Students Light Up with Raspberry Pi

Year 10 bright sparks from Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy (OSSMA) had a great day learning how to connect up a Raspberry Pi computer and write code in Python to control physical objects. The students were challenged to write the code in order to simulate a traffic light sequence and then develop this into a pelican crossing.

The group were also taken on a tour of the College’s state of the art facilities and enjoyed lunch in the College’s Food Hall. Mr Smart, Head of Curriculum and Timetabling at OSSMA, said ‘It was great having a ’hands on’ day. The taster was well delivered in terms of content and the level pitched at!’

Callum Lawton, OSSMA Year 10, said ‘I never knew about Raspberry Pi but it was great fun setting it up.’ The pupils all rated the session ‘good’ or ‘very good’ on their feedback forms!
 
If you are a pupil or teacher and would like a group from your school to attend a taster at Newcastle-under-Lyme College please contact School Liaison on 01782 245347 or email schools@nulc.ac.uk.

If you would like to learn more about Raspberry Pi NULC is hosting its third event at the College on Monday 12th May. To find out more visit http://northstaffsrjam1.eventbrite.co.uk.

First Raspberry Jam a huge success

The College’s first Raspberry Jam was a big success with over 50 people attending, networking, discussing and demoing their ideas for use of the Raspberry Pi mini-computer. 


The evening started with a talk from Carl Plant from BitJam all about the 'Internet of Things' including some uses of Raspberry Pi in in-house health care. Jonathan Westlake from Staffordshire University followed this up with a useful talk on his progress in running outreach sessions in schools introducing Raspberry Pi and also discussed some of the resources he has used such as the Raspberry Pi Emulator. James Wade wrapped up the talks by discussing the Potteries Hackspace including some of the cool projects being done there such as Raspberry Pi powered arcade machines.

Two introductory sessions ran this evening, which gave attendees the opportunity to set up a Raspberry Pi and learn some basic programming.

Paul Simmons, Curriculum Leader for Level 1 and 2 Vocational Computing at NULC organised the event.  He said: "I got the impression that everyone learned some good programming skills and had fun taking their first steps into Raspberry Pi."

He added: "The event was such a success, we're now in the process of planning another event in 2014."
There was a lot of interest in the demos especially the Quake 3 demo and the arcade machine but there was also a large crowd round Jonathan Westlake’s demo all evening as he answered questions and showed off some physical computing.

To find out more about studying Computing at NULC contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Raspberry Jam Event

NULC is holding it's first Raspberry Jam, but what exactly is a Raspberry Jam?

Raspberry Jam's are events set up to allow people of all ages and abilities to come together and share knowledge and ideas related to the use of the new mini-computer, the Raspberry Pi.

What’s a Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that plugs into your TV and a keyboard. It’s a capable little PC which can be used for many of the things that your desktop PC does, like spreadsheets, word-processing and games. It also plays high-definition video.

Who can attend the NULC Raspberry Jam?

There are sessions for beginners as well as opportunities to share projects and ideas related to computing using the Raspberry Pi mini-computer. As with all the other Raspberry Jam events, we welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and experience; mums and sons, dads and daughters, teachers, developers and enthusiasts. Of course, we particularly want children to attend, so this will be a ‘family-friendly’ event.

What will I learn at the NULC Raspberry Jam?

Attending a Raspberry Jam allows you the opportunity to learn more about the Raspberry Pi mini-computer as well as share ideas and projects you have been working on. In essence, it is all about learning new skills and sharing your enthusiasm and ideas with others.

The skills and knowledge which can be gained through coming together to discuss Raspberry Pi can be used to help change your career, gain a better understanding of programming or help your children or friends/family to learn new computing skills.

You don’t need to have a Raspberry Pi to attend, just an interest in what you can do with it. Some people bring the Raspberry Pi and any projects along to show others, some come along to discover more about the Raspberry Pi computer.

The NULC Raspberry Jam will take place on Thursday  7 November 2013, from 6.00pm -9.00pm.  For more information or to book your place click here.

Computing students uncover computing secrets at Bletchley Park

Computing students at NULC travelled back in time to experience how the computers we all use nowadays were developed. 

During the visit to the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park, some 40 students from the Extended Diploma IT, Foundation Degree IT and ITQ were able to experience programming as it used to be, see 100's of different computing systems and understand how computing developed from breaking the Enigma and other encryption systems in World War II through brilliant minds such as Alan Turing and Tommy Flowers. 

 




To find out more about the trip or studying Computing at NULC contact Paul Tanner Curriculum Leader Paul.tanner@nulc.ac.uk.

BTEC Computing Students attend Game Expo

Students studying BTEC Level 3 Computing at NULC recently attended the EuroGamer Expo in Earl's Court in London. The Expo showcases some of the latest products of the games industry and find out about some of the opportunities available with the industry.

  
For the Year 2 students on the Software Development option it also allowed them the opportunity to refine their ideas for their own computer game which they will be developing throughout the year.
 
All students enjoyed the day and were clear that the chance to attend allowed them a good insight into the industry which some of them are considering entering.


