NWRC’s Emma Battles Her Way to Win Ninth Gold Medal

A Sports student from North West Regional College (NWRC) has won her ninth successive Gold medal in Kickboxing, competing at the World Championships in Dublin.

Emma McGilloway, who is currently in Year 2 of a Foundation Degree in Sport at NWRC’s Strand Road Campus, won Gold in Light Contact and Silver in Point Fighting when she represented Northern Ireland.

The 20 year-old fought her way through eight rounds, beating competitors from across the globe, to clinch the title of World Champion.

“This was the toughest competition I have come through,” said Emma, “it was my ninth year competing, but also my first year competing in the Senior category, so I am absolutely delighted to have come home with my ninth Gold and also a Silver medal.”

Bernie Rutherford, Lecturer in Sport at NWRC said: “On behalf of everyone at the Department of Sport I would like to congratulate Emma on this tremendous achievement.

“Emma is fantastic Kickboxer a great ambassador for the world of Sport. The staff and her fellow students at NWRC wish her continued success.”

Emma who is in the final year of a Foundation Degree at NWRC, is currently completing the work placement requirement of her course, at the PE department of her previous school, St Cecilia’s College.

She said: “My plan is to continue with my studies to go on to become a PE teacher, so studying for the Foundation Degree in Sport at NWRC has been hugely beneficial for me, rather than jumping straight into University. I have had great support from the lecturers here.”

Top nomination for Performing Arts Lecturer Carie Logue Houston

North West Regional College lecturer Carie Logue Houston has been announced as a finalist for Tutor of the Year at the NI Creative & Cultural Skills Awards.

The finals, which this year will be hosted this year at NWRC’s Strand Road Campus, celebrate the many unsung heroes of the creative industries who continue to inspire young people in Northern Ireland.

Dancer Lecturer Carie, who first started teaching at the college’s in 2004 said she was honoured to be put forward for the award based on her contribution to dance and education.

She said: “The nomination was a complete surprise, to even be shortlisted feels like an award. It is so lovely to be considered and recognised for my contribution to dance.

“Teaching dance, nurturing and developing movement and creative skills is immensely rewarding. To see a young person’s confidence and abilities develop in the dance studio is simply wonderful and then to see them apply these skills as a step towards their dance journey is the greatest. I feel very lucky.

“To get the opportunity to work with young people who come into our Performing Arts courses and develop their dance skills and creativity is gratifying.  In particular, working with students with little or no dance background prior to the course and then seeing them connect with dance and embrace it gives me an enormous sense of pride – some students from this introduction to dance have gone on to pursue dance at Degree Level.”

Carie, who delivers the dance units in the Level 3 Performing arts course ( Dance technique & performance) and HND Performing Arts course ( dance criticism & analysis/ choreography/ physical theatre), has also established an extremely successful student dance company – Ascent.

She explained: “Ascent was created for students who wish to expand their dance skills further and provide opportunities to enhance students dance experiences.

“Ascent also gives students a ‘Taster’ of the industry – with dance performance opportunities in various public events, including the annual NWRC Hair and Beauty events, Talent North-West  (Ascent made it to last  6 acts in the Final at Forum), An Turas production @ the Forum,  O-Bon Japanese Festival ‘Little Tokyo,’ and City of Derry Jazz Festival performing alongside Sicilian Swing Band ‘Jumpin Up’ (Finalists of Italy’s Got Talent).

“I’ve always encouraged our Performing arts Students to embrace opportunities that can arise during their time at NWRC and make connections with creative bodies in the industry which can lead onto developing their skills and possible creative career enhancement.”

Carie, who has previously taught dance in London, also works as community dance artist at Studio 2, whilst continuing as a freelance choreographer for various events in the city such as: Assistant choreographer in The Return of Colmcille/ The People’s Procession for The City of Culture and  Choreographer for other major events in the city such as: O-Bon Japanese Festival of Light event (Playtrail), City of Derry Jazz Festival, Foyle Maritime Festival ‘Voyages’ Showcase, Derry City & Strabane District Council - Annual Halloween & Spring Carnival Parades.

She is also a regular dance facilitator for the Millennium Forum’s annual Interact Youth Festival and Studio 2 Summer dance schemes.

Carie Logue Houston was nominated for the award by NWRC’s Curriculum Manager for Music and Performing Arts, Ronan O’Callaghan.

The winner will be announced on December 6.

Health and Wellness Luxury Spa Event - Thursday, December 6,

A Health and Wellness Luxury Spa Event will take place at Level 5, at the Foyle Building, on Thursday, December 6, from 9.30 to 3.30 p.m.

