Local businesses and organisations will be in receipt of Yorkshire Coast College's official Christmas card for 2008, which, this year, has been designed by an Interactive Media student.

Samantha Johnson, who is in her first year of studying National Diploma in Interactive Media, won herself an ipod nano for her creative design of a winter scene in pastel colours, which was chosen by a panel of four judges from 45 entries, received from students who are studying from all over the College's learning areas.

Sam Johnson, 19, said "I was really surprised when I found out I had won. It was great to design something festive which enabled me to put into practice all I had learnt since starting my course in September. I'm looking forward to using my ipod."

Angela Humble, who attends a Destination Work course, was runner-up to the winning design and won a £20 HMV voucher while Zoe Groom got a £10 Love2shop voucher for coming third - Zoe is also studying the National Diploma in Interactive Media.

Angela Carter, Interim Head of Curriculum, said "This is the second year we have run this competition and the designs are getting stronger and more creative - the panel had their work cut out having to choose from so many entries. It is important to us to offer our students as many learning opportunities as possible sometimes with incentives for their hard work."

Pictured: Angela Carter, Interim Head of Curriculum, presenting Samantha Johnson with her prize for winning Yorkshire Coast College's Christmas Card Competition 2007 watched by Zoe Groom and Angela Humble (left to right) who are holding this year's design.

A group of young people were subjected to the ‘tough life' of an army cadet when they stayed at a local army barracks on a four?day residential trip.

Yorkshire Coast College students, who are currently studying for their Uniformed Services Certificate at Levels 2 and 3, were invited to take part in various army activities organised by The Yorkshire Regiment and The Royal Dragoon Guards based at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Strensall. The trip was designed to offer the students a taste of what it would be like to be an army cadet.

Throughout their stay they endured a physical fitness programme, which included a 1.5 mile run, circuit training and competitive sports. They also spent two nights camping outdoors where they had to build their own shelter plus they also learnt the basic survival techniques of how to skin and cook a rabbit.

The students acquired new skills such as learning the basics of marching square drilling. They also worked together as a team on problem solving, communication and planning and organisation tasks.

Caroline Martinson, 16, said "This trip has definitely made me even more determined to join the army. I really enjoyed the outdoor survival challenge and working with the other students problem solving."

Gary Taylor, Lecturer/Teacher, Uniformed Services said "The trip was a real eye opener for some of the students. I was very impressed by their ability to adapt to all the different challenges they were given, particularly sleeping outdoors in their own shelters in frosty and icy conditions."

He added "Some students overcame their fear of heights and others were unsure of which career route to take but the trip may have helped influence their decision."

Dave Attwood, Recruitment Officer, will be visiting the students to present them with Certificates in recognition of their achievements during their stay in the New Year.

Pictured: Yorkshire Coast College Uniformed Services Students Levels 2 and 3 taking part in an outdoor survival techniques exercise at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Strensall under the direction of The Yorkshire Regiment and The Royal Dragoon Guards.

A group of young people have just returned from their educational trip to Euro Disney near Paris as part of their studies.

Yorkshire Coast College students studying Travel & Tourism went on the four-day trip to experience life as a tourist, but also to sample all the different amenities, attractions and methods of travel and how high profile travel corporations operate.

The trip was designed to offer the students practical experience to support their theoretical studies and assignments. The students travelled by coach to the ferry port of Dover where they sailed to Calais. They stayed at the Euro Disney village to experience the accommodation, which was a cowboy theme and explored the business focus and ethos of the Disney Corporation whilst examining the high levels of customer service offered throughout the complex.

During their stay they attended seminars on Customer Service, Business and Marketing. They also spent a day in Paris to experience the hustle and bustle of a European Capital City, and what it has to offer travellers from all over the world including historic buildings, monuments, art galleries, bus tours as well as restaurants, bars and cafes. They also got an insight into Parisian life.

Laura Wray, 17, said "The whole trip was really informative - I got a lot out of it. It was great to find out about the Disney Corporation and to enjoy what it has to offer from the point of view of a tourist."

Andrew Widdowson, Lecturer/Teacher, Travel & Tourism said "The trip reinforces the students' studies as it makes it more realistic for them, and they will be able to draw from their own experiences. It was a very successful trip."

Pictured: Yorkshire Coast College Travel & Tourism students pictured climbing the Eiffel Tower staircase to experience the panoramic views over Paris.

