AoC London Region Bulletin Issue 116

1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
15 June 2012 – Issue 116
Greetings from AoC London Regional Director Caroline Neville
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to have finally joined the region in my new role as AoC London Regional
Director. Today I am enjoying my sixth day in the office, and I would like to thank my regional
team colleagues, Judith, Evelina and Cyheme for their welcome and support to the new RD. My
thanks also go to Kate Anderson. Kate and I were able to spend a number of orientation days
together before her departure for which I was extremely grateful. This has helped to achieve a
smooth transition.
As you will see from the meetings schedule, I have already been getting out and about meeting
our partner organisations, including the GLA, NAS, JobCentre Plus and LondonHigher. And I
have started my visits to London Colleges with a number scheduled over the coming weeks
which I am looking forward to very much.
I was pleased to have the chance of popping into the AoCLR Finance Directors’ (FDs) Network
and briefly meeting the FDs. I was also wowed by the AoC Gold Awards event held at the
House of Commons on Wednesday. The AoC Gold Awards recognise the successes of former
College students’ as well as acknowledging the vital role that Colleges play in the careers of the
winners. Next week we are holding a London region meeting for College HE Co-ordinators.
Attendance looks good which suggests this is a welcome development.
The week after next, on Thursday 28 June, AoC London Region holds its 16th Annual General
Meeting. This is followed by the 64th AoC London Regional Forum to which Chairs, Principals
and College Nominees are invited to attend. This is an important event in the region’s calendar.
The Forum is considering two key themes – the Ofsted framework, and governance. It is also a
great opportunity for me to meet and hear the views of Chairs and Principals on these key and
topical issues so early in my tenure! The agendas for the meetings are attached and also further
details can be found below.
I am looking forward to working with you and your teams. My contact details are on page 7 of
the Bulletin – please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes
Caroline Neville
AoC London AGM, Regional Forum and Summer Party on Thursday 28 June 2012 at Barclays
1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP
4.30pm – 5.15pm, AGM; 5.15pm – 6.45pm, Regional Forum. Matthew Coffey, Ofsted is the
main speaker; followed by a representative from Mills and Reeve. The Summer Reception will
follow at 7pm until 9pm in Barclays’ Greenwich Rooms. Please register your attendance at
LRSummerParty@aoc.co.uk

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 15 June 2012
Olympic and Paralympic games update
Uxbridge College Students – Olympic Inspiration
Uxbridge College students followed in the footsteps of Olympic and Paralympic champions
when weeks of events culminated in a grand final. The Olympic grand finals were held at
Hillingdon Athletics Stadium, with Paralympic sports taking place the previous day at the
College's Uxbridge Campus.
Gold, silver and bronze medals – decorated with the Uxbridge College logo and stamped
‘Olympic 2012’ on the back – were awarded to the winners. Instead of the countries of the
world, teams from the College's nine Schools (teaching departments) were entered. The School
with the most medals, Sports, Travel and Public Services, will be crowned the Olympic
Champion.
Competitors in the grand final took part in long jump, high jump, shot putt, 100m, 800m and
relay. There were also novelty races including the sack and 3 legged races. During the
paralympic events, students who do not normally use wheelchairs played wheelchair rugby
and a sport called Boccia, which is a type of bowls played sitting down. The paralympic
activities were provided by Aspire, an organisation which
supports people with spinal injury and helps promote
disability awareness.
In May in the run up to the grand final, events including
badminton, table tennis and football also took place and the
winners received medals. The College was decorated with
official banners and bunting featuring the Olympic logo and
colors.
Uxbridge College picture
Sarah Mottram, Student Support Officer, said: ‘Our aim when we launched the Uxbridge
College Olympics was to get as many people as possible involved in sports – and we have been
extremely successful.’
‘While Uxbridge College has some extremely capable and competitive young sports people
who took part, it was some of the less naturally sporty who got the most out of it.’
‘Wheelchair rugby and Boccia not only offered some unique insights into the reality of living
with a physical disability – but the thing which stood out the most was how much fun they
were to take part in.’
OTHER NEWS AND UPDATES
AoC Gold Awards 2012: Congratulations!
The Association of Colleges (AoC) Gold Awards recognise the successes of former College
students as well as acknowledging the vital role that Colleges play in the careers of the winners
and of their continuing achievements. The recipients were selected from almost 100
nominations from further education Colleges across the UK.
