Simon Weston inspires NULC students to reach their potential

NULC welcomed Falklands War veteran Simon Weston OBE into the College today where he shared his inspirational life story to staff and students.

 

As part of the College’s Retention, Achievement and Progression (RAP) week, Simon was invited to come and talk about how he has turned his experiences into a life of helping others.

 

Each term the students can sample new activities, find out more about careers and listen to inspirational speakers during RAP week, which could help them shape their own careers as well as take part in new experiences.

 

David Matthews, Director of Learner Engagements and Partnerships at NULC, said: “We are delighted that Simon kindly agreed to come and talk to our students. He is a truly amazing person and the students benefited greatly from hearing his story.

 

“The students present during his talk said how inspirational he was and will now go on to apply the same positivity that Simon showed to their own life and careers.”

 

Students had the opportunity to ask questions about his charitable work as well as openly questioning him about his personal experiences since he was badly injured aboard the Sir Galahad troop carrier in 1982. Simon also spoke about his medical treatment and what lies in the future for him with his continued rehabilitation.

 

Simon also urged students to achieve their own dreams and reach their potential by working hard.

 

Ed Bailey, a second year public services student at the College, said: “Simon was very inspirational and his story was extremely moving. It bought me back down to earth and has now motivated me to work hard and to do well to enable to me to achieve my dream of joining the police force.”

 

 

 

 

 

Uniformed Public Service Students Meet the Marines

As annual events go, the trip to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone in Devon has to be one of the high lights of the Uniformed Public Services Course.   Seven students along with one of their lecturers took part in a five day multi activity packed trip, pushing both the students and the lecturer to the limits.   

The students took part in a wide variety of evolutions, including field craft, weapons handling, briefings, assault course challenges, gym tests, 3 mile timed runs, bottom field (which is doing press ups, sit ups, pull ups and obstacle courses) including the infamous “sheep dip” where they had to crawl submerged along a water filled tunnel.

The purpose of the visit is to CTCRM is to give the students a taste of Royal Marine life and expose them to some of the rigours of military training.   Its a very hard week with early starts and late finishes involving lots of physical activity, mud and more mud.  At the end of the week the students will come away from one of the World’s best military training establishments knowing that they have well and truly been put through one of the toughest weeks of their life.


Uniformed Public Service Lecturer Sam Holmes, said: “It was one of the best trips I have ever been on.  The students loved it, I loved it and we all had a terrific time.  We all got stuck into the activities and by the end of the week we felt that the Royal Marines had really looked after us.  Our students never gave up and gave 100%.”

One student James Salt was on his second visit said: “I really enjoyed this trip, and it has helped me decide that I want to join the Royal Marines.”

Another student on the trip, Jack Horton said: “Now I know a lot more about what a Royal Marine does and their career progression I am having a really good look at joining the Marines, but the good thing about the Uniformed Public Service Course is that with the qualifications I will get, I can make smart choices, such as go to university or go into the military from a position of knowledge and not hearsay.  I’ve seen it first-hand.”


One of the Curriculum Leaders on the Uniformed Public Service Course, Paul Morris added: “One of my last Jobs in the Royal Navy was in charge of recruiting for Northern England.  I know straight from the recruiter’s desk that any young man or woman wanting to join the Service will stand head and shoulders above any other person of the same age and background once they start telling the recruiters about trips like this.  It tells the interviewer that the person in front of them has the determination and motivation to find out about the Service they want to join as opposed to looking at pictures on the internet or getting a high score on Call of Duty.”

Paul went on to add: “It's one of the unique selling points of our course, that we have a strong working relationship with the Uniformed Public Services in the area and we make sure that those students who want to find out about a particular job in the Uniformed Public Services are given the chance to find out about that service at first hand. 

Just look at our Blog at http://publicservicenulc.blogspot.co.uk/

DEAR DIARY - THE REAL STORY OF TWO UNIFORMED PUBLIC SERVICE STUDENTS’ EPIC TRIP TO ARTIC NORWAY

Having Read and Enjoyed Rob’s Blog, (See previous article), I have decided to publish a few extracts from the diary I kept whilst on the trip.

