Penwith College News
Students and Staff Celebrate at Awards Evening
On Thursday 20th October students from Penwith College and their supporters including family, friends, governors, staff and the Town Mayor gathered in the Acorn Theatre for the first annual awards evening. 36 subject awards were presented for effort and achievement with a further special 15 awards which encompassed the other areas of the college such as the Business Centre and Adult Education as well as prizes for student’s contributions to college life, the community and music. In addition were two awards dedicated to past members of staff – the Martin Ockwell Award for Art and the Matthew Rowe Prize for English.
Awards were presented by David Gibson, Acting Principal and John Wilday, Chair of Governors. David said, “I am delighted to be here celebrating the successes of our students. Whilst these students were selected from the vast array of nominations to receive awards, there are many other students who are undertaking great work and their efforts should not be forgotten. I am pleased to announce that the Student of the Year prize goes to Roxanne McKay for her hard work, attitude to learning, support for her fellow students, her constant energy and contagious enthusiasm. My thanks must also go to the staff, without whom, many of these students would not reach their full potential. ”
for more details please click here
It’s a result! 97% pass rate for Penwith College students.
For the sixth year running, students and staff are celebrating an overall pass rate above national averages.
The College has seen an exceptional achievement of 100% pass rates for many of its A level courses including: Fine Art, Biology, Business Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language and Literature, English Literature, French, Graphic Design, History, ICT, Law, Media, Music, Philosophy, Ethics and Religion, Photography, Physical Education, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, and Textiles.
Acting Principal David Gibson said: “We are extremely proud of our students and staff who have achieved truly excellent results. We have a well qualified and dedicated team of lecturers and guidance and support tutors who have been fully focussed on maintaining high standards in working with our students to ensure they achieve the grades they deserve.”
Awards for Hair and Beauty Students
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy students and staff from Penwith College gathered for an evening of celebration at the Porthminster Hotel, St Ives.
Vicky Walden of St Erth was presented with the Student of the Year award for Beauty Therapy NVQ level 3. Vicky will be returning to Penwith College to study the new Foundation Degree in Salon and Spa Management and is currently working at Bliss Salon in Penzance.
Additional awards for Students of the Year were given to Natalie Allen-Scholley, Helston (Beauty Therapy NVQ level 2 in Beauty Therapy), Susan Prowse (Hairdressing NVQ level 2, over 19s) and Leoni Hall (Hairdressing NVQ level 2) with the Beauty Therapy award winners each receiving £100 of Dermalogica products.
Course Coordinator Sarah Pratt said “We are very proud of all our students and this evening gives us all the opportunity to celebrate their achievements and wish them well for the future whether continuing with their studies or going on to work in the industry.”
Students and Staff compete to Race For Life
A 35 strong team of both staff and students, decked in fushia pink “Penwith College …full of life” t-shirts took part in the RACE FOR LIFE event in Penzance last week. Having raised in excess of £1000 everyone was keen to complete the distance whether running, jogging or walking. We have all very pleased to have completed the race and raised so much money for such an important charity. Thanks to our supporters for waiting patiently trackside to cheer us on as we passed. Click here to see our pictures
Penwith College Announces Potential Merger with Truro College
A possible merger with Truro College has been announced by the Governors of Penwith College today. This decision follows a rigorous review of the strategic options available to the College to ensure the people of Penwith are provided with a quality educational and training facility appropriate for the 21st century. Click for more details
National No Smoking Day March 14th
Hypnosis sessions
Hypnotherapy is completely safe, highly effective and a very powerful method of quitting smoking for good. It has worked for thousands of people and can work for you. click on this link for more details of how we can help you give up for good.
New Sports Academies
love sport, study sport, play sport, live sport
Many gifted and enthusiastic students aspire for a future in sport, whether that is playing in a semi or pro environment, or looking for a profession within the sport they love. This is why Penwith College launched three new sports academies for hockey, canoeing and swimming in partnership with Penzance Swimming Association and Water Polo Club, Penzance Hockey Club and Penzance Canoe Club this week.
This scheme is designed with those aspirations in mind. It gives the opportunity to achieve excellent academic and vocational qualifications in a friendly environment and delivers a dedicated and comprehensive training and playing regime (with close links to our partnership organisations). Academy students will enter regular local and national competitions and will have the opportunity to gain additional coaching qualifications.
Students will have to work for their place on the Academy as selection will be based on ability, commitment and dedication. Penwith College invite applications from high achieving and committed sports enthusiasts for our canoe, hockey and swimming academies to start in September 2007. For more details please contact Steven Loder at Penwith College on 01736 335000.
