Reaseheath vehicle technicians give Santa a helping hand

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Santa’s sleigh will slide more slickly round the streets of Nantwich thanks to pre-season preparation by Reaseheath’s student vehicle technicians.

Students from our Levels 2 and 3 IMI Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair courses, along with pupils on our 14 -16 years schools programme, have overhauled the sleigh in time for its festive charity trip around town with The Rotary Club of Nantwich.

For the third year running our students have carried out general maintenance including repairs to the generator, welding a new frame and a full check of the fairy lights. They have also repainted the sleigh and decorated it with new decals.

Rotary Club Membership Secretary John Crowe said: “Families look forward to a visit from Santa in the period running up to Christmas and it gives us the chance to raise money for worthy local charities.

“Reaseheath’s students do a wonderful job and we are always confident that the sleigh will be looking at its best.”

Said Level 2 student Callum Dix: “Renovating Santa’s sleigh gave us a chance to use many of the skills we’ve learned. It was also good to be involved in a project which will benefit the local community.”

The Rotary Club of Nantwich typically raises around £5,000 over the Christmas period for worthy causes. Santa and his sleigh will be in Nantwich on:

Evenings:

Monday December 8 (Queens Drive)

Tuesday December 9 (Manor Road)

Wednesday December 10 (Wellington Road)

Thursday December 11 (Shrewbridge Road)

Monday December 15 (Cronkinson East)

Tuesday December 16 (Cronkinson West)

Wednesday December 17 (Kingsley Fields)

Daytime:

Friday December 12 (Sainsbury’s)

Thursday December 18 (The Square)

Friday December 19 (Sainsbury’s)

Travel savvy sheep shearer shares tips on working abroad

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Nick Greaves talks to students about his time travelling ing NZ and Australia

 

Agriculture alumnus Nick Greaves visited the agriculture department last week to share some great tips with our current students on travelling and working abroad.

Adam Henson talks to Nick Greaves during Countryfile filming at Reaseheath in 2013

Adam Henson talks to agriculture student Nick Greaves during Countryfile filming at Reaseheath in 2013

Nick, 20, studied on our Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture. On achieving a Distinction in 2013, he began his shearing travels in Norway and then moved on to New Zealand and travelled in Australia.

Back in the UK for a short break, Nick has most recently been working as a shepherd on a 4500 pedigree sheep farm out in New Zealand.

He returns to New Zealand to begin his latest assignment as a shearer for Woolqual, based in Hawke’s Bay.

Nick Greaves L3 Ex Dip Agriculture visits Reaseheath 1MB

Agriculture alumnus Nick Greaves during his visit back to Reaseheath College

 

 

Nick plans to spend the next few years shearing all around the world. He is keen to continue to gain knowledge of different farm enterprises before returning to the UK to take over the running of his family farm in Stafford.

It’s great to see Nick doing so well and encouraging our current students to strive for their career goals.

As our alumni community grows, we are keen to continue to highlight the successes of our former students.

If would like to come back to the College to share your  industry experience with our current students, please contact us on alumni@reaseheath.ac.uk or +44 (0)1270 613219. 

 

 

 

 

Vehicle technicians drive careers forward

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Aftersales Manager John Oakley with new recuit Cody Brookes 11th Nov 2014 3MB

 Last week, Alumni Officer Katie Burt visited two former motor vehicle students in their new work places, accompanied by Programme Leader Ryan Johnson.

 

Cody Brookes and Jack Salt at Reaseheath Presentation of Awards 2013. Congratulated by Peter Kendall, Emily Thrane and Principal Meredydd David as top Level 2 Motor Vehicle

Cody Brookes and Jack Salt congratulated as Level 2 motor vehicle ‘top students’ alongside Peter Kendall, Emily Thrane and Principal Meredydd at Reaseheath’s FE Presentation of Awards 2013.

The two students, Cody Brookes and Jack Salt studied Levels 2 and 3 IMI Diplomas in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair during their time at college.  Both Cody and Jack have gone straight onto prestigious training programmes within the motor industry having completed their studies this summer.

Cody is training as an apprentice technician with Crewe Audi, whilst Jack is working in a similar role, developing his skills with Robert Eardley Skoda in Crewe.

Jack mentioned: “I gained a great set of skills at college, which I’m developing even further in my new job. Support from staff and working with other students helped to give me the confidence I needed to start my career at Skoda.”

Jack Salt with Robert Eardley Skoda Gen Man Brett Davies and Aftersales Manager Paul Griffiths 4MB

Jack Salt alongside Robert Eardley Skoda’s General Manager Brett Davies and Aftersales Manager Paul Griffiths

Working alongside Jack at Robert Eardley are a further three former Reaseheath students, who are all in training to become fully qualified service technicians for Skoda.

Both dealerships were impressed by Reaseheath’s drive to encourage young people to develop technical and specialist industry knowledge. Crewe Audi’s Aftersales Manager John Oakley went on to comment: “It’s fantastic to work with young people like Cody, who are confidently focused on their future careers and are keen to learn.

“I believe studying at Reaseheath gives young people the foundation they need to be successful in the industry.”

 

Positive comments on social media from Crewe Audi about our students

Great comments from Crewe Audi

 

 

We love to hear about where life has taken our former students – the next steps they have taken and the successes they are experiencing.

If you have story you would like to share, please contact us on alumni@reaseheath.ac.uk or +44 (0)1270 613 219 – it would be great to hear from you.

 

 

 

 

Fantastic success for Reaseheath at WorldSkills UK

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Reaseheath florist Anna Eite is officially the most talented student florist in Britain after winning gold at the WorldSkills UK national finals this weekend.

