A day in the life of Stacie: 2012

Monday, 14 May 2012

Steve Gullick- School Goveners

Steve Gullick- The roles of School Goveners Steve Gullick gave us a lecture about the Governing Body in Schools. School Governers are voluntary positions. They aim to meet every term. The role includes such duties as: • Employing staff • Staff discipline • Excluding pupils • School budgeting • Ensure targets and standards are met • Approving school trips, and many more. Steve Gullick (2012) quoted ‘School Governors hold the school to Account; they have to be satisfied that the school is doing well’. The Governors look at the schools long-term goals, day to day running is not a concern they are dealt with by the head teacher. The governors have free training available to them run by the local authority, this is not compulsory. I believe the training should be compulsory as it is such an important role. Education minister, Andrews (2011) quoted that: I am very aware that governors need to be knowledgeable and properly trained to do the job effectively. “Our Education (Wales) Measure 2011 allows Welsh Ministers to introduce mandatory training for governors on issues which we believe will have the most impact on raising standards in governance. These areas will be induction, training for chairs and working with head teachers on school performance data. The Measure also gives me the power to set the content of that training so that I have confidence it will be of the highest standard.

Professor D Warner- Higher Education

Professor David Warner- Higher Education Professor David Warner is Wales’ longest-serving vice chancellor of Swansea University. He became vice-chancellor of the then Swansea Institute of Higher Education in January 1998. He led the institute through a successful two-year inspection and then in 2008 was given permission to change the name Swansea Metropolitan University. The university was last year named Britain’s most financially efficient higher education institution. There is no real definition for Higher Education. I believe Higher Education teaches you transferable skills, such as communication and information technology, debate skills, problem solving which all will be needed throughout working life. It provides you will a better chance of employment and also brings people form different walks of life together; this can strengthen understanding of different cultures and beliefs. Some Higher Education courses provide a vocational program directed to specific areas such as Teaching. Professor David Warner gave us two definitions: 1. The level of work you do NVQ4 plus 2. Who pays We discussed the history of Higher Education. The first University was established in the middle ages. By the 1980 there were 47 universities including CATS and new plate-glass units. In 1992 there were over 100 universities as legislation enabled polytechnic institutions to adapt to the title of University. Diversity of the UK Higher Education System • Chartered University- Ancient University, Civics/redbrick, Plate-glass, former CATS • ‘Statutory’ Universities • Higher Education institutes • Higher Education in Further Education • Growth of the Private Sector • Situation in Wales- the Welsh Assembly Government have control due to the referendum. In the lecture we looked at four key legislations. • Education Reform Act 1988 • Further and Higher Education Act 1998 • Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 • Higher Education Act 1994 • The Future- Welsh Government The aim of the documents is too create a better Higher Education system and better funding. Higher Education aims to: • Allows people to develop their capabilities and reach their potential, both personally and academically. • Contribute to an economically successful country • Improve knowledge and research In the UK Higher Education has changed now there are more female students due to women having more rights and women having careers as opposed to being housewives like previously. Part time degrees are now available so they suit people with jobs or families better making it easier to attend university. There has been a growth in the number of international students attending UK universities. There has also been more funding available. HEFCW Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the aim is to develop and sustain internationally excellent higher education in Wales, for the benefit of individuals, society and the economy, in Wales and more widely. HEFCW (2012) quoted: There are 11 Higher Education that we fund directly in Wales. Higher Education in Wales is a major economic force producing 30,000 graduates a year, contributing more than £1 billion annually to the Welsh economy; it is a major employer in Wales. It is not only good for the individual but also good for the economy.

Graham Allen- Education for Sustainable Development

Graham Allen-Education for Sustainable Development United Nations (1992) stated: The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilised to forge a global partnership in order to achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for all. The aims are to: • Clarify and extend the ability of students to think for themselves. • Encourage students to reflect and debate issues to enable them to form their own thoughts. • Learning that emerges from discovery and is relevant to the learners life experiences. The education sector is very important as it can build up the community, provide jobs and improve children’s lives, teaching them to develop and change the future. Growth within the community would create employment chances, higher incomes that will decrease poverty and improve people’s living standards. In all this will provide economic stability. Without change in future year’s things will not improve and there will be less jobs and poorer living conditions. The National Assembly for Wales has to promote Sustainable Development. In September 2006 ‘Education For Sustainable Development- a strategy for Action’ was published. The principles were: • Long-termism- decisions promote long-term Sustainable well-being of people, now and for the future. • Integration- full account of, and where possible integration, social, economic and environmental outcomes. • Involvement- being involved with the people and communities that will be affected. A policy was produced in May 2009 by the Welsh Assembly Government providing a context for all institutions in Wales called ‘One Wales One Planet, the Sustainable Development Scheme of the Welsh Government’. The Welsh Government suggested development through leadership, learning and teaching, practice within Higher Education, Partnership and community working and through research. Leigh (2005) quoted: Linking Sustainability with teaching about the state of the planet offers a powerful integrating theme throughout education. Local Sustainable Development action by students is transformative for them.

