Good News Report October – November 2024
College Student Battles Cancer to Pursue Nursing Dreams
Meet Shireen Connah, a student, who is determined to become a nurse specialising in palliative care, despite battling breast and bone cancer. With a big dream to help others, Shireen is not letting her health challenges stop her. Last year, she completed the Level 2 Counselling programme and now she’s juggling Level 3 Counselling Skills and a part-time Access to Higher Education in Health and Social Care diploma to prepare for her nursing degree. Even though she has to undergo chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and is soon facing surgery to replace a metal structure in her leg, Shireen is pushing through. Right now, she uses crutches to move around, but she’s ready to learn to walk again after her surgery, which involves rehabilitation. Even with the risk of further complications or the possibility of needing an amputation, Shireen is committed to her goal of working in palliative care. She said: “I am currently on a 10-year treatment plan for my breast cancer, and while I await full reconstruction and leg revision surgery, I’m aware that there’s a chance things might not go as planned but I am determined to keep going!
“My dream is to work in palliative care, and I want to give back by supporting patients through their toughest moments—just as I’ve been supported during mine. “I wouldn’t have come this far without the incredible support from my tutors at Barnsley College; they have been key to developing my confidence, skills, and abilities. Their encouragement has helped me push through when things have felt overwhelming.” Shireen’s Access to Higher Education teacher Vicky Whitaker praised Shireen’s determination to achieve. She added: “Her commitment to education is unwavering. Despite her health battles, Shireen maintains exemplary attendance, engaging in all her classes—even remotely via Teams when she cannot attend in person.
College donates more than £3,500 of supplies to help homeless
Students from various departments, including; Business, Childcare and Health, Engineerin g, Esport, Finance, Foundation Learning, Hair and Beauty, Human Resources, Leadership and Management, Learning for Living and Work, Safeguarding, Sport, Student Recruitment, Student Services and Barnsley Sixth Form College, came together to support the cause. Lucy Evans, our Cultural Capital and Personal Development Coordinator, who led the initiative, added: “What began as a plan to fill just five rucksacks quickly exceeded my expectations. “Thanks to the overwhelming support and generosity of our students and staff, we were able to quadruple our goal, providing 22 rucksacks and 15 extra carrier bags filled with essential supplies for those in need in the community. “We also want to extend our gratitude to Pat’s for Pants in Barnsley Market for their generous donations of thermal clothing and to ASDA Worsborough for providing extra food that helped fill these rucksacks.” Principal and CEO, David Akeroyd, commented: “The staff and students involved in gathering these contributions should be so proud. Especially Lucy and the Enterprise Team. “It’s a testament to our College culture that teams have rallied together and achieved this. I’m sure these rucksacks will make a real difference in our local community.”
We have made an incredible donation to help homeless people in our local area. Thanks to the hard work of staff and students, we’ve collected over £3,500 worth of essential supplies! Together, we managed to fill 22 rucksacks and 15 carrier bags with winter clothes, toiletries, and food. These will go to the Rucksack Project, a local charity run by Barnsley Churches Drop-in Project, which supports homeless people in our community. Homelessness is on the rise, with official statistics showing a 10% increase across the UK. Our efforts will help local homeless individuals stay warm and safe during the tough winter months. Peter Mulrooney, Chairman of Barnsley Churches Drop-in, said: “Those who are homeless, rough sleeping or sofa surfing need essentials like rucksacks, clothes, food, and other items for their day-to-day survival; over time, these things wear out, get damaged, or even stolen, so constant replacement is crucial. “This generous contribution from the College is truly appreciated. Thanks to the students, staff, and everyone involved—it really shows there’s an understanding of the challenges in Barnsley and the great support from the College in supporting their community.”
Exciting New Tractors at Wigfield Farm Campus
We are super excited to announce that we’ve made a big investment in our agricultural programme by getting two brand-new, high- tech tractors! We now have a purchased a Massey Ferguson M 4709 and an MLT 625-75 H from B&B Tractors to give our agriculture students the hands-on experience needed for real-world opportunities. These new machines will provide students, who study Level 3 Agricultureat our Wigfield Farm campus, the chance to gain essential skills that can help them gain a job in the industry after college. The Massey Ferguson M 4709 is a high- performance tractor, known for its reliability and versatility in farming tasks. Paired with the MLT 625-75 H, a compact and highly efficient telehandler, students will train and master the skills required for modern farm operations.
