Pizza making comes to NULC’s Uniformed Public Services Course

Students from the Uniformed Public Service course at NULC teamed up with B Arts, the Newcastle-under-Lyme based charity, to make, bake and give away a wide variety of tasty pizzas, ranging from the traditional Cheese and Tomato to the more ambitious Pink Sweet Pizza using Nutella and Marshmallow topping. 

The pizza making activity was done as part of the college’s Retention, Achievement and Progression (RAP) week activities where all students are given the opportunity to expand their horizons and take part in activities that stretch their imagination, expose them to different ideas and broaden and sometimes challenge their outlook on a wide variety of beliefs and attitudes.

The Uniformed Public Service students spent the morning preparing and cooking the pizzas and over the lunch time period offered the free pizzas to the rest of the college. Judging by the queues that formed, the pizzas went down a treat.

According to Uniformed Public Services Tutor Ron Morley:  “This was another fun and novel way for our students to work together as a team.  The ability to work in a team is a vital part of public service life and this event reminded our students of this fact. As always they really enjoyed doing something challenging, out of the ordinary and rewarding.”

Student Jack Casewell said: “It was great to try an activity that is entirely different from our normal day-to-day subjects.  I enjoyed getting the ingredients together and making the pizzas, whilst others liked using the portable oven and baking the pizzas.”

Would you like to know more about the Uniformed Public Service Course? Please follow this link http://www.nulc.ac.uk/courses/public-services.html

B Arts develops creative programmes and projects that sustain, develop and enrich communities; while employing artists in work that is intelligent, thoughtful and contributes to a process of cultural democracy.  You can find out more about what they do at www.b-arts.org.uk.

NULC students visit the Royal Marines Training Centre

NULC Public Services students students on the assault course.

For the second time this year students studying Public Services spent a week with the world famous Royal Marines at their training centre in Lymstone.

By special invitation another 10 students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) attended a week long training course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lymstone Devon.  

The aim of the course was to give students a taste of Royal Marine life, with little held back from the normal Royal Marine training regime.  As part of their time on the Uniformed Public Service course at NULC, students are encouraged to attend visits and events to give them a unique insight into Public Service life, seldom seen at first hand by other colleges or courses.

The week long acquaint involved lectures, presentations, field craft, assault courses and of course sampling the world renowned CTCRM Cookhouse.  Royal Marines when under training usually eat their way through 4500 calories of food a day, (the average intake for a person is about 2000), and after a hard days training our students were deservedly not that far behind the Royal Marines on the calorie count. 

Public Service’s tutor, Eddie Rooke said of the visit: “There is no messing around with the Royal Marines and they gave our students a no-nonsense look at what life is like in the Marines.  Needless to say all of our students gave 100% effort and impressed the Royal Marine Instructors.”

Rob Hadnum, Curriculum Leader for Public Services, added: “Trips to Army Bases, Royal Navy Warships and Police and Fire and Rescue Stations are vital to anyone thinking about joining the Emergency Services or military.  On the Uniformed Public Service Course at NULC we ensure that all our students attend such visits so that they can make informed judgements about their future careers”

Level 3 public services student Naem Zaman leading the way.

To sum up the visit Level 3 Public Services student Naem Zaman said: "It was a hard week, but a great experience.  I really enjoyed it."

To find out more about the Uniformed Public Services course at NULC click here.

Fun Day for Douglas Macmillian Hospice

Students’ heartbreak inspires charity fun day

BTEC Level 3 Public Services students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) have organised a charity Fun Day in aid of the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

Kelly Handley, aged 18 from Sneyd Green is in her first year studying Public Services at NULC.  Kelly inspired her fellow students to raise money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice after her step-father spent time at the Barlaston Road Hospice before dying from Cancer.

Kelly said: “Obviously the Douglas Macmillan Hospice is a cause close to my heart.  It costs approximately £8million per year to keep the hospice running, with the services being mainly paid for from voluntary income, so I’m really grateful that all the students have decided to support the charity and raise money for such a worthy local cause.”

The event will take on Friday 1 June at the College’s main campus on Knutton Road with students inviting their families to take part in the day.  The event is organised by BTEC Level 3 Public Services students as part of the teamwork and leadership module on their course.

During the day there will be a raffle with prizes including Alton Towers tickets and a personal shopping experience at Cheshire Oaks up for grabs.  A BBQ, live music provided by Music Technology students and Nail Art provided by the Transform Salon.  Newcastle-under-Lyme Fire Station will also attending the event with a fire engine and the Army have also provided a giant inflatable assault course to provide activities on the day.

Jill Salt, Public Services Lecturer said: “Every year Public Services students organise a charity event and last year students raised over £2500 in just one week for local charities.  It’s great that the students are so keen to put back in to the local community.”