Please bring a swimsuit or bikini and flip flops for all spa treatments. Complimentary light refreshments provided. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Luxury Spa treatment - £10/1 hour
This treatment begins with body brushing, followed by full body poppy seed scrub, followed by one of the following wraps:
* Seaweed Mud Wrap
This wrap acts as a detox to the body
* Thermal Wrap
Detoxifying and remineralising properties
* Body contour wrap
For inch loss, cellulite and lymph drainage

This is followed by either a sauna or steam room treatment

The treatment is finished with an application of Eve Taylor Body Butter while cocooned in a heated blanket.

Full Body Massage / £10/ 1 hour
Relax and unwind with an indulgent full body massage using a range of aromatic oils

For appointments
Call: (028) 71 276336/6073
Email amanda.white@nwrc.ac.uk
bridget.o'malley@nwrc.ac.uk
karen.bradley@nwrc.ac.uk

Last chance to nominate a colleague

NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE

Staff Award Scheme - 2018/2019

Purpose: To recognise and celebrate a member of staff’s contribution to the North West Regional College.

Any employee of the North West Regional College can nominate another employee for the award. The process will be confidential.

• Nominations should be submitted prior to 30 November to be awarded in December.
• Nominations submitted between November and April will be awarded in June.

Staff wishing to make a nomination should complete a written citation of no more than 200 words explaining why the nominee is being put forward.

Nominations will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from each campus and an appointed chairperson. The panel will use the terms of reference to decide on successful recipients.

A £50 gift voucher for Foyleside Shopping Centre and a recognition award will be presented to the successful recipient(s).

Terms of reference

• Excellence

Description: Quality of excelling, providing exceptionally good service or bringing exceptional status to team, i.e. in academic areas retention, success, outcomes, in non-teaching areas recognise based on exceeding expected standards or good audit outcomes.

• Uniqueness / Innovation / Creativity

Description: Having the ability to demonstrate originality of thought or creating something unique and innovative.  May include use of new technologies.          

• On-going quality

Description: Producing and maintaining outstanding standards in provision of service.    

• Equality and Diversity

Description:  Promoting and/or embedding equality and diversity within the College.       

• Cross College Role / Activities

Description: Providing outstanding service affecting all staff and/or students in the College.            

• Individual Contribution to a Team

Description: Providing outstanding contribution to a team that enriches the working of the team.

• Pastoral Care of Students

Description: Providing an outstanding support service to students underpinned by demonstrating a caring and supportive ethos.   

• Employability

Description: Promoting or embedding employability in a manner that is outstanding with exceptional standards.       

• Contribution to STEM

Description: Promoting STEM activities or delivering STEM provision that achieves outstanding results or demonstrates innovation and creativity.          

• Employer Engagement

Description: Evidence of working with employers and meeting needs of employers in an exceptional/innovative and effective manner.

           

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF AWARD SCHEME NOMINATION FORM
Name:
Department:
Job Title:
Location:
DETAILS OF THE PERSON YOU WISH TO NOMINATE
Name:
Job Title:
Department :
Location:
REASON FOR NOMINATION
				Please tick ONE only
Excellence
Uniqueness / Innovation / Creativity
On-going Quality
Equality and Diversity
Cross College Role / Activities
Individual Contribution to a Team
Pastoral Care of Students
Employability
Contribution to STEM
Employer Engagement
PLEASE PROVIDE SUBMISSION IN NO MORE THAN 200 WORDS
Signed			Date

Please submit to:   Mrs Kate Duffy, Director of HR and Learner Services, Tower Building, Strand Road Campus.

This document can be made available in a range of formats, please contact HR Services with your requirements.

Workshops for staff

•Active Learning Strategies Wednesday 21st November 3.00-5.00


•Basic Project Management with Trello Friday 23rd November 1.30-3.00


•Learnspark: Resilience in Working Life/ Handling Daily Challenges Wednesday 28th November 1.30-4.30
•
•
•
•Using Smartphone for Learning and Teaching Friday 30th November 1.30-3.00

Please book using the tool below

http://nwrc-vweb2/mis_public/tools/staffdev_training/index.aspx

North West Regional College hosts Academy Awards

North West Regional College has recognised staff who recently completed courses at their Academy of Excellence at a special ceremony at their Strand Road Campus.

More than 100 staff have undertaken training in a number of areas including Teaching, Employability, Leadership and Quality Improvement.

For more pictures see https://www.flickr.com/photos/mynwrc/albums/72157703052856845

Vice chair of the College’s Governing Body Gavin Killeen who was special guest at the celebratory event, congratulated the many staff who were presented with their certificates.

Emer O’Sullivan, Teaching & Learning Development Manager at NWRC said: “I’d like to congratulate our many staff who have graduated from the Academy of Excellence.