Emily Hanson is a Level 3 Agriculture student who can’t wait to get started. She said: “Being able to train on these tractors will give me the skills to have a competitive edge in the industry as a farmer – it’s great to know that I’m gaining these skills as part of my course, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel!” As well as driving these tractors, students will the latest farming techniques, health and safety rules, and how to maintain machinery— everything today’s farming employers are looking for. Macauley Parkin, our Agriculture Course Leader, is just as excited. He added: “We are committed to ensuring our Agriculture students leave College with the skills, experience, and confidence they need to succeed in the industry. “These new tractors will give our students hands-on experience with the type of machinery used in farming, positioning them as ideal candidates for employment once they finish their course.”
We Marked Wear It Red Day with Special Guests
The College held its annual Business Industry Week in October, giving students the chance to connect with industry professionals, attend career-focused workshops, and gain real-world business insights. Students had the opportunity to hear from experts across various sectors, with guest speakers from companies such as Boohoo, Masonite and Sales Geek. Through interactive sessions, workshops and a networking event, participants gained practical knowledge, built connections, and prepared for future career paths. Sophie Clark, Communications and Culture Manager at Boohoo, said: “What a great opportunity to meet some of the students from Barnsley College and share an insight to Boohoo and all the great opportunities we have to offer.” The team at Boohoo challenged the Year 2 Accounting and Management and Administration T Level students to develop innovative ideas that support the company’s goal of improving sustainability by 25% by 2025. This project provided students with valuable insights into the key considerations involved in managing a large-scale operation.
Sophie stated: “Sustainability is a huge area of development for us as a business, so it is great to hear about the ideas of young people today, relating to how we can improve our sustainability agenda. We are looking forward to working more closely with the College to further support the development of their students through sustainability and ways of working.” The week was completed with a speed networking event, where students were able to sit down with representatives from local businesses to discuss work placement opportunities, as well as hone their interview skills. Industry Placement Coordinator, Katie Whittaker, added: “Speed Networking is an amazing opportunity for our students to experience a real-life networking event. “The Employers that work with us in College provide a vital role in developing and nurturing our future Business Professionals. It’s great to see how much both the students and employers enjoy this event.”
New Pre-loved Clothing Shop Opens at Barnsley College
Barnsley College has officially opened ‘Reloved Boutique’, a pre-loved clothing shop, at an exclusive launch event held on Tuesday 5 November. Reloved Boutique is an educational initiative based at Barnsley College’s Old Mill Lane campus. It will provide a supportive, hands-on learning environment specifically designed for the Learning for Living and Work students who have learning difficulties and disabilities. The boutique goes beyond traditional classroom learning by offering real-world skill- building in a vibrant, welcoming setting. The shop was officially opened by Barnsley College Vice Principal Students, Hayley Allsopp, and was attended by guests including dignitaries, Barnsley Councillors, James Higginbottom and Kevin Osbourne, students and employees. All were able to browse the vast range of pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories that are available to purchase. Hayley said: “I was honoured to officially open Reloved Boutique! It looks absolutely fantastic. It’s such a great initiative for our students and staff to get involved in and really supports the College’s sustainability agenda too. “It will allow our Learning for Living and Work students to use this space to develop their employability skills and gain confidence that will help them to progress into employment in the future.”