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 15 June 2012
Eight further education alumni, whose professions span from the big screen to business and
boxing, have been presented with an AoC Gold Award by Lord Willis of Knaresborough at a
ceremony in the House of Commons on Wednesday 13 June.
The awards received:
• Idris Elba, actor, nominated by Barking and Dagenham College
• Amir Khan, Olympic medallist turned professional boxer, nominated by Bolton College
• Sir Kevin Smith, Chief Executive of GKN, nominated by Burnley College
• Peter France, Chief Executive of Rotork plc, nominated by City of Bath College
• Trevor Baylis, inventor and entrepreneur, nominated by Ealing, Hammersmith and
West London College
• Katy Etherington, graphic designer and founder of PA Pool, nominated by the National
Star College
• Justin King, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, nominated by the Sixth Form College,
Solihull
• Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Transport, nominated by Thomas
Rotherham College
FE Colleges London Badminton League
The FE and Sixth Form Colleges Badminton League enters its second year in 2012 with more
teams than ever entering. The league aims to address the drop-off in participation in the 16-19
age bracket and to provide increased competitive opportunities for this age group.
The league is open to any FE College, Sixth Form College or School Sixth Form in London.
There is no joining fee, to increase uptake of the scheme, and the league is designed to sit above
all round participation of students within the College environment.
The deadline for submitting a confirmation of league entry is Friday 22nd June 2012. For more
information please contact Jenny Douch, Regional Officer at BADMINTON England.
Exclusive Free Talent Coaches Breakfast Club – 28 June, Crystal Palace National Sports
Centre
London Youth Games Foundation together with Sports Coach UK, this is offering a free
opportunity for any performance coaches to take part in a top quality coaching workshop with
one of the top coaches in the business and to enjoy the VIP hospitality at the Mini Games.
There are 20 places available and preference will be given to those coaches who are at or
working towards level 3 and to those who coach teams for London Youth Games.
To register or to find out more, please email: events@londonyouthgames.org.
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 15 June 2012
Inspirational conference helps students to find the right track for the future
Over 150 Bromley College students attended this year’s annual conference on Thursday 3rd
May which was organised by the Student Liaison Team, to inspire thoughts about next steps
and provide information on all the possibilities.
Guest speakers at the half day event included David
Gorgeous, a life coach, motivational speaker and make-up
artist, who explained how he got where he is today and Dawn
Jones, an HR consultant who talked about her life and career
path and showed students how to recognise and use their
talents.
Bromley College picture
The guests were based at separate tables to encourage close questioning and allow for more
personal reflections to help the students.
Joanna Hill, studying on the Level 2 Health and Social Care course said: ‘I found the whole
event enjoyable and interesting. It was extremely useful, hearing about real peoples' life
experiences and being inspired to be better at what I want to do!’
Liz Watson, Student Services Manager, said: ‘This was an exciting motivational event for
students from both campuses across all courses. We are so lucky that local employers and
business people, with high level and relevant experience, have been prepared to come and
share their ups and downs in this way. Students took the opportunity to speak to our guests
about their own careers and pick up some expert tips!’
The morning ended with student Kassall, aged 17, who read basketball player, Michael Jordan’s
inspiring words: ‘I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26
times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over
and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.’
Kassall, who also read his own work, ‘No struggle, no progression’ which described his life
experience and how he had overcome adversity, said: ‘I hope people today have a new level of
determination and drive. You have to want to succeed and go after it!’
Recent meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Feedback
7 June Catch up meeting CN, JS Regular catch up meeting
with Vic Grimes,
Apprenticeships
7 June Employer CN, IA The Agenda included the following:
Engagement • London Colleges – Engagement with
Strategy Launch Employers: Ian Ashman
Event • Outline of the LHC Employer
Engagement Strategy, Dave Ashdown
• Reaching out to Business, the way
forward, John-Paul Marks, JobCentre
plus
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5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 15 June 2012
• NEST, Martin Buxcey
• Sharing good practice, Districts
• Transforming Labour Market Services,
Mark Allen
• Manpower – what employers are
looking for.
13 June AoCLR Finance CN The Agenda included the following:
Directors' network • CN introduction session
meeting • Open forum and feedback from
national committee
• EFA – update
• SFA – update
• Implementation of Shared services,
practical issues
• Services to the further education sector
including banking and treasury
reviews, project finance tendering and
evaluation, merchant services
13 June The AoC Gold CN See the headlines
Awards 2012
13 June A post 14 Network CN Theme of the Event:
Research and ‘What do we mean by strongly vocational
Policy Working education?
