December 2010 - University of Worcester

COVER wELCOME STORYwelcomecontentsFEATUREStuart Pearce gives coachingmaster class 2COVER STORYWelcome to the final News &Views of 2010, featuring aroundup of news, achievements,launches and milestones fromthe past month at the University of Worcester.Not even the rain could dampen spiritsat this year’s Award Ceremonies. With arecord number of graduates and guests inattendance, pages 4-5 give you an illustratedoverview of some of the facts and figures.November was a busy month for hostinglectures and conferences including the InterFaith seminar, the Ethical Leadership conferenceand the 59 th Lovatt Lecture in Geography.The University of Worcester’s nursery,Unitots has won a silver award from thePromoting Healthy Practices in EarlyYears Programme.The programme is promoted by WorcestershireCounty Council and consists of six mainthemes; healthy eating, health related exercise,mental and emotional well-being, loss andchange, personal safety and child protection,staff health and well-being. Each inspectionaddresses two themes with awards varyingWe also welcomed a world-class footballer andthe President of the NUS to St. John’s campus.At a time when charity begins at home, theUniversity proudly announces WorcesterSnoezelen as our 2010/11 charity of the year.We hope as many colleagues as possible willbe able to join us on two December dates:the Carol Concert on Thursday 9 Decemberat Worcester Cathedral and the traditionalmulled wine and mince pies celebration on 16December from 4pm in main reception.We wish all colleagues a very happy holiday andan exciting new year ahead. Please keep sendingus your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.ukUNIVERSITY NURSERY SCOOPS SILVERAWARDfrom bronze for two themes, silver for fourthemes and gold for six themes.Unitots manager, Hazel Rutherford said: “I amreally pleased to have achieved the award andnow plan to work on the criteria for achievinggold to improve on the work we already do.We have current plans in place for our GreenImpact Team to maintain our environmentalsustainability alongside the children’s Christmasperformance.”Graduation 4newsUniversity Nursery scoops silveraward 3Environment students gainhands-on experience 6Bullying sucks! 6Library Review 6Influencing palliative care inSlovenia 7Pumpkin carving 7Lovatt lecture 7Students Recognise‘Outstanding’ Modules 8Redeveloping the web 8Visit from the NUS President 8Ethical Leadership Conference 9Supporting the NationalDementia Declaration 9Inter Faith seminar 9Payroll Management graduates 10Two gold medals at WorldMartial Arts Games 10Students lend a hand at LedburyPoetry Festival 10Charity of the Year: 2010/11 11University Professor lectures inthe US 11WBS to launch new MA 11Sensible spending at Christmas 12Student follows in footsteps ofBeatrix Potter 12Children in Need 12One campus - many sites 13Arena Race Night 13Partner College Honours 13Find the perfect Christmas gift 13newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / DECEMBER 2010 / 3

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FEATURE COVER STORYGraduationWorcester Cathedral was once again host to three daysof splendour as the class of 2010 graduated. Recordnumbers of students received their awards, includinggrandfather and granddaughter Horace and Zoe Coward,who celebrated their academic achievements together.Graduation a glanceAround 1850 graduates attendedOver 4800 guests attended, with over 3650watching at the Cathedral and 1150 watching abroadcast from the Yelland and Urwin lecture theatres20106 honorary awards were presented and 1University Fellowship conferredOver 800 postgraduate awards conferred,including PhDs (800 PG awards with 7 PhDs)6252 glasses of sparkling wine were consumed334 staff gowns were worn over the 3 days28 prizes presented to graduates107 coach trips made throughout the 3 daysnewsandviews@worc.ac.uk / DECEMBER 2010 / 5

NEWSEnvironment Students GainHands-On Experience withInternationalConsultancyFirmBullyingsucks!Thursday 18th November saw the returnof the “Bullying sucks!” campaign. Thecampaign was run by the StudentExperience team in Student services.The campaign was a fantastic success! Close to1000 badges and 600 lollipops were given outto both students and staff throughout the day,with badges being available at various pick uppoints around the University. There was a lot ofinterest in the campaign, as many students andstaff expressed their own experiences of bullying.Please continue to wear your badges allyear round to show your support. Bullyingcan happen to anyone at any time, andwe need to show bullies that they are nottolerated at the University of Worcester!SLR Consulting, one of the UK’sfastest growing environmentalconsultancies, moved theirregional office to Worcesterearlier this year, where the UKecology team is headed up byTechnical Director Mike Webb.Mike graduated from theUniversity of Worcester in 1991with a BSc (Hons) in BiologicalScience. “I always kept in touchwith my old ecology lecturer,Peter Alma, and following theCompany’s move to Worcester I sought opportunities to make stronger links with theUniversity science department,” he said.In the summer Mike invited several ecology students to assist SLR’s ecology team withongoing project work, which included bat surveys and dormouse surveys.Mike said: “The students, who gained valuable insight into the role of a professionalecologist, were paid the industry rate for their time and received relevant training.”Professor John Newbury, Head of the Institute of Science and the Environment, added:“The collaboration with SLR provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain real lifeexperience in monitoring the environment and putting into practice the skills that they areacquiring through our environmental courses. It will contribute to the high employabilityscores that University of Worcester students already obtain in national surveys.”Library Reviewto reviewWorcester Libraryand HistoryCentreILS staff members Dr Judith Keene and Roger Fairman have received confirmation thattheir article “Building an integrated work force through shared values: the WorcesterLibrary and History Centre” has been accepted by the peer reviewed journal ‘LibraryReview’, and will appear in Volume 60(3) in April 2011.University Community Development WorkersRobyn Andrews and Siobhan PerryThe article describes the need to integrate staff from the services who will be workingtogether in the WLHC. Staff workshops aimed at producing agreed core values wereused as a way of starting the process of integration and engaging all staff with the visionof the new library. The decision to focus on core values and to actively involve staff intheir development is explained with reference to other work on vision and values. Theformat of the workshops is described, and an overview given of the qualitative andquantitative feedback from staff at the workshops, which was used to assess the successof the approach and inform future work, which is briefly outlined. Roger and Judith areplanning to follow this article up with a longitudinal study to assess the impact andeffectiveness of the integration programme.6 / DECEMBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWSInfluencing palliativecare in SloveniaBrian Nyatanga delivers lecture series on the philosophy and practice of palliative care.Palliative care provision in Slovenia is in its embryonicstages, and is being developed based largely on the UKmodel. Slovenia is a small country with just over 2 millionpeople, and a member state of the European community.Brian Nyatanga, senior lecturer in the Institute of Health andSociety visited Maribor University in Slovenia in Sept 2010to deliver a series of lectures to students, fellow lecturersand clinicians on the philosophy and practice of palliativecare. Lectures were followed with discussions which helped toshare ideas and explain how services can be best developedto benefit dying patients. Further discussions took placeduring visits to hospitals, the health centre, hospice andnursing homes, where staff were keen to engage and learn.It was clear that, although the idea of palliative care isnow filtering through into Slovenia, there is no dedicatedtraining in palliative care. There are no accredited courseswhich leave the three hospice staff to go round clinicalareas holding seminars/workshops, but attendance atthese is poor, as it is not given the priority it deserves.This means dyingpatients may stillnot be receivingadequate pain andsymptom control andthe psychosocial carenecessary to helpthem adjust to theirterminal illness andimpending death.Brian Nyatanga delivering lectureAs a result ofthis visit, newopportunities for staff from Maribor to visit the UK palliativecare services were identified, and further visits by ourUniversity lecturers to Slovenia would be beneficial in shapingpalliative care developments. It is possible, with fundingpermitting, that some students from Slovenia could besupported to visit the University of Worcester and surroundingclinical areas to learn about aspects of palliative care.The University Community Development Workers(UCDWs) held a Pumpkin Carving Competitionand Ghost Walk on Thursday 28 th October.Pumpkins were given out to Students and theywere asked to bring them to the SU Social Space at6pm for judging. The winner Louisa Roberts statedthat she spent 2 ½ hours on her pumpkin design;an image of Freddy Krueger. It was fantastic tosee all of the different pumpkin designs broughtin by the students. All winners received points fortheir halls as part of the Community Spirit Games2010-2011 and a signed certificate of achievement.This event was followed by a Ghost Walk aroundthe Woodbury Building. Current Loco andSpotlight members teamed up with the UCDWsto put on a spook-tacular Halloween event,which went down a storm with many students.59 th