1. HE BULLETIN
AUTUMN EDITION 2012
The HE Bulletin will inform you of opportunities available to you as a HE student and will
celebrate some of your peer’s success stories. If you are studying your first term of higher
education, we hope you are settling in well, but if you are a second, third or fourth year
student, welcome back!
CONTENTS
Page 2 Opportunities for HE students
Page 3 HE Student Surveys
Page 4 - 5 Resources for HE students
Page 6 - 7 Gowns and Mortar Boards Donned
Page 8 Early Years students visit China
Page 9 Art students raise money for
Alzheimer’s UK
Page 10 Motorsport student secures
Bentley placement
Page 11 You Said We Did
Page 12 HE Students, Air Your Views and
Speak Out

2. 2 Air Your Views and Speak Out...email HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
opportunities for
HE students
Student Representatives
Being a Student Rep is a great opportunity,
one that is recognised by staff throughout the
College and is also a great addition to your CV.
A Student Rep provides qualitative feedback to staff
throughout the year helping to ensure we are providing
the best possible HE experience to our students and the
courses are meeting the needs of those studying them.
What does being a ‘Student Rep’ involve?
Meetings: You will be required to attend all relevant
programme team meetings and discuss your report
with staff who teach on them, advising of any causes for
concern.
Reports: You will be asked to submit a feedback report
for each meeting. The report is based on the feedback
gathered from your fellow students and will reflect both
your and their views.
Feedback: After meetings, you will feedback to your
fellow students advising of what happened and of any
developments.
Liaise: Student Representatives will liaise with members
of staff within their programme team on an informal
basis. Student Reps are also intended to act as a focus
for feedback from students to the universities and where
applicable, the Students’ Union on issues related to
academic provision.
If you would like to discuss this further, please
call Jason Gunningham, Section Leader for
Sports and Services on 01278 441853 or
email gunninghamj@bridgwater.ac.uk
Sports Internships
Ask yourself the following questions?
• Do you enjoy sport?
• Do you want to work within the
Sports Academy or Sports Enrichment
programme?
• Could you mentor and lead young people
and be part of a Student Management
team?
• Would you like to gain coaching
qualifications?
From September 2012 we’re looking to recruit HE
students to experience a Sport Internship to support
our Sports Academy and enrichment provision. We
also have opportunities to work within our Health and
Fitness Suite and to help co-ordinate our College sports
leadership, volunteering and officiating programmes,
and lead a Student Management team. You don’t have
to be studying a sports course at College, but you do
need to have a keen interest in sport and in helping
young people.
Your responsibilities could include assisting Sports
Academy Directors, supervising activities, officiating,
coaching and leading students. This Internship will
provide you with transferable skills and excellent work
experience for your CV. You’ll have the opportunity to
gain professional coaching qualifications, work alongside
experienced staff and have the opportunity to work in a
fast paced Sports section.
If you are interested in becoming
a Student Representative please
discuss the opportunity with your
Programme Manager.

3. HE STUDENT SURVEYs
2012/13
BE HEARD
What are they?
HE Student Surveys are designed to capture your
feedback about your experiences as a HE student. There
are a variety of surveys including the NSS (National
Student Survey for final year students), the College’s
own HE Student Survey and various others run by our
partner universities.
Why will I be asked to complete a survey?
A big part of the HE experience is the opportunity
you have to give full and frank feedback about your
experiences. Student feedback is vital to ensuring we
are providing students with the best possible experience
of higher education. Your feedback allows us to
continually improve the individual components that make
up your programme and overall experience at College. It
allows the College to find out where improvements need
to be made and also, what we are doing right!
Feedback isn’t just about what we can do for the future;
it’s about what we can do for you! By giving us your
feedback throughout the year it enables us to not only
implement changes but implement them during the
current academic year, improving your experience.
When and how?
The surveys are quick and simple to complete and
normally in an electronic format. Most surveys start in
the Spring term but you will be contacted when surveys
relevant to you are open for completion.
There is support available to complete all surveys and
this is available via:
• LRC – The LRC staff are extremely supportive in
helping you complete surveys and will locate or
book a computer for you at your convenience.
• Groups – There will be opportunities to access
computers and support to help you access
your survey in pre-booked sessions that will be
advertised during the Spring term.
• Tutorials – Programme Managers can use tutorials
for you to complete your survey. You can liaise
with your Programme Manager about when this
will be taking place.

