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Children and Families Minister visits Derwen

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Children and Families Minister Nadhim Zahawi and Owen Paterson MP recently visited Derwen College, in Shropshire, to see first-hand how a leading specialist college changes lives.

Nadhim Zahawi MP is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families with responsibilities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) up to 25 years old.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Minister to meet with Derwen senior leadership team to discuss issues such as the Children and Families Act and its impact on young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, the future of specialist education as well as highlight the huge benefits of learning at specialist colleges such as Derwen.

The Minister also had a tour of the college meeting students at work in the Premier Inn Training Centre, Food Centre, Orangery Restaurant, Karten Print Centre and the Garden Centre.

He described the work in the Food Centre as “phenomenal” and student Millie Clarke showed the Minister how the equipment worked in the Print Centre. He also went on say how professional and fantastic the students work is in the commercial outlets.

“This was a really useful opportunity for us to discuss first-hand with the Minister and Owen Patterson MP the issues around specialist education. This visit to Derwen followed on from a meeting that we had last year with the Minister at Parliament and we will continue to drive forward change and ensure the voice of the specialist college is heard” said Ruth Thomas, Director of Strategy Derwen College.

Meryl Green, Principal at Derwen also added “It was fantastic to show the Minister around the commercial outlets at the college and for him to meet and chat with the students”.

Ministerial visit

Nadhim Zahawi Children and Families Minister (second from left) meets staff and students at Derwen College with Owen Paterson MP (fourth from right)

App awareness

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We have been advised that there is a new app that is going viral among many (primary and secondary) school age pupils. 

The app is called DOKI DOKI (literature club). 

The game is advertised as a school dating app and does not require parental checks to download. It is a free APP and although users should be 13+ years children can easily agree to being over the age. Once downloaded, children have ready access to their own account.

The app begins as a colourful and light-hearted game but takes a sinister turn within an hour of children playing where their online friend starts to talk about depression and eventually commits suicide. 

The NSPCC Online Safety team are aware of the APP’s existence and information regarding the APP will be provided at future Safeguarding training to schools. It will also be shared at the next Schools’ Safeguarding Group meetings. 

Tribal Empower Conference award winners

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Derwen College picked up the award for Outstanding Student/Learner Experience at the Tribal Empower Conference this week.

Joy Rush collected the award and said she is surprised and delighted that Derwen has won this.

Tribal Empower Conference award winner

The award is for the institution/organisation that has done the most to improve the positive experience of their students or learners through the use of technology. Examples of this could be increased engagement through the introduction of smarter recruitment processes or the introduction of a personalisation strategy.

We have also heard this week that the Student Union Board has been shortlisted for the Democracy Award and Sarah Laszlo is nominated for the Simpson King Staff Achievement Award in the NUS Awards. Good luck and we look forward to hearing the results!

Pictured above – Joy Rush with the Outstanding Student /Learner Experience Award.

PUBLIC NOTICE UNDER SECTION 121(2) OF THE CHARITIES ACT 2011

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The Trustees of Derwen College (registered charity number 1153280) hereby give notice that they propose to dispose of the properties known as:

No.s 1 & 2 Walnut Croft and land, Whittington Road, Gobowen
No.s 1, 2, 3 & 4 Twmpath Cottages, Twmpath Lane, Gobowen
Land off Southlands Avenue, Gobowen

by way of sale of the freehold. The property to be disposed property/land is held on designated charitable trusts.

Any member of the public wishing to make representations on the proposed disposal is invited do so by 15 July 2018. Representations must be made to Carol Thompson, Clerk to the Trustees

By post to: Derwen College, Whittington Road, Gobowen, SY11 3JA

By email to: [email protected]

For the Trustees

Ruth Thomas
Chief Executive

15 June 2018

Bumper attendance at annual fete

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The sun shone, the crowds came and smiles all round at Derwen College’s annual fete which took place on Thursday 31st May.  

Derwen Summer Fete's new location for 2018

A new location within the commercial areas of the college proved popular with fete visitors who enjoyed some of the old favourite games and stalls as well as new additions such as the Upcycled Furniture stand from Coleg Derwen @Ashdale House, steam engine ride and Afternoon Teas.

Cast of the Summer Show: Come Fly with Us

The fete attracts former students who love returning each year to catch up with old friends as well as huge local community support and parents of current students. Alongside the traditional games, refreshments and stalls the Summer Show is also a big hit with visitors. The theme of this year’s show  was ‘Come Fly With Us’ and was performed and created by Creative Studies students, there were two packed out performances which attracted rave reviews.

“We have had a bumper event this year, the atmosphere is just fantastic and it’s great to see so many people enjoying themselves at the fete. We would like to thank all our supporters who are generous with their time, their fundraising and their enthusiasm for the work of the college and also to external stall holders and all our sponsors – we continue to be inspired by the generosity we see” said Meryl Green, Vice CEO and Principal Derwen College.

The fundraising target for 2018 at the college is £60,000 towards the development of the Therapy and Fitness Centre. The college hosts events throughout the year including Afternoon Teas’, music events and themed activities.

The winning tickets for the Grand Raffle are listed as follows:

Prize Ticket number 
FitBit Fitness Tracker 14133
Integrated Washer Dryer donated by Howdens Joinery Oswestry 14264
Spa Day & Lunch for Two at the Lion Quays Hotel & Spa 4518
Coach Day Trip for Two via Owen’s Travel – Terracotta Warriors, Liverpool. 11976
Arla Foods Cheese Hamper 0723 & 5164
Derwen Afternoon Tea for Two 1760
Basket of fruit donated by A C Edwards 13210
Meal for Four in The Orangery Restaurant at Derwen 8205
DC Homemade Hamper 0819
Cadbury’s hamper 11542
Isolde Nicholson Hairdressing voucher 13291

The Summer Fete was held outside the Orangery Restaurant

 

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Thanks to @OswestryTC for lovely feedback about Horticulture students' work at Oswestry Cemetery. "We have received several comments about the noticeable difference in the Garden of Remembrance since the students have been working in that area." @visitderwen @DerwenCollegeGC

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Students who went to the Shrewsbury Town game against Macclesfield on Wednesday were treated to a 3-1 win for the county town team, as well as 5 minutes of fame courtesy of Shropshire Star. youtu.be/yoVJrkgUivQ ... See MoreSee Less

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