Lovatt Lecturein Geography takes placeProfessor Russell King, who is Director of the Sussex Centre for MigrationResearch at the University of Sussex, delivered this year’s Lovatt Lecture inGeography on November 11th.This guest lecture is namedin honour of George Lovatt,the first Geographer to beappointed at Worcester.Professor King’s talk, entitledGeography and MigrationStudies: Retrospect andProspect, was the 59th inthe series. He presented Professor Russell King delivers 59th Lovatt Lecturean insightful overview ofthe evolution of migrationstudies and the role of Geographers in this. Drawing on his extensiveresearch experience in southern Europe, he discussed issues of mobility,transnationalism, diaspora and the meaning of home. Given the continuedimportance of migration and questions of belonging and identity, ProfessorKing suggested this is an exciting time for the study of this intrinsicallygeographical process.newsandviews@worc.ac.uk /DECEMBER 2010 / 7

NEWSStudents Recognise‘Outstanding’ ModulesStudents at the University of Worcester have nominated onemodule from each Institute as being inspirational.The Students’ Recognition Award for Promoting Learning waslaunched for the first time this year, to recognise individualmodules that best help students to learn.The winners in each Institute were:• Worcester Business School - The ContemporaryGlobal Systems module (BUSM3102),led by Dr Andrew Hale.• Institute of Education - Professional Studies(PITE2001), led by Rachel Barrel.• Institute of Health and Society - Personal andProfessional Development (FDEC 1001),led by Andrew Yorke.• Institute of Sport and Exercise Science - Sport &Disability (SPOR3005), led by Glyn Harding.• Institute of Science and Environment - Botany(BIOS2040), led by Lorraine Weaver.• Institute of Humanities and Creative Arts -LiteratureThrough the Twentieth Century (ENGL1111),led by Professor Jean Webb.Untanglingthe webThe project to redevelop the University of Worcesterwebsite is moving forward rapidly. If you would like tokeep up to date with progress please visit the blog athttp://uwwebsite.wordpress.com/Posts include pieces on the importance ofaccessibility, the extensive user testing we’re doingand an introduction to the project.To ensure that the new website represents the wholeUniversity, we want as many colleagues as possible toget involved in the project. A feedback button is nowat the bottom of most web pages, linking through toa questionnaire where you can provide your thoughtson the current and future site. Alternatively you canemail the redevelopment team direct viaweb@worc.ac.uk or leave a reply on the blog.Dr Ian Scott, Head of the University’s Academic Practice andDevelopment Unit, said: “The scheme allows students to havea voice in determining which practice is recognised and to givethe University insight into activities that are perceived as beingoutstanding at helping students to learn.”Students were asked to nominate modules that they consideredto inspire and support their learning. Nominations were thenconsidered by a panel and the panel’s recommendationssubmitted to the Vice Chancellor.Presidential VisitThe President of theNational Union ofStudents visited Worcesteras part of a tour of universitycampuses across England.Aaron Porter was invitedby Worcester Students’Union to meet studentsand staff, amid the currentfurore over tuition fees.NUS President, Aaron PorterHe took part in a questionand answer sessionwith Professor David Green, the University’s Vice Chancellor.“It’s great to have the opportunity to visit Worcester and to meet with studentsand the Vice Chancellor,” Mr Porter said. “I’m very impressed with what Ihave seen and the sense of community here at the University of Worcester.“This is the kind of university where students visit and canreally imagine themselves being incredibly happy.”Mr Porter spent time with Professor Green discussing the future fundingsituation for universities, including the proposed increased tuition fees.“There was a lot of common ground between myself and the ViceChancellor,” Mr Porter said. “We shared concerns about the scale ofthe cuts to universities and some elements of the Browne Review.”He added: “It’s refreshing to meet a Vice Chancellor who is as openmindedand knowledgeable about the depth of the funding issues,which I have not encountered at every university I have visited.”During the question and answer session, attended by both staff andstudents at the University of Worcester, Mr Porter and ProfessorGreen spoke about the proposals to increase tuition fees and itsimpacts on both potential students and universities alike.Sam Lewis, Worcester Students’ Union’s Vice President Educationand Welfare, chaired the session. He said: “It was great for Aaron tocome to Worcester and to meet the students and hear their concernsregarding the future of higher education and potential tuition feerises. The insight that Aaron gave to both students and staff, washelpful