Bringing our Buses to the Gypsy/Traveller community

On the 10th February Councillor Tim Hall visited our SATRO construction bus in action. SATRO are working closely with 'Gypsy Skills' to bring work-related skills to Gypsy/Travellers in Surrey. The boys were a fantastic bunch that engaged in making chairs from copper pipe and making chicken runs. SATRO and Gypsy Skills extend their grateful thanks to Tim Hall for funding to help us to run this programme.

Surrey schools problem solve round 3

Schools from all over the County are competing in SATRO’s annual event to find the Problem Solving Champions of Surrey.  This year over 1000 pupils from over 70 schools are taking part in heats across the whole of Surrey.

On Wednesday 8th February, 198 students from 15 local schools competed at Blenheim High School, Epsom in the third of five heats to find this year's champions.

The winners and runners up will meet at the County Final to be held at Charterhouse, Godalming, on Thursday March 15th. 

Winners of the Heat in the 11-14 age group were Hinchley Wood  School  with Hollyfield School as runners up.  The prize for the 15-16 age group was won by Howard of Effingham School with Manor House School in second place.  St Georges School took top place for the 17-18 age group with St Andrews RC School as runners up.  Prizes were presented by Mrs Margaret Manly of the AG Manly Charitable Trust, sponsors of the Blenheim Heat.

Maths is Fun

On the 7^th February 2012, Year 3, 4 &5 pupils at Chandlers Field Primary school had a hugely exciting Fun Maths day.

Pupils commented

“I learnt that if you find something really difficult keep on going and you will get there

“I learnt that maths is important and it helps you a lot.”

Pupil’s comment on what was the best bit…

“All of it and I especially liked that maths and the maths teachers.”

A teacher commented…

“Very engaging way to use learning and develop problem solving skills and number sense.”

A day of entrepreneurship

On the 7th February 2012, 46 budding entrepreneurs at North London Collegiate were put through their paces during a hugely exciting day running a stationery company.

As the students' fledgling companies emerged, they produced prototypes and competed for stationery orders from the panel of buyers.  Bank accounts were opened and accountants wrestled with the difficulties of cash flow, whilst sales managers were intent on winning orders and marketing managers were busy promoting their businesses.  The Game threw the students some real challenges along the way, including paper shortages and one off, time limited, opportunities to make more money for their companies!

Later in the day, in a bid to win the best presentation award, the students prepared short presentations, outlining what they had learnt.  Competition is always tough and the judges had a challenging job selecting the winner.

North London Collegiate Junior School Head, Mrs Jo Newman said, “I loved the atmosphere.  The entire room was buzzing with excitement and enthusiasm.  It was wonderful to see the diversity of talent that the game brought out.  You could almost see the girls growing in confidence by the moment. It was a highly successful day and we couldn’t have done it without our team of volunteers. Eat your heart out Alan Sugar!”

Surrey Schools Problem Solve round 2!

On Thursday 2nd February, 192 students from 13 local schools competed at Heathside School in  Weybridge the second of five heats to find this year's champions.

Again the teams of six pupils had 1 & 1/2 hours to construct the best solution to the problem set by the judges.

The winners and runners up will meet at the County Final to be held at Charterhouse, Godalming, onThursday March 15th.  The event coincides with National Science and Engineering Week, sponsored by the British Science Association

Winners of the Heat in the 11-14 age group were Gordon’s School with Woking High School as runners up.  The prize for the 15 -16 age group was won by Gordon’s School with Reed’s School in second place.  St Paul’s Catholic College took top place for the 17-18 age group with Reed’s School as runners up. 

Thamesmead get down to business

On Thursday 2^nd February 2012, 80 keen students from Thamesmead School took part in a SATRO Business Game. Students had to start up a company and discuss their logo, company name and their roles within the business. They were then set the task of making and selling the goods to make a profit. The exciting  day ended with a presentation where the judges choose the winner.

One student commented “I learnt how business works. This is important to me because I want my own business”.

Another commented “I learnt how to buy and sell properly and effectively. I learnt how to market products in magazines and in other places”.

Some very valuable lessons!

What should I do with my future?

On Wednesday 1st February 2012, year 9 students from Bishop David Brown and Wishmore Cross schools attended a Careers Event at Woking Leisure Centre as part of Invest In Your Success.  Funded by Woking Borough Council, Invest In Your Success aims to raise students’ aspirations and awareness of their post-16 progression options, including employment opportunities in the local area and further education or training.

The day started off by taking part in a ‘Careers Speed Dating’ session. The employee then got the chance to tell the students what they do, if they hadn’t already guessed it, and then spend some time telling them about their job, what it involves, how they got to do what they are doing and what the students may need to think about if it is something they are interested in doing as a job. 

They got the opportunity to meet several different employees.  Following that, the students attended employability skills workshops, which gave them some great things to think about for their future, whether it be about knowing their own strengths, being an entrepreneur or what to think about when writing a CV/application form.  Finally the students walked around a ‘Market Stall’ area where they had the chance to meet local colleges, employers, training providers or apprenticeship providers.

There was a great buzz as the students left and those who are unsure of what they would like to do post 16 had the chance to find out more about the opportunities available to them, and those who do know what they would like to do got to talk to colleges/employers about their ideas and how to take them forward.

Samantha is an Entrepreneurial Success

Samantha Carrington-West completed Plumbing Level 3 with her employer EC Lewis Plumbing & Heating and won a Surrey Apprentice Award.

Samantha completed her Level 2 course with lots of quality work.  She has maintained her commitment and enthusiasm throughout the Level 3 course and has just finished taking her CCNI Elements which she passed with ease. 

