NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
Have Quality – Will Travel
The Faculty of Education Care and Sport has, once again, been invited to deliver classes for South Lanarkshire Council. The menu of subjects includes First Aid, Child Protection, Prevention of Infection and HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infection, and follows the successful completion of our delivery of previous classes in Hamilton. This time we are off to a play centre in East Kilbride to deliver CPD to the Child Care Workforce of South Lanarkshire Council. Many thanks to the staff who have made this partnership so successful. Jan Watson
Construction News
A New Build Notice Board has been sited next to the ‘pigeon hole’ room at the top of the stairs leading to the Refectory. The board, which is for students and staff, will be updated regularly with site developments, essential information and photographs showing the progress of the new estate. Other forms of communication e.g. plasma screen at reception, flyers and posters and direct mail/email will be used as required. [ please see the personal letter sent to students last week overleaf ] By keeping everyone informed about the progress of the new estate and responding quickly to questions/issues I hope the project will move forward smoothly with everyone on board and continuing to feel positive about the development.
(Robert Paterson )
BLOG demise!
Regrettably this will be the last edition of the weekly Blog. When the BLOG was first published, 44 editions ago, in December 2006 the stated intention was to provide a weekly information sheet to ALL staff which would enable much of the unsung/unknown work in the college to be recognised. It was also thought that the diversity of staff geographically could be addressed by ensuring that information/stories from all areas of college work were included. Along the way it was also an opportunity for staff individual stories to be disseminated – raising money for charity etc. It was also a genuine attempt to create a newsletter that was owned by ALL STAFF and not seen as a tool for the spread of management information. It is for others to judge how successful (or otherwise!) that has been. Goodbye.
Printed below is the personal letter delivered to all students last week
Date: As Postmark
Dear Student,
You will be aware that the College has commenced construction work on the site adjacent to Battlefield Road. This is the first phase of a three year new build project which will replace all the present buildings with the exception of the Business School and the Litehouse building.
A carefully devised action plan has been put in place to ensure the college continues to deliver the curriculum in a positive manner during the construction programme. It is not anticipated that there will be any significant disruption to the operation of the existing campus.
Within the next week a special display will be placed in the main concourse which will show the architectural visualisations of the new buildings along with progress reports of the project. This display will also give updated information in terms of any developments, of which you need to be aware, during the construction programme.
To ensure that you have a voice in this process, a New Estate Information Forum has been set up on the College website to allow you to seek information or to ask a question directly of the college. A response is guaranteed within 24 hours and I will take direct responsibility for this. I do hope you will use the Forum for any enquiries you may have, in terms of the new build. This Forum can be accessed through the Home Page of the College website – www.langside.ac.uk
During the construction programme the building site will be well signposted and entry prohibited, except for construction staff. There will also be some changes to car parking and the pedestrian routes throughout the college. I would ask you all to keep abreast of these changes, as they occur, to ensure your safety.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at any time, if you have a relevant concern during the process of the new build.
Robert W. Paterson
Depute Principal/Project Sponsor
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
Monday 3 March 2008
Monday 25 February 2008
ISSUE 43 - 25 FEBRUARY 2008
NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
Estates Update
Work, as you can see, is progressing well with both the site set up and ground clearance work progressing over the past two weeks resulting in the trees and existing fencing within the site being removed.
The next phase of the work, started ten days ago, is the formation of the Piling Platform including the excavation of the low level area adjacent to Battlefield Road. This allowed the Pile foundations to commence w/c 11 February 2008.
So far no adverse ground conditions have held up the drilling and the weather has been reasonably kind! The piling work will continue for the next six weeks before we see the start of the steel work. That should be an exciting time as we begin to see the footprint of the building and the general shape emerging. In terms of the overall build programme we are one week behind schedule but hope to pick this up fairly quickly.
In the next two weeks a new estate information stand will be sited in the College – next to the ‘pigeon hole’ room. This stand will contain updated photographs from the construction site along with a general work in progress update and a week by week detail of what is happening. This is aimed at students and staff and will hopefully allow everyone to monitor progress and be kept fully informed of the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of the programme.
Reminder – you can still raise an issue, ask a question, make a suggestion on the New Estates Information Forum on the College website.
THE BLOG
Call for a volunteer! Would you be willing to take over as editor of (contributor to) the BLOG? If interested please speak to Robert Paterson, asap.
WIN A BOTTLE OF LANGSIDE COLLEGE CHAMPAGNE!!!
Do you have an idea for a new Lifestyle Learning Class? If so, John Forbes would like to hear from you. If your idea becomes a reality, and the new class is viable in terms of enrolment numbers and profitability, then you may win a bottle of vintage Langside College Champagne!!! Currently, we are planning and organising the new edition of the Evening and Lifestyle Guide which is due to be published around mid to late May 2008, and will include classes for the period August 2008 until July 2009 inclusive. Contact John direct by telephone @ Extn 3640, send him an E-Mail jforbes@langside.ac.uk or just pop in to discuss your idea. All reasonable suggestions are welcomed. John Forbes, Lifestyle Learning Coordinator
Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off!
