NEWS IN DETAIL...
Local School Students Experience College
Cornwall College opened its doors to 160 students from Poltair School this week as it held it's 'Experience Day' to offer Year 9 school pupils the opportunity to come in, get a feel for college life and attend practical workshops in a wide variety of course areas that interest them.
The students had the opportunity to book from a variety of sessions that the College teachers had tailored to give them a good overview of what a specific subject or area would entail if they were to follow in a certain career path. The titles of the sessions focused on these careers including: would you like to be a photographer? Are you a budding sports coach or PE Teacher? Are you interested in a career as a Construction Craftsman? Do you want to be a Police Officer?
Whilst the majority of students arrived for their sessions at the St Austell campus, a selection travelled further afield to Cornwall College campuses at Newquay and Duchy Stoke Climsland for their unique courses.
At St Austell visiting students were given the chance to try their hands at a host of practical activities including engineering, hairdressing, photography, kayaking, dance, science, Art & Design, catering, outdoor sports and much more.
Jack Walker, 14, from Par joined in the dance activity said: “I really enjoy dancing and would like to be a choreographer. It’s been great to get a feel of what we could be doing when we come to college. Working with current students was great as it’s a good experience dancing with different groups.”
At Cornwall College Newquay the students practiced first aid for wildlife, where they bandaged life-size toy dogs, visited Newquay Zoo to make environmental enrichment activities for the animals and took part in fish dissection. Poltair student Andrew Sanchez said “I have never dissected a fish before and it’s really interesting. I really liked learning about all the different parts of a fish.”
The pupils at Duchy Stoke Climsland were given the chance to try their hands at a whole host of activities including digger driving, dog grooming and handling, tractor driving, activities in the woods, sports coaching, climbing on the onsite climbing tower and forensics.
The aim of the day was for the pupils to get a real feel for college life and to explore the many opportunities that are available to them post-16. They not only had the chance for some hands on work but also got to talk to staff, take a look around the college and get to chat to current students about their experiences at college.
Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College, said: “It was great to be able to offer Poltair School pupils this opportunity and on such a lovely day, ideal for the outside activities. The feedback we have received so far has been very positive from both staff and students and we hope it has shown them what options they have and what is available to them after school.”