A local council tourism employee took time out of her busy schedule to help Yorkshire Coast College students with their preparation for entering the Travel & Tourism industry, as part of their final year studies.

Margaret McLeod, Customer First Assistant Manager (Transformational Management) for the Scarborough Borough Council, spent half a day with Level 3 Travel & Tourism students offering them advice and techniques on how to conduct themselves during an interview, the types of questions which may occur and to give the students an understanding of the tourism recruitment process.

The students also took part in role-play interviews and were observed by Margaret, and Vicky Wright, a College HR Assistant, as well as two students from the group. At the end of the session, feedback and advice were given on items including how to use positive body language, offering comprehensive answers to interview questions and raising the importance of preparation and research on the organization offering the job.

Saffron Pallister, 19, said "Although I have attended a couple of interviews recently I found the session invaluable as it identified one or two weak areas. I can now put into practice what I have learnt, not only on this session, but from the course overall to hopefully get myself a job when I leave college."

Janet Deacon, Customer Services Manager, said "We were delighted to be asked to participate in the Travel and Tourism interview sessions. It is important to develop links with local schools and colleges, especially as these students are likely to form part of the Borough's future tourism workforce. All of the students did extremely well and we hope that the assistance we provided will enable them to prepare for entry into the workplace."

Paul Pearson, Lecturer/Teacher, Travel & Tourism, said "It can be quite daunting leaving college and applying for jobs so we invited an industry experienced professional along to prepare the students before they finish their studies. They were all really nervous before the role-play interviews took place which showed they took it seriously."

Pictured: Yorkshire Coast College Level 3 Travel & Tourism students pictured with Paul Pearson, Lecturer/Teacher far right and Vicky Wright and Margaret McLeod (front left to right) getting ready to prepare the students for the Travel & Tourism world of work.

The original line up saw 15 acts perform in front of a panel of 3 judges; John ‘Simon Cowell' Pattison and Paul ‘Dermot O'Leary' Nash both Lecturers/Teachers in Access to Music and Jan ‘ Cheryl Cole' Rhodes, Student Liaison Co?ordinator back in October. The remaining 10 acts were then whittled down to 7. All 7 acts had the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience the week before in the Students' Union Common Room at the College's Lady Edith's Drive campus to help calm their nerves before the grand final.

Supported by family, friends, fellow students and staff, the 7 finalists took to the stage accompanied by the resident house band mainly made up of Access to Music students with Dan Robinson on keyboards, Will Haire on drums, Jonathan Dawes, Chris Webb and Craig Blair on guitar with Rachel Holland on backing vocals. Harry Bullen played keyboards, guitar and sung backing vocals. John Pattison was Musical Director.

Voting was carried out after the 7 acts had performed their numbers. During the count, conducted by staff, Rachel Holland performed ‘Mercy' by the artist Duffy as an interlude.

The winner was announced shortly afterwards by the compere for the afternoon, Paul Nash. Aimee Jones who performed ‘Fallin' by Alicia Keys was declared the overall winner. Aimee is currently studying the National Diploma in Performing Arts and Musical Theatre course, and wins a day in the College's recording studio working with professional musicians to record a CD. The other finalists were Loz Tinsley, Katie McNulty, Kelsie Heeley, Tara Aggarwal, Brad Veitch and Sarah Wilson.

John Pattison, Lecturer/Teacher at the College, said "All the finalists did incredibly well. It was an opportunity for them to express themselves through their singing. Aimee was a worthy winner - not only has she great vocals, but she also put a lot of emotion into the song and dressed up for the occasion too."

He added "The band also did a great job in supporting the artists learning all the tracks and the theme music to the X Factor. All in all it was a very successful project."

Aimee Jones, the winner of the competition, 16, said "I was very nervous but the audience were very enthusiastic which gave us all a big boost. I really enjoyed the whole experience - I love music and can't wait to spend the day in the recording studio to cut a CD."

Pictured: YCC Factor finalists pictured front row (from left to right): Katie McNulty, Tara Aggarwal, Sarah Wilson, Brad Veitch, Aimee Jones, Loz Tinsley and Kelsie Heeley ably supported by Access to Music students pictured back row (from left to right): Will Haire, Dan Robinson, Rachel Holland, Chris Webb, Jonathan Dawes, Harry Bullen and Craig Blair.