As you may have noticed from posters around the place, our Acting/Performance students in association with our post grad company (XLC) have been invited to perform again at the Citizens Theatre from Tues 26th February until 1st March. This is the fourth year we have been asked back – receiving great reviews from the national press and selling out! Next week’s shows are at 7.30 pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30 pm. Tickets are available directly from the Citizen’s box office – but you will need to be quick because Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings are already sold out.
Mary Queen of Scots – Liz Lochead’s best known and critically acclaimed dramatic work explores not only the history of Scotland but, by comparison, the sexual, political and religious preoccupations which will prevail in the nation today. A mix of myth, music, mime and malevolent humour which will provide great entertainment.
Congratulations
Evelyn Gallagher has announced her engagement to James Sweeney after 32 years of courtship. Will it be a long engagement Evelyn!
Celebration for International Womens Week
Wednesday the 5th March - Fabulous Females: A Celebration for International Womens Week!
Various stalls will be set up on the concourse to mark this important event. Vistors will include, Fitness First for Women, Wise Women who provide Personal Saftey advice, Dance with Attitude and many more. (Lucy McLachlan )
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
Estates Update
Work, as you can see, is progressing well with both the site set up and ground clearance work progressing over the past two weeks resulting in the trees and existing fencing within the site being removed.
The next phase of the work, started ten days ago, is the formation of the Piling Platform including the excavation of the low level area adjacent to Battlefield Road. This allowed the Pile foundations to commence w/c 11 February 2008.
So far no adverse ground conditions have held up the drilling and the weather has been reasonably kind! The piling work will continue for the next six weeks before we see the start of the steel work. That should be an exciting time as we begin to see the footprint of the building and the general shape emerging. In terms of the overall build programme we are one week behind schedule but hope to pick this up fairly quickly.
In the next two weeks a new estate information stand will be sited in the College – next to the ‘pigeon hole’ room. This stand will contain updated photographs from the construction site along with a general work in progress update and a week by week detail of what is happening. This is aimed at students and staff and will hopefully allow everyone to monitor progress and be kept fully informed of the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of the programme.
Reminder – you can still raise an issue, ask a question, make a suggestion on the New Estates Information Forum on the College website.
THE BLOG
Call for a volunteer! Would you be willing to take over as editor of (contributor to) the BLOG? If interested please speak to Robert Paterson, asap.
WIN A BOTTLE OF LANGSIDE COLLEGE CHAMPAGNE!!!
Do you have an idea for a new Lifestyle Learning Class? If so, John Forbes would like to hear from you. If your idea becomes a reality, and the new class is viable in terms of enrolment numbers and profitability, then you may win a bottle of vintage Langside College Champagne!!! Currently, we are planning and organising the new edition of the Evening and Lifestyle Guide which is due to be published around mid to late May 2008, and will include classes for the period August 2008 until July 2009 inclusive. Contact John direct by telephone @ Extn 3640, send him an E-Mail jforbes@langside.ac.uk or just pop in to discuss your idea. All reasonable suggestions are welcomed. John Forbes, Lifestyle Learning Coordinator
Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off!
As you may have noticed from posters around the place, our Acting/Performance students in association with our post grad company (XLC) have been invited to perform again at the Citizens Theatre from Tues 26th February until 1st March. This is the fourth year we have been asked back – receiving great reviews from the national press and selling out! Next week’s shows are at 7.30 pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30 pm. Tickets are available directly from the Citizen’s box office – but you will need to be quick because Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings are already sold out.
Mary Queen of Scots – Liz Lochead’s best known and critically acclaimed dramatic work explores not only the history of Scotland but, by comparison, the sexual, political and religious preoccupations which will prevail in the nation today. A mix of myth, music, mime and malevolent humour which will provide great entertainment.
Congratulations
Evelyn Gallagher has announced her engagement to James Sweeney after 32 years of courtship. Will it be a long engagement Evelyn!
Celebration for International Womens Week
Wednesday the 5th March - Fabulous Females: A Celebration for International Womens Week!
Various stalls will be set up on the concourse to mark this important event. Vistors will include, Fitness First for Women, Wise Women who provide Personal Saftey advice, Dance with Attitude and many more. (Lucy McLachlan )
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 6 February 2008
ISSUE 42 - 4 FEBRUARY 2008
NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY - 1st FEBRUARY 2008.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony, to signify the start of the new build by Balfour Beatty, took place on Friday 1st February. The programme for the event is published overleaf and hopefully that gives you a ‘flavour’ of the event.
65 external partners attended and along with Langside staff and students over 100 people participated at the event. The crowning moment of the day came when the Principal (operating a JCB) lifted the first bucket of soil from the site of Phase 1 of the new build. Following this Brian Keegan planted the first of six anniversary trees (one for each decade) which will eventually be prominent in the grounds of the new college.
