New Bridge College Blog - 2.2.24

 

Activ8 Blog 

New year, same old Activ8! Always on the go and ready for action! 

Activ8 2.2.24 (College)

To kick the new year off, Activ8 have been focusing on cricket. The squad have been practicing their batting technique, batting stance and bat orientation. 

The main objective of cricket, this half-term, is to enhance the knowledge of our students and equip them with the skills to coach the sport to younger students. 

Over this half-term, Activ8 will be planning, leading and evaluating cricket sessions to Mrs Patchett’s KS4 class. 

The team can’t wait to get acquainted with Mrs. Patchett’s group. Over the last half-term, the whole of the Activ8 team worked with their KS4 counterparts, delivering a variety of sessions, in preparation for the boccia and Kuring event that our students successfully delivered, prior to the Xmas break. 

Within theory lessons, Mr. Newton’s Activ8 1 class have working extremely hard on developing their knowledge and understanding of nutrition and the importance of maintaining a balanced diet.  

We have studied 7 food groups, used live examples, identified foods within those food group and their function, within the body, once consumed.  Smoothies were on the menu! Activ8 students were tasked with making healthy smoothies. The first part of their mission was to do some research into how to make their smoothies; then decide what ingredients would fascinate their taste buds, before selecting and purchasing their items from the supermarket. Finally, Kyle. N, Yunus and the rest of the Activ8 team got to producing their tasty, refreshing smoothies. 

Mr. Lawrence was the judge and said: “They are the best smoothies I’ve ever tasted."  A HUGE compliment to the team! 

Snow has been present this week. But you know what we say out on DofE: “Rain, snow or shine, we’re having a great time." We made full use of the elements and conditions this week! We absolutely loved it! The destination was Tindle Hill and we made the most one the gems of Oldham. The whole class were sliding in the snow, playing games and bonding as a team. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon. 

To finish off our busy week, premises manager Ste paid us a visit. Our main objective in Activ8 is to use sport to engage students and prepare them for the workplace. 

With that objective in mind, Ste gave us a short session on what may be expected of our students, in the workplace. Ste covered an extensive range of topics, including: hazardous substances, maintaining equipment and what procedures must be taken, in the event of an emergency. 

The team would like to say a big “Thank you” to Ste for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak with us. 

We’ve had a busy, productive week, but we start as we mean to go on! 

Have a lovely weekend, everyone! 

The Activ8 Team 

 

 

Lumenus

Lumenus is currently immersed in the creative process, developing a performance piece inspired by a given stimulus. This project aligns seamlessly with BTEC level 1 and 2 accreditations, culminating in a final performance at the term's end. 

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will be using Oldham Theatre Workshop’s new temporary space in Oldham Gallery. It is a large area with outside space and perfect for practical workshops and performances. 

Katy Dymoke, from Touchdown Dance, has been an integral part of our Tuesday sessions. She brings therapeutic movement and choreography skills to our students, fostering a creative and enriching environment throughout the term. 

This week marked a significant collaboration as Lumenus KS4&5 united in the Oldham Theatre Workshop space for a captivating careers workshop. The session, skillfully delivered by Grace Cameron, the Creative Learning Producer from the Palace Theatre, left a lasting impression on both sides. Grace commended the students for their existing knowledge and insightful questions, setting the stage for a continued partnership. 

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce a collaboration with Grace over the next two terms as part of our Schools’ Partnership Programme with the Palace Theatre. This promises to be a valuable opportunity for our students, further enhancing their creative journey and real-world insights.  

 

 

About Me - Andrew Preston

"Hi, my name is Andrew Preston, and I am proud to be a part-time teacher at New Bridge College. 

My primary role at the college involves delivering a bespoke level 3 pathway in ICT Systems and Principles to a dedicated student. Watching this student develop and recently earning their diploma just before Christmas has been an incredibly rewarding experience. In addition to ICT I have the pleasure of sharing my passion for music with Lumenus students every week, and collaborating with the exceptionally talented Matthew Slater in the Music Enrichment program. 

On the personal front, my wife, Louise Preston, is also a valuable member of the college community and is the Curriculum Lead for Lumenus at the College and Pathways (yes, Louise is my wife and not my younger sister!). We have two incredible children, Jacob and Gabriel. Jacob currently lives in Australia and works for the University of Sydney in the United States Studies Centre, while Gabriel has taken the ‘natural’ route from a degree in Music and Recording at Salford University to pursue a career as a tree surgeon. He also plays drums for a popular Manchester based Sca / Rocksteady band called Madame Claude.  

Music has been a huge part of all our lives. I am actively involved in several musical projects, including playing piano, keyboards, and guitar for a Beatles celebration band known as The Threetles, in which there is normally 5 and sometimes 8 members. I am also a member of the psychedelic folk rock pop band Sugar Crease, creating original music aimed at folks of a rum nature. Additionally, I occasionally step in as a guitarist for the disco band Groovemental. 

Beyond the world of music and education, I make time for my passion for football, enjoying two games a week when possible. My faithful companion Raeph, a border collie, joins me for daily walks, and I've also fully mastered the art of loading and unloading the dishwasher – a crucial skill in any household! 

Before signing off, I want to express my gratitude to the incredible team in the Digi Department, and a massive congratulations to Brendan who recently completed one of the most incredible challenges I’ve ever known. Working alongside such dedicated, talented, and supportive colleagues has made my journey at New Bridge College truly enjoyable. Special thanks to Dan Holland for the captivating image below and for the wealth of knowledge and ongoing support. 

 

Bye for now!"

Andy Preston