Nicola Thomson-Dewey, Head of Learning for Living and Work department at Barnsley College, added: “I’m really excited to open Reloved Boutique, as it will allow opportunities for our students to improve a number of key employability skills including teamwork, communication and time management. “The shop provides opportunities for students to develop their English and Maths skills, empowering them to manage tasks like counting cash, calculating discounts, writing receipts and maintaining basic records — skills that can be challenging to learn in a typical classroom setting but essential for independent living. “When students are working in the boutique, they will learn how to process customer orders, handle payments and provide helpful and friendly customer service; all key competencies that build interpersonal skills, patience and the confidence to interact effectively with the public. Through this interactive approach, students are laying the groundwork for a range of jobs for the future.” Jessica Oliver, one of the department instructors who organised the boutique setup, commented: “The project will have a long-lasting positive impact on the students and prepare them for a transition into the workforce, making the Reloved Boutique a truly special, effective learning experience.”
Public Services student puts best foot forward for charity
Our Public Services student, Eduard Cristea, raised over £250 by donning his walking shoes for an 8-mile walk from Goldthorpe to Barnsley to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK. Eduard was diagnosed with Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia aged three, he was given critical end of life care in his home country Romania. He was transferred to the Children’s Oncology Unit of the San Matteo Hospital in Italy, where he received a bone marrow transplant which has resulted in being in remission for 11 years. Eduard said: “I decided to do a sponsored walk to create a small difference in another child’s life who may be suffering from leukaemia and others suffering from blood diseases. “Hopefully the money I raised will support people suffering and will provide food, money, toys, medical equipment etc. I received a lot of support and generosity when I was younger, and I would like to pay this back to others.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the staff and students in Public Services and my friends and family who have supported me during this charity event.” Laura Wood, Public Services Course Leader, added: “Eduard is an outstanding student whose selfless efforts to raise money for charities reflect his deep compassion and commitment to making a difference. “His personal journey inspires all who have battled serious illnesses, showing them the power of resilience, gratitude, and the ability to find happiness even in the face of adversity. “Eduard’s kindness and strength are an inspiration, reminding us all to appreciate the smaller things in life.”
Student kicks off career with a bang at Barnsley Women’s FC debut
Gracie McGregor, one of our Sport students, realised her dream by debuting for the first team at Barnsley Women’s FC. Gracie, a centre back took up football after attending her brother’s games which her dad was the manager of. She played her part in helping Barnsley to an emphatic 5-0 win against Lincon City FC, which helped her team reach 6 th in the Division One Midlands league. As part of the football club, she trains twice a week to perfect her fitness, tactics, agility and endurance, whilst playing games on a Sunday afternoon. Her greatest achievement is having the opportunity to attend England training camps giving her the chance to train with the best players in her age group from up and down the country.
Gracie, a Level 3 Sport and Exercise Sciences, said: “Sunday’s debut brought a flood of emotions; mainly excitement when I learned I made the squad, knowing it was a chance to prove myself in senior football. However, I also felt very nervous, especially while waiting in the tunnel. “I think I played with freedom by avoiding self- imposed pressure, and I believe that approach helped my performance. Overall, I’d consider it a good showing, but there are always areas to improve. I’ll keep working hard to secure a spot in the squad each week. “Being a student at Barnsley College has allowed me to access the support from staff. This is important to me as I feel that I always have someone to speak to when attending College or football which allows me to be more confident in my studies as well as playing football.”
Students Rise Up Against Racism
The workshops, organised by the Enterprise team, kicked off the first series of sessions aimed at students from all subject areas, promoting awareness, empathy, and proactive measures against racial injustice. Additional sessions will be held later this year to reach more students. One student described the first round of workshops as “empowering,” explaining, “I feel more confident in standing up for what’s right and creating a more inclusive environment at College.” The importance of these workshops is underscored by the 140,561 hate crimes recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024. Although there was an overall 5% decrease, religious hate crimes spiked by 25%.
By helping students identify and combat various forms of racism, including Islamophobia and antisemitism, these workshops empower them to drive positive change in their communities. Lucy Evans, Cultural Capital and Personal Development Coordinator, who organised the workshops, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be working with Show Racism the Red Card and to equip our students with the knowledge and confidence to challenge racism, stand as allies, and champion equality in our local community. “These lifelong skills will help them build a more inclusive, respectful society. We look forward to welcoming Show Racism the Red Card back next month for future workshops, ensuring every student is part of this important journey.”