This event was filmed and relayed as a live feed into the Emanuel Studio so that all those at the ceremony could witness the event without having to brave the weather! The on site Langside team consisted of Graeme, Brian, Robert Paterson, Kim Turkington and Jim Carrick. A video of the moment the ground was broken can be seen by accessing the College web site and going into the New Estate Information Forum and following the link.
The ceremony signifies the start of the three year build programme and in the coming weeks a significant change will be discernible as, on site, the steelwork for the new main teaching block is put in position. Exciting times!
The ceremony was appreciated by both partners and staff and already some very positive feedback has been received. Thanks are due to David Cooper and the IT technicians for their help and expertise in organising the event (particularly the on site ceremony) Thanks also to Kim Turkington of BDU for her support and input and last, but certainly not least, the facilities team for their help in preparing the studio and assisting Brian with the tree planting.
1st February 2008
Welcome and Introduction
B Keegan, Chair of the Board of Management of Langside College
The importance of building a College to meet
the learning demands of the 21st Century
A G Hyslop, Principal
Musical item
‘My love is like a red, red rose’ (Robert Burns)
performed by National Qualification in Acting & Performance students
‘Mo Mhathair’
performed by Somerled Smith, Student
National Qualification in Acting & Performance
(Silver Pendant for Gaelic learners at the 2007 National Mod )
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Langside College - B Keegan, A G Hyslop, R W Paterson,
K Turkington, J Carrick and A Crosbie
Currie and Brown - S Harris
Balfour Beatty - T Clarke, D McKay, S MacPhail and K Walker
SMC Jenkins Marr - M Slade
Buro Happold - J Gamwell and A Follett
Arup - G Stephen
Musical item
‘Tam O’Shanter’ (Robert Burns)
Adapted and performed by National Qualification Acting & Performance students.
Design, Construction and Facilities of the new College
SMC Jenkins Marr - D Nichol
Balfour Beatty - T Clarke
Langside College - R Paterson – Depute Principal/Project Sponsor
Closing
B Keegan, Chair of the Board of Management of Langside College
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY - 1st FEBRUARY 2008.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony, to signify the start of the new build by Balfour Beatty, took place on Friday 1st February. The programme for the event is published overleaf and hopefully that gives you a ‘flavour’ of the event.
65 external partners attended and along with Langside staff and students over 100 people participated at the event. The crowning moment of the day came when the Principal (operating a JCB) lifted the first bucket of soil from the site of Phase 1 of the new build. Following this Brian Keegan planted the first of six anniversary trees (one for each decade) which will eventually be prominent in the grounds of the new college.
This event was filmed and relayed as a live feed into the Emanuel Studio so that all those at the ceremony could witness the event without having to brave the weather! The on site Langside team consisted of Graeme, Brian, Robert Paterson, Kim Turkington and Jim Carrick. A video of the moment the ground was broken can be seen by accessing the College web site and going into the New Estate Information Forum and following the link.
The ceremony signifies the start of the three year build programme and in the coming weeks a significant change will be discernible as, on site, the steelwork for the new main teaching block is put in position. Exciting times!
The ceremony was appreciated by both partners and staff and already some very positive feedback has been received. Thanks are due to David Cooper and the IT technicians for their help and expertise in organising the event (particularly the on site ceremony) Thanks also to Kim Turkington of BDU for her support and input and last, but certainly not least, the facilities team for their help in preparing the studio and assisting Brian with the tree planting.
1st February 2008
Welcome and Introduction
B Keegan, Chair of the Board of Management of Langside College
The importance of building a College to meet
the learning demands of the 21st Century
A G Hyslop, Principal
Musical item
‘My love is like a red, red rose’ (Robert Burns)
performed by National Qualification in Acting & Performance students
‘Mo Mhathair’
performed by Somerled Smith, Student
National Qualification in Acting & Performance
(Silver Pendant for Gaelic learners at the 2007 National Mod )
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Langside College - B Keegan, A G Hyslop, R W Paterson,
K Turkington, J Carrick and A Crosbie
Currie and Brown - S Harris
Balfour Beatty - T Clarke, D McKay, S MacPhail and K Walker
SMC Jenkins Marr - M Slade
Buro Happold - J Gamwell and A Follett
Arup - G Stephen
Musical item
‘Tam O’Shanter’ (Robert Burns)
Adapted and performed by National Qualification Acting & Performance students.
Design, Construction and Facilities of the new College
SMC Jenkins Marr - D Nichol
Balfour Beatty - T Clarke
Langside College - R Paterson – Depute Principal/Project Sponsor
Closing
B Keegan, Chair of the Board of Management of Langside College
Monday 28 January 2008
ISSUE 41 - 28 JANUARY 2008
NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
The Great day has arrived!