4. 4 Air Your Views and Speak Out...email HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
RESOURCES for HE students:
E-resources
The Library has invested heavily in quality assured e-Resources for all our students and these
freely available resources will be of particular interest to you as an HE student. In addition to
the resources available through your partner HE institutions such as Bournemouth University,
Plymouth University and Oxford Brookes there are some great online resources available to you
through Blackboard (our Virtual Learning Environment) at the click of a button!
Virginia Power, Resources & eLearning Manager has
picked some of her favourite resources that will be
useful for your studies; for more information and support
please contact the HEADstart team via
lrcenquiries@bridgwater.ac.uk marking your email
HEADstart in the subject line.
Issues Online
Why spend hours trawling the web when Issues Online
provides articles, statistics, videos, e-books and links,
right at your fingertips? The articles and statistics you’ll
find on Issues Online are from a variety of different
sources: newspapers, charity groups, Government
reports, blogs, magazines, etc. Make sure you bear in
mind the origin of the text you are reading, and think
about why someone might have written it. Is an opinion
being expressed? Do you agree with the writer? Is there
potential bias to the ‘facts’ or statistics offered?
At the end of each article you will find its source, and
a web address that you can visit to carry out further
research. New for September 2012: recently updated
topics will now be accompanied by full-colour e-books
that you can view on your computer. You will also find,
for new topics, multimedia tabs that allow you to view
recommended videos from charity groups, YouTube, etc
Academic Search Elite
Academic institutions worldwide depend on this
database as their core resource of scholarly information.
Nearly 150 journals have PDF images dating back to
1985. The database includes PDF images for the great
majority of journals; many of these PDFs are native
(searchable) or scanned-in-colour.
Academic Search Elite is a scholarly collection
offering full-text coverage of information in many
areas of academic study including: animal science,
anthropology, astronomy, biology, civil engineering,
electrical engineering, ethnic and multicultural studies,
food science and technology, geography, geology, law,
materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering,
music, pharmaceutical sciences, physics, psychology,
religion and theology, veterinary science, women’s
studies, zoology and many other fields. With full text
for more than 2,100 journals, 1,700 of which are peer-
reviewed, this database will become the first point of call
for all students seeking high quality information.
Intered
Intered is a unique online resource providing lesson
plan ideas, news, reports and features for teachers and
education professionals working in early years, primary
and secondary education.
JISC MediaHub
JISC MediaHub is a multimedia platform offering a
wealth of digital image, video and audio collections
accessible from a single interface. The new platform
offers access to free-at-the-point-of-use images, video
and audio content licensed for educational and research
use, via an easy-to-use interface, cross-searching across
all the collections and the ability to source content from
a wide range of content-providers through a thumbnail
and search portal. From child development to computer
systems there is something for everyone!

5. 5
RESOURCES for HE students:
BLACKBOARD and workshops
Bridgwater College is pleased to announce a series of HEADstart Skills Seminars for our HE students run by the
Library HEADstart team. This term (Autumn 2012) we are offering sessions on Blackboard Basics (our Virtual
Learning Environment), Referencing Essentials and an Introduction to e-Resources. Sessions take place at various
times and days of the week at both Bridgwater and Cannington Centres and last for approximately 45 minutes.
The seminars are highly participative – a typical session will involve an introduction by the HEADstart team
followed by an opportunity to explore a particular task or search, with expert advice and guidance on hand.
You will learn from other participants as well as from the session leader – most students report that they find
the sessions useful, interesting and enjoyable. Participation in HEADstart Skills Seminars will give you that extra
confidence in your assignment preparation and research.
If you need further help or want more information contact Virginia Power, Resources and eLearning Manager at
powerv@bridgwater.ac.uk
GEt a Headstart - Free Workshops
We have a new site on Blackboard which contains
policies and procedures relevant to you as a HE student.
This is key to supporting your time here as a Bridgwater
College student. There is a variety of information
which is being added to this year and includes policies,
procedures and other general information relating to
the College and your partner University if applicable.
We hope this will be a useful point of reference and are
keen to hear if you think this can be improved upon in
any way. If you would like to provide feedback on this
resource please email HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
The site is called ‘HE Information’ and is available on
your Blackboard homepage.
DECEMBER TIME WORKSHOP LOCATION
Monday 3 12.30pm – 1.15pm Referencing Essentials CPD Suite - Library
Tuesday 4 4.45pm – 5.30pm Intro to e-Resources CPD Suite - Library
Thursday 13 4.45pm – 5.30pm Intro to e-Resources CPD Suite - Library
DECEMBER TIME WORKSHOP LOCATION
Wednesday 5 4.45pm – 5.30pm Blackboard Basics LRC IT Room
Wednesday 12 4.45pm – 5.30pm Intro to e-Resources LRC IT Room
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
FOR HE STUDENTS
Bridgwater Centre
Cannington Centre
BOOK A HEADSTART WORKSHOP…
Log in to Blackboard, select LRC pages, go to the HE students tab and click HEADstart CPD. Select the session
you would like to attend and click, then book – it’s as easy as that! Do it now, places are limited.