Thursday the 27th  March
5am- Oh my Gosh!  I didn’t know this time existed.  Up and ready for pick up. Last minute panic double checking all essentials were packed.
5.45am- Mini bus arrives. Loading equipment onto van for 4+ hour drive to Stansted!! Absolutely knackered, nodding off several times during the journey but was excited to get going.
10.15- Arrived at Stansted Airport. Met fellow sponsors of the expedition with group photos being taken and kit being handed out. Me and Charlotte were handed Canada Goose coats for the duration of the expedition.  At £1500 a coat, best not lose them.
11.30- Boarded plane and set off with a two hour trip to Sandefjord Airport, Torp Southern Norway.  Slept most of the way.
14.30- Arrived at Torp.  These Norwegians are really friendly
15:00 - Off North in another minibus on a five hour  trip through, around  and over the mountains and onto Hovden.  More Sleep
19.00- Arrived in Hovden, half asleep and ready for a good meal.  A full Norwegian, all you can eat buffet. While having our meal we were introduced to the rest of Topsy’s team. They would be our guides and mentors for the next couple of days. A great bunch, who made us feel welcome.
20.00- After stuffing ourselves and getting to know the rest of the team we were briefed on the following day’s events.  Hmm looks a tough day.  Definitely looking forward to it.
20.30- We were shown to our apartments which were large and homely with three bedrooms, a lounge and a kitchen that was shared between five fellow sponsors.  Early bed for me, I don’t think I got enough sleep today.
 

Friday 28th March
7.00am-  Never seen this time before on my wrist watch!  Up and ready for 8.00am for continental breakfast.

Morning –  Met our Cross Country Ski Instructor “Jas”  He squared away out kit for us. Talk about Cross Country skis are hard work, and that’s just being able to stand upright on them. Great fun, lots of falls, especially Rob. I was the best of course. By the end of the morning we all had mastered the basics and were ready to face the rest of the day (after lunch).

Afternoon – After meeting back at the ski hut for a coffee food and a quick nap we set off on the 5km ski into the centre of Hovden passing great views and tricky uphill slopes.
Even though there was a vast improvement in the skiing ability since the morning it still didn’t stop local kids no older than five and parents pulling babies on sledges easing pass us like we weren’t even moving.
A brief stop in Hovden was followed by more skiing along and over a part frozen river. This route was a lot harder as the terrain was rougher and for part of the route we had to fight through bushes and trees.
16.30- We arrived back at the lodge to be given a demonstration from Brian, who is going to be traveling to the Antarctica as part of the ”Go Beyond Rescue” team.
Brian showed us how set to up a tent in extreme conditions building a snow wall around the tent for shelter from the wind and showing/telling us what it’s like to spend days in a cramped tent if the conditions are too bad to venture outside. He also showed us the equipment that were essential from a gas stove to a pack of cards to fight of boredom. Apart from the stove, the latter reminded me of being in Rob’s exped classes (Ha Ha).

19.00- We had tea back at the hut which again was lovely. After we went back to the apartments for some social time, with tea and biscuits and sleep. A long but rewarding day.



Sat 29th  March
8.00am- Breakfast and a briefing by ‘Topsy’. We would be using the skills we had learnt yesterday, ski 4-5 km, Climb a mountain, put up a tent and dig a snow hole!   We did the lot. Some falls, some laughs and lots of hard work digging out that snow hole.   I really liked the digging. Tried to bury the lecturers but they weren’t Playing.

The “Go Beyond Rescue” would use snow holes as a refuge against the harsh conditions and cold temperatures they would face in the Antarctic . They don’t look very comfortable, but I reckon I could pinch an hour’s sleep in there. This was a big mountain day. Exhausting but rewarding

18.00- Tea time, another briefing. Warm clothes and wrap up well were off on a kamikaze skidoo ride.  After travelling up in the ski doo’s with the adrenaline rush pumping through me it got even better when I saw where we had stopped. On top of yet another mountain.  There was a fire that was surrounded by a bench carved out of ice topped with reindeer fur.   There we listened to our Norwegian hosts tell Norwegian Folk Lore stories and admired the mountain scenery.  A brilliant night that topped up a brilliant trip.
Sunday 31st  March
5 am - A quick breakfast and a farewell to our Norwegian host who had been great to us. We had a fifteen hour journey back via Torp and Stansted.
15:00 - picked up my bags and walked straight through passport control and customs without stopping or showing my passport or even have my luggage checked.  Couldn’t understand a word as they kept shouting and waving at me.  After having to go back and show my passport we were greeted by Rob, who never said a word and not a joke made!!!! (I wish).

I really can’t thank the” beyond rescue team” enough for taking us out and showing us some of the experiences and activities that they will be undertaking in the Antarctic .  Again I can’t thank the sponsors and lectures enough who made this a trip one I won’t forget in a hurry and the Uniformed Public Service Course at NULC who helped make this happen.
 



 

Search and Rescue

A group of Year 10 and 11 pupils from St. John Fisher Catholic College joined NULC for a taster in Public Services on Thursday 1 May 2014.

