongest competition in the country”
Ex students Sammy Fairman and Rory Callan, currently at Cambridge, told the audience of the value they attached to the Aspire programme in securing top places and current student Ivan Croydon Veleslavov gave us a taste of his recent experiences. All three were in strong demand afterwards from applicants keen to hear more.
You can find out more from our new brochures “The Aspire Programme at Worthing College” and “Support at Worthing College for students applying to Oxbridge” which can be accessed by clicking here.
Alternatively, email us at info@worthing.ac.uk or call us on 01903 243389 and we will send you copies. |
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| Worthing College team triumph in thrilling Senior Maths Challenge! |
 A team from the Worthing College Academy of Mathematics were worthy winners at Senior Maths Challenge Regional Final held at Lancing College on Tuesday 27th November.
The team: Remy Naylor, James Brackin, Brett Mayes and Jay Almond, beat off challenges from 22 teams of the best mathematics students from local schools and colleges across Sussex including the likes of Roedean, Lancing, Worth, BHASVIC and Colyers Sixth Form Colleges to record a thrilling victory and take their place in the UK Final to be held in London in February.
The competition is organised jointly by the Further Mathematics Support Programme and the UK Mathematics Trust and sponsored by Rolls-Royce plc. It is now in its sixth year and attracts over 1000 teams across the UK with the aim of providing a stimulating and enjoyable challenge for 16-19 year-old mathematics students by focusing on problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills.
This is a magnificent achievement and congratulations are owed to the team, supported by staff from the Academy, for such a brilliant success and for all the hard work training put in for this event.
In winning the Senior Maths Challenge, the Academy also gained their best ever haul of gold, silver and bronze medals. There are also three students through to the Maths Kangaroo event and two students through to the British Maths Olympiad Stage 1 so we wish them all lots of luck for those challenges to come.
Photograph shows winning team with Maths teacher Debbie Collier: Jay Almond, Remy Naylor, James Brackin, Brett Mayes. |
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| Movember Madness |
 Male Staff and Students at Worthing College were hard at work throughout November growing moustaches and raising money for ‘Movember’, the charity that raises awareness about prostate and testicular cancer. At the end of the month the best moustache competition was judged by Student Union present, Gabby Slater who awarded the honour to Colin Ilsley, the team manager for Sport, PE & Public Services. Nearly £75 was raised in total
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| Vocational Learning Gold Award |
  Students were awarded the Gold Standard in Vocational Learning following a period of outstanding work experience or voluntary work. Feedback was gathered from the workplaces and organisations and students had to meet the highest criteria in order to gain a Gold Award.
Jason Wadey – Worthing Hospital
Abigail lelliott – Thomas A Becket First School
Daisy King – (Nominated by OUTSET youth)Oak Grove Community College, Chanctonbury Play scheme, Davison Day Nursery, Activenture Ashdown Nursing Home
Hannah Colbourne – Neilson Holidays
Alyssa Castro – Worthing Hospital
Laura lambert – Worthing Hospital
Natasha Purkis – Thomas A Becket First School |
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| Senior Citizens Party |
Worthing College Student Union organised a christmas tea party for some local senior citizens. They had a fantastic turn out for the second year now with about 70 people getting into the christmas spirit.
There was an organised picture and music quiz and the music department from Worthing College singing christmas carols which everyone joined in with. To finish the afternoon there was a raffle with prizes donated from staff and students from Worthing College.
It was special for the senior citizens to chat and exchange stories with the younger generation and lovely to hear how appreciative they were of all the hard work that was put into arranging the event and the food. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone.
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| Can-Can dancers in the College Library! |
This week Worthing College was lucky enough to have a visit from renowned hypnotist, Martin Taylor fresh from assisting Derren Brown on his latest TV show. Around seventy five students, most of whom were studying Psychology, gathered in the library, unsure about what they’d let themselves in for. An element of fear, excitement and sceptical thoughts hung in the air as the hypnotist took the microphone. 
Martin Taylor began his show with an introduction to this complex art, getting laughs by the second and at the same time talking about the use of peer pressure and obedience rather than putting people into a ‘hypnotic trance’. After doing so he asked for volunteers who were happy to put his claims to the test.
Fifteen daring students, swaggered onto the stage, but were they really sure what they’d let themselves in for? He had them locked in positions (right), unable to speak, imagining bugs crawling around their faces, playing verbal Ping Pong, and playing imaginary instruments. From this group he selected six of the most susceptible candidates to take part in the stronger suggestive games. This is was where the real show started.