As part of the College commitment to engaging with ALL interested parties in the construction of the new build the New Estate Information Forum is now up and running. I do hope staff will use this forum or contact me direct by telephone, email or ‘pop in’ to speak to me to raise any issues or come forward with ideas for the use of the new building. It is to that area we must now turn our attention and to support this a New Estate User Group will be set up in the College to help progress the many decisions which have to be taken re furniture, catering, social space for staff and students etc etc – the list is endless!
As part of this open flow of information on the new build I thought you might like to read the letter I sent to all Valeview Terrace residents last Thursday to notify them of the site start and to give them the ongoing opportunity to engage with the College during the construction phase of the new build to ameliorate any potential problems.
“Dear Resident
The College contractors for the new build (Balfour Beatty) will move on to the site on Monday 28th January to begin preparatory work. The first few weeks will be essentially site start up operations, secure fencing, signage etc.
As part of the ongoing communication we wish to engage in to notify staff, students and Valeview Terrace residents of proposed work and to allow people to ask questions, seek clarification or raise issues regarding the new College building I have set up, on the College website www.langside.ac.uk , a New Estate Information Forum which will allow staff, students, Valeview residents and others to seek information or ask a question directly to the College. A response is guaranteed within 24 hours and I will take direct responsibility for this. If you do not have access to the Internet then you can contact me at the College to raise any issue or questions direct. My direct dial number is 0141 272 3621.
My hope is that the build can progress smoothly with minimum disruption to the surrounding areas and I wish to do everything, with the help of the
contractor, to achieve that.
Yours sincerely
Robert W. Paterson
Depute Principal/Project Sponsor”
Well done Fiona !
Fiona Weir – Senior Lecturer (Food Studies) was the lucky winner of a bottle of 60th anniversary champagne in the name the lecturer competition. The winner was ‘picked out of the hat’ by the Principal. The lecturer interviewed on Polish television during his Christmas break was David MacAllan ! David as well as Fiona will now be able to enjoy a bottle of bubbly!
SVQ HOSPITALITY - STOP PRESS!!
On Wednesday 30th January the SVQ Hospitality students will be selling Soup/Sandwiches in the Concourse at lunchtime 12 noon. Come early to avoid disappointment!!
Report on Langside College Project from Stewart MacPhail, Project Manager of Balfour Beatty
Commencement of Project – w/c 18 January 2008
Balfour Beatty will take possession of Phase 1 of the Project on 28 January 2008, initially securing the site with the erection of temporary fencing. From this the site clearance will commence with the removal of the remaining foundations etc, playing field fencing/walls and the removal of the tress adjacent to Battlefield Road. The other main activities that will be carried out over the first week are the set up of the initial site accommodation and trial digs prior to the groundworks commencing. We note, for information that the existing fence on Valeview terrace will not be removed until the permanent hoarding is in place.
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
The Great day has arrived!
As part of the College commitment to engaging with ALL interested parties in the construction of the new build the New Estate Information Forum is now up and running. I do hope staff will use this forum or contact me direct by telephone, email or ‘pop in’ to speak to me to raise any issues or come forward with ideas for the use of the new building. It is to that area we must now turn our attention and to support this a New Estate User Group will be set up in the College to help progress the many decisions which have to be taken re furniture, catering, social space for staff and students etc etc – the list is endless!
As part of this open flow of information on the new build I thought you might like to read the letter I sent to all Valeview Terrace residents last Thursday to notify them of the site start and to give them the ongoing opportunity to engage with the College during the construction phase of the new build to ameliorate any potential problems.
“Dear Resident
The College contractors for the new build (Balfour Beatty) will move on to the site on Monday 28th January to begin preparatory work. The first few weeks will be essentially site start up operations, secure fencing, signage etc.
As part of the ongoing communication we wish to engage in to notify staff, students and Valeview Terrace residents of proposed work and to allow people to ask questions, seek clarification or raise issues regarding the new College building I have set up, on the College website www.langside.ac.uk , a New Estate Information Forum which will allow staff, students, Valeview residents and others to seek information or ask a question directly to the College. A response is guaranteed within 24 hours and I will take direct responsibility for this. If you do not have access to the Internet then you can contact me at the College to raise any issue or questions direct. My direct dial number is 0141 272 3621.
My hope is that the build can progress smoothly with minimum disruption to the surrounding areas and I wish to do everything, with the help of the
contractor, to achieve that.
Yours sincerely
Robert W. Paterson
Depute Principal/Project Sponsor”
Well done Fiona !
Fiona Weir – Senior Lecturer (Food Studies) was the lucky winner of a bottle of 60th anniversary champagne in the name the lecturer competition. The winner was ‘picked out of the hat’ by the Principal. The lecturer interviewed on Polish television during his Christmas break was David MacAllan ! David as well as Fiona will now be able to enjoy a bottle of bubbly!
SVQ HOSPITALITY - STOP PRESS!!
On Wednesday 30th January the SVQ Hospitality students will be selling Soup/Sandwiches in the Concourse at lunchtime 12 noon. Come early to avoid disappointment!!
