‘Outstanding’ new Principal for Edinburgh College

Former teacher Annette Bruton is unanimous choice 

Annette Bruton

Edinburgh College is delighted to announce Annette Bruton as its new principal, to lead it into a thriving future and ensure more people can change their lives through education. She will lead the ambitious long-term growth of the college as it develops new opportunities for students, staff and businesses to excel, supporting a prosperous economy.

East Lothian-born Annette, currently chief executive of the Care Inspectorate, has extensive experience and expertise in education, originally training and working as a geography teacher, and later moving into learning support and special educational needs.

She joined HM Inspectorate of Education in 2001 and became its chief executive in 2005. In 2009, she took up the role of director of Education, Culture and Sport at Aberdeen City Council, where she worked until joining the Care Inspectorate in 2012. As chief executive of the Care Inspectorate, Annette oversaw the successful merger of three organisations into a single body.

The college Board appointed Annette as principal at its meeting yesterday (Tuesday 10 February), following a rigorous recruitment process. She will take over from interim principal Dr Elaine McMahon and will be in post before the start of the next academic year.

Ian McKay, chair of the Board of Edinburgh College, said: “Annette was the unanimous choice of the Board to become the new principal and we’re delighted she accepted the role. 

“She has had a highly distinguished career in public service as well as extensive expertise and experience in education. Throughout the selection process she proved her strategic understanding, her sound judgement and her commitment to promoting lifelong learning.

“As a former teacher she has great empathy for the needs of students and staff, and the importance of ensuring they are all supported to succeed throughout their education and professional lives.

“I’m certain that she will provide excellent leadership to steer the college throughout the next crucial period of its development, and I’m very much looking forward to working with her.”

Annette said: “I am honoured to take up this post and look forward to meeting new colleagues, both staff and students. 

“Edinburgh College plays a pivotal role in the life of the capital and well beyond. Its links with schools, universities and employers give real meaning to lifelong learning and empower thousands of students with new skills each year.

“Having dedicated most of my career to education at all levels, I look forward to making a further contribution to providing high-quality learning and the opportunities that gives to the whole community and the economy of our region.”

Edinburgh College interim principal Elaine McMahon added: “Since the merger, Edinburgh College has taken significant steps forward and I am delighted that Annette will take the college on this exciting new journey; she is an outstanding choice. 

“In my time here it’s been an absolute privilege to fulfil the role of interim principal, and Annette will find that she’s working with extremely talented people who are committed to giving our students an amazing education.”

Edinburgh College formed in October 2012 following the merger of three Edinburgh further education colleges. It is now more than two years into a five-year change programme, with ambitious plans to grow by 20 per cent by 2017 and create more opportunities for people to engage in further and higher education. It aims for every student to achieve a positive destination, and to develop a college culture that creates educators for the future.

Hair today …!

Edinburgh College students help George Watson’s pupils donate hair to charity

Little Princess EventEdinburgh College hair and beauty students have been using their scissor skills to chop George Watson’s College pupils’ hair to help make wigs for children with cancer. The students visited George Watson’s to cut the pupils’ hair in aid of the charity the Little Princess Trust.

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs to children with hair loss due to cancer treatment. Two members of staff and 12 pupils from P6, S4, S5 and S6 each donated seven inches of their hair to the charity. Each girl’s hair was braided into a seven-inch ponytail to be cut off and made into a real hair wig.

Thirteen Edinburgh College hairdressing students cut the ponytails off in front of the whole Senior School, before providing each volunteer with new hairstyles with the help of lecturers Adelle Smillie and Nicky Heneke.

The pupils had been inspired by an assembly in early December, where PE Teacher Kerry McNaughton and S1 pupil Ella Hopley had their hair cut in front of the school for donation to the charity.

 

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Students focus on stardust spectacular

Edinburgh College photographers throw spotlight on students’ winter showbiz special

WAMOS 2

A student photography exhibition celebrating Edinburgh College performing arts students’ winter showbiz spectacular is now on display at Leith’s Creative Exchange.