We’re very proud of our Student of the Year runner up
Our exceptional student, Tom Ashforth, has been named runner up in the prestigious national Student of the Year Awards. Tom was a finalist for the Young Student of the Year Award in the Association of Colleges (AoC) awards, which celebrate ‘truly unique’ students whose efforts inspire and positively impact their college and community. Tom, who is partially sighted, has taken on roles as an active student representative for his Level 3 Digital Support Services T Level course, and Disabilities Officer on the Students’ Union Committee. He balances his college commitments with volunteer work for the Thomas Pocklington Trust, a national charity advocating for equal opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in education and employment and is a member of the GB Development Squad for Paracycling.
Principal and Chief Executive David Akeroyd said: “Tom’s achievements are a true reflection of his dedication, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact both at Barnsley College and in the wider community. “In his roles at the College, Tom has not only excelled in his studies but also shown remarkable leadership and advocacy for equality. His contributions as a member of the GB Development Squad for Paracycling further highlight his outstanding work ethic and determination. “Tom’s recognition as a finalist is well-deserved and stands as an inspiration to all of us at the College. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing all that he will continue to achieve.”
Media Students Celebrate Being Finalists in Prestigious International Virtual Production Competition
Production Competition is a monumental achievement for Barnsley College and a testament to the dedication and talent of our students. “Competing on an international stage alongside prestigious institutions like Shanghai University and Berkeley College underscores the exceptional skills of our students. This accolade not only showcases our commitment to industry-standard education but also provides our students with valuable, real-world experience and a unique film credit at the Further Education level. We’re thrilled to receive worldwide recognition, and we look forward to further establishing Barnsley College as a leader in virtual production education.” The project was a collaborative effort, with contributions from our talented Hair and Beauty students, who assisted with specialised styling, bringing a unique level of realism to the production. This venture into international competition was initially intended as an educational exercise, providing our students a hands-on experience of industry-standard practices in our newly equipped virtual studio.
Barnsley College students have achieved global recognition, reaching the finals in the prestigious VIVE Mars Virtual Production Competition, an international contest that celebrates innovation in virtual filmmaking. The competition, held by HTC’s VIVE Mars division, focuses on pioneering uses of virtual production technology. HTC is known for its cutting-edge products, including the HTC VIVE VR headset and the VIVE Mars camera tracking system, both of which have recently been implemented within the College’s green screen virtual production studio. This year’s competition brief, themed around creating the best horror shot, challenged competitors to push the boundaries of virtual production. Participants included industry- leading professionals as well as students from renowned institutions worldwide, making the competition both prestigious and highly competitive. Universities like Shanghai University, a global leader in educational resources, and Berkeley College, ranked among the top film schools globally, claimed the top spots. Although there is no official third place, Barnsley College’s entry earned finalist recognition, marking a significant accomplishment for our students and staff. Thomas Martel, Media Lecturer, said: “Being recognised as a finalist in the VIVE Mars Virtual
Primary school receives constructive gift from College
Barnsley College Construction staff have created two benches for the students at Hoyland Common Primary School. Gavin Batty, Barnsley College Deputy Chief Executive, facilitated the work after staff from the school reached out to him asking for help creating much needed benches for students. As the college is always willing to support the community, the Colleges Construction department leapt on the opportunity. Lucy Blackshaw, the EYFS Leader and Reception class teacher at Hoyland Common primary school, said: ‘We needed some new benches for our cloakroom, so the children had a space to store their wellies and bags. They also needed a place to sit and change their shoes in wet weather. I emailed Gavin to see if the Barnsley College Construction department may be able to support with this.
We are over the moon with the benches, the quality of them is fantastic, robust and well built. They have made a huge difference to the cloakroom area, making it a safe, practical and usable space. They have enabled greater independence for our youngest learners, and we are truly thankful to the college for their support in creating them.’ Charlie Anson, one of the construction instructors who worked on it, says: ‘We are happy with the finished product and that the children will find it useful.’ Lucy added: ‘The college staff have very kindly built two benches for our cloakroom and plan on making a further two with their students. They have made the cloakroom look so much better. The children love them too.’
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