Report on Langside College Project from Stewart MacPhail, Project Manager of Balfour Beatty
Commencement of Project – w/c 18 January 2008
Balfour Beatty will take possession of Phase 1 of the Project on 28 January 2008, initially securing the site with the erection of temporary fencing. From this the site clearance will commence with the removal of the remaining foundations etc, playing field fencing/walls and the removal of the tress adjacent to Battlefield Road. The other main activities that will be carried out over the first week are the set up of the initial site accommodation and trial digs prior to the groundworks commencing. We note, for information that the existing fence on Valeview terrace will not be removed until the permanent hoarding is in place.
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
Monday 21 January 2008
ISSUE 40 - 21 JANUARY 2008
NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
Polish puzzle??
Challenge – can you name the college member of staff who, on a Christmas visit to Krakow in Poland with his wife, had Christmas dinner interrupted by Polish national television who interviewed the staff member about why they had chosen Poland for their Christmas break? Rumour has it that even without makeup the member of staff was an instant television hit and has now employed an agent for similar UK TV appearances. Email or voicemail Heather Biddlecombe (hbiddlecombe@langside.ac.uk) at ext. 3618 and reveal the identity of the mystery staff member. Remember to leave your name and faculty. The winning entry will be drawn from those who leave the correct answer on Wednesday 23 January 2008. The winner will receive a bottle of 60th Anniversary champagne! Be quick!
College Guide
The 2008/09 College guide has just been published and it is even bigger and better than before! When you consider that last year’s guide has been short listed for a Scottish Further Education Unit Marketing Award for a main college prospectus, then to top that takes a lot of skill and effort, but for all who read and use the guide I am sure you will find this year’s Guide to be the best we have produced so far. The 2008/09 guide contains, amongst other items, a revamped ‘How to apply - 1:2:3’ step guidance for prospective students, a double page photographic spread encompassing the life of the College, a feature article on the College new build and this year staff profiles have been added to complement the student profiles introduced in last years Guide.
Thanks are due to the Guide steering group – Declan Fallon, Marianne Harper, Kath Mulvenny, Robert Paterson, Elaine Proudfoot, Catherine Taylor and Kim Turkington. The group set the ball rolling in design terms but Catherine Taylor and Kim Turkington are to be specially commended for seeing the Guide through to the finished article. Special thanks also to Declan Fallon for his diligent proof reading in the final stages.
Lifestyle Learning goes from strength to strength!
The Lifestyle learning programme for January 2008 consists of 66 classes engaging nearly 800 people in learning. Of the lifestyle menu on offer the language classes are always popular and the range of courses from Beginners to Next Step to Improvers are always in demand, particularly the Italian and Spanish classes. The Lifestyle programme meets Learning for Life in a really positive way with some of the healthy lifestyle classes. Isobel Ellis (78 years young) and Jean Balfour, also 78 years of age have signed up to Bryan Riddell’s Legs, Bums and Tums class!!
Never prepared to rest on their laurels the lifestyle team introduced, for the first time in 2007, College gift vouchers for redemption within the Lifestyle programme and those have been a real success.
Successful new classes introduced, include Cake Decorating, Healthy Eating Cookery Class, Starting Your Own Business and Mediterranean Cooking - indeed this class is fully booked for April as well!!
Full marks to all at Student Services for the terrific customer service given to our Lifestyle Learning students – with particular thanks to John Forbes and Liz Clark for the excellent work they do in this area
Congratulations!
Margaret Cunningham has returned home! (to Maths that is!). Margaret has returned to her first love, Mathematics, and has been appointed Senior Lecturer of Mathematics and Numeracy.
We wish Margaret well in her new post.
Simon Stewart- Payroll Administrator
If you have not already heard Simon is leaving on Friday 25th January 2008 for pastures new. The College wish him well in his new post.
Burns Bash: Friday 25th January – Emanuel Studio
To celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns, the Faculty of Arts, Languages and Social Sciences has joined with the International Office to present a Burns lunch followed by some “cracking” entertainment. A selection of Burns’ poems and songs will be performed by staff and students from the Music and Drama sections, and the food will be provided by the Hospitality students. If free, all staff are welcome to attend from 1 pm onwards to enjoy the celebrations.
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
Polish puzzle??
Challenge – can you name the college member of staff who, on a Christmas visit to Krakow in Poland with his wife, had Christmas dinner interrupted by Polish national television who interviewed the staff member about why they had chosen Poland for their Christmas break? Rumour has it that even without makeup the member of staff was an instant television hit and has now employed an agent for similar UK TV appearances. Email or voicemail Heather Biddlecombe (hbiddlecombe@langside.ac.uk) at ext. 3618 and reveal the identity of the mystery staff member. Remember to leave your name and faculty. The winning entry will be drawn from those who leave the correct answer on Wednesday 23 January 2008. The winner will receive a bottle of 60th Anniversary champagne! Be quick!