The exhibition showcases the college’s recent show We Are Made of Stardust, developed and performed by Edinburgh College students. Two HND Photography students – Tracey Largue and Sara Thomson – took the photos of the show that feature in the exhibition, showing off the vibrancy, energy and emotion of the performance.

We Are Made of Stardust, which featured HND Year 2 Acting and Performance students, was devised by lecturer Scott Johnston and formed using the cast’s own ideas and stories. The 30 young actors in training shared their personal tales of love, loss and life with the audience in performances at the college’s Perfoming Arts Studio Scotland (PASS).

Marjory Crooks, curriculum manager for broadcast media, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to see examples of the highly professional work produced by two of our photography students. The students on our various creative industries courses are encouraged to collaborate on projects to develop their practical skills and share their learning experiences.”

Scott Johnston said: “This was an incredibly successful show in terms of audience feedback which was universally extraordinarily positive. The cast all learned from each other by sharing ideas and experiences. This helped build the actors as a team, an essential part of working in any field but especially in theatre.”

The We Are Made of Stardust exhibition at Creative Exchange on Constitution Street runs until Friday 30 January, 9am – 5pm each day.  

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Edinburgh College is currently recruiting for a range of courses in the Creative Industries starting this month including evening classes in Digital Photography: Studio Image Manipulation and Photography: Introduction to Portraiture. For more details on these and other courses, visit www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

 

College Big Band to perform at Festival Theatre

Edinburgh College Big Band to showcase student talent 

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The Edinburgh College Big Band will demonstrate the talents of music performance students in a showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre next month.

The Edinburgh College Big Band showcases the next generation of musical talent at the college, and will present a new programme of big band favourites on 4 February, from Sammy Nestico to Bob Mintzer.

The Edinburgh College Big Band comprises some of the best music students currently studying at Edinburgh College. It is only open to students studying music performance as the level and demands on band members are exceptionally high. The band is led by two of the college’s music lecturers, saxophonist Allan Glen and guitarist Robin Robertson.

Allan Glen said: “It’s a real privilege to work with each and every one of the students in the big band. The music is difficult and the rehearsal schedule demanding but every member always rises to the challenge and, most importantly, they enjoy it.

“Performance is at the heart of a student’s musical education and having the opportunity to present a new programme of music at a venue such as The Studio is a great thrill not only for the members of the band but also for myself and Robin.”

The band has performed in numerous venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow, including the prestigious Queen’s Hall.

The showcase will take place on 4 February at 7.30pm in The Studio at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Tickets are £15 for adults, £12 for concessions.

Tickets are available from the theatre box office on 0131 529 6000 and at www.edtheatres.com/bigbandshowcase

Agreement to fast-track Holyrood votes for 16 & 17 year olds

Votes for 16 & 17 year olds: ‘I believe the case has become undeniable’ – Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael

AC_at_Edinburgh_CollegeThe legislative power to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in future Scottish Parliament elections should be transferred from the UK Parliament to Holyrood in March, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael announced yesterday.

Mr Carmichael made the announcement during a visit to Edinburgh College, where he met 16 and 17 year old students and discussed the importance of having the right to vote.

The timetable for the Section 30 Order – which will devolve the power from the UK Parliament to Holyrood in March – has been agreed by both the UK and Scottish Government. It will be brought before both Houses of the UK Parliament and the Scottish Parliament today and then put forward for Privy Council approval in March.

This is the first stage in implementing the Smith Commission’s cross party agreement on devolution which will bring more powers and more financial responsibility to the Scottish Parliament.

Delivery of the Section 30 Order was brought forward as an exception from the rest of the Smith package so the power could be devolved in time for 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections – although they will not have a vote in May’s general election.

The Scottish Secretary also confirmed that the UK Government would publish draft legislation on the Smith Agreement later this week – ahead of the Burns Day deadline announced prior to the independence referendum.