  

To find out more about studying Computing at NULC contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

NULC students brush up on employability skills

Students studying health and social care, IT and engineering attended an employability event hosted at Staffordshire University.

NULC took 120 students from level 3 courses in health and social care, IT and engineering to take part in a national initiative the Splash programme which is ran by Working Knowledge.

During the day students worked on their employability skills meeting with local employers and taking part in workshops and employer carousels.

The event covered topics including business idea ,operational, sales, marketing and finance. As well as local business experts providing students will a ‘real-world’ perspective on the business environment.

Click here to view a film from the event. 

To find out more about courses at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

College helps young people boost their employability skills

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has provided a week long of events to help students to boost their employability skills.

Students studying the Network to Work course took part in various activities as part of the College’s Employers’ Week (10-14 October). A range of local business experts were on hand to offer advice, including Tony Altham (local businessman and networking expert), Louise Griffin of Achieve Your Potential, Kerry Bonfiglio of Appointments Personnel and Steve Cunningham of Blind Vision.

Students also took part in an ‘Employer Carousel’, where they got the opportunity to speed network with local employers including representitives from Newcastle Borough Council, Bibby Consulting and Support, Staffordshire Police and Intercog.

 Pictured: Craig Brown from Newcastle Borough Council and student Ben Adams aged 18.

Simone Taylor from Bibby Consulting and Support said: “As a former NULC student it was a pleasure to come back and pass on my experiences to the students. There’s an immense amount of knowledge to be learnt on the job and I am looking forward to passing this knowledge on.”

Carl Kelsall, Neighbourhood Policing Officer for Staffordshire Police said: “It’s important for young people to know there are various skills they need in the workplace. Confidence and communication skills are vital employability skills, which I can see these students have developed during the session.”

The Network to Work course was set up by Computing, Accounting and Business staff at NULC to prepare its students for life in the workplace. The course is six weeks in duration and at the end of the course students have the opportunity to progress on to a full-time course, apprenticeship or go in to the workplace.

During a week when youth unemployment was reported at a record high with more than one in five 16 to 24-year-olds out of work, the College is keen to give its students the skills they need to succeed in securing employment after College.

Deb Harrison, Curriculum Leader for Computing, Accounting and Business said: “The Network to Work course has enabled our students to work closely with local employers to gain a wealth of knowledge including how to conduct themselves in a job interview, how to write CVs, how to network and more.”

Pictured: Employers and students from the Employer Carousel.

Ben Adams, aged 18 from Werrington this week completes the Network to Work course and has two apprenticeship interviews lined up. He said: “The course has helped me with CV writing, interview skills and shown me the general do’s and don’ts when in an interview. I have enjoyed chatting to employers and they’ve helped my confidence grow.”

Employers who are interested in getting involved in the Network to Work course or interested in employing an apprentice from NULC can find out more by contacting Deb Harrison on deb.harrison@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254374.

Students boost employability skills

Students from the Computing, Accounting and Business Department at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) are to get help boosting their employability skills.

Employers’ Week, which is being held from Monday 10 – Friday 14 October, will see students from the College’s new ‘Network to Work’ course taking part in various activities including CV workshops and mock interviews.

A range of local business experts will be on hand to offer advice, including Tony Altham (local businessman and networking expert), Louise Griffin of Achieve Your Potential, Mike Grocott of Intercog, Kerry Bonfiglio of Appointments Personnel, Steve Cunningham of Blind Vision and representatives from Newcastle Borough Council.

Students will also take part in an ‘Employer Carousel’, where they will get the opportunity to speed network with local employers.

The Network to Work course was set up by Computing, Accounting and Business staff at NULC to prepare students for life in the workplace. The course runs for six weeks and at the end students have the opportunity to progress on to a full-time course or apprenticeship, or seek employment.

Deb Harrison, Curriculum Leader for Computing, Accounting and Business said: “At NULC, we are proud of our close links with local employers, which enable us to ensure our students leave college fully prepared for life in the workplace. The aim of our Employers’ Week is to help our students learn how to conduct themselves in a job interview, how to write a winning CV, how to network and much more.”

A new Network to Work course will begin after October half-term. Anyone interested in joining the course can contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk for more information.

Part-time computing & IT courses for adults available now!

Adults in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire who want to study part-time can now choose from a range of part-time courses which have launched at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC).

Local adults are advised to log onto the College’s website www.nulc.ac.uk/adults to view the part-time courses on offer and, in many cases, enrol online.

Part-time courses are available in areas such as computing and IT, where you can study for a professional qualification such as the Foundation degree (FdSc) in Information Technology or undertake workplace training on a course such as the Level 2 Diploma for IT Users ITQ (QCF).  Various other workplace training in computing and IT are also available.

Community Learning courses also provide Computer Skills workshops for beginners as part-time evening courses.

Janet Scrivens, Head of Lifelong Learning at the College, said: “We can provide help and guidance for anyone who wants to improve their job prospects, renew or refresh their qualifications or retrain for a new career. There’s never been a better time to enrol!”

To find out more about the part-time computing and IT courses available at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/adults or come along to the Part-time Course Advice and Enrolment Evening on Thursday 8 September, 5.30pm – 8pm.