Commenting on Kelly’s involvement in the event, Jill said: “Kelly’s had a particularly hard year but she’s not let her personal life affect her college work and she continues to be a real asset to the college.  With the hard work and determination Kelly has shown towards the fundraising I know she will go on to achieve great things in a career in Public Services.”

BTEC Public Services is a vocational course which prepares students for a career in the uniformed forces.  To find out more about studying a BTEC Public Services course at NULC click here, call 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk

NULC STUDENTS GET A TASTE OF COMMANDO LIFE

Ten students from Newcastle Under Lyme College (NULC) recently spent an arduous week with the Royal Marines down at their Commando Training Centre in Lymstone, Devon.   

This unique trip was organised by the College’s Uniformed Public Services Course and was designed to give the students an insight into the world of military life as part of their BTEC Level 3 ExtendedDiploma in Public Services.    

During the students’ time at the training centre they were put through their paces by battle hardened Royal Marine instructors who gave no quarter as the college students completed assault courses, gym tests and timed runs.  Keen to impress on the students that becoming a Royal Marine is not easy, and not for everyone, the instructors didn’t go easy and this was much appreciated by the students.  

NULC Public Services student, Adam Hassan said: “It was a really demanding but very enjoyable week, it just flew past. I especially enjoyed the assault course and gym tests”.

Public Services Tutor Ron Morley was delighted with the effort and attitude displayed by the students whilst at the Centre.  He said: “The students were a credit to our College. The visit provided an ideal opportunity for the students on the Uniformed Public Service Course to sample military life and help them make informed choices about their future careers”.

Curriculm Leader for Public Services, Rob Hadnam said: “The Uniformed PublicServices Course is a must for those young people who are considering a career in the emergency services or the military. The college website has more information on our course and what we offer. The next course starts in September. “

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

Public Services students discover life in the Army

Fifty students from NULC took part in the Army’s fact finding day 'Midland Soldier'.  The event is held every year and its aim is to educate and inform students of the job opportunities available to them in the British Army.  Throughout the day the Public Services students were given the opportunity to talk to soldiers about their jobs and find out what Army life is really like.

The venue at MOD Stafford was packed with fun activities such as rock climbing and paint balling.  It also allowed the students to see, at first hand, some of the impressive equipment used by the modern Army, such as Rapier Missile Batteries, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and the 45 ton, AS90 Self Propelled Gun.

Public Services student Tom Savage, aged 18 said: “ I have learnt lots today and I was really impressed with the wide variety of jobs on offer to anyone thinking about joining the Army.”

He added: “The AS90 Self Propelled gun was by far the largest piece of equipment on show, however, I thought the intelligence and surveillance kit used by the Army was the most interesting.” 

Lecturer Josie Grey said: “Visits like this help our students make informed decisions about their future career choices, be that joining a Public Service organisation or going on to higher education programmes.”

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

NULC students selected for tour of battleship

BTEC Public Services students from NULC were invited to tour a military battleship.

The students paid a visit to the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Liverpool whilst it was berthed alongside in its affiliated city of Liverpool. 

The ship is being 'retired' later in the year after 30 years of Service and therefore the students from NULC were amongst a very few select organisations that were allowed a tour of the ship during its very last visit to the city.

Public Services Lecturer Paul Morris said: "The students were able to see at first hand the weapons systems, living accommodation and operations room on board."

He continued: "We were very lucky and privileged to get on board as there were many colleges, schools and voluntary organisations that wanted a tour of the ship and were turned away."

As part of the BTEC Public Services course students undertake a series of visits to various Uniformed Public Service organisations throughout the year.

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

Students brave heights to gain confidence

Students studying the BTEC in Public Services at NULC were put through their paces by taking part in a range of tasks encouraged to build the students confidence.


Ron Morley Public Services lecturer said: "An important part of preparation for a career in the Public Services is to have trust and confidence in your colleagues." With that in mind the students enjoyed a visit to a climbing wall in Audley where students were required to take responsibility for each others safety. 

In addition to the building trust and confidence, all Public Services students are encouraged to take part in outdoor education and become proficient in camping and navigation skills.  Students take part in a number of outdoor visits throughout the year, much of which takes place in various parts of in Peak District.

Pictured: Students trekking through the Peak District as part of their outdoor education.

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

Students recieve end of year treat

NULC students studying the BTEC Diploma in Public Services recieved an end of year treat in recognition of their hardwork and dedication.

Public services run a house point system where students are awarded points given for good work, time keeping and attendance, points can also be deducted for lateness and lack of discipline.  The highest scoring house was treated to a visit to Pizza Hut in recognition of their hard work.

A huge well done to the Fiennes House team for achieving over 1000 points beating Shackelton and Sharmann houses by 200 points.

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