During his college visit Mr Carmichael met with a group of BTEC first-year Art & Design students, who had already been discussing the issue as part of their communications class, as well as other 16-17 year students, to learn their views about lowering the voting age. He also met with representatives from Edinburgh College Students’ Association, as well as college Board vice chair Ian Young and deputy principal Craig Wilson.

Secretary of State visit Photo 2Mr Carmichael said: “I’m delighted to confirm a timetable has been agreed for 16 and 17 year olds to vote in future Scottish Parliament elections. I’ve always been a firm believer in votes at 16, with the sheer number of young people participating and voting in last year’s referendum I believe the case has become undeniable.

“Today marks the next phase in our commitment to people in Scotland and the start of an landmark week for the future of our country. Later this week we will publish draft legislation ahead of Burns Night meeting our promise to bring new powers built to last for the Scottish Parliament.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that agreement has been reached with the UK Government on the terms of the transfer of powers to allow the Scottish Parliament to give 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in Scottish Parliament elections.

Once the Order has been passed, the Scottish Government will bring forward legislation to the Scottish Parliament which, subject to parliamentary agreement, will allow registration officers to complete their work to ensure 16 and 17 year olds are able to vote in the May 2016 Scottish election.

The deal comes after the First Minister met with Prime Minister David Cameron in London last month, where she stressed the need for swift action to transfer the powers. The First Minister and Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael have now confirmed that the necessary powers will be transferred by March.

Welcoming the move, the First Minister said yesterday: “It has long been this Government’s policy to reduce the voting age to 16. The Scottish Government’s decision to extend the vote to 16 and 17 year olds in the referendum legislation is widely seen as an outstanding success and contributed to the unprecedented level of democratic engagement we witnessed.

“I am delighted that there is now cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament for extending the franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds for Scottish Parliament and local government elections. I stressed the need for rapid action on this front when I met David Cameron in London before Christmas – and I am delighted we now have a deal. We now intend to bring forward legislation to the Scottish Parliament as soon as possible after the Order is in force to lower the voting age to 16 for these elections. This will allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the 2016 elections to the Scottish Parliament.

“This deal, which is being delivered to a tight timetable, shows just what is possible when there is political will on both sides – and underlines the need for swift action on other elements of the Smith Commission proposals.”

Last week a Scottish Parliament committee survey reported that an overwhelming majority of 16 and 17-year-olds who were eligible to vote in last year’s historic referendum did so, with four out of five saying they want a vote in all future elections.

More than 1200 of the eligible first-time voters responded to the online survey run by the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee with more than one in three saying they had campaigned for either side and two in five saying they had attended a campaign event.

Welcoming the findings, Devolution (Further Powers) Committee Convener Bruce Crawford MSP said: “We saw an unprecedented level of interest and democratic engagement around the referendum and the results of this survey provide further evidence of the energy and enthusiasm generated.

“It is quite clear that 16 and 17 year olds welcomed the opportunity to have their say on their country’s constitutional future and now want a say in the elections that shape their lives and communities – it is now for politicians to respond positively to that democratic momentum.”

Survey findings include:

  • Over 84 per cent of respondees agreed with the decision to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote in the Referendum
  • Three-quarters of respondees felt “well informed” or “quite well informed” about the major issues;
  • Nearly 36 per cent of respondees campaigned for either side while one in four joined a political party;
  • Four-fifths believe they should be able to vote in other elections;
  • Nearly two-thirds accessed online or social media material from the official campaigns while broadcast media was the most popular source for information.

Mr Crawford said: “I am delighted that the UK Government has agreed to transfer responsibility for running elections in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament, paving the way for votes in future Scottish, UK and local elections.

“We will use the findings of this survey to ensure that future generations of voters are as well-equipped as possible to make decisions on the issues that affect them.”

College Information Days next week

EdColl

Edinburgh College is holding course information days this month for potential students to find out more about courses starting in August and get on track for successful futures. 