Alice Davies - Widening Access

Alice Davies- Widening Access in Wales Alice Davies is part of the Reaching Wider South West Wales partnership which aims to widen access into higher education for underrepresented groups of young people in Wales through increasing their educational aspirations and attainment. Widening access is about increasing opportunities for people from a diverse range of backgrounds to benefit from Higher Education. It aims to provide equal opportunities to fulfil their potential and to improve society. The program aims to: • Increase the number of people from ‘underrepresented’ groups attending Higher Education. Including low income families, looked after children, people with disabilities and people from specific black and ethnic groups. Reaching wider aims to break down barriers and widen access to learning. It also aims to support social inclusion. There are three regional partnerships • North and mid Wales, • First Campus South East, • South West Wales Partnership. The South West Wales Partnership includes Swansea University as a lead partner. Other members include • Further Education • Local Authorities • Careers Wales • Third Sector • Communities First They all aim to encourage progression to Higher Education, assist with enhancing achievement and help disadvantaged areas. Raising aspirations and attainment is what they do by using a progressive programme. The programme starts in Primary School and goes through to year 13. The programme concentrates more on year 9 onwards. At Year 9 they provide ACE days, mentoring, Saturday clubs, and tehnocamps. In year 10 they provide: • Spring school • STAR days • Taste of Universities and collage days • Saturday clubs In year 11, they provide: • GCSE revision • Collage taster days • Study Skills • Mentoring Year 12: • Subject specific Summer schools • Summer University • Inspirational talks • Retention focussed activities Year 13 the programme provides: • UCAS support Measurable outcomes for the programme improve: • GCSE results • Attendance • Continuing to Further Education • Progression to Higher Education Davidson (2003) stated: ‘I am delighted that the figures out today demonstrate our Welsh Higher Education Institutions’ success in widening access, without reducing the quality of the experience. I look forward to them building on that success. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to providing all those with the ability and drive to benefit from higher education with the opportunity to do so. We are committed to removing real and perceived barriers to higher education.’

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Only Boys Aloud are through too the Final of BGT 2012!! So happy!! xx

Only Boys Aloud - Britains got talent 2012 Semi Final

Friday, 4 May 2012

Review on Billy Elliot by the Evening Post! Well done Ben!!

GOSH. Where to start with this one? There are times when I think that being given the opportunity to review theatrical productions could well rank as one of the best jobs in the world, and this superlative show from the talented young performers of the Sir Harry Secombe Trust is one of the most triumphant pieces of theatre I have been lucky enough to see for the past 11 years. Having already seen West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company's production of this show a little while back at Taliesin, I thought there was no way anyone could beat it in terms of staging, performance or sheer energy, but the Sir Harry group wins hands down. From the minute these kids take the stage, it is evident they fully understand not only the characters and the motivation, but also the times in which the story is set — the bitterness and division that delineated Thatcher's Britain, and the gulf between real life and a wish to escape. Given the fact that this is very much an ensemble show, it seems unfair to focus upon individual performances, but John O'Gara shines like a beacon as Billy, and the characters around him are fully rounded: Rachael Clee's dotty Grandma is brilliantly realised, as are Jack Roberts's Dad, Abigail Rice's Mrs Wilkinson, Catrin Byrne's spectral Mum, Joshua Williams's Tony and Ben Roe's cross-dressing and hilarious Michael. Director Kathryn Rice, musical director Phil Orrin and choreographer Rosie Cottle ensure that this is a powerful show which scores a hit on every level — even the lighting, designed by the ever-reliable Chris "Bomber" Barrett, is so smartly devised that it deserves a round of applause of its own. The dance numbers are beautifully conceived and executed, and the energy with which the cast and chorus go through their paces is inspirational. It is a pity the show's run is a mere three nights, since I feel confident that a week-long run would have attracted capacity audiences every night. An absolutely spellbinding show, and one which fully deserves all the praise which has been heaped upon it during the past few days by the local theatregoing fraternity. Billy Elliot rocks! Graham Williams

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Good Luck to only Boys Aloud for the finals on BGT this weekend!! Make Wales Proud!!!!

Portfolio and Final Piece

A brief view into my portfolio. Page 1- I created a page showing the project title- Sense of Place Page 2- What my interests are and whats important to me. Page 3- My Family- pictures and a few words about my family members interests. Page 4-A place I feel calm and relaxed. Page 5- An inspirational man from Swansea with similar interests to my family. Page 6- The show must go on- A song from my favorite film and also an important message for stage! Page 7- Swansea- places that I love. Page 8- Inspirations to me!! Page 9- My favorite past time- Ballet. Page 10- An explanation of my final piece. Its girly, and shows how important my family and friends are and how important life is!!

