Monday 26 March 2007

Issue 14 - 26/03/07

NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG

( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )

Contractors Weekly Blog
Works are currently going well and we are on programme. Phase 1 of the works is almost complete and next week we shall be moving on to phase 2. Unfortunately this is the phase of works which will cause most disruption.
The footpath at the entrance to the college was due to be reopened on Monday but will now be reopened on Tuesday (pm) due to a delay by the surfacing contractor.
We will be switching over to work on the right hand side (other side) of the road. There will be a new traffic management layout for both vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic lights will be erected at either side of the bend in the road and the main road where the gas pipe was laid will be closed again. Traffic shall have to travel through the main car park area. Unfortunately the staff car park will have to be closed during this phase of the works and we would ask that staff/students try to find alternative methods of transport to get to the college as this will greatly reduce the amount of parking spaces available. Pedestrians will have to walk through the car park where the contractor’s compound is located as all other footpaths shall be closed. NO access will be available to or from Valeview Terrace. Access to Battlefield Road shall have to be gained from Prospecthill Road.
We would ask staff and students NOT to walk along the road as the lane width will be minimal and it will be used by single file traffic travelling in both directions.
Mackenzie Construction again apologise for any inconvenience and we will try to keep disruptions to a minimum and will try to get access back open again as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Comic Relief 2007
Langside College celebrated Comic Relief 2007 with variety of fundraising events. Staff and students alike were proudly wearing their red noses and participating in the fun.
The total amount raised was £578.79 through various events such as the very enjoyable Bhangra Night, with DJ RF, and the ‘staff dress down day’ where staff and HNC Beauty students paid a pound each to look downright silly and wear the red noses which were on sale in the college and raised £240! Each of the Langside Campuses joined in the fun, however, the popular Campus walk from Rutherglen to Langside had to be cancelled due to bad weather but some very keen students collected £14.09 on Battlefield Road in the rain! The SVQ Hospitality students were also industrious; donating their time and skills to raise £108 in a yummy bake sale. The main Concourse was very busy as next to the Bake Sale were stalls selling jewellery and beautiful floral arrangements. The stall holders added to the funds by donating a small fee. A further £48 was donated from a staff wedding picture quiz organised by Tracy Johnston of Student Services. The wining entrant Margaret Thomson of the Finance Department successfully identified each of the 18 happy couples.
The fundraising culminated with the extremely popular ‘Talent Show’ hosted by our own comedy compere ‘Brain the Bunny’ from Student Services and with a karaoke organised and run by Brian Goldie of Facilities. This fun event raised a total of £76.04 from entry fees. Funds were given an additional boost when the winning act, Richard McIntyre, Lecturer of Health Studies, donated his prize money of £40 which he won for his moving rendition of Neil Diamond’s ‘Love on the Rocks’.
Even the youngest students in the ‘Little Scholars’ nursery got in on the act by each donating £1 to wear red and painting their noses!

Welcome
Rosemary McCrae joined the SIRCC Langside team on Monday 19th March. A former HNC distance learning student with SIRCC, Rosemary comes to the team with recent hands-on experience of working within a residential children’s unit. Based in L11, Rosemary will undertake a number of duties, including delivery of the HNC and SVQ level 4 assessing. Rosemary is in the final stages of completing her TQFE. Welcome to the team.

Fabulous Females: A Celebration for International Women's Week
The recent information day designed as part of International Women's Week was a great success with many students and staff members gaining access to vital information as well as signing up for dance classes and placing orders for mother's day gifts! If you would like Amanda Vine, Langside College Students Association's Women's officer to come and speak to your students about campus safety etc. or would be interested in signing up for a Personal Safety Course please email lcsawomens@gmail.com or kmacfarlane@langside.ac.uk.

This will be the last edition of the Blog before the Easter break. Have a peaceful and relaxing Easter holiday. The Blog will return on Monday 23rd April 2007.

Monday 19 March 2007

Issue 13 - 19 March 2007

NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )


Road Contractor’s Weekly Update
“W/C 19/3/07 - Works shall continue along the left hand side of the carriageway as you enter the college. The entrance to the first car park shall be getting narrowed which may restrict some additional car parking spaces although we will try to keep this to a minimum. A temporary footpath shall be used for pedestrians and once again we would ask that staff and students use this and are vigilant when crossing the road. Again this week we hope any disruptions are minimal.“ (Greg Deehan - Site Agent).

Fantastic effort – thank you
In issue eleven of the Blog we sent a get well soon message to Katy Crumlish who had just undergone major surgery and was about to undertake a course of chemotherapy. Katy visited Langside last Friday and her many friends were delighted to hear and see how upbeat and positive she was. Margaret McClintock, our Cleaning Supervisor, has reported that the offer to staff who wished to contribute to a get well gift for Katy was met with a really positive response and £500 pounds has been collected and will be passed to Katy. Many thanks to all staff for your very generous contributions that will certainly help Katy overcome her present difficulties.