in that it gave a perspective to the cuts and fee rises thatmay have otherwise had gone unnoticed, if not for the visit.”8 / DECEMBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWSEthics Debated as University ofWorcester Launches Centre forEthical LeadershipThe University ’s Associationfor Dementia Studies signs upto the new National DementiaDeclarationThe Declaration, launched by the Department ofHealth and the Alzheimer’s Society in November,brings together 45 organisations all working toimprove the lives of people living with dementia.Professor Dawn Brooker, Director of the Association forDementia Studies, said: “The National Dementia Declarationis a really important step forwards in improving the lives of thethousands of people affected by dementia. It brings together themany organisations who are involved in delivering and influencingdementia care in England all signed up to a common set of values.“All signatories have outlined a set of actions moving forwards to2014. The Association for Dementia Studies is fully committedto working with others within the Dementia Action Alliance byproviding education, advice and research to improve the quality ofcare and support for people living with dementia and their families.”Created in partnership with people with dementia and theircarers, the National Dementia Declaration explains the hugechallenges presented to society by dementia and also identifiessome of the outcomes new awareness will help to achieve forpeople with dementia and their carers, including ensuring peoplewith dementia have choice and control over decisions about theirlives, to feeling a valued part of family, community and civic life.Signatories to the Declaration have published their own ActionPlans setting out what they each will do to secure these outcomesand improve the quality of life of people with dementia by2014. Organisations’ commitments include work to promotinginformation on dementia to councils and delivery of a nationalproject on the care of people with dementia in hospitals.For more information about the National DementiaDeclaration visit http://www.dementiaaction.org.ukSeminar Brings Faiths TogetherSpeakers from Islamic Relief and Christian Aid took part in aninter faith seminar discussing the ways in which faith groupsare working together to alleviate poverty around the world.University of Worcester Chaplain Rev Fiona Haworth said:“Hamayoon Sultan, Development Education Co-ordinator ofIslamic Relief, and Charlotte Marshall, Regional Manager ofChristian Aid West Midlands, spoke around the significant publicresponse to the appeal following the flooding in Pakistan.”Launch of the Centre forEthical LeadershipThe banking crisis, MP’s expensesand cuts in public spendinghave all brought the questionof ‘ethical leadership’ to theforefront.The University of Worcester haslaunched a new Centre for EthicalLeadership (CEL) to work withleaders regionally, nationally andinternationally, at different levelsand sectors to help them thinkabout decision making within anethical framework.Vice Chancellor, Professor DavidGreen, said: “Poor decision makingbased on flawed values has cost theCountry dear. Young people arepaying a particularly high price, even though they played no part inmaking the mistakes.“The University, in conjunction with our many partners in business,public life, voluntary organisations and society more generally,is deeply committed to finding better, more sustainable andfundamentally ethical ways forward. This Centre will provide a vitallyimportant place for discussion, debate and action.”Led by Rob Sykes, senior Fellow at the University and former ChiefExecutive of Worcestershire County Council, the Centre comesat a time when a number of high profile public issues have ethicaldilemmas at their heart.“It is widely recognised that the banking crisis was a failure ofleadership,” said Mr Sykes. “Many would say that at its heart, theproblem was that banks were pursuing short term profit rather thanlong term sustainability and if boards had been willing to wrestle withthese ethical issues it would almost certainly have led to a different setof decisions.”The Centre was launched with an inaugural conference on Friday,November 12, with the keynote speech delivered by Sir AndrewFoster, who recently chaired the Commission on the Future ofPublic Services. The conference also include a cross floor debatechaired by broadcast journalist John Stapleton, of ITV’s Daybreak.The Centre will enable leaders from different sectors to reflect ondecisions that acknowledge and respect contested values in areassuch as the environment, social justice and governance.It will provide sessions to enable leaders to develop their skills inthis area, develop and support networks of individuals to discussethical dilemmas and provide forums for discussion, stimulateand conduct research in the area of ethical leadership, and drawtogether and make available existing research.newsandviews@worc.ac.uk /DECEMBER 2010 / 9

