ISSUE 26 - 3 SEPTEMBER 2007

NOT THE LANGSIDE BLOG

( or it is at langsidecollege.blogspot.com )

Farewell to Fraser
Fraser Organ, Assistant Principal, Information Systems and Services retires on Tuesday the 4th September after 32 years of distinguished service to Langside College. Fraser started his teaching career at Langside on the 1st Febuary 1975 in the old Prospect Building and with the exception of a short time at Woodburn House made the Langside campus his professional ‘home’. Fraser, with or without a pint in his hand, can relate many tales of the teaching regime within the Prospect Building that are both funny and hark back to an era distinctly different to today. Fraser has ‘come through the ranks’ and his experience of College life is extensive and wide ranging.
In his present role Fraser was instrumental in the introduction of wireless technology to the College, in doing so he was, in many ways ahead of his time. This has allowed the College to benefit from the flexibility of wireless technology and the important future proofing benefits it brings to the College. Fraser met with friends and colleagues on Friday the 31st August in the Qua Italian restaurant in Glasgow to receive a number of gifts from Langside staff. Fraser will now have more time to spend on his beloved allotment, on the golf course and with his wife Fiona who retired last year. Fiona received a bouquet of flowers on Friday with a card which said ‘ we have had him for 32 years – over to you!’ All staff wish Fraser a long and happy retirement and Happy 60th Birthday for Tuesday.

GHA
Langside College was recently awarded the contract to deliver SVQ Health and Social Care courses to 95 members of Glasgow Housing Association’s (GHA) housing support teams. These teams are responsible for GHA’s older and vulnerable tenants living in sheltered housing across the city.
Legislation within the care industry has recently changed. This has lead GHA to make a commitment to register all staff with the Scottish Social Services Council by autumn 2009. The Scottish Social Services Council registers and regulates the delivery of sheltered housing, publishes codes of practice and provides education and training.
As part of this commitment GHA has joined forces with Langside College and we will be responsible for the training over the next three years.
Currently, we are delivering SVQ Level 2 training throughout Glasgow to 30 members of staff, who were inducted in June 2007. The next cohort is commencing in February 2008 and the final group in July 2008. Additionally, we are delivering SVQ Level 4 Health and Social Care to 5 managers within the housing support team.

Grad’ 2007
The College Graduation Ceremony takes place on Saturday the 8th September at the usual venue, the Barony Hall, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. This year 281 graduates will attend the ceremony – this is a record number since the College graduation event was first held in 1992. In addition, the highest number of staff will attend and the College are very grateful that so many staff will attend to share with graduates and colleagues the success of our students.

Let Them Eat Cake?
On Thursday 30th August the College arranged for the distribution of a 60th anniversary cake to all students in the main concourse. Elaine Proudfoot, well supported by Caroline Matheson and Craig McCormack from Student Services, handed out the cut cake as a means of highlighting the 60th Anniversary year for our new students and welcoming them to the College as part of Freshers week. The SMT had originally been scheduled to hand out the cake but unfortunately a Property and Estates Committee prevented the attendance of other members of the SMT but Elaine stepped up to the mark and, with Caroline and Craig, did a splendid job.

60th Anniversary Trivia
February 1947 – In New York City, Edwin Land demonstrates the first
‘instant camera’ the Polaroid Land camera to a meeting of the Optical Society of America.
August 1947 – Following decades of non-violent resistance the periodic civil unrest from 1919, India gains independence from the British Empire.
Following this Pakistan splits from India.
Also in 1947 David Letterman, American entertainer and Salman Rushdie, Indian born author were born.

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