A group of volunteers were invited back to Yorkshire Coast College as a ‘thank you' for helping clear up debris, which was left behind following a recent vandal attack on its garden.

Around twenty good Samaritans kindly put aside a few hours one Sunday to tidy up all the mess and wreckage which was strewn around the College's garden. Amongst other jobs, they cleared up broken glass and pot plants which had been smashed, and replaced the greenhouses with plastic panes.

Staff and students were so grateful that they invited the volunteers and others who had kindly donated their time, equipment, replacement plants and bulbs to come along to the College's Fledglings Restaurant for a hot drink and a festive mince pie, kindly made by the College's Catering students.

Among the volunteers was a local resident who said "I was more than happy to help after I read about the story in the local paper. I was appalled that anyone could do such a thing and felt compelled to help in any way I could. Pulling together as a team and donating a small amount of time made all the difference."

Shirley Doyle, Gardening Tutor, said "We wanted to say thank you to everyone in person so invited people along for a get together. Some people unfortunately couldn't make it but we are extremely grateful for everything everyone has either done or donated."

She added "We achieved so much more than I initially anticipated during the clear up operation - it would have taken me weeks to accomplish what we managed to do in one day."

At the time of going to print, the allotment area was unfortunately vandalised again but not to the same extent. The College is currently looking into further security methods to try and stop the vandals.

Pictured: Volunteers left to right back row: Colin Foster, Julie Watson, Paul Harrington and left to right front row: Heather Stacey, Greg Jackson, Shirley Doyle the College's Gardening Tutor (offering mince pies) and Michael Robinson pictured enjoying a hot drink and a mince pie at the College's Fledglings Restaurant.

Yorkshire Coast College and its students got into the Christmas spirit early by holding a Festive Fair at Lady Edith's Drive campus.

The Festive Fair was held in the main Reception by students with learning disabilities and difficulties under the direction of teaching staff. All the festive goods on sale were made by the students, which included handmade greetings cards, jewellery and Christmas tree decorations, seasonal bulbs planted in handmade pots and homemade pickles and chutneys which were made in the College's kitchens.

The students also held a tombola and a raffle. Visitors and customers were also able to listen to Christmas carols which were ringing out throughout reception area.

Helen Tomlinson, Lecturer/Teacher, said "The Festive Fair is always well received by students and staff from around the College as the goods on sale are handmade which makes them unique, and they make marvellous Christmas gifts."

She added "Events like these play an important part in the students' development as they are able to follow the process through from beginning to end - from making goods to selling them for others to benefit from. It also helps their communication and interaction skills which gives the students more confidence."

The students and staff managed to raise £282.83, which will be used for special projects or student trips.

Pictured: Left to right: Yorkshire Coast College students Gillian Grant, Karen Walton, Russell Bloor and Michael Robinson pictured with some of their Christmas goods which they were selling at the College's Festive Fair.

Matthew Craig, 24, is employed as an Innovations Technician at McCain Foods (GB) Ltd and, together with his colleagues, visited students currently studying Catering at Yorkshire Coast College.

The aim of the full day visit was to get the students thinking about new ideas for food products then turning their ideas into real life food items, which could potentially end up being sold throughout the world. The students spent an hour discussing their products, which they had come up with following a previous visit. They then prepared the ingredients and cooked the food in the College's fully equipped catering kitchens. The food was then served to other students who were acting as consumers in Fledglings Restaurant, and carried out a vote on which were more tasty and appealing than others.

Matthew who attended Yorkshire Coast College between 2004 to 2006 where he achieved his NVQ in Hospitality Supervision Level 3, Foundation Food Hygiene Certificate, Intermediate Food Hygiene and BII Personal License Holders Certificate Level 2, said "This was the first time we have worked with College students - they came up with some great ideas some of which may be put forward for the next innovative new frozen food product - we initially started with 30 new concepts and have now narrowed it down to around 5."

Paul Elliott, 24, currently studying Professional Chef Diploma Level 1, said "I really enjoyed the whole exercise - it was very informative from start to finish. We all had to sign a form to make sure that everything we discussed remained confidential. The most exciting part is that someone's idea may end up in the supermarkets as a new McCains frozen food product."

Margaret Calver, Lecturer/Teacher in Catering, said "The students got a lot out of the project. It allowed them to use their creative imaginations and put into practice their cooking skills. It also gave them an insight into how the Food Product Innovations Team operates at McCains."