Diploma Show success
The HND Acting and Performance students presented their Diploma Show in the Emanuel Studio on Wednesday 14 March and once again the skill and commitment of the students was a highlight of the two performances. In the afternoon a number of theatrical agents were in the audience and must have been impressed by the students. The show takes the form of students presenting individual performances as well as working in pairs. The students choose the extracts they wish to perform and this leads to a diversity (from Edwin Morgan to Alan Ayckbourne) which is stimulating and thought provoking for the audience. A terrific show, delivered with a high level of enthusiasm and energy, which showcased beautifully their individual talents and illustrated the masterful work by the college tutors to develop, in three years, this high level of performance.

Extract from Barrhead News (Gazette Group)

Discovering the joy of text – “Barrhead OAPs are learning about the joy of test – in later life! The plucky pensioners have signed up for Saturday morning sessions in Carlibar Learning Centre to learn everything from switching a mobile on to sending and receiving texts. And the senior students – the eldest being 91 year old local man Eddie Russell – are already enjoying being able to send a wee electronic message to their loved ones. Eddie, who signed up for the course after being given a mobile phone for Christmas, said: “I wanted to be able to keep in touch with my family. This was especially with my son in mind because he lives in Inverness, which is quite far away – but I did not know where to start. The course has been fantastic and I can even send text messages. It was a bit tricky at first but I think I have got the hang of it now”.
The course for pensioners on how to use the modern communication gadgets was dreamt up with help from the Workers Education Associated and Langside College. Course organiser Liz Rodger, of the WEA, says that the keypad lessons are breaking down barriers to allow the students to keep in touch with the mobile world. And tutor, Drew Brown of East Renfrewshire Council said: “This is all about removing barriers to living fully in today’s world and making sure that older people are not isolated. They can’t work what they often see as new technology. I am glad to announce that our students have taken it to like ducks to water and out 92 year old has asked if he can bring along his 70 year old daughter.” The phones used are reworked old council mobiles donated by the council’s procurement staff.
Langside College tutor Chris Rafferty says that the course is a good example of adult learning meeting the real communication needs of older people in a novel way. “ G8 wrk Chris.

Welcome!
Ian Dunnachie joins Maths & Science staff on Monday 19 March as a Mechanical Engineering Lecturer. Ian previously worked with BAE Systems for 12 years. His main teaching remit will be NC Mechanical Engineering and HNC Mechanical Engineering. Welcome aboard.

________________________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
_________________________________________________________________________

Monday 12 March 2007

ISSUE12 - 12 March 2007

NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )


Goodbye and Hello!
Two long serving members of the Community Learning and Development Unit staff have recently left the team.
After more than 12 years working at Glenwood Campus, Margaret Rose Black and Roslyn Friel said their farewells to current and many past CLDU staff at a recent night out at Canasta, where we were regaled with many tales of their time working within an area of the College which has had so many names over this time! (Glenwood, then the Faculty of Social Inclusion and Community Campuses, then the Faculty of Community Learning and finally the Community Learning and Development Unit!)
For those of you in the know, you will not be surprised that “Nethy Bridge” was referred to many times.
Margaret Rose isn’t going far, as she takes up the option of job share, and now restricts her working week to her SL position in ITBM .
Roslyn has gone to work at the Mearns Centre in Greenock, which has alternative provision for young school pupils in the area.
Both have contributed hugely to life at Glenwood and the other community campuses, as well as cross college, and leave a big gap within the Unit both professionally and personally.
We wish them well in their new directions.

College Sector ‘CHASTE-ned’
The Scottish Funding Council recently received a report from the Director of Co-ordinating Health & Safety in Tertiary Education initiative (CHASTE). The report gives Scotland’s Colleges a pat on the back in general for the way in which it is managing health and safety. However, Langside College is deeply concerned that there are still 10 colleges in Scotland who have chosen not to engage with CHASTE. You will be pleased to hear that the College received a very positive report in 2006 from CHASTE officers (both the sector report and the College report are available on the College intranet).

Langside Sports Students – “Lift the Trophy”The current Higher National Diploma Sports Students were very successful in their recent performances at Reid Kerr College. The Langside team were one of eight colleges invited to compete in an inter college Basketball and Football event. The team were unbeaten in the basketball competition with Euan Fraser also being awarded the “fair play” award.
Congratulations to all involved in an enjoyable day.