The audience sat in amazement as he had the volunteers stuck to the floor, even forgetting their own names and as a finale doing the can-can in front of their friends. They knew what they were doing, but just couldn’t help themselves.
Jordan Gardner, one of the hypnotised students said, “It was amazing. I was fully conscious through the whole thing, but I just wanted to do the can-can when Martin played the music” |
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| Fantastic event at the Worthing Education Fair 2012 |
  Fantastic event at the Worthing Education Fair on Saturday 13th October!
It was amazing to see how a huge empty sports hall can be transformed so quickly into an informative, vibrant, colourful, musical event for our community with more than 70 exhibition stands and a range of activities. It was a huge success with nearly 700 visitors and exhibitors attending to see a wide variety of careers, further education and training options on offer. Visitors were able to obtain advice and guidance on a variety of options ranging from hair and beauty to construction, sport to hospitality, performing arts and a wide range of academic areas of study as well as apprenticeships, the public services including the RAF and the Army, early years childcare and so much more.
On the day our loyal and informative commitment of our student ambassadors covered exhibition stands, provided musical entertainment and acted as information guides to visitors. They were brilliant!
Several college governors attended and said how impressed they were and the dep uty mayor and his consort spent over 3 hours at the event speaking to providers and employers and joining in with activities.  |
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| Congratulations to the winners of the iPads and iPods! |
Winners of iPads!
Claire from Durrington High School
Samuel from St Andrews
Laura from Davison
Kathryn from Chatsmore
Jubril from Worthing College
Winners of iPods!
Nicholas from Durrington High School
Mr Wilson from Worthing
Isla from Worthing
Will from Worthing
Sarah from Worthing
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| Fantastic Open Evenings! |
We were delighted to see so many visitors at our open evenings this week, hot on the heels of The Worthing Education Fair and various school careers and progression events.
An estimated 2500-3000 visitors came to see us this week to find out what Worthing College can offer and weigh up their options. Some visitors came on Monday and then came back again Tuesday to find out more!
The enormous positivity of staff and students was impressive; the fantastic displays and purposeful attitude; the insightfulness of students and prospective students in their conversations with each other and the general buzz of anticipation around the place, was great.
There was a very keen and exciting interest in the new Worthing College at the Warren. All six Principal talks were absolutely full with standing room only at the start of each one. People left with excited anticipation about what they were going to do next.
Worthing College students proudly spoke to large groups of parents and prospective students about Worthing College, their own experience here and their aspirations for the future. Worthing College Student Ambassadors did a fantastic job showing visitors around and speaking enthusiastically about their own experience at Worthing College, engaging directly with prospective students, asking them what subjects they were interested in and reassuring them where there were uncertainties.
Prospective students were advised to make an early application. As the only brand new college in Worthing next year we expect interest to be higher than ever before and an early application will help to ensure students can secure a place on their courses of first choice.
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| Congratulations to Worthing College Homeless |
  Congratulations to staff and students who slept out in our courtyard on Wednesday 10th October in aid of Worthing Churches Homeless Project! After spending the whole night wrapped up in bin bags and cardboard, they survived to tell the tale!
They said afterwards they had a really great night’s sleep and looked forward to a cooked breakfast from ABM Catering. After all the money is collected, around £1,000 would have been raised in aid of Worthing Churches Homeless Project, which is a brilliant effort from everyone! The students have been very enthusiastic in their efforts and should be congratulated. They also want to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored them. |
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| Best Chemist award goes to Worthing College student |
 Worthing College student Adam Fitchett attended an awards ceremony at Surrey University on Monday 8th October as the “Best Chemist” from Worthing College. He was nominated by the Chemists as the best in his year. The award is given to those nominated from each institution. We do not always send someone. There is an overall regional prize. Adam is trying for Biochemistry at Oxford and this may enhance his ucas form! This is an annual award given to the top performers in the schools and colleges in the South East Region. Our congratulations to Adam. |
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| Exclusive quote from Eddy who performed on The X Factor! |
 Singing "The Strokes' Last Nite", Eddy gave a fantastic performance. Eddy popped in to the College the day after the programme when his audition was shown on The X Factor, he said "I caught the train over here catching some first year students on their first day. I ended up walking them in and found it strange to re live their first day as if it was mine. I hope my sister doesn't feel she needs to live in my shadow as it's her first day too. I feel I grew up a bit at Worthing College, but clearly not enough because i'm still a nitwit in Gary Barlows eyes". Click here to view the former Worthing College student's audition.
Click here to see what the Argus has to say about him.
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