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

An inspiration....Sir Harry Secombe

Sir Harry Secombe Born 8th of September 1921, Harry Secombe grew up at number 7 St. Leger Crescent, St. Thomas, Swansea. His favourite childhood time was at Swansea market. He knew as a child he wanted to be a star. Sir Harry Secombe was a singer, actor, author, and a comedian. Harry Secombe’s first job was a pay clerk at Baldwin’s limited on Wind Street, Swansea. He joined Swansea Territorial Army at the age of 21. After the Army, Sir Harry Secombe joined London’s West End Windmill Theatre where he met his wife-to-be, Myra Atherton. They married in Sketty in 1948. Singing was always very important to Sir Harry Secombe. He appeared in many stage musicals, he also appeared as Mr Bumble in Lionel Bart’s film Oliver, in 1968. Actively involved with charities and fundraising, he was awarded the C.B.E in 1963 and was knighted in 1981. Sir Harry Secombe sadly died in hospital of prostate cancer April 11th 2001 aged 79. Sir Harry Secombe was an inspiration for us all. His infectious laugh and schoolboy sense of humour instantly endured him to a generation of fans. Some of his singles included: • On the Motley (1955) • Bless this House (1960) • If I ruled the World (1963) • This is my Song (1967) He had many albums, books, a radio and TV series. He was also in films such as Oliver, Let’s Go Crazy and many others. The Harry Secombe Trust was set up in 2002 in memory of Sir Harry Secombe. The Trust was set up by Louise Cohen and Robert Francais-Davies. The Trust was set up with the intention of providing the youth of Swansea and the surrounding areas the opportunity to receive the benefits of qualified tuition in Musical Theatre and to further themselves in the Performing Arts. The group has 120 pupils aged 6 to 12 years (the juniors) and 13 to 21 years of age (the seniors). Previous performances, performed at Swansea grand Theatre include: Singing in the Rain, My Fair Lady, Bugsy Malone, We Will Rock You, Wizard of Oz, Summer Holiday, Billy Elliot, and West Side Story.

Monday, 30 April 2012

Cor Waunarlywydd mixed choir concert. ( part 1 )

My brother Ben singing a Welsh song then my favourite Electricity From Billy Elliot!!!

The Best Is Yet To Come Show

Only Boys Aloud - The Welsh choir's Britain's Got Talent 2012 audition -...

Family-Music

My brother Ben is 15. He is on some Welsh TV soaps and also is a member of Only Boys Aloud. My family is very big on music we have all sung in choirs or indidually at some point. Here is a video of Only Boys aloud at Britains Got Talent

Watching the Waves on Newton Beach, South Wales, UK

Final piece

My print i designed for my final piece. This will get printed on the cushion cover. It has my picture in the middle then things that are important to me!

Portfolio

I have started putting my work into my art book. I have used pictures and photos and quotes to show me, my family and a place i like to relax. It is going to show what is important to me and the quotes I like about life. I have had part of my past was spoilt by some bad experiences and I believe it will only make you stronger and how I choose to change my views and make my dreams come true!!!

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

This is the design cover for my project!!

Final Piece

I have recently spent alot of time thinking about my final piece and decided I wanted to make something that shows some things that are important to me, but I wanted the product to be personal too. I firstly decided to make a patchwork quilt with pictures of important things on but when I was pricing up the material and printing costs it came over £30 which wasn't satisfactory. I then decided to make a cusion. I have designed the print, that will be printed onto the cover later this week. I used photos of important things to me. My Mum, brothers, Grandparents, Best friends and Boyfriend. Also my gorgeous kitten Honey. I have also added some words that are important to me Hope, Love, Dream and Trust. I believe these are all needed. Throughout my life I have been through alot of bad things and I wanted to give up but hope helped me reach those dreams that I had. Love made me feel that I was worthy. Trust made me feel safe.

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Visual communication lecture 3

Light!!!

All the pictures I took are of seaside and seaside properties and they make me feel relaxed and happy and like I can breathe.

Visual communication lecture 3

Close up of shells collected from the Beach!!!

Visual communication lecture 3

This is a picture on the wall at uni, of the beach, looks great, I want to be there!!!

Visual communication lecture 3

These reeds remind me off playing in the reeds as a young child!!!

Visual communication lecture 3

Close up of stones collected from the beach

Visual communication lecture 3

I went for a seaside, nature theme as It makes me feel calm, and relxed. I love this photo I took it contains things you would find on the beach!! Almost feel like im there already!!

Visual communication lecture 3

Today we went around the university with a camera and take pictures associated with an emotion. My chosen emotion was calm. So I took pictures that I felt linked to this.

This picture is calm with all the blue waves, the painting had a lovely wavey texture.

Visual communication lecture 2

This lecture we created a collage of things important to us!! I chose pictures of kittens to represent my kitten Honey. Holiday pictures, this is because taking time out and relaxing and making the most of life is very important too me!!!!

Visual communication

We have now started visual communication, my portfolio is about 'A sense of Place' this topic means a lot to me, as I recently had difficulty know where I belong. There is always a light at thhe end of the tunnel though!!! We recently had a lecture where we had to bring in things that were important to me. I brought my scalf(lepord print, my favourite) that my mum bought me. My phone. A picture of my kitten Honey. We all wnet out into the corrridor and lay our things out and all discussed our items.