Wednesday 30 December 2015

Christmas Break

Hi all,

I hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas break and getting some well deserved rest.

2016 is nearly here and now is the time when everyone starts to make New Year's Resolutions...
I have decided that this year instead of writing a list of resolutions I am going to write a Bucket List for 2016 all the things I would like to do in 2016, which perhaps I haven't done before or I just haven't done much of it before:
  1. Try something new
  2. Go to a place I have never been before
  3. Try a food I have never eaten before
  4. Go a whole day without using any technology
  5. Fundraise for charities
  6. Get students more involved with activities within college
2016 could be your year what things can you think of that maybe you could try or just do more of this year? Comment below with your 2016 Bucket List ideas

Also I am intrigued to hear what types of cross college activities you would like to see in the new year, as I am eager to get back to the college and plan some more exciting events! If you could comment below any ideas you have that would be massively appreciated or come and see me when we're back on 4th January I am based in Student Services.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope that 2016 brings you all the luck and happiness and everything you wish for :)

"A New Year is on the way and the possibilities are endless"
 

Thursday 17 December 2015

Text Santa Christmas Jumper Day

Yesterday the college held their “Text Santa” Christmas Jumper Day to help raise money for some amazing charities. People paid a £1 to wear their festive knits and join in the festive fun around college. Well done to everyone who took part and donated to the help of the charities.
Text Santa supports the amazing work of Macmillan Cancer Support, Make a Wish Foundation & Save the Children. All three charities work hard all year through to support people around the world who need it.
o   Macmillan Cancer Support helps the people and their families affected by cancer from giving them high quality information  about their cancer to providing support to everyone involved to ensure they feel fully supported during such a terrible time.
o   Make a Wish Foundation grants wishes to children fighting life threatening conditions. Whether it’s starring in their own films, walking with dinosaurs, going on an amazing holiday, meeting a celebrity hero, or having a life-changing bedroom makeover; the wishes are varied, personal and, most importantly, magical
o   Save the Children works in more than 120 countries providing support to children providing a variety of help. Save the Children help provide an education to children who were missing out previously, better access to health care for children, protection to children who are in danger, neglected or exploited and much more.
The TV show will take place tomorrow night featuring a variety of stars doing their bit to help raise money for such deserving charities. Visit http://www.textsanta.co.uk/ for more information on where your money is going.
As well as wearing our festive knits at college we held a “Design a Christmas Jumper” competition within college with a festive treat for the winners. A prize was given to the best jumper design from staff and best jumper design from a student. There were lots of amazing designs so well done to all who participated in the competition. The winner of the staff competition was Barry Bratt and the student winner was Sheridan Stainsby so well done to you both J
 
 
 
 
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is called New Year's Day.
 
 
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hoping 2016 brings you the best of luck !!!
 
 
HCFE Staff showing their support to the Text Santa Campaign


The Principal choosing the winners.. And the winners are......
Barry Bratt (left) and Sheridan Stainsby (right)

Friday 11 December 2015

Another Busy Week Here AT College


What a week it has been this week?!
From Christmas trips to the Metro Centre to Christmas fayres the college has done it all…
On Wednesday, we took 47 students to the Metro Centre for a fun day of Christmas shopping. The day seemed to go really well and many students were commenting on the bus how they had enjoyed a day out of college on a fun, festive trip finishing off their Christmas shopping or if you are like me just starting their Christmas shopping… Oops! On the coach students joined in a festive quiz and the winner was Bethany Harrison and the winner of best Christmas jumper went to Carla Crossman!
I hope all students enjoyed themselves and hope to see this many students next year!
Next was the Christmas Fayre hosted by the fabulous Hospitality and Catering students and staff here at the college. On Thursday 10th December the college was filled with stall holders and members of the public coming to join in the festive spirit. From hot chocolate and brownies to little unique gifts to a trip to see Santa in his grotto - the fayre had it all. Some of our members of staff were even selling their crafty gifts. Well done to all involved it was a lovely event and had such a lovely atmosphere with everyone starting to get into the Christmas spirit.  
The fayre raised £326.23 for Hartlepool & District Hospice – Thank you to everyone who donated!!
Next week is going to be another busy week here at college. Some of the events on next week are:
·         Candy Canes – are being sold by Student Ambassadors for 10p each at lunch times and from Student Services.  Attach a label to a candy cane and the elves will deliver them into lessons next week.
·         Nightmare Before Christmas – will be shown in Conference Room 3 12.30-2pm on 16th December.
·         Christmas Jumper Day – 16th December
Wear a Christmas jumper and pay a £1 to donate to “Text Santa”. Text Santa helps charities such as “Make a Wish Foundation”, “Save the Children” & “Macmillan Cancer Charity” so wear your festive knit and help some amazing charities. Also we are running a “Design a Christmas Jumper Competition” and there will be prizes for Best Staff Design and Best Student Design.
Designs to be handed into Student Services by Wednesday J
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Christmas 2015

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Today is the day… To open the first door on the advent calendars, get ready to put the Christmas decorations up and start to get in the festive spirit – unless you’re like me who has been excited since the beginning of November.

Christmas is my favourite time of year - I love everything to do with it from buying and wrapping presents to listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas films. My all-time favourite Christmas film is Miracle on 34th Street – if you have never seen it before I recommend you watch it. It will definitely get you into the true spirit of Christmas.

What is your all-time favourite Christmas film? Comment below with your answers. I am interested to see what films everyone enjoys and to find out about some I have never seen before so I can watch over the Christmas holidays.

I can’t wait to put my decorations up this weekend, as then I truly know it is nearly Christmas. The tree is up in Student Services and it is making me very happy and very festive! The college tree will be getting decorated in the next few days so watch out for that!

There are a few events coming up in the next few weeks on the lead up to Christmas from Film Clubs to trips to the Metro Centre, if you are interested in any of these events come and see me in Student Services for more information.

Comment below: What is your favourite thing to do on Christmas Eve?

Mine is going to the pantomime with all the kids from dancing and then coming home to put my new PJs on and watch Christmas TV with the family and eating takeaway. A few years ago my favourite thing to watch on Christmas Eve was “Noel’s Christmas Present”, which made me cry every time the stories were so touching.


“I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanour. You know, I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.” Miracle on 34th Street