College News

Marriott Head Chef visits college kitchens

Catering and Hospitality students at Gower College Swansea were recently visited by the Swansea Marriott Executive Head Chef, Gareth Hope.

Gareth enjoys very close links with the department and employs no fewer than five of their past and current students in his kitchens.

"We are always happy to work with Gower College Swansea and have been delighted with the quality of students - their ability, experience and knowledge - when they start working with us," he says.

ESOL students 'walk in her shoes'

ESOL staff and students from Gower College Swansea have completed a sponsored walk for the 'Walk in Her Shoes' campaign, to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Around 60 students walked from the Llwyn y Bryn campus to Brynmill and Singleton Parks and then along Swansea Bay, through the city centre and back again.

They raised £265.50 for Care International UK and the money will go towards accessing clean water for women and girls living in extreme poverty around the world.

College nominated for two TES FE awards

Gower College Swansea has been shortlisted in two categories at the prestigious TES FE Awards 2016.

One of the two categories is the overall ‘FE College of the Year.’

“We are delighted to be shortlisted in this category as it reflects the hard work and dedication on display across the college as a whole,” says Principal Mark Jones. “It’s been a remarkable year for our staff and students and we’ve seen significant successes within the academic, vocational, international, HE and business training teams.”

Students encouraged to make better lifestyle choices

AS Health and Social Care students recently organised a special event - ‘Making Better Lifestyle Choices' - as part of their A Level qualification and in conjunction with the college's Kick Start Programme.

The students were required to research factors that affect the health of a specific target group and they chose to look at young people aged 16-20.

Theatre students' progression success

Technical Theatre students from Gower College Swansea recently spent the afternoon in workshops with Andy Franks, Production Director at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

The workshops covered opportunities in the technical theatre industry, communication skills for production meetings, and a very entertaining ‘show cueing’ exercise.

Following the workshop, four of the students were interviewed for places at Mountview – and all were successful!

GCS named Accountancy College of the Year (Public Sector)

Gower College Swansea has been named Accountancy College of the Year (Public Sector) at the prestigious PQ Magazine awards, a publication specifically for part qualified accountants.

"We are absolutely delighted with our win and very happy to share it with the Accountancy team at the University of South Wales, Newport - it was a great night for Wales!" says Curriculum Leader Paul Sizer.

Gower College Swansea seeks new Board member

Gower College Swansea offers a wide range of full time and part time academic and vocational courses on two main and two smaller sites in Swansea and Gorseinon. Students achieve high levels of academic success, with over 900 students progressing to university each year including, in 2014, nine to Oxford and Cambridge. The College employs nearly 1000 staff and has a turnover of £37m.

Bronze medal on the menu for Emma

A second year Catering student from Gower College Swansea has received a Bronze medal at a recent competition held in North Wales.

Emma Ahlsted participated in the Welsh Culinary Championships where she prepared pan fried sea bass, chicken mechoui and apple crumble tatin.

“It was a very intense experience,” says Learning Area Manager Mark Clement. “The competition, which was streamed live on YouTube, required Emma to prepare a three course menu for two people using the specific ingredients which were provided - sea bass, chicken and apples.”

Students get a ‘kick’ out of meeting Duane

Gower College Swansea Sports lecturer Duane Saunders recently delivered an inspiring talk to Birchgrove Comprehensive pupils as part of the Kick Start Programme.

College in the running for four Accountancy awards

Gower College Swansea has been nominated in four categories at the upcoming PQ Magazine Awards, a publication specifically for part qualified accountants.

The college has been nominated for Accountancy College of the Year (Public Sector,) Innovation in Accountancy, Accountancy Team of the Year and PQ of the Year (student Kate Reed.)

“We are absolutely delighted to receive four nominations,” says Curriculum Leader Paul Sizer. “Last year we were shortlisted in just the one category so we really feel we are going from strength to strength.”