Alternatively, for more information, call the College Information Centre on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk

College looks to create professionals of the future

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is hosting an advice event for people interested in a career in Information Technology or boosting their leadership and management skills.


The event, which focuses course advice for the College’s Foundation degree (Fd) Information and Communication Technology and Foundation degree (FdA) Leadership and Management, will be held on Thursday 5 May, 5 – 6.30pm at the College’s Knutton Lane campus.

Visitors will have the opportunity to chat with staff about the course(s) and also take a look around the bespoke facilities for Higher Education students at the new £60 million campus.

Deb Harrison Curriculum Manager for Computing, Accounting & Business, said: “The aim of the event is to help people who are may be looking to progress in their IT career or for those that may want to boost their existing skills so that they can progress in to management level.

The College also offers a wide range of other university- level qualifications in accounting, creative and cultural industries, early years and childcare, engineering, hair, beauty and holistic therapies, science and health, sport and public services and teacher training.

She continues: All the College’s university-level programmes have been designed with employers to ensure that they are relevant to the industry”.

To pre-register your attendance at the event visit www.nulc.ac.uk/events. 

To find out more about the NULC's university-level programmes call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk/he.  

Life coach helps students to build their confidence

Female Computing, Accounting and Business students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) were invited to a workshop to improve their self confidence.


The Business, Accounting and IT students were invited to a Confidence Workshop at NULC on Tuesday 5 April.  Louise Griffin, a local life coach ran the workshops, she’s previously worked with NULC and is now on a crusade to help women across the area with confidence and self esteem.


Louise spent the day with students and aimed for the young ladies to leave feeling positive, confident and ready to tackle to working life and succeed in the professional world.


The day was broken into two sections; emotional and physical. The morning session addressed emotional needs such as self esteem, body image and state management such as coping with interview nerves.


The physical afternoon session lead with demonstrations; helping students to explore make up techniques and clothing styles for interviews and professional development.

To find out more about the Confidence Worskshop contact Curriculum Manager Deb Harrison

NULC do 'something funny for money'

If there's one thing that NULC staff and students like to do its ‘something funny for money’ in aid of Comic Relief.  NULC was a hub of activity on Friday 18 March with fancy dress, bake sales, waxing and the most talked about event of the day, the NULC FlashMob.

Dance Lecturer Faye Matthews rounded up her troupes which included students, staff and even a member of the senior management team.  Then headed to the new Sainsbury’s store in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where they wowed the crowds and are now rapidly becoming an online phenomenon.

Other activities taking place throughout the day included a fancy dress competition which resulted in a monkey and pirates roaming the corridors!  A yummy bake sale organised by Early Years students, Fun Run by Sports Performance and Excellence students, leg waxing in the Transform Salon.  As well as various fund raising efforts by Learner Services, Starbucks staff and the Students’ Union.

The money is still being counted but so far NULC have managed to raise over £500.00, which is a fantastic amount.  Thank you to everyone who took part and did ‘something funny for money’.

To see all the photos and videos from the day visit our Facebook gallery at www.facebook.com/NewcastleULymeCol and give us a ‘Like’.

NULC students meet inspirational business people

Business, IT and Accounting students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) have taken part in Overcoming Obstacles Week.  The week is aimed at inspiring students and helping them overcome personal and professional barriers in business and employment. 

Inspirational talks from successful business people including Steve Cunningham, world’s fastest blind man and Mo Chaudry, one of the UK’s top 100 Asian business people have been taking place since Monday 28 February and will run until Friday 4 March.

Children in Need 2010

Staff and students at NULC dressed up in outrageous costumes and took part in a range of activities to raise money for Children in Need.

Fun activities included ‘Pudsey’s Fundraising Grotto’, whilst some students raised cash to have their legs waxed – Ouch!

The College has so far raised over £900 and all proceeds will go to Children in Need.

Local entrepreneur lends a helping hand

A local entrepreneur delivered talks to budding Business students from ICT courses to Accounts and Travel and Tourism.

Tony Altham, proprietor of AdGifts Online and other thriving business came to NULC to inform students on his networking skills and knowledge. He talked about how correct networking can create good business prospects, whether they are used in meeting prospective clients, or closing a deal.

Tony was also a student at the College and spoke about how the staff and learning environment helped him to achieve his successful career in Business.

Here’s what a couple of our students had to say:

“In this session I have learnt how to address possible customers and how to present myself to other aswell as the correct way to shake hands with clients”

Gareth Moores

"I found that Tony’s presentation was very informative. I learnt how to go about making first impressions, to be open when making new contacts and that there are a lot of opportunities on offer if you look in the right places”

Kirsty Sproson

Students become entrepreneurs of the future

Students celebrated the third Global Entrepreneurship Week (15 – 21 November) last week by getting involved in a range of ‘Apprentice-style’ challenges.

More than 250 first year students from various subject areas took part in a series of workshops, encouraging them to create new, dynamic ideas for the College to potentially use.

Activities will include researching innovative gap year ideas and destinations, planning a marketing recruitment campaign to attract new students to the college and building community relationships. The winners of each topic will receive a monetary reward and certificate to recognise their achievement.