The pupils began the day with a relay warm up race followed by various fitness drills including isometric holds and core transitions. The session finished up with a Rounder's game to increase team building skills and prepare them for life in the forces.

Bryony Watkins, Year 10, commented; “This session was really interesting, it was great to experience something new and challenging.”

After a tour of the college facilities, everyone enjoyed a great lunch, getting their energy back ready for the afternoon’s activities. The pupils were put into three teams and were given roles of Police Investigators that were holding a search and rescue mission. Each team had a lead Inspector who was in charge of a certain area of land to search.

The teams were taught how to make a successful search and rescue and how important strong communication skills are when reporting back to the control centre. Team two worked fantastically well together and managed to find and cordon off evidence relating to the ‘disappearance of a 17 year old boy.’ All of the pupils worked extremely well together and communicated effectively  to piece together what had happened at the scene.

Katy Machin, Year 11, said: “The field search activity was really good and helped improve my knowledge of Public Services.”

When asked what he most enjoyed about his visit to NULC, Nathan Fuller, Year 10 pupil, replied: “I learnt some valuable

Students question Secretary of State for Justice

Tony Cox, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Newcastle, invitedNULC Secretary of State for Justice, Chris Grayling MP, to talk to students at Newcastle-under-Lyme College.

During his opening speech Tony Cox, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Newcastle, commented: “I couldn’t think of anywhere better than Newcastle-under-Lyme College to showcase what Newcastle-under-Lyme has to offer.”

Over 50 students studying A Level Law, A Level Government and Politics and BTEC Level 3 Public Services were invited to meet Secretary of State for Justice, Chris Grayling MP on Friday afternoon.

Students had the opportunity to grill Mr Grayling about current government policy and aspiring young politicians were able to gain an insight as to how the Minister himself got in to politics as he provided advice and guidance to students wishing to pursue a career in politics.

When asked about the importance of politics, Mr Grayling stated: “Politics makes a difference to everyone’s life.” With Mr Cox adding: “If there is something you want to change then I encourage you to get involved in politics locally.”

Karen Dobson, Chief Executive and Principal at NULC, said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Grayling to Newcastle-under-Lyme College. Opportunities such as the Secretary of State for Justice visiting us allow our students to gain an insight into the skills and diplomacy needed to progress in to a career in politics at both a national and international level. “ “During the visit students were given the opportunity to question Mr Grayling about current legislation, providing an insight in to the thought process and decision making needed when introducing new legislation.”

The College offers a wide range of academic and vocational qualifications from entry to degree level, in a variety of subjects including Public Services which prepares learners for the mental and physical demands of a career in the uniformed public services, such as the Police Force, Ambulance Service, Fire and Rescue Service, British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.

To find out more about studying at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk

Beyond Rescue Norwegian Adventure

TWO NULC UNIFORMED PUBLIC SERVICE STUDENTS RECENTLY SPENT FOUR DAYS IN ARTIC NORWAY WITH THE “GO BEYOND RESCUE “ EXPEDITION AS THEY PREPARED FOR THEIR FORTHCOMING ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION LATER IN THE YEAR.  WITH THEM WAS CURRICULUM LEADER ROB HADNUM

Rob Hadnum – Norway Diary of Events
Thursday 27th March 2014
The intrepid and excited explorers met at NULC for their Norwegian Adventure. The team met during the early hours of Thursday morning, Josie Grey kindly offered to drive the minibus to Stansted Airport, the bags were packed and off we set.

Once at the airport the NULC team met the other sponsors, and it became apparent from the start that all involved would get on famously. The trip to Norway (Torp), took only 2 hours, bags collected we were then met by ‘Topsy’ the organiser of the ‘Go Beyond Rescue’ expedition. We then had a 3 hour journey to the village of Hovden, upper Setesdal’s largest Ski Resort.

We arrived at the village at 19:00hrs, and we were met by the rest of the Antarctic explorers, who were genuinely pleased to see the sponsors, they made us feel at ease immediately. The team were seated at a huge table and the most amazing food was served. As it had been such a long day we then headed off to the apartment for a much needed rest, ready for the activities of the next day.

Friday 28th March
The team met for a continental breakfast at 08:00hrs, once finished we were kitted out with Cross-country skis and boots. Rob, Lisa, Marcus and Charlotte were put into the same team with one of the explores Jas. Jas had the difficult task of teaching the four of us how to cross-country ski, but to be honest we all seemed to pick up the concept fairy well, especially Rob who was a natural at falling over. After 2 hours of practice the team were led into the hills, followed by many controlled falls, face first into the snow.