College Guide
The 2008/09 College guide has just been published and it is even bigger and better than before! When you consider that last year’s guide has been short listed for a Scottish Further Education Unit Marketing Award for a main college prospectus, then to top that takes a lot of skill and effort, but for all who read and use the guide I am sure you will find this year’s Guide to be the best we have produced so far. The 2008/09 guide contains, amongst other items, a revamped ‘How to apply - 1:2:3’ step guidance for prospective students, a double page photographic spread encompassing the life of the College, a feature article on the College new build and this year staff profiles have been added to complement the student profiles introduced in last years Guide.
Thanks are due to the Guide steering group – Declan Fallon, Marianne Harper, Kath Mulvenny, Robert Paterson, Elaine Proudfoot, Catherine Taylor and Kim Turkington. The group set the ball rolling in design terms but Catherine Taylor and Kim Turkington are to be specially commended for seeing the Guide through to the finished article. Special thanks also to Declan Fallon for his diligent proof reading in the final stages.
Lifestyle Learning goes from strength to strength!
The Lifestyle learning programme for January 2008 consists of 66 classes engaging nearly 800 people in learning. Of the lifestyle menu on offer the language classes are always popular and the range of courses from Beginners to Next Step to Improvers are always in demand, particularly the Italian and Spanish classes. The Lifestyle programme meets Learning for Life in a really positive way with some of the healthy lifestyle classes. Isobel Ellis (78 years young) and Jean Balfour, also 78 years of age have signed up to Bryan Riddell’s Legs, Bums and Tums class!!
Never prepared to rest on their laurels the lifestyle team introduced, for the first time in 2007, College gift vouchers for redemption within the Lifestyle programme and those have been a real success.
Successful new classes introduced, include Cake Decorating, Healthy Eating Cookery Class, Starting Your Own Business and Mediterranean Cooking - indeed this class is fully booked for April as well!!
Full marks to all at Student Services for the terrific customer service given to our Lifestyle Learning students – with particular thanks to John Forbes and Liz Clark for the excellent work they do in this area
Congratulations!
Margaret Cunningham has returned home! (to Maths that is!). Margaret has returned to her first love, Mathematics, and has been appointed Senior Lecturer of Mathematics and Numeracy.
We wish Margaret well in her new post.
Simon Stewart- Payroll Administrator
If you have not already heard Simon is leaving on Friday 25th January 2008 for pastures new. The College wish him well in his new post.
Burns Bash: Friday 25th January – Emanuel Studio
To celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns, the Faculty of Arts, Languages and Social Sciences has joined with the International Office to present a Burns lunch followed by some “cracking” entertainment. A selection of Burns’ poems and songs will be performed by staff and students from the Music and Drama sections, and the food will be provided by the Hospitality students. If free, all staff are welcome to attend from 1 pm onwards to enjoy the celebrations.
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
Monday 14 January 2008
ISSUE 38 - 14 JANUARY 2008
NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
Welcome back
2008 will be a significant year for the college. We have an exciting start to the year with the commencement of the first phase of the construction programme. Balfour Beatty will be on site from the 28th January (although you may see some site set up activity before then) There will be a short ‘groundbreaking’ ceremony on Friday 1st February to recognise the site start and from that point we should see steady progress.
As I announced at the 60th Anniversary Farewell Reception there will be a new estate information forum set up on the college web site so that staff, students, neighbours and construction staff can receive up to the minute information and/or raise any issues or seek clarification on any of the build programme and associated activity during the construction phase. The new estate information forum will be up and running from Monday 21st January. Please make use of this facility to maximise the effectiveness of the new estate and to minimise the possible disruption to all staff and students.
(R Paterson)
Inter College 7-a-side Tournament 2007
Langside. represented by Graeme Hyslop, Davie Weir, Scott Archer, Steve McDevitt, John Pugh, Donald Morrison, Graham Fraser, Gary Culvarwood and captain Ged Cushley won the Inter College 7-a-side tournament held in December. Langside’s record was played 5, won 3, lost 1 with 1 match drawn. Other Colleges taking part included James Watt, Reid Kerr, Anniesland, Cardonald and North Glasgow. Well done the Langsiders!
BUSY BEES CHILDCARE VOUCHERS
Working Parents Benefit with Childcare Vouchers
If you are paying for childcare for children up to the age of 16, you could be saving money by requesting Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers.
Langside College will be launching the Busy Bees Childcare Voucher scheme in February to help its staff with children save up to £1,196* a year on the cost of their childcare. The scheme is open to all employees who are paying for childcare.
What are Childcare Vouchers?
• They are exempt from tax and National Insurance Contributions, offering up to £1,196* a year for each parent – doubling the potential saving if both parents join the scheme
• Each parent can request up to £243 worth of Vouchers a month
• They can be used to pay for all forms of registered and approved childcare, including nurseries, nannies, childminders, au pairs, out of school clubs and holiday schemes
• Vouchers can be used at any registered nursery, not just Busy Bees branded outlets
• Childcare Voucher schemes are supported by the HMRC
How does it work?