“To date 101 members of staff have completed Academy courses and all agree that they gained much from the experience. One participant on our teaching courses has told us how the Academy has enhanced her approach to teaching.’

The Academy courses have been designed to support all staff and are available to all NWRC employees free of charge. They provide you with an opportunity to engage with CPD activities that are relevant, focused and have an immediate impact on your practice. All courses are OCN accredited and are designed to meet the specific needs of staff in our College. Our teaching courses specifically give lecturers the opportunity to develop new ideas and extend teaching skills in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Check out the courses available on the link below
http://online.fliphtml5.com/cljl/hfbj/

If you are interested in doing one of our Academy courses just complete a SD1 form online and come along and join us.

Copy of notice sent to all Staff on 31 October 2018

Dear all

I would like to thank each and every one of you for the contribution that you make to life in the College.

You will likely know by now that members of the University and College Union (UCU) have voted to declare a dispute with the College following a recent meeting.  

I would like to make it clear that the Governing Body and others are working hard to resolve the matters of concern to UCU members.

We are currently working on these issues at both local and sectoral levels. Salary Placement is a sector-wide matter being dealt with by management and UCU through the Lecturers’ Negotiation Committee.  Other matters are more local in nature and will be addressed within the College.

We will continue to work on the issues through the appropriate channels and we are committed to taking whatever action is deemed appropriate following the conclusion of this work.  We currently expect the work to conclude between now and the end of December.

I would like to reassure all staff members that we are listening and remain fully committed to the best working relationships possible in the College. We are also committed to delivering the benefits that these improved working relationships will bring for our staff, our students and the community that we serve.

We will continue to engage on these matters and we have the good of the College, the well-being of our staff and the needs of the community at the forefront of our minds as we do so.

Thank you again for all that you do to make the College what it is.

With very best regards,

Gerard Finnegan

Chairman

NWRC

gerard.finnegan@nwrc.ac.uk

GRADUATION PICTURE SPECIAL

Pictures from NWRC's Higher Education Graduation Ceremony can be viewed here.
Well done to everyone who took part.
You can view more pictures at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mynwrc/albums/72157699710106912

PRE- HALLOWEEN STAFF DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

Monday 29^th October Northland Lecture Theatre

Resilience (ACE) : The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope

9.30-12.00

Join us for a screening of the award winning film, RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress and The Science of Hope – a critically acclaimed documentary chronicling a new movement among educators, teachers, paediatricians, therapists and communities who are using cutting edge brain science to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction and disease. The screening is followed by a panel discussion.

Very popular event. Early booking advised. Spaces will fill fast so book your place now.

See link to press kit below

https://kpjrfilms.co/resilience/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/01/PressKit_Resilience110816_draft.pdf

Monday 2.00-4.00 Staff Development Room

Provider: Learning and Teaching Team

What makes great teaching? Exploring the latest research

This workshop will give you a chance to examine the most recent research in educational practice in an attempt to understand what the evidence tells us about what makes great teaching. A practical and thought-provoking workshop which explores what the research tells us about effective and ineffective practice so we can ensure we can deliver quality teaching.

Monday 2.00-4.00 Northland Board Room

Ensuring Student Success

Provider: Learning and Teaching Team

A workshop exploring practical strategies to use that can improve student retention, in turn ensuring success for all our students.

Monday 29^th October 4.00 – 4.30pm

Northland Lecture Theatre

The aim of this awareness session is to inform staff about IT related data protection risks, phishing attempts and social engineering awareness. The session will also focus on the importance of ensuring our operational practices are compliant with the data protection regulations.

NSPCC Online Safety Tuesday 30^th October 10-12.00 Staff Development Room

Learn how our students use the internet and how you can keep them safe from abuse. This introductory course will help you gain the skills to act appropriately and confidently to protect the students you work with.

Tuesday 30^th October  1.00-2.30  Staff Development Room

 Academy of Excellence: Presentation of Certificates

A celebratory event for all staff who have completed a qualification with the Academy of Excellence. There will also be an opportunity to hear how the courses have had an immediate impact on learning and teaching as good practice is shared.

To book please go to http://online.fliphtml5.com/cljl/fvvy/

Nominate a colleague for a staff award

NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE

Staff Award Scheme - 2018/2019

Purpose: To recognise and celebrate a member of staff’s contribution to the North West Regional College.

Any employee of the North West Regional College can nominate another employee for the award. The process will be confidential.

• Nominations should be submitted prior to 30 November to be awarded in December.
• Nominations submitted between November and April will be awarded in June.

Staff wishing to make a nomination should complete a written citation of no more than 200 words explaining why the nominee is being put forward.

