News Archives - 2008

At the Christmas break Totton College sports teams have made sure that another exciting & successful season lies ahead. Following on from the under 19 basketball team's blockbuster season last year, which saw them win the league and cup, and the under 17 team take the cup championship, they are once again topping the table this year with maximum points. Outstanding performances have ensured that they have won all of their games, far out scoring their nearest rivals and maintaining a tight defense.

Totton College's annual Presentation Evening was held on 17 December 2008 with 300 attending. Mike Hawker, the Chair of Governors, introduced the special guest, Ram Kalyan. Ram, Director of Now Productions and Manager of Community Radio 101, gave 35 individual students their special awards for achievement. He also awarded examinations certificates to many other students.

Totton College students studying Uniformed Public Services courses were given a taste of just what it takes to become a Royal Marine Commando. Marine Dutchman & Marine Carter spent a day at Totton College taking students through different activities experienced in the life of a Royal Marine.

Totton College was very successful in its recent Ofsted Inspection. In the eleven grades awarded the College achieved three at ‘Outstanding’ and eight at ‘Good’.

Totton College are breaking new ground by hosting their very own apprenticeship champion. Sarah Rowland is employed by the college and currently on a 10 month secondment to the Association of Learning Providers Hampshire and IOW (ALPHI) Network. Sarah is one of four champions deployed across the network, and their role is to promote the new Apprenticeships and work based learning for the 22 members of this association.

We are delighted that one of our superb sportsmen has been awarded an 'Outstanding Sportsperson Award 2008' as part of a celebration of sporting success in Hampshire.

Two Totton College students scored highly in this summer’s examinations. Cheree Frances Van Jaarsveld aged 17 and from Salisbury was one of the ten students out of 6,535 entries who achieved the highest overall mark in AS level Fine Art, according to the UK’s largest awarding body Edexcel.

The Good Schools Guide Award was given to students on the 'BTEC National Diploma in Music' for having the best results achieved by boys taking music studies at an English School.

Totton College Football Academy yesterday revealed the next development in soccer achievements as they signed a sponsorship deal with the Whitehouse nightclub in Southampton. The Whitehouse, currently managed by a former Totton College Academy student Richard Sims have provided the academy with a sum of money specifically to enhance the Academy experience of players involved.

Totton 'University of the Third Age' group (U3A) was formed in 2005. It was set up with the help and support of Totton College when Sheila Webb, who was then the Adult & Part time Course Co-ordinator, organised an interest meeting at Hanger Farm Arts Centre attended by about 50 people.

Totton College is celebrating a further increase in its pass rate at A Level, achieving 98.1% compared to 97.9% last year. This continues to be significantly above the national average. The high grade passes continued at 66% and the number of subjects achieving a 100% pass rate was 29. The applied A Level pass rate was 96% with a dramatic increase of high grade passes to 71.5%. The BTEC National Diploma record of a 100% pass rate continued for the third year.

Totton College is pleased to announce it has been awarded a new contract by the Learning and Skills Council to deliver over 200 places on the Government sponsored programme "Train to Gain". This will allow local businesses to access free training for their staff up to NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 (if no Level 2 is held).

Having suffered from severe dyslexia Lorna Wright left school with no qualifications and expected things to stay that way, however...

For the fifth year running Totton College has fielded a team in the challenging and prestigious Engineering Education Scheme.

Totton College has been invited to participate in an international research project as a partner of the University of Southampton, the University of Bologna (Italy), the University of Ulm (Germany), and two schools in Italy and Germany. The opportunity has come through the Computing and ICT department’s close ties with the School of Electronics and Computer Science at Southampton University.

'A little Taste of Italy' is the title of a Saturday morning workshop being delivered by Franco Guelfi on Saturday 10 May when students will receive a demonstration and taste of authentic Italian cuisine from the Lazio region.

Eighteen of Totton College's top student Biologists were invited to a workshop held at Totton College entitled 'Drug (Ab)Use and Misuse'. The students spent the whole day working with guests from: Hampshire Constabulary, It's Your Choice, The Forensic Science Service and Cancer Research UK.

Students from Totton College joined hundreds of UK schools in the international performing arts initiative known as the 'Global Rock Challenge'. Students from across the College pooled their resources to ensure that a stunning dance and drama performance was backed up by great music and a professional set - all designed by the Foundation Arts Students at Totton College.

With GCSE exams just around the corner gifted and talented students from Testwood School were reminded of the importance of hard work on a visit to Totton College recently. Whilst the next focus after GCSE's will be A Levels these gifted students already have their sights set higher. A visit to the Higher Education Fair at Portsmouth Guild Hall enabled them to learn about the degrees and career paths on offer.

Students from Totton College Travelled to Stratford upon Avon last weekend as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme. The Students have established the company Bill N Benny's which sells hand decorated pots and plates as well as sweets and drinks. The market event was attended by students from all over the country and by companies as far a field as Aberdeen and Northern Europe.

Business Development has teamed The New Forest Business Partnership with Bill Begley and his Graphics learners to produce a new and improved "Connexions" magazine.

Art students were able to gain practical experience of exhibiting in a high class venue recently at the Rose Bowl. Totton College Chair of Governors and local chairman for the Bank of England organized the exhibition at the business forum event.

A Level Law students at Totton College were given a taste of the future during a visit to Winchester Crown Court recently.

Totton College has responded to the success of the first University of the Third Age group in Totton, now full with 130 members, by launching a second group in South Totton. Around fifty people attended Hounsdown Community Hall, Hounsdown Avenue, Totton, to express their interest, resulting in an inaugural meeting of the new group.

Fed up with wandering round the shops at the weekend? Fancy something different to do? Totton College are offering something different on Saturday 15 March, be it learning different ways with Sushi or Noodles or exploring your intuition and psychic abilities or how to edit your digital photographs. You can come along to find out which 'season' you are to ensure you wear the right colours, learn the basics of Floristry, have a mini pamper with a facial, manicure and pedicure, or maybe Belly Dancing is your thing!

Totton college Men's Basketball team is on course to finish well positioned in the cup and the league this season. The team is still playing in the under 17 and under 19 county cup, as well as making the last 16 of the National cup. It's no surprise then that this strong team is 4 points clear at the top of the Hampshire colleges league. However with one month of the season remaining there is still all to play for.

Adrian French, Business Development Manager of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), presents a plaque to Chris Herbert, Head of Business Development, recognising Totton College as an accredited provider of Level 5 management qualifications.

The employment day was designed to broaden the aspirations of students considering leaving the College this summer. A range of employment and training options were on offer with displays, hands on workshops and practical advice.

James Binns, Member of the Youth Parliament for New Forest and Test Valley South will take office in February 2008, having acted as Deputy Member since July 2007.

Totton College's Business Development team held their first open evening at their Waterside Skills Centre on Wednesday evening (29/1/2008).

Such has been the demand for tuition in Sign Language, with the current course full, Totton College is offering an additional opportunity to gain this qualification via a Saturday morning course starting on 26 January. This qualification is not only useful for those working in the field of hearing impairment but is also a valuable addition to the CV for anyone working or hoping to work in face-to-face front line services.