After lunch each individual team met up for a mass ski into the village of Hovden, it was a 2km ski in the most picture postcard scenery I have ever seen. Also it was a pleasure to see how much Charlotte and Marcus had come on with only 2 hours of Ski School, they appeared at ease on the slopes, unlike Rob and Lisa who did their best to hide their fear in front of the students. When we arrived at the village we had a look around the shops and everyone shared stories of the trip so far, and by the smiles on all the faces, it was apparent all were having a fantastic time.

The evening consisted of an evening meal and a demonstration outside by Brain who showed us some equipment to survive in the Antarctic, the explorers and sponsors then met up for a social gathering in the men’s apartment for tea and biscuits.

Saturday 29th March
Again the team met for breakfast and once finished we were ushered up stairs for a briefing

by ‘Topsy’. The day would consist of a cross-country climb to the top of a mountain range, for some fun activities that consisted of a tent demonstration and digging out holes in the snow to live in. We set off for a 3 km climb, again most people fell over, apart from Rob who had many comments from the instructors about how natural his skiing ability looked (Marcus and Charlotte may disagree). In all seriousness it was Marcus and Charlotte who were the stars of the show, despite a long and difficult climb the two NULC students never stopped smiling and the other sponsors made many comments that praised the efforts of the two students.

Once at the location we set about making snow holes to cook and live in, the ‘Go Beyond Rescue’ team demonstrated how to make the snow hole. Myself and Marcus ignored all the advice and set about making our own construction, after 2 hours of hard work, we were pleased to how off our master piece to the team of current and ex marines, hoping that they may adopt our design features, however we had polite comments such as ‘that’s, nice’ and ‘ good effort lads’, not the response we were hoping for, in fact Marcus went over to another snow hole to cook his food with Charlotte.

Later in the afternoon we gracefully skied back to the apartments (well we made it back), for

the evening meal. However the best was yet to come. We were asked to go outside, and greeting us were three very excited Norwegian guides who each had a skidoo waiting to take us to the top of a mountain. Now apparently they don’t get to use the skidoos that often, only for special occasions, and this was a special occasion, the journey to the top of the mountain in a sledge attached to the back of a skidoo was certainly was of the most exciting things I have done, however I have never been so scared in my life travelling to a location. At the top of the mountain was a huge burning fire, and seats made out of ice, covered in reindeer fur and we listened to stories of Norwegian life, under the stars, it was absolutely incredible. We then set off back down the mountain, in the skidoos, the second scariest journey of my life.

Sunday 31st March
We headed home.  A 12 hour journey via Torp and London.  On reflection this diary extract really does not do the trip justice.  It was an amazing, exhilarating and challenging trip that will live long in the memories of all who took part.

 I would like to take this opportunity to say what great ambassadors Marcus and Charlotte were out in Norway. Many comments were made about their personal qualities and how they must be a pleasure to teach, and I had to agree with all comments made, they were brilliant and I was very pleased that they had the opportunity to participate in such a fantastic experience. They will have memories of the Norway trip forever.

Also the ‘Go Beyond Rescue’ team are the most incredible bunch of people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I can only encourage you to click on the ‘Go Beyond Recue’ website (
http://www.gobeyondrescue.com) and have look at the challenge they have set themselves. They are also doing this for two great charities, ‘Commando 999’ and the ‘the Fire Fighters charity’. Please donate.

Thanks again to  Topsy, Bill, Matt, Brain, Jason, Martin, Charlotte, Marcus, Lisa and Josie and all of those involved in the ‘Go beyond rescue’ team.

NULC Uniformed Public Service support service charities

16 students from the NULC Uniformed Public Service course have recently spent a day tackling Mount Snowden, the highest mountain in England and Wales.  
 
Also, just to make it more challenging the students decided to wear Super Heroes costumes!  

The day was organised by the students in support of the British led Beyond Rescue Antarctic Expedition taking place later this year, which is raising money for Fire Fighter and Royal Marine Charities.  Visit www.gobeyondrescue.com for more information and how to donate.
   
The planning and execution of the fundraising event are used by all students on the Level 3 Uniformed Public Services course to gather evidence for their Teamwork and Leadership Level 3 unit.  
NULC’s Uniformed Public Services Curriculum Leader, Robert Hadnum said: “Due to high winds and low temperatures we were unable to reach the top.  Many climbers were turning around or reporting that weather on the summit was atrocious. However it was great to see the students fully committed to the fundraising event and although we didn’t reach the summit, the hail storms, gale force winds and icy conditions gave them a slight insight into how dangerous the ‘Beyond Rescue’ expedition will be.”

Over the two year course the Uniformed Public Service Level 3 students will organise and participate in many fundraising and adventurous actives, providing them with the teamwork and leadership skills that will support them in their future careers.