Sam is very confident and competent in the workplace and easily builds a rapport with customers
Samantha, 27, of Bisley, is a former forensic science student who changed to studying plumbing and heating at Guildford College and now has her own successful company, Diamond Plumbing. “I decided I wanted a more practical career, to get out and meet people and to work for myself,” she said. 

Working hard pays off

Alex Burns, a Nescot College Plumbing Apprentice, saw his ingenuity and hard work recognised when he was awarded the John Coleman Trophy last year for overall winning apprentice at the Surrey County Scholars and Apprentices Awards.

Alex who works for Hollands Heating and Plumbing  has overcome significant obstacles with his determination to pursue his chosen route to success, the award was confirmation of the benefit of hard work and initiative.

Alex came to Hollands after being made redundant. He now routinely works late and over weekends to both complete jobs and keep the firm up to date with admin. He has also taken a big role in marketing. By enrolling the company on the CheckaTrade website, arranging for the workforce to have logoed work wear and business cards, prominently featuring the company’s status as Worcester Bosch Accredited Installers, and keeping the firm’s own website updated he has brought in more work for the company and freed his bosses to focus on more pressing concerns.

We are delighted that he is planning to return to Nescot to take his L3 next year.

Chris has his future planned

Chris Miller, a winning appretice from Nescot, told the audience how wonderful

it was to receive the award and hoped that it would help him with his future career.

Christopher Miller participated in a Plumbing NVQ Level 2 with Sutton & East Surrey Water Services . He is a fantastic young man with a very good work ethic at college and at work. His time as an apprentice has been distinguished by this determination and, despite starting the scheme much later than his classmates, he has achieved everything to a high standard, in a timely manner with an excellent attitude and approach.

Dave Cox, Divisional Plumbing Manager at Sutton and East Surrey Water said, “Chris Miller promotes the company in the most professional way for such a young person.  He is a credit not only to himself, but to the whole plumbing apprenticeship scheme”.

Chris actively looks for ways to be helpful and useful at work. His plans for the future include completing his L3 and Gas qualifications and continuing to succeed with his current employer. Ultimately, Chris would like to develop and run his own businesses.

Surrey Schools Problem Solve

Secondary Schools and Colleges from all over the County are competing in SATRO’s annual event to find the Problem Solving Champions of Surrey. 

On Wednesday 1st February 2012, 210 students from 17 local schools competed at St Bede’s School, Redhill in the first of five heats to find this year's champions.

Teams of six pupils have one and a half hours to construct the best solution to the problem set by the judges. 

The winners and runners up will meet at the County Final to be held at Charterhouse. Winners of the Heat in the 11-14 age group were The Warwick School, with Reigate Grammar School runners up.  The prize for the 15-16 age group was won by City of London Freemen’s School with Bishop David Brown School in second place.  St Bede’s School took top place for the 17-18 age group with Reigate College as runners up.

Judges are volunteers from engineering employers and organisations in the county provided by SATRO, who are keen to promote enthusiasm for science and technology in schools and amongst the public generally. 

Hames gets the County Apprentices’ Award

East Surrey College student Stefan Hames, an enthusiastic bricklaying apprentice, was awarded a Surrey County Apprentices’ Award  in 2011. This achievement requires dedication, training and commitment at the highest level and is only awarded to the top apprentices in the area.

Stefan is now an Entrepreneur who has set up his own business with his brother, teaches rugby tots in his spare time-children from age 3-7years, and assists students with behavioural and learning difficulties!

One day Stefan wishes to provide students with the opportunity of apprenticeships in his own company because of what he gained from his own Apprenticeship.

Ben takes home the Wates Cup

Ben Willox, 24, of East Molesey, received the Wates Cup as the overall winning Diploma student after excelling on his NVQ Level 2 carpentry course. Ben works for contractors at his local council. He did 2nd fix and maintenance repairs with other students for his first year apprenticeship but as his confidence grew he decided to work on his own in his second year. He enjoys fitting external doors and frames as he can see the job from start to finish.

Ben has performed to a very high standard when working both at college and at work. He is self motivated and is always keen to learn a new activity. He concentrates on the work he has been asked to undertake and puts 110% into the activity. Before he starts work he looks at the task and asks relevant questions so he fully understands what he has to do. The standard of work he produces is of good quality and in good time. He completed his technical certificate one month before the rest of his class and six week before the end of his programme. He was the first in this year to hand in his complete NVQ portfolio.
Ben on his apprenticeship said: “Having my little girl three years ago made me feel a stronger sense of responsibility, I had to make her proud by getting some qualifications. I’m over the moon about the award and it has made me want to keep on learning. My tutors have inspired me and I’m hoping to teach at a college myself in the future.”

6-10 February 2012 National Apprenticeship week - Let's celebrate!

Next week we will be showcasing 5 of our fantastic Apprentices to celebrate national Apprentice week. The week will be about showcasing talents and their employers.The weeks aim is to encourage businesses and individuals to get involved and reap the benefits.

Anyone for Science?

On Tuesday 31^st January the whole of St Cuthberts primary school in Englefield Green had a hugely exciting day getting into the world of Science.

The day started off with Year 1 getting to grips with forces in a Bob The Builder themed workshop. Year 2 had a fantastic time learning about pulleys. Pupils loved it when their teacher got lifted up by a pulley! Year 3 learnt about rocks and soils in the morning and pneumatics in the afternoon. Year 4 learnt about electric circuits, year 5 about Cams (rotating and linear motion) and year 6 had a brilliant day learning about control technology.

Teachers commented:

“The engineers are extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and engaged the class for the whole day”.

“The demonstration in the morning reinforced the work done on forces”.

Pupils said:

“I really enjoyed learning what engineers do and I absolutely enjoy learning about energy and how things work”.

“I learnt that it was great fun doing circuits; I also learnt that making a circuit needs a lot of patience; and that your circuit will not work the first time”.