Parents simply exchange part of their salary for Childcare Vouchers and use them to pay for childcare.
To join the scheme, parents need to call Busy Bees on freephone 08000 430 860 and help the Customer Services advisor to fill in a short form. This will then be sent to the parent to check, sign and return. Once registered, the parent’s employer will be notified how much to deduct from that individual’s salary.
Who are Busy Bees?
Busy Bees is the market leading Childcare Voucher provider and helps working parents in all types of organisations to save hundreds of pounds on their childcare costs. Busy Bees is the largest provider of childcare in the UK and is celebrating its 25th birthday in 2008.
For further information on the Childcare Voucher scheme, call freephone 08000 430 860 or log on to www.busybeesvouchers.com
*Subject to individual circumstances
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
Welcome back
2008 will be a significant year for the college. We have an exciting start to the year with the commencement of the first phase of the construction programme. Balfour Beatty will be on site from the 28th January (although you may see some site set up activity before then) There will be a short ‘groundbreaking’ ceremony on Friday 1st February to recognise the site start and from that point we should see steady progress.
As I announced at the 60th Anniversary Farewell Reception there will be a new estate information forum set up on the college web site so that staff, students, neighbours and construction staff can receive up to the minute information and/or raise any issues or seek clarification on any of the build programme and associated activity during the construction phase. The new estate information forum will be up and running from Monday 21st January. Please make use of this facility to maximise the effectiveness of the new estate and to minimise the possible disruption to all staff and students.
(R Paterson)
Inter College 7-a-side Tournament 2007
Langside. represented by Graeme Hyslop, Davie Weir, Scott Archer, Steve McDevitt, John Pugh, Donald Morrison, Graham Fraser, Gary Culvarwood and captain Ged Cushley won the Inter College 7-a-side tournament held in December. Langside’s record was played 5, won 3, lost 1 with 1 match drawn. Other Colleges taking part included James Watt, Reid Kerr, Anniesland, Cardonald and North Glasgow. Well done the Langsiders!
BUSY BEES CHILDCARE VOUCHERS
Working Parents Benefit with Childcare Vouchers
If you are paying for childcare for children up to the age of 16, you could be saving money by requesting Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers.
Langside College will be launching the Busy Bees Childcare Voucher scheme in February to help its staff with children save up to £1,196* a year on the cost of their childcare. The scheme is open to all employees who are paying for childcare.
What are Childcare Vouchers?
• They are exempt from tax and National Insurance Contributions, offering up to £1,196* a year for each parent – doubling the potential saving if both parents join the scheme
• Each parent can request up to £243 worth of Vouchers a month
• They can be used to pay for all forms of registered and approved childcare, including nurseries, nannies, childminders, au pairs, out of school clubs and holiday schemes
• Vouchers can be used at any registered nursery, not just Busy Bees branded outlets
• Childcare Voucher schemes are supported by the HMRC
How does it work?
Parents simply exchange part of their salary for Childcare Vouchers and use them to pay for childcare.
To join the scheme, parents need to call Busy Bees on freephone 08000 430 860 and help the Customer Services advisor to fill in a short form. This will then be sent to the parent to check, sign and return. Once registered, the parent’s employer will be notified how much to deduct from that individual’s salary.
Who are Busy Bees?
Busy Bees is the market leading Childcare Voucher provider and helps working parents in all types of organisations to save hundreds of pounds on their childcare costs. Busy Bees is the largest provider of childcare in the UK and is celebrating its 25th birthday in 2008.
For further information on the Childcare Voucher scheme, call freephone 08000 430 860 or log on to www.busybeesvouchers.com
*Subject to individual circumstances
____________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
______________________________________________________________________
Friday 21 December 2007
ISSUE 38 - 17 DECEMBER 2007
NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The Blog is one year old this month and has, so far, not missed a deadline. At the start of the year the idea of the Blog was to provide contemporary information to staff which was both specific and general but informal at the same time. It was intended to create a greater understanding and awareness of the huge amount of work that goes on in the College, much of it unsung. It is for others to judge the success or otherwise of the Blog but it is an honest attempt to communicate with staff and provide a vehicle for all staff to share information and experiences with all personnel in the College. The hope is that the majority of staff appreciate and welcome the weekly Blog.
To all who have contributed to the Blog – many thanks, with a special mention to Heather Biddlecombe, in the Secretariat, for her help in producing the Blog. (Robert Paterson)
NEW YEAR: NEW ESTATE
The College plan to have a ground breaking ceremony later in January to mark the start of the three year build programme which will see the majority of the College progressively demolished and rebuilt. Full details will be available in the first Blog of 2008. As part of the ongoing communication element associated with the new build, an Estates Information Forum will be set up on the Langside College web site to coincide with the site start. This Forum will allow staff, students, local residents and the construction team to ask questions/ raise issues about the project. A guarantee will be given that all notes posted on the site will receive a response within 24 hrs OR SOONER.
