News
Coleg Harlech lease the Plas Amherst
Coleg Harlech today confirmed that they have taken a lease of Plas Amherst Nursing Home in Harlech after an approach from the owner.
Principal of Coleg Harlech, Annie Williams said “last month we had a catastrophic failure of our Halls of Residence and we have been advised that it will have to remain closed at least until Christmas; this approach from Plas Amherst was therefore very timely and will ensure that we can welcome students to Coleg Harlech when term starts in October.”
Students rewarded
At the recent end of year leaving ceremony students from each programme area were presented with awards recognising their achievements during the year. The two awards named after founders of WEA and Coleg Harlech were the Thomas Jones award for the best peice of work and the Silyn Award for the greatest individual progress.
Winners were
Social Studies - Tim Griffith and Stephanie Berry
Art and Design - Les Long and Tina Kaunhoven
Multimedia - Andrew Pickett and Stuart Parker
Music Technology - Craig Kennealy and Huw Morgan WilliamsPedal Power
Staff and students have been busy raising money for local charties by taking to their bikes – including a unicycle and tandem. Staff members Geoff Bond, Julie Roberts and Ann Williams along with students Neil Burrows and Jo Jackson experienced gruelling conditions in this years Snowdonia Bike Ride.
Geoff said "Even though the weather was horrendous we were really pleased to have raised over £400 for charities that include Mountain Rescue, Air Ambulance and the Rescue Dogs. Thanks to all those who have supported us".
Julie Roberts, was congratulated by the organisers for being the first lady rider home.
Geoff is now in training on his unicycle for the North Wales Bike Ride, to help raise funds
Planning Permission Granted for the Cambria Centre
Annie Williams, Principal of Coleg Harlech WEA announced today (4th March) that the Snowdonia National Park Authority has granted planning permission for the Cambria Centre to develop the existing site of Coleg Harlech and Theatr Harlech.
Ms Williams said “We are delighted that the National Park has supported the project which will bring a much needed boost to the local economy. We will now be in a much stronger position to seek the necessary funding to support the project.
Implementing the plan will not only address the needs of Coleg Harlech as an educational institution but also provide first class services for the community and for tourism and business markets.
The local communities will benefit from having a first class resource which as well as providing adult education will include – enhanced library; theatre and workshop space,; exhibition and conference provisions; areas for community theatre, choirs, dance; a venue for social events and eating out; and units for business development.”
More information can be found on the website www.cambria-centre.co.uk or by emailing to cambria@fc.harlech.ac.uk.
Coleg Harlech WEA 1st College to gain Wales TUC Quality Award
For the Quality Award the comments from regional union officials who supported the application, verified that tutors were supportive, friendly and that confidence building was a key factor on each course.
One education officer commented that, “They (the WEA) have a really strong commitment to learning.” One of several examples given was of how a tutor had gone to considerable lengths in time and effort, even calling in favours, with no personal advantage to help out a union officer, because the final outcome was of benefit to the learners.
The Workplace Learning Department at Coleg Harlech, overcome the many obstacles and the barriers that there clearly are, to take learning out into the everyday lives of our union members. That strong commitment, that belief in the accessibility to learning, to education, to training, for all adults, has remarkable benefits for individuals, for their families and for our communities.
More information about Coleg Harlech Workplace courses
Basic Skills Project with Dyfed-Powys Probation Service
Coleg Harlech WEA and Dyfed-Powys Probation are working together on a project to provide basic skills workshop access for those serving probation orders in the Newtown area.
In one case a young woman joined the group struggling to cope with the demands of entry level 3 Her tutor explained “Stephanie is now due to leave the Basic Skills classes, having completed and passed Literacy and Numeracy at level 2 and she has gained a place at Coleg Powys, a direct result of her Basic Skills training”.
Another course member, Colin, joined the programme two years ago with no reading or writing skills. He now says “I can read a newspaper; my self confidence has greatly improved as I can now write cards to my friends and family. I am saving money by being able to read the special offers in the shops. I can now go to a take-away and order from the menu.”
The tutor commented ‘The way group organises itself and the mutual support for one another are real positives’
Multimedia student Wakeel Ibrahim receives the Helena Kennedy Foundation Award
The Helena Kennedy Foundation runs a bursary scheme to provide much needed financial support to disadvantaged students, who have successfully completed a further education course and wish to progress to higher education.
Without any family around him, Wakeel has struggled financially, which has prompted him to return to education in order to create a more promising future for himself.
Wakeel has a keen interest in multimedia and wishes to continue his study at university. His Coleg Harlech tutor, Graham Hall, comments that Wakeel is a ‘committed and dedicated student’.
The Helena Kennedy Foundation, sponsored by Edge, will provide Wakeel with financial support as he progresses to study multimedia at the University of Huddersfield. Wakeel was presented with his award at the House of Lords by Baronness Helena Kennedy and Neil Kinnock.Coleg Harlech present plans for the Cambria Centre
Today (26 Sept) Coleg Harlech shared its plans for the proposed new development named ‘Canolfan Cambria Centre’.
Annie Williams, principal, explained that the College needs a new building because the estate is generally in poor repair and many of the buildings are no longer appropriate for the activities currently being undertaken. The Theatre Harlech building also needs considerable investment.
Ms Williams went on to explain that the local community will benefit from having a community resource which will include - library, theatre, workshop space, exhibitions, community theatre, choirs, dance, venue for social events, conference facilities and units for business development.
Coleg Harlech gains Quality Mark
Awarded by Basic Skills Cymru and recognised by the National Assembly, the Quality Mark provides a framework for raising and maintaining high standards of English/Welsh language, literacy and numeracy among adults. Our achievement not only shows that we provide basic skills to high national standards but also enables us to promote and to develop our provision in the future.
Local education providers awarded the best grades in Wales
In a recent inspection by ESTYN the partnership working in Conwy between Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Harlech WEA, University of Wales Bangor and Coleg Llysfasi was highly praised.
Providers were awarded the best grades in Wales including grade ones for Community Development, Adult Learning and Welsh for Adults.
Funding Successes to support learners
Two interesting bids, worth £250,000, have been won by the Multimedia Programme at Harlech.
2010-08-29
News - Coleg Harlech
via harlech.ac.uk