NEWS114students receive Foundationdegree in PayrollManagementOn 15 October the graduation ceremony for the Foundation Degree in PayrollManagement, organised by the Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP), took place atThe Barbican, London.The course is a UW validated award delivered by Worcester College of Technologyand IPP, and is therefore a tri-partite collaborative programme. At the ceremony114 students were awarded their Foundation Degrees, for the largest collaborativeprogramme validated by the University. It has been described by one of UW’sExternal Examiners as: ‘one of the biggest FDs and the best applied managementprogramme in the country’.Celebrations at The BarbicanPsychology Student Channels MindPower to Win Two Gold Medalsfirst year psychologyA student at theUniversity of Worcesterscooped two gold and asilver medal at the WorldMartial Arts Games.Simon Price travelled toLas Vegas to representGreat Britain at the Gamesand walked away withthree medals. It was thefirst time he had beenselected for the GB squad.“I’m so pleased to have hadDouble gold-medalist, Simon Pricethe chance to go to theGames and to representmy country,” he said. “It was fantastic to then win two goldmedals in the individual events and a silver in the team event.”Nineteen-year-old Simon, of Wynall Lane, Stourbridge,started Jujutsu when he was five years old and is amember of Tai Jutsu Kai. He has competed at hundredsof competitions over the years but said the World MartialArts Games were the pinnacle of his fighting career.“It was really amazing,” he said. “The atmospherewas incredible. I’m really grateful to my club andmy Sensei Robert Tiene, who I could not have donethis without, and to Stourbridge College and DudleyCouncil who sponsored me to attend the Games.”“Next year it’s the European championships so I am hopingI will get a chance to go along there also,” he added.The course is delivered in 9 centres across the UK (Glasgow in the north to Londonin the south) and utilises a ‘Blended’ learning approach, using a Virtual LearningEnvironment to deliver all the supporting materials and two face to face days withtutors per module. This year was the first graduation for students who commencedthe newly validated programme in January 2008 and September 2008. Theprogramme currently has over 700 students registered going through the variousmodules and levels and it is the Payroll/Pensions industry standard qualification,contributing to staff Continuing Professional Development.Students Lend aHand at LedburyPoetry FestivalTwo University of Worcesterstudents gained valuableexperience working at this year’sLedbury Poetry Festival.Laura Miles and Jennifer Lewis wereselected to do voluntary work throughthe University’s partnership with theFestival.They carried out a number of duties,including drumming up stories for thepress office, arranging radio interviewsand working at the Box Office.Festival Director Chloe Garnersaid: “Laura and Jennifer were bothenthusiastic and committed. They tookon all the tasks that came their way andat times showed considerable initiativein handling certain requests from themedia.“Jennifer managed to set up a radio slamwith regional poets for BBC Herefordand Worcester at very short notice,which was very impressive.”Laura, a third-year English student, andJennifer, a third-year Journalism withMedia and Cultural Studies student,both applied for the roles to gain newexperiences.“It was fantastic,” said 34-year-oldLaura. “I really enjoyed the wholeexperience and learned a lot from it. Itreally made me think about the things Ican do with my degree.”Jennifer, age 31, added: “We both gotstuck in, helping out as much as we couldand I would like to think that we made adifference. I certainly enjoyed it and gota lot out of it.”The University of Worcester sponsoredthe Michael McClure opening event atthe Festival.There will be further opportunities forUniversity of Worcester students to getinvolved in the Festival next year.10 / DECEMBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWSWorcester SnoezelenSelected as University’s Charity of the Year10/11Worcester Snoezelen has been chosen as theUniversity of Worcester’s Charity of the Year.Staff voted to support the Charity, which is based in the groundsof the University, during the academic year 2010/11.Worcester Snoezelen is an independent charity which providesleisure and therapy facilities for people who have disabilities. Morethan 450 people regularly use their facilities, including multisensoryrooms, hydrotherapy, accessible music making, softplay areas, creative art opportunities and a sensory garden.Vice Chancellor Professor David Green said: “We are delighted tosupport such a worthy cause, and hope all staff and students will joinus in raising as much money as possible over the course of the year.”The University, together with the Students’ Union, will undertake arange