Anyone interested in finding out more about studying at the college to get on the career ladder, continue with studies or learn new skills is invited to come and talk to staff from across the curriculum.

The information days are on Tuesday 27 January from 2pm -6.30pm at Sighthill Campus and on Wednesday 29 January from 2 – 6.30pm at Milton Road Campus.

Each event will have information about all curriculum areas.

Ads the way to do it!

Radio students make real adverts for Edinburgh College
Edinburgh College Radio
Edinburgh College students have made their debut on the airwaves and used skills learned in the classroom for a real-life radio campaign to promote the college’s courses.
First-year radio production students devised, wrote and produced radio adverts to advertise college courses starting this August and information days taking place this month. Working with acting students, they recorded them at the college’s recording studio and will now hear their voices transmitted on Edinburgh radio stations. The adverts are live now on Forth One and Capital FM.
The college’s Marketing team set the radio students a brief to develop adverts to promote August courses as part of the college’s wider advertising campaign, which is currently underway. Working with their lecturers, the group of HNC Creative Industries: Radio students took the brief and created two adverts to promote the courses and Course Information Days, based on the campaign theme ‘Make it happen with Edinburgh College’. The students pitched their ideas to the Marketing team, took feedback and developed them to meet the college’s needs.
The students work on similar projects as part of their course, but this is the first time their work is being used on air.
Radio lecturer Conor Wright said: “Giving students real practical experience like this is what further education is really good at. It’s not just about theory work but about giving them real-world skills and an understanding of what’s expected of them in a workplace.
“They had to work to a proper brief from a real client and deliver to a professional standard so there was pressure to make sure the work was good. They were getting real feedback and had to push themselves, but they did a great job and the end result is excellent. This has really benefited the acting students too, as well as the radio students.”
Radio Production student Iona Fotheringham, 17, from Dunfermline, who was one of the writers, producers and actors, said: “Doing the adverts was great experience and it was a good chance to turn what we’ve learned in college into practice for a real project. The thought of our work going out is kind of scary but I’m excited to hear it on the radio.”
Forth 1 DJ Mark Martin, who does the weekday Home Run slot from 3-7pm and studied radio at Edinburgh College, said: “We’re playing the students’ adverts now and they’re great. They’ve done a fantastic job. Getting this kind of experience while they’re studying is really important and means they’re better prepared for when they leave college and start work. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the college and everything I learned there, and I’m delighted to see the students continue to get such excellent training.”
Hear the adverts here: 

Radio Advert 1

Radio Advert 2

And watch a video made by the college about the recording here: http://vimeo.com/114778791

The college is offering hundreds of courses beginning in August at levels to suit all needs – from HNC and HND level and associate degree programmes that lead on to university study, to Access courses and programmes designed to get people back into education, community-based courses and industry-approved qualifications.

Applications for courses starting in August will open on 2 February. The deadline is 15 May.

Anyone interested in a course is invited to Course Information Days on 27 January from 2-6.30pm at Sighthill Campus and on Wednesday 29 January from 2-6.30pm at Milton Road Campus. Each event will have information about all curriculum areas.

More information about the college curriculum and courses is available at www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk

 

Edinburgh College stages epic event!

Every Person Counts: learning lessons on  inclusion from Cambodia

Epic Encounters1

A fully inclusive dance company from Cambodia featuring performers with various disabilities visited Edinburgh College last month to deliver a workshop and perform to the college’s dance students.

Epic Encounters is a group of talented dance and theatre performers from Cambodia, consisting of hearing-impaired, disabled and non-disabled performers. It is first and only fully inclusive dance company in South East Asia.

The company came to the college’s Performing Arts Studio Scotland​(PASS) to perform examples of its work that it uses to raise awareness of issues in Cambodia such as road safety, sexual health and child protection to PASS students and staff.

The performers also led an inclusive movement workshop based on their performances and the company motto of Epic Arts – Every Person Counts.