60th ANNIVERSARY QUIZ
A reminder that all entries must be handed into the reception desk by 5 pm at the College by TODAY MONDAY 17th DECEMBER. Do not hesitate to hand your form in if it is not complete. The word on the street is that the quiz is tough and an all correct entry might be difficult. Therefore hand your entry in as there are a number of runner up prizes to be won. Please remember to indicate the charity of your choice who will receive the entry money if you or your team win the competition.
CHRISTMAS FUN (Answers below)
a) Why was Santa's little helper feeling depressed?
b) How do you know Santa has to be a man?
c) Good King Wenceslas phoned for a pizza and ?
d) What did the reindeer say before launching into his comedy routine?
Q. What is the purpose of reindeer?
A, It makes the grass grow, sweetie.
Christmas: The time everyone gets Santamental.
CALENDARS for Childline
I have some young students from Castlemilk High School in my ESOL Upper-Intermediate class. Two of them belong to a dance, drama and music group called Punjabi No 1 and it has created a calendar for 2008 in order to raise money for the charity ChildLine. The calendars are now available from Room 105 at £3 each. Please find the time and money to buy one - it is for a good cause and young people such as these are to be commended for their hard work and willingness to help others.
There was a photo and an article about this group and calendar in the Glaswegian of December 6th. Marilena Ireland, ESOL
HEAD OF CORPORATE STUDENT SERVICES
Warmest congratulations to Margaret Thomson in her recent appointment as Head of Corporate Student Services. Margaret’s previous position was Assistant Finance Manager but she is now looking forward to the challenges of her new post.
Christmas Fun Answers
a) He had low elf-esteem
b) No woman is going to wear the same outfit year after year.
c) The salesgirl asked him, ‘Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?’
d) This will sleigh you.
A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY PEACEFUL NEW YEAR
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The Blog is one year old this month and has, so far, not missed a deadline. At the start of the year the idea of the Blog was to provide contemporary information to staff which was both specific and general but informal at the same time. It was intended to create a greater understanding and awareness of the huge amount of work that goes on in the College, much of it unsung. It is for others to judge the success or otherwise of the Blog but it is an honest attempt to communicate with staff and provide a vehicle for all staff to share information and experiences with all personnel in the College. The hope is that the majority of staff appreciate and welcome the weekly Blog.
To all who have contributed to the Blog – many thanks, with a special mention to Heather Biddlecombe, in the Secretariat, for her help in producing the Blog. (Robert Paterson)
NEW YEAR: NEW ESTATE
The College plan to have a ground breaking ceremony later in January to mark the start of the three year build programme which will see the majority of the College progressively demolished and rebuilt. Full details will be available in the first Blog of 2008. As part of the ongoing communication element associated with the new build, an Estates Information Forum will be set up on the Langside College web site to coincide with the site start. This Forum will allow staff, students, local residents and the construction team to ask questions/ raise issues about the project. A guarantee will be given that all notes posted on the site will receive a response within 24 hrs OR SOONER.
60th ANNIVERSARY QUIZ
A reminder that all entries must be handed into the reception desk by 5 pm at the College by TODAY MONDAY 17th DECEMBER. Do not hesitate to hand your form in if it is not complete. The word on the street is that the quiz is tough and an all correct entry might be difficult. Therefore hand your entry in as there are a number of runner up prizes to be won. Please remember to indicate the charity of your choice who will receive the entry money if you or your team win the competition.
CHRISTMAS FUN (Answers below)
a) Why was Santa's little helper feeling depressed?
b) How do you know Santa has to be a man?
c) Good King Wenceslas phoned for a pizza and ?
d) What did the reindeer say before launching into his comedy routine?
Q. What is the purpose of reindeer?
A, It makes the grass grow, sweetie.
Christmas: The time everyone gets Santamental.
CALENDARS for Childline
I have some young students from Castlemilk High School in my ESOL Upper-Intermediate class. Two of them belong to a dance, drama and music group called Punjabi No 1 and it has created a calendar for 2008 in order to raise money for the charity ChildLine. The calendars are now available from Room 105 at £3 each. Please find the time and money to buy one - it is for a good cause and young people such as these are to be commended for their hard work and willingness to help others.
There was a photo and an article about this group and calendar in the Glaswegian of December 6th. Marilena Ireland, ESOL
HEAD OF CORPORATE STUDENT SERVICES
Warmest congratulations to Margaret Thomson in her recent appointment as Head of Corporate Student Services. Margaret’s previous position was Assistant Finance Manager but she is now looking forward to the challenges of her new post.
Christmas Fun Answers
a) He had low elf-esteem
b) No woman is going to wear the same outfit year after year.
c) The salesgirl asked him, ‘Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?’
d) This will sleigh you.
A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY PEACEFUL NEW YEAR
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