Pictured: Yorkshire Coast College Catering students pictured with members of the McCains Food Product Innovations team (far right Gareth McAnlis, Head of Prepared Foods and Matthew Craig, Innovations Technician at McCains Foods (GB) Ltd), preparing the mystery ingredients for new food products. Margaret Calver, Lecturer/Teacher in Catering is pictured second from the left.

A group of local people are now able to play the perfect party hosts after attending a Yorkshire Coast College part-time evening course.

The course, Come Dine With Us, was devised by Joanne Oliver, Community Learning Co-ordinator, and was designed to allow people to practise their dinner party skills - planning, preparing and cooking a three course meal over a five week period, one night a week, taught by Peter Steel, Curriculum & Quality Manager for Catering & Hospitality.

As a finale the 10 strong learners cooked a dinner party for their family and friends served by College Catering students in the College's Fledglings Restaurant. The three course meal consisted of canapés, grilled salmon served with broad bean casserole, rocket and coriander to start, followed by supreme of chicken with chasseur sauce, Kenya beans and gratin dauphinoise potatoes. The guests were then treated to profiteroles with chocolate sauce followed by coffee.

Throughout the evening the learners were judged on their skills including organisation, hygiene, timing and presentation by Joanne Oliver and Peter Steel who circulated around the kitchen chatting to the learners and observing their new skills. The overall winner was Rachel Wells who received the highest marks throughout the evening and won a meal for two at a local hotel.

All the 10 learners received certificates to commemorate their achievements.

Joanne Oliver said "It was a fantastic finale to a great course which was a completely new concept for the College. All the 10 learners performed really well under the pressure and the heat. It was a tough decision but we could only have one overall winner."

She added "As this course has been so successful we are planning to run another course but with an Italian theme in the New Year and have already got people interested."

Rachel Wells, Winner and Head Teacher at West Heslerton Primary School, said "You are never too old to learn something new. I would definitely recommend the course to others. It also allowed me to bring out my creative side."She added "It was excellent value for money working out at £10 per class which included the ingredients."

Peter Steel, Curriculum & Quality Manager, said "I've never seen the restaurant so full - all the guests really enjoyed themselves and it was great to see them supporting the learners. Both guests and learners have definitely got a lot out of the course."

Pictured: Overall winner Rachel Wells being congratulated by Joanne Oliver, Community Learning Co-ordinator front watched by Peter Steel, Curriculum & Quality Manager for Business & Hospitality far left and the other learners who studied the 'Come Dine with Us' course.

Staff and students at Yorkshire Coast College saw around 200 people walk through their doors to be offered advice and guidance and a tour of the College's facilities at the recent Open Event at both the Westwood and Lady Edith's Drive campuses.

Various local secondary school students, from Scarborough and surrounding areas, and their parents, got to see first hand what Yorkshire Coast College could offer the students when they leave school next year.It was an opportunity for people to experience what it would be like to study at the College and to get a guided tour to see the facilities and what activities were taking place throughout the campus demonstrated by both students and staff. There were various activities people were able to take part in including soldering a copper pipe, laying bricks, sampling canapés and biscuits made by the College's Catering students, taking a fitness test in the College's Fitness Suite and having a manicure in the public salon.

Nigel Hogg, IT & Visual Arts Lecturer, said "We had a lot of interest in Digital Media and Graphic Design - there was a constant stream of people wanting advice and guidance all night. We had 3D animation films on display which our students had created and all the people we spoke to were very impressed with the equipment and technology the students are able to work with."

Stephanie Bartram, Marketing Manager, said "Once again we had a very successful Open Event. When we visit local schools and talk to the students about their options we always advise them to visit lots of colleges, as the best way to find out what a place is really like is to visit it and see it in action.

She added "The feedback we received on the night was extremely positive with lots of people telling us how impressed they were both with our facilities and our staff and students. I would urge everyone to come along to our next event on the 14 January to see for themselves."

The Westwood campus was open to showcase its creative arts courses including Performing Arts, Art & Design, Access to Music and its Degree courses which are affiliated to the University of Hull. There was also a free shuttle car service to take visitors between the two campuses.

Pictured:  Open Day visitors trying out their hand/eye co-ordination skills watched by Uniformed Services Lecturer, Gary Taylor and his students (in red t-shirts).