Anna Eite competing

Anna competing

Anna took the top title in the advanced section against strong competition from the best students from colleges and training providers nationwide. The taxing competition was held over three days in front of thousands of visitors to The Skills Show in Birmingham, the country’s biggest showcase of vocational skills and careers.

Anna had to complete five tasks which included designing a floral hat, belt and chair, making up a planted container and taking part in a team project.

Anna, 21, is a Level 3 Diploma in Floristry student and has been supported and trained by Programme Leader for Floristry Sue Poole. Said Sue: “This was a fantastic result and we are all so proud of Anna. She was a wonderful representative for Reaseheath and for the floristry department.”

Richard Carden chats to lead judge Jody Lidgard

Richard chats to lead judge Jody Lidgard

Unfortunately Anna will be over the 22 years age limit for the WorldSkills final in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and will not be considered for the WorldSkills GB team for Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015 as this squad has already been selected.

Anna will represent us at the Chelsea Flower Show 2015, however, as she was on the student team which won the RHS Tatton Park Floristry College of the Year Competition this summer. This title made us eligible for the national final at Chelsea.

Our horticulture department was also proud to support Richard Carden as he battled it out in the WorldSkills UK garden landscape finals. Although Richard, a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture student, didn’t win a medal he was one of just six students to be selected for the national finals. He met the challenge to build a 2m x 6m garden designed by award winning designer Alexandra Froggatt.

Course Manager Tracy Walker said: “Richard did a fantastic job considering the pressure he was under to perform at the very highest level.”

You find out more information about our floristry and horticulture courses on our website.

Reaseheath florists create impact for IChemE

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Reaseheath floristry students have been commissioned to create designs for a prestigious awards dinner later this week.

The Level 2 Diploma in Floristry students are today putting the final touches to 50 table arrangements for The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) 2014 Global Awards Dinner, to be held at Cheltenham Park Racecourse, Gloucestershire, on Thursday.

The event recognises and rewards chemical engineering innovation and excellence and is a key event in the IChemE calendar, typically attracting 400 delegates from around the world.

The students were tasked to come up with a modern design incorporating the IChemE brand colours of purple and green. Their final suggestion, which delighted the client, was an arrangement made up of purple orchids, pink anthuriums, pale green chrysanthemums and white dianthus, set off on a base of dark green foliage. Grasses and beads will provide the final touches. The designs will be displayed on mirror plates with candles in their final situation.

The awards dinner is the first of three major public events which our florists will work on this month.

Next week our Level 3 students will provide the floral arrangements for the Asian Fire Service Association’s Conference in Staffordshire while students on both Levels 2 and 3 will help to design and decorate the gallery at Arley Hall near Knutsford before it opens to thousands of Christmas visitors.

Our florists are involved in a number of community events throughout the year which require them to liaise with clients and produce designs on a grand scale.

Although these events are in addition to required assignments, our students are delighted to become involved as they learn relevant commercial practice and often work in beautiful and grand settings.

Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire, is nationally recognised as one of the UK’s most successful and progressive providers of floristry education. Our students currently hold the title of RHS Tatton Park Floristry College and will compete for the national title at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2015.

The floristry department offers courses in floristry and floral design and short courses for school leavers and professionals. More details: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/floristry

Wise shepherd achieves her farming dream

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Agriculture graduate Caroline Jellicoe took the plunge and moved to Cumbria to manage her own own sheep farm having completed her degree at Reaseheath.

Caroline was inspired back to education after visiting the Nantwich campus with her children during lambing season back in 2010.

Coming from a background in zoo keeping, Caroline has worked with a range of exotic animals in her career so far, but was keen to expand her knowledge of the farming industry.

Caroline prepared for her degree by completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma at Reaseheath, where she found her passion for sheep farming.

During the second year of her degree, Caroline bought an acre of land along with six zwartbles shearling pedigree sheep and a ram called Mr Gibbs. The 27th February 2014 saw the ewes give birth to Caroline’s first flock of lambs.

Toba, Caroline's youngest and most enthusiastic farm hand

Toba, Caroline’s youngest and most enthusiastic farm hand

She commented, “It was a long road to get to the of point of having my own flock of sheep – but it was all worth it.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the Farm Manager Mark Yearsley and other staff, along with the opportunity to gain experience working on the College farm during my time at Reaseheath. This all helped me on my way to achieve my dream of owning my own sheep flock.”

On looking to the future Caroline said, “I am always looking for more land. I only wanted a few sheep at first, but since I visited a friend’s farm in Yorkshire and falling in love with it, I decided I would dream BIG – I am aiming for 1,000 sheep now. In one year I have gone from no sheep to 40 and I intend to grow and grow.”

With her experience working with exotic animals, Caroline is also the proud owner of an eagle owl, barn owl, tortoise, bearded dragons and goats. As a diversification programme to her flock business, she has set up a new enterprise ‘The Three Wise Shepherds’, a programme of  educational talks with her variety of animals. She has also begun to take the animals to children’s parties for petting along with ‘meet and greet’ experiences for children and adults of all ages.

Caroline has graduated from Reaseheath in 2014 with a Distinction in her Foundation Degree and celebrated her success along with fellow classmates at our graduation ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Nantwich. In December 2014 Caroline moved to a fell farm in Cumbria, where she now manages 200 herdwick ewes plus her own zwartbles flock.

If you would like to find out more about Caroline and her growing business ‘The Three Wise Shepherds’, follow her twitter handle @sheepstudent.