6. 6 Air Your Views and Speak Out...email HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
GOWNS and
MORTAR BOARDS DONNED
Our annual graduation saw over 140 students don their gowns and mortar boards and line the
pews of St. Mary’s Church in Bridgwater; more than 300 students completed their professional
or university level qualifications this year.
Over 500 guests attended the event, including staff,
parents and governors, all keen to celebrate the
success of the students. Included in the ceremony were
Sophie Young and Robin Jones pictured below who
both achieved a First Class Honours Degree in Applied
Computing.
Robin, aged 28 from Minehead has also been nominated
for the prestigious Bournemouth University’s Partner
College Student Prize. Robin currently works for The Met
Office, which sponsored his qualification, and he recently
designed a project for his employers which took over
400 hours to complete. Robin said, “I am really proud
of my nomination, the project took a lot of dedication
to complete and I’m delighted my employer valued my
ideas and has decided to develop them further.”
Many of the students have plans to return to College in
the coming years to either ‘top up’ their qualifications
to degree level, or further their education in other ways.
Rhys Erwood, pictured opposite, studied the Higher
National Certificate in Electrical/Electronic and Control
Engineering, said, “I am seriously thinking about coming
back to Bridgwater College and continuing my studies in
order for me to progress in my career.”
Among the graduates was a number of staff from the
College, including Student Support Manager Sue
Marson, who achieved a Distinction in every single
module on the Higher National Certificate in Business
Studies, as did fellow student Charlotte Crandon
pictured opposite page bottom right. Programme
Manager Claire Tilley said, “We congratulate all students
who have achieved their awards, particularly Sue and
Charlotte who did especially well throughout the entirety
of the HNC.”

7. 7
The guest speaker and award presenter was Mr Paul
Inman, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University,
which is one of the College’s partner institutions. He
talked of the challenges and changes the graduates
may face in life and said, “I congratulate you all on
your achievements to date. Enjoy the moment of
graduating in these superb surroundings. Be gracious to
acknowledge the efforts of others in this room who have
helped you along the way.”
The event proceedings were closed by College
Principal, Mike Robbins, who reminded everyone how
higher education students face numerous obstacles
whilst studying, including balancing home and work
commitments. He also praised the role of family and
friends in supporting the students throughout their
studies and of the staff, who he said “are key to
motivating and assisting students for the duration of
their course.”
Guests enjoyed a reception afterwards at Bar 27. You can
see more photos of the Bridgwater College Graduation
2012 on Flickr.
In 2012 54% of students studying a
BA/BSc (Hons) top-up Degree
achieved a 1st or a 2.i
Did you know...

8. 8 Air Your Views and Speak Out...email HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
Early Years students visit
China on a trip of a lifetime
Six students took part in a study tour to Northern China in the summer, to further their
understanding of different cultures and the impact this can have on early years practices.
Students studying the Foundation Degree in Early Years
and the BA (Hons) top up Degree in Early Years Care
and Education went on a two week trip to Beijing and
visited four kindergartens and a primary school, where
they participated in professional discussions with staff
and teachers. They also observed practical lessons with
the children and then demonstrated a range of ‘messy’
play activities to Chinese practitioners and Beijing
University staff.
The Chinese staff were surprised at the effectiveness
of the British teaching methods where children chose
from a range of activities and were keen to introduce
this within their own settings. The children also enjoyed
the messy activities, which included playing with shaving
foam, water and bubbles.
The group also managed to fit in trips to The Great Wall
of China (see picture below) and The Forbidden City, and
celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee in Tiananmen Square.
They learned expert bartering skills in the silk market and
even ate scorpions in the night market at Wangfujing!
Early Years student, Emma Chant said, “It has been a
fascinating insight into the lives of children in Beijing and
has given me a real desire to experience other cultures.
I have learnt that although the language barrier can
make discussions between adults challenging, children
can overcome communication barriers more easily when
playing or singing.”