The Academy will improve your performance, provide a professional approach to your sport, and help you achieve your full sports potential so don’t delay, apply today. (Applications open to Penwith College students only)
Drama at the Acorn
'As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams .... he found himself transformed, in his bed, into a giant insect...'
Steven Birkoff's handling of this bizarre story by Franz Kafka results in a piece of physical theatre relyng heavily on mime, movement, music and rhythm. Original music has been composed for this production.
Students from the College will be performing Steven Berkoff's Metamorphosis on Wednesday 31st January and Thursday 1st February 2007 at the Acorn Theatre, Penzance.
An adventure for A Level PE students
On the 15th November the A level PE group at Penwith College went on a canoeing and camping expedition. The purpose of this trip was to get assessed on canoeing and all round camping skills. For more details on this story click here
First Steps Nursery Help Children in Need
Children from the First Steps Nursery raised over £500 for Children in Need with their Pjama Party and Face Painting on 17th November. Suppported by staff and parents the children had a great day filled with fun packed activities to raise money for this worthy cause.
Racing Academy
Students at Penwith College have found a new way of learning - using a car racing computer game. Racing Academy is a highly realistic racing game, which is fun as well as educational. For more details on this story please click here
Carry On Learning
Penwith College show their commitment to continuous learning with 5 members of staff completing their Certificate in Education in partnership with Greenwich University. For more details on this story please click here
Penwith College Foundation Studies open shop to all
On Thursday 16th November 2006, Penwith College Foundation Students opened the Penwith College shop for both students and residents in the area.
Housed in the Student Common Room, the shop is open for business every day selling a range of items including stationery, photography equipment, hand made Christmas cards, recycled goods and the Cornishman Newspaper. Fore more details on this story click here
An adventure for A Level PE students
On the 15th November the A level PE group at Penwith College went on a canoeing and camping expedition. The purpose of this trip was to get assessed on canoeing and all round camping skills. For more details on this story click here
College Ofsted Report
Ofsted praise student experience at Penwith College
Following the recent Ofsted Inspection of Penwith College the report published by Ofsted confirmed the quality of the teaching and learning at the College. Ofsted found that the teaching and learning of the students was good in some areas and satisfactory in others. There was no unsatisfactory teaching reported in this College.
To read the full story click here
First Steps Nursery Help Children in Need
Children from the First Steps Nursery raised over £500 for Children in Need with their Pjama Party and Face Painting on 17th November. Suppported by staff and parents the children had a great day filled with fun packed activities to raise money for this worthy cause.
Sports Students in the Community
Students from the National Diploma in Sports Studies were awarded their certificates this week for completing the Community Sports Leadership Award (CSLA). The award is an additional qualification and gives students the skills needed to lead groups in safe sporting and recreational activity.
To read the full story click here
Open Evening 18th October 2006 5.30 - 8pm
The first Open Evening of the year went down a storm with a record number of potential students through the door. Students from all local schools were represented and had the opportunity to speak to tutors from all areas of the college not only about the courses on offer but also the student experience, extra curricular activities and the benefits of studying at a local college. In addition tutors were available from the Higher Education section to discuss the university level courses on offer, Access to Higher Education for those who have been out of Education for some time and the flexible learning available for those in employment or with families.
The next Open Evening will be on 8th January from 5.30-8pm with everyone welcome to attend and see what life at Penwith College is all about.
Students get an inside look at the Javan R1 Speedster
On Monday 25th September Javan Sports Cars visited Penwith College showcasing their world class, R1 Speedster. Hand built by a small team just down the road in Cury, the R1 rivals the Lotus Elise with its sleek style and dynamic speed. To read the full story click here
Penwith College students celebrate another year of great A Level results!
With an A level pass rate of 97.2% and over 70% of students gaining grades A-C, 2006 is yet another champion year for Penwith College. For the fifth year running the College’s A level results have beaten the national average by a significant margin. To read the full story click here
Penwith College numbers on the Increase
It was announced today by Penwith College that applications for its courses have increased by over 25% this year. The College has achieved outstanding examination results in the past few years and had an A level pass rate of 99.9% last year. These results have placed it among the top ten colleges in the country. To read the full story click here
Hair and Beauty Students Celebrate their Success
Friday 23rd June saw the end of term for the hair and beauty students at Penwith College and did they end the year in style? Certainly they did.
The Queens Hotel hosted the evening, where the students wined, dined and danced the night away in their fine array of evening dress and delightful ball gowns.
The presentations were acknowledgements of student achievement over the past year, kindly presented by Debbie Swift of Dermalogica; who also awarded £100 of products to two well deserving beauty therapy students. To read the full story click here