Nominations will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from each campus and an appointed chairperson. The panel will use the terms of reference to decide on successful recipients.

A £50 gift voucher for Foyleside Shopping Centre and a recognition award will be presented to the successful recipient(s).

Terms of reference

• Excellence

Description: Quality of excelling, providing exceptionally good service or bringing exceptional status to team, i.e. in academic areas retention, success, outcomes, in non-teaching areas recognise based on exceeding expected standards or good audit outcomes.

• Uniqueness / Innovation / Creativity

Description: Having the ability to demonstrate originality of thought or creating something unique and innovative.  May include use of new technologies.          

• On-going quality

Description: Producing and maintaining outstanding standards in provision of service.    

• Equality and Diversity

Description:  Promoting and/or embedding equality and diversity within the College.       

• Cross College Role / Activities

Description: Providing outstanding service affecting all staff and/or students in the College.            

• Individual Contribution to a Team

Description: Providing outstanding contribution to a team that enriches the working of the team.

• Pastoral Care of Students

Description: Providing an outstanding support service to students underpinned by demonstrating a caring and supportive ethos.   

• Employability

Description: Promoting or embedding employability in a manner that is outstanding with exceptional standards.       

• Contribution to STEM

Description: Promoting STEM activities or delivering STEM provision that achieves outstanding results or demonstrates innovation and creativity.          

• Employer Engagement

Description: Evidence of working with employers and meeting needs of employers in an exceptional/innovative and effective manner.

           

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF AWARD SCHEME NOMINATION FORM
Name:
Department:
Job Title:
Location:
DETAILS OF THE PERSON YOU WISH TO NOMINATE
Name:
Job Title:
Department :
Location:
REASON FOR NOMINATION
				Please tick ONE only
Excellence
Uniqueness / Innovation / Creativity
On-going Quality
Equality and Diversity
Cross College Role / Activities
Individual Contribution to a Team
Pastoral Care of Students
Employability
Contribution to STEM
Employer Engagement
PLEASE PROVIDE SUBMISSION IN NO MORE THAN 200 WORDS
Signed			Date

Please submit to:   Mrs Kate Duffy, Director of HR and Learner Services, Tower Building, Strand Road Campus.

This document can be made available in a range of formats, please contact HR Services with your requirements.

NWRC secures £1.26 million of Erasmus+ Funding

North West Regional College can reveal they have been successful in securing an impressive €1.26 million of Erasmus+ funding.

The college recently received the news that they have been awarded €1,145,995 in the category of Key Action 1 VET – Staff & Learners Mobility, €30,995 as part of a Consortium bid for VET learners €40,044 of Higher Education Funding, €26,950 for Strategic Partnerships (Schools project), and €17,285 for Vocational Education Training.

This is the highest figure of funding received by any college in Northern Ireland, and the second highest funding to any college in UK (excluding VET Charter holders).

The news follows on from last year’s funding announcement of €1,023,127, representing an investment of more than €3million by Erasmus in North West Regional College over the past two years. 

Bronagh Fikri, European Projects Officer at NWRC said: “We are delighted with the news of another substantial award from Erasmus+ which will allow staff and students to study and work across Europe to develop knowledge and Skills.

“Over the next two years participants will have the opportunity to visit a number of countries including the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Malta, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Finland, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium and Sweden.

“The mobilities will be designated in a number of forms. Four staff will travel to take part in an advance planning visit for ErasmusPRO and this will be followed up 54 trainee placements in I.T., Creative Industries and Hospitality.

“It will also include 142 short term traineeships for Vocational Education Trainees, 73 staff training mobilities and 53 teachers/training assessments.

“During the mobilities, which will range in duration from two weeks to 12 months, participants can develop their knowledge and skills as well as developing competencies. All of the staff mobilities, will be with the aim of developing the curriculum, and linking to industry with a large focus on entrepreneurship.

“I’d like to thank staff who are involved in coordinating the mobility activities for students, those staff who accompany students on the mobility trips and those who put in the extra hours working on partnership projects helping NWRC to build and develop international relations, as without their dedication to the projects they would not be as successful.”

Leo Murphy, Chief Executive and Principal of North West Regional College said: “I would like to congratulate Bronagh Fikri for the huge work undertaken to secure the funding for these exciting opportunities for staff and students.

“Since 2014 we have watched our European funding increase from €200,000, to this year’s figure of in excess of €1.26 million.

“These traineeships have been extremely beneficial in broadening the horizons of our students, many of whom had gone on to work and study in places such as China, Belgium and Spain.”

A huge welcome to our Erasmus students

A huge welcome to our visiting students from Spain, Portugal, Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands on a 2 week visit to the North West learning about the use of Science and Technology in Early Years @EUErasmusplus