9. 9
Art and Design students raise
money for alzheimer’s charity
Bridgwater College art students attended a charity book launch at the beautiful Wigborough
Manor near South Petherton, which included a silent auction of artworks. Nina Giles, a student
on the Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media at Bridgwater College, raised £100 for
Alzheimer’s Research UK by donating her work to the auction.
Seven students contributed their art works to the
book. The ‘Forget Me Not’ memory book was been
developed by Angie Cox, who was inspired by her
family’s heart-breaking experiences of her mother in
law, being lost to them due to the effects of Alzheimer’s
disease. She said “All contributions are real stories that
will make you laugh and cry as you are taken through a
remarkable collection of anecdotes covering topics as
diverse as marriage, travel, life changing experiences
and dreams achieved. We all have a back catalogue of
fascinating memories even if we have lived a relatively
mundane life.”
The students’ illustrations are as varied as the stories
themselves. Some of the illustrations are simple line
drawings, such as Maja Kaminska’s depiction of a choir,
Arthur Dickson-Bell and Zahra Hoccom’s etchings of
chaotic scenes and Lizzie Beresford’s fuzzy monoprint of
a cow. Other students chose a more colourful approach
from Emily Rowland’s painted helter skelter, Issy Bryant’s
screen print of a helicopter rescue to Nina Giles’s
watercolour of toes testing the water.
Mark Bunce, Programme Manager for Art and Design
at Bridgwater College added, “The students were really
moved by this project and it’s been a great opportunity
to contribute to a really worthwhile cause. It’s also great
to see recognition of their talents beyond their grades.
They are rightly proud to have their work published and
to support this charity.”

10. 10 Air Your Views and Speak Out...email HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
Former motorsport student
secures Bentley placement
A former Motorsport student has been chosen from hundreds of other applicants from around
the UK for a sought-after work placement with one of the world’s most iconic companies.
Darren Greenway, 22, from Langport will work within the
chassis engineering department of Bentley Motors for
the next 12 months. He will gain valuable practical work
experience and will take part in a number of projects
covering academic research, concept selection, system
design and validation at both component and vehicle
levels for a number of chassis related systems.
Bentley Motors has been named as a Top Employer
for 2012 by an independent research company, CRF
Institute. Bentley has also been recognised nationally
for its apprenticeship scheme which along with the
industrial placement and graduate programmes
underlines its commitment to the development and
training of its employees.
Darren is thrilled with the opportunity and said,
“I am so pleased and excited at this fantastic
opportunity. I’m really looking forward to the placement
and what my future career prospects may hold.”
Foundation Degree Programme Manager for
Motorsport at Bridgwater College, Josh Smith said,
“Many congratulations to Darren. His previous studies
at the College have given him essential motorsport
engineering skills which will provide him with the best
chance possible for the future.”
Darren graduated with Distinction in 2011 and
progressed straight on to the second year of the
four year Master’s course in Motorsport Engineering
at Oxford Brookes University. He plans to return to
university after this placement to complete the Masters.

11. 11
YOU SAID...
WE DID...
Your feedback is vital in helping us improve how we work with you to provide the best
experience possible. Student feedback is collated in a variety of ways including termly HE
student forums and programme meetings, surveys and via Student Representatives. Student
feedback is always taken into consideration and efforts are made to ensure suggestions are
followed through where possible and within the current academic year.
The HE study rooms at the Cannington
Centre could benefit from some
improvements, particularly the internet
connection.
Over the summer period we have renovated many of
the facilities within the main site at our Cannington
Centre and decided to provide our HE students with
a dedicated study room and tea making facilities. The
space is much better equipped to meet the needs of
HE students and we have also improved the internet
connection and speed.
Students requested a dedicated HE room to
socialise within.
We have organised for our HE Study Room, located
within the LRC at the Bridgwater Centre, to be used as a
social area where HE students can drop in at the end of
each month. We will provide a tea and coffee machine
for students use.
Students would like support to be available
in the LRC after 5pm.
We have arranged for online support to be available
from the LRC until 7.30pm, this service will assist
HE students with any queries relating to resourcing,
referencing and any other related issues. To access, just
ask in the LRC.
It would be beneficial for induction activities
to be organised for individual programmes
to help bond the group and build
relationships.
This year we organised for all our HE students to
attend an Induction event at either our Bridgwater or
Cannington Centre, with the hope that you would meet
other HE students from across the College. We have
also requested that Programme Managers arrange for
induction activities to take place for each course, allowing
you to become more familiar with the other students on
your course. Our Cannington Activity Centre proves to be
a favourite when it comes to team building activities.

12. 12 Air Your Views and Speak Out...email HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
HE STUDENTS
air your views and SPEAK OUT...
HE@bridgwater.ac.uk
We have created a confidential email address (see below) especially for you where you can
voice your opinion and make comments upon successful elements of your course and to
highlight any particular issues you may have.
We are particularly keen to hear from you about:
• What you do and don’t enjoy about studying at
Bridgwater College
• Items that are going well and less well for you
• Feedback on your assessed work and turnaround
times
• Exam and lesson timetables
• Queries in relation to the publication of end of year
results
• The opportunities available for HE students
• Any other points you wish to raise.
We will aim to respond to your email within three working days, please note this will not always possible, but we
will try our best. We will treat all emails in the strictest confidence and will resolve issues to the best of our ability.
We rely on your feedback to enhance the service we provide to our higher education students, so please help us
and email us. We look forward to hearing from you.