Day
14 June Principals’ CN, JS The Agenda included the following:
meeting with Kit • Mayors Apprenticeship
Malthouse and Campaign
Munira Mirza, • AoC/Youth Justice Board
GLA project
• Careers Service
• Strategic role for Vocational
education
• No Free Lunch Campaign
14 June London Higher CN The Event included:
Summer • John Cridland CBE, Director-General,
Reception, BMA CBI as key note speaker
House • Networking opportunities
15 June Directors’ CN Regular meeting
Extended Strategy
meeting
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6. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 15 June 2012
Future meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Agenda
18 June London Councils: CN The Agenda includes:
Young People's • Policy Update – For Decision
Education and • Vision and Strategy – Priority Setting
Skills (YPES) Board • Special educational needs and disability
meeting Green Paper
• Further Education – new challenges, new
chances
• YPES Evaluation
• Learner Voice London
20 June AoC London HE AoCLR The Agenda includes the following:
coordinators • HE in FE, Caroline Neville, AoC
network meeting • HEFCE update
• London Colleges HE Collaboration
• AoC HE Policy Update, Nick Davy
20 June Meeting Diane CN Catch up meeting
Gilhooley and
Alexandra Worden,
Eversheds
20 June Barking and CN, JS Cathy Walsh, Principal, hosting a Gala Dinner to
Dagenham College, celebrate the College’s 50th birthday.
50th Birthday Gala
Dinner
22 June AoC London JS The Agenda includes:
Marketing • Marketing Managers’ Network events
Committee meeting • AoC National update
• Londoncolleges.com update
• Skills Show/Prospects presentation
25 June WorldSkills CN To be confirmed
Portfolio Group
25 June AoC Summer CN Reception at the House of Commons, hosted by
Reception Stephen Lloyd MP
27 June HE in FE: Partner CN To be confirmed
Perspectives
28 June AGM, Regional AoCLR The Agendas include:
Forum and Summer • Annual Report
Party • Regional Committee Election
• Ofsted: Guidelines on the new inspection
framework
• Excellent Governance in Colleges
29 June AoCLR CIS/MIS JS The Agenda includes:
managers' network • Education Cloud project
meeting • Update from the Information Authority
4 July SFA/SLC Loan CN Details of the event to be confirmed
event
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7. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 15 June 2012
Events and Dates for the Diary
 AoC Enterprise Summit, Tuesday 19 June 2012, 9.00am-4.10pm at Dexter House, London.
For more information please visit the AoC Events website.
 AoC London HE Coordinators Network meeting, Wednesday 20 June, 3.00pm-5.00pm at
AoC Offices, London. Please email Evelina Bagusyte for more information.
 The College Finance Directors’ Conference and Exhibition, Wednesday 20 and Thursday
21 June 2012, The International Centre, Telford. For more information please visit the AoC
Events website.
 AoC London Marketing Committee meeting, Friday 22 June 2012, 9.00am-11.00am at
AoC offices, Stedham Place. Please email Judith Smyth for more information.
 BCS/AoC National Sports Conference 2012, Thursday 21 and Friday 22 June at Aston
Business School Conference Centre, Birmingham. For more information please visit the
AoC Create Events website.
 AoC London AGM, Regional Forum and Summer Party, Thursday 28 June 2012, 4.30pm-
9.00pm, PM, Venue Barclays, 1 Churchill Place. Please email Judith Smyth for more
information.
 AoC CIS/MIS Managers’ Network meeting, Friday 29 June, 10.00am-1.00pm at AoC
offices, Stedham Place. Please email Evelina Bagusyte for more information.
Policy and other documents
GLA news
Assembly puts support for crime victims centre stage
‘London’s getting ready for a summer like no other,’ says Mayor
London needs long-term strategies for dealing with water shortages
Mayor of London backs 100 Days of Peace in 2012
Mayor exceeds pledge to build 50,000 affordable homes for Londoners
If you wish to contact the AoC London office to give feedback on this Bulletin, to request
additional information where we have offered it, or to provide suggested content for future
issues, please email Evelina Bagusyte.
Caroline Neville Judith Smyth
Regional Director Executive Manager
caroline.neville@aoc.co.uk judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk
020 7034 9976 020 7034 9997
Evelina Bagusyte Cyheme Bilouta
Regional Coordinator Team Administrator (part-time)
evelina.bagusyte@aoc.co.uk cyheme.bilouta@aoc.co.uk
020 70349998 020 7034 9966
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