UCOL BLOG

UCOL has the most popular Facebook page of all of the country’s polytechnics – with more than 3,500 followers.

The big ‘following’ includes users from UCOL’s regions – Manawatu, Whanganui and the Wairarapa – as well as from 19 countries throughout the world, and the explosion of interest has far exceeded expectations.

Launched only a year ago, the page has quickly generated a thriving community of present, past and potential students, UCOL staff and supporters and other interested people. It is particularly popular with UCOL students and high school students – 35% of followers are aged 17 years or younger.

Chief Executive Paul McElroy says it’s great that so many people are interacting with UCOL via Facebook, especially students. “Social media sites like Facebook provide great opportunities for students to network, interact, provide feedback and share ideas with each other while they are studying at UCOL: We know that’s a valuable part of their study experience and their success.

Read More: “UCOL Facebook attracts thousands”…

Seven trades students with associations with UCOL have achieved medal placings in the National Worldskills competitions held last month.Six of the competitors were part of the Central Region team selected after the regional finals held earlier in the year. Held in Christchurch, the National Worldskills competition decides who will represent New Zealand at the International WorldSkills in London next year.

William Taylor was placed first in the Light Fabrication section regionally and went on to win gold at the Nationals. He was also awarded the best competitor from the Central North Island region.

William attended UCOL’s Pre-trade Fitting and Welding Level 2 in 2006 and graduated in 2007.

He served his apprenticeship at Etech in Palmerston North during which he attended both night classes and Block courses at UCOL.

Andrew Watson won the Gold at the Nationals in Carpentry.

Read More: “UCOL shares in Worldskills success”…

An outdated Toyota Corolla will be given a final chance of glory by a team of UCOL Panel and Paint students early in November.

The car will carry the hopes of the students and their lecturers as it competes in the Ramp Derby at a Speedway meeting in Palmerston North on 6 November.

Similar to a Demolition Derby, a ramp derby has an added challenge: cars have to clear a small ramp each lap. Ultimately it is a race of survival – last car moving is the winner.

The Corolla was plucked from the wrecker’s yard and the driver will be drawn from the students working on the project.

UCOL Panel and Paint Lecturer Kelvin Lowndes says the chance to drive the UCOL entry in the Derby is a great incentive for the students to get involved in the project. “The students who have put the work in on the course and have contributed to the project will be the ones in the draw.”

With driver safety paramount in his mind, Kelvin has designed the ‘ultimate roll cage’, a kit-set safety cell that can be removed from the demolished vehicle and re-used.

Read More: “From wrecker’s yard to derby glory?”…

The parts he wants are currently played by Robert Downey Jr and Johnny Depp. But after 30 minutes in Cole’s company, you’re confident they’ll be his in ten years’ time. Cole, aged 17, has just been named Emerging Artist of the Year in the Student City Arts and Cultural Awards. He was nominated by his lecturer on the UCOL Performing Arts Programme, Jaime Dorner.

“He’s brilliantly talented,” says Jaime. “But almost equally important, he’s determined to get to the top as an actor. He has a career plan and he sets out to find opportunities to further his acting, beyond what we ask him to do on the programme. You need that sort of drive, as well as talent, to succeed as an actor.”

Cole can act, sing, dance, read poetry. He has used all of those skills recently in local productions, including the lead role in Moscow Ticket, and appearances in Slice of Saturday Night and Papa e rangi. He will appear in an upcoming production of Chess in Palmerston North.

He says he wants to use every opportunity to gain experience and improve his skills. That includes repeating UCOL’s six month Performing Arts programme, doing it twice this year “as a chance to get an even better grasp of the essentials.”
After he completes his UCOL study he intends to look for work as an actor in Auckland or Wellington before applying to attend Toi Whakaari, the New Zealand Drama School, when he turns 18. He also wants to study acting for film.

In the longer term, he is fixed on a single goal: To be a great film actor.
Cole was born and raised in Feilding and attended Feilding High. He says he has wanted to be an actor since he was seven years old. He was named Emerging Artist of the Year at the Student City Cultural Awards event held at the Globe Theatre on 10 October.

Artrageous 2010 promises to challenge, amuse and enthrall, judging by the exhibition titles.
With intriguing titles like Stiletto, Gumboot and a Jandal and Money in my Pocket and My Clothes are Clean, visitors to the annual showcase of Whanganui UCOL’s artistic community are in for a treat.
Graduation exhibitions in fine arts, glass, computer graphic design and a spectacular graduation fashion show at the Royal Opera House will feature the students’ many and varied talents.

A Bourgeois Spectacle: From 6 November
The Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduation Exhibition is the culmination of four years of study and countless hours in the studio for the students. Their works will be displayed in the Edith Gallery and locations around the UCOL campus.

Stiletto, Gumboot and Jandal: From 6 November
The Federal Gallery will host the works of the Graduate Diploma – Fine Arts students.

In Transit: From 6 November
The graduands of the Diploma in Glass Design and Production showcase their works at the Federal Gallery.

We made it: From11 November
An exhibition of works created by Certificate in Art and Design students. Read More: “State of Artrageous”…

An expected field of more than 200 riders from 24 schools, from as far afield as Murchison and Mercury Bay, will contest this year’s New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Mini Moto Grand Prix at Manfeild Park later this month.

The Grand Prix field has at least doubled in size each year since its inaugural meeting in 2008.
Palmerston North UCOL is a major sponsor for the event and current Motorsport students will act as flag marshals. Motorsport Lecturer Lance Funnell says, “UCOL is proud to sponsor this event which helps us build links with secondary schools as well as providing students with an opportunity to continue their trade training with us”.

The competition may have grown exponentially but the size of the machines remains at 50cc.
The students are supplied with a $380 kit that delivers wheels, an engine and brakes. Their challenge is to design and build a competitive 50cc racing mini-bike. Some students have built side car racing bikes with larger engines for double the racing experience.

Their racing mettle and engineering skills are then tested on the main circuit at the Manfeild Park track.
The students earn NCEA credits for their endeavours.

The Grand Prix will take place over three days with scrutineering and registration on the first day and racing on the second and third days.

Racing for the top schools racing competition is being overseen by Motorcycling New Zealand.
The annual event takes place at the Manfeild racing complex in Feilding on 18 – 20 October. $2 entry.