Open Day Success
On Tuesday 6 March the College ran a very successful Open Day. Over 440 prospective students attended resulting in 50 applications for full time course and 15 enrolments for evening and Lifestyle Learning course. In a parallel event Allison Anderson, Schools Liaison and WESTWHAN ( Working in Health, Access Network) Coordinator organised a carousel event for 81 S3 pupils from local schools who are considering a career in the Health Sector. The group were given an opportunity to practice CPR, gain an understanding of Occupational Therapy and understand the principles behind an ECG examination (including a demonstration)
This was another very good open day, giving the College the opportunity to showcase its courses and secure applications for session 2007/08. Well done to all the staff involved.

Road Contractor’s Weekly Update
As part of our new estate communication strategy the College have asked the contractor to indicate what specific work will be undertaken on a week to week basis. This will appear in the BLOG every Monday for the duration of the contract. We hope this will allow staff the opportunity to plan for any possible disruption and/or to appreciate the nature/time of the work being undertaken.
“W/C 12/3/07 - Works shall be continuing along the left hand side of the carriageway coming into the college. The footpath will be getting excavated and the new kerb line and heel kerb placed for the construction of the new footpath. Traffic management shall remain the same with the use of the priority arrows for vehicles. There will be a couple of material deliveries early on in the week but it will be outwith early morning so traffic disruption should be kept to a minimum. Carparks will all be open. We would ask that students/staff keep to the footpaths to help prevent any accidents and would apologise for any disruptions”.
(Greg Deehan – Site Agent)

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Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
__________________________________________________________________________

Monday 5 March 2007

ISSUE11 - 05 March 2007

NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG
(or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )


Estates Update
Several important meetings took place last week regarding the development of the new estate. On Monday Robert Paterson attended a meeting with the Project Manager and Architect to consider options for the new main teaching block cladding material. Following this the options have been reduced to two and Robert has called for samples and artwork illustrations for both options for further consideration.
On Wednesday 28 February the very important process of appointing a Main Contractor got underway with each of nine contractors who had submitted a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) being interviewed by Robert Paterson, John Pugh, Fraser Organ, Fiona McDade (Project Manager) and David Ross (Architect). The PQQ document allowed the contractors to demonstrate their ability to deliver the Langside College Project in terms of experience, organisational ability, financial capability and sound working practices. Following submission of that document the nine contractors attended for interview which consisted of a 15 minute presentation in which they were asked to specifically address issues such as: a summary of their company capabilities; examples of recent and relevant contracts; their approach to planning and environmental management; and the specific skills set they would bring to the Langside project. Following the presentation the interview panel asked a number of questions covering areas such as: time and cost controls; communication strategies; sustainability issues; their approach to the particular challenges within the Langside project; and the health and safety issues associated with building on a live site with difficult access/egress issues. At the end of a very long day the interview panel allocated a score for each of the contractors interviewed.
On Thursday 1 March the PQQ document contents and the interview results were considered by a panel consisting of C Scott (Chair BOM), Graeme Hyslop, Robert Paterson, John Pugh, Ian Peden and a representative of each member of the estates design team. Following a prescribed marking schedule and within The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, the submissions received in response to the PQQ and follow up interviews were assessed on the basis of each applicants economic and financial standing and their technical capacity.
At the end of that process a short list of contractors was drawn up who will now be invited to submit pre tender documentation to the College for consideration and submission to the Scottish Funding Council as part of the next College submission for final approval.

International Women’s Day
Fabulous Females: A Celebration for International Women’s Week
Wednesday 7th March, Main Concourse (10am – 1.30pm)

International Women’s Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

To celebrate Women’s Day at Langside there will be a variety of stalls on the concourse on the day including:
Strathclyde Community Police, Rape Crisis Centre, Fitness First For Women,
Scottish Slimmers, and a Virgin Vie stall offering cosmetics and jewellery for order.

“Opera in the Nude” involving Langside staff - shock!
Actually it’s Alison Barton our singing teacher and voice coach performing “Naked Opera” at Glasgow University’s Gilmorehill on Saturday 10 March at
8 pm. We are pretty sure that the only thing that she might take off is the roof – in the best possible way of course.
For tickets please contact the box office or Alison in the Music Dept. for what is bound to be an enthralling night out.

News from International Office
Anastasia delivered a baby boy called Gabriel McAvennie on Saturday 17th February at 10.14am. He weighed a healthy 8lbs 6oz and looks a lot like his mum. Both are home and doing well.

Get Well Soon

Katy Crumlish who has worked in the Refectory for a number of years has just undergone major surgery and is now at home prior to receiving chemotherapy treatment. We extend our best wishes to Katy at this challenging time. Margaret McClintock (Cleaning Supervisor) has kindly agreed to coordinate a get well contribution for all staff who wish to help. Please contact Margaret direct or on ext 3804.

________________________________________________________
Any ideas, thoughts, scribbles to the Blog – please contact
Robert Paterson or the Secretariat
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