They performed a thought-provoking piece called Come Back Brighter, about the effect of the Khmer Rouge Regime on the artists of Cambodia and the current explosion of creativity sweeping the country. The performance also included a mini sign language lesson and life story from one of the performers.

The Epic Encounters team tours nationally and internationally, creating and performing educational theatre and dance performances. It mixes traditional Khmer dance and contemporary physical theatre techniques to inspire, raise awareness and educate.

Epic Encounters is a social enterprise from Epic Arts Kampot. Epic Arts is an international NGO that works to raise the aspirations of disabled and non-disabled Cambodians through arts-based education, community and social businesses such as the dance company, which is a valuable source of sustainable income for the charity Epic Encounters visited the college as the final stop on a UK tour of performances, workshops and talks.Ethelinda Lashley, a dance lecturer at PASS, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn from dancers from a very different background and to understand and appreciate the importance of diversity and inclusivity in dance. Our students are encouraged to appreciate dance within a social and cultural context and explore this through their work.”

Susan Inglis, equalities, policy and research manager for the college, said: “The performance by Epic Arts from Cambodia was most impressive and inspirational.

“The dance team should be congratulated for bringing this highly skilled and energetic inclusive dance group to the college. They demonstrated vividly their commitment to a world where every person counts, and where people with disabilities are valued, accepted and respected.”

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Students’ photshoots help families smile

Jessica CCLASP

Two Edinburgh College photography students have teamed up with Leith-based charity CCLASP​ (Children with Cancer and Leukaemia, Advice and Support for Parents) to give children affected by cancer a reason to smile by offering free family photoshoots to provide lasting memories.

The chance to carry out the shoots started after student Derek got chatting to his neighbour and founder of CCLASP, Valerie Simpson. As a way of helping the charity as well as furthering his photography skills, Derek offered to take pictures for the families that the charity supported. He then started carrying out photo sessions with his friend and fellow photography student, David Anderson.

One woman who is forever grateful to Derek and David is Claire Tasker from Kirkcaldy in Fife.  After her little girl Jessica was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), Claire says that CCLASP was a ‘godsend’.

While Jessica, now 6, has been in remission for the last two years Claire’s mum Kay was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last February. With the family knowing that her mum didn’t have long after her diagnosis, Claire called on Derek and David to bring the family together for a shoot they would always remember.

Claire says that David and Derek were extremely good at making everyone feel relaxed and the pictures now decorate her house and have been given out as gifts to provide lasting memories of her mum, who sadly passed away in April at the age of 53.

Claire said: “It’s the last photos that we got of us all as a family. I was pregnant at the time so to be able to share that as a family just meant the world. It’s amazing to be able to look back and have those photos with my mum and with my daughter.”

While studies for their BA in Photography continue, David and Derek remain committed to working with CCLASP, photographing events and days out put on by the charity for children who are undergoing treatment or whose condition may be terminal. For the photographers, the family photo-shoots were a moving experience.

“It was a great opportunity to meet all the families, who are fantastically strong considering what they’re going through,” said David, 40, from East Lothian.
Derek, 35, from Leith, said: “We’ve met families from different areas, different walks of life. Their experience is very inspiring.”

CCLASP was set up by Valerie and Bill Simpson after their son Robert was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of six. They started up the Edinburgh based children’s charity in 1994 to help support children and groups of families, to express and share the feelings, anxieties and the horror of having a child with a life threatening illness.

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Students design CD cover for local band

 

ICONIC: Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon
ICONIC: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon

Talented Edinburgh College Art and Design students have teamed up with city band The Valkarys to design CD covers, with the winning entry to be announced tomorrow.

The students, who are currently studying for their National Diploma Art and Design, were given three weeks to design eye-catching CD cover designs to represent The Valkarys’ music. More than 60 students were involved, each working on an individual design.

The doors open at 7:30pm tomorrow night at La Belle Angèle, 11 Hastie’s Close, off Guthrie Street, Edinburgh. The Valkarys will be performing followed by the announcement of the winning design.