of activities throughout the year to raise funds for the centre.Jane Roberts, Project Manager at Worcester Snoezelen, said: “Weare delighted that the University has nominated us as their charityof the year. We really hope this will help us to raise our profileover the coming year as well as some much needed funds.”Fundraising for last year’sUniversity of Worcester Charityof the Year, WorcestershireBreast Unit Campaign, includedcollections at University events,a cake sale, a pancake sale anda number of raffle draws. TheUniversity raised more than£4,000 for the Campaign.At the end of the year a cheque will be presented toWorcester Snoezelen for the total amount raised.University of WorcesterProfessor Lectures in the USProfessor Jean Webb, Director of the University’sInternational Research Centre for Children’s Literature,Literacy and Creativity, was invited to give a lectureat the Royal D. Alworth Institute for InternationalStudies at the University of Minnesota Duluth.In the lecture, Professor Webb demonstrated the ways inwhich children’s literature from a number of countries is anintegral part of the social system. The lecture wasrecorded for the local radio station KUMD.Spending a week at the University of Minnesota, ProfessorWebb said: “It was a most enjoyable and interesting visit.”A future collaboration between the two universities is now apossibility. Professor Webb said: “Faculty staff were very keen todevelop research and collaboration with Worcester in the future.”The Minnesota Duluth University has a student populationcomparable with Worcester.Along with her work at the University of Worcester, ProfessorWebb was an instigator and executive member of the NordicChildren’s Literature Research Network for the duration ofthis internationally funded project. She is also an executiveboard member of the Children’s Literature Association(ChLA), India and serves on the Executive Board for ChLA.Professor Webb is on the editorial board of numerousjournals including The Journal of Children’s LiteratureStudies, ChLA India and Children’s Literature in Education.Her research interests include children’s literature frominternational perspectives and both 19th and 20thcentury English and American children’s literature.Providing a multi-sensory environment.(clockwise from top) The sensory garden, the star tunnel, white room and hydrotherapy roomWBS to launch new MAWorcester Business School is launching an innovativeprogramme using accredited work-based learningwhich will provide participants with the skills andknowledge to tackle the real organisational issuesthey face in their current and future roles.It provides a means for those who might want an alternative to studyingpart-time for a more structured programme, such as an MA or MBA.The new part-time work-based MA Professional Practice programme is designedfor participants who are currently operating as managers, senior specialists,project leaders or professionals from the business, public or third sectors. It isalso highly appropriate for University personnel, particularly those who holdsuch positions indicated in UW Service departments, as well as Institutes.Dr David Collier of the Worcester Business School, who is leading thisprogramme, describes the nature of this approach,“Rather than starting with theory and then helping participants to try and apply itin their workplace, we start in a different way. On the MA Professional Practice wehelp participants to identify the key challenges, tasks, or objectives that they needto achieve in their current or future roles. Through the work-based projects theyfind real answers to real issues whilst acquiring the skills and knowledge which goeswith study at Masters level.”David is planning to launch the programme in early 2011, and would welcomeapplications from, or further discussions with, colleagues within the University.For more information please contactDr David Collier, Worcester Business School, University of Worcester, tel: 01905542239 or email: d.collier@worc.ac.uknewsandviews@worc.ac.uk /DECEMBER 2010 / 11

newsSensible spendingat ChristmasWednesday 8 th December10am-2pmStudents’ UnionInformation will be available on the real cost of credit andborrowing, how to budget and how to avoid spending therest of the year paying for Christmas. Welfare and financialadvisers will be on hand with information and advice.Plus – lots of freebies and the chance towin a chocolate filled piggy bank!This session is provided by the Welfare and FinancialAdvice Service, part of Student Services, workingin partnership with the Students’ Union.Student followsin the footsteps ofBeatrix PotterMarisa LewisMarisa Lewis has illustrated thecover of Big Big Secrets, a newchildren’s book written by RobertArley and published by SevernPIX.Marisa, of Warndon Villages, Worcester,is a third-year illustration studentat the University of Worcester.“It’s fantastic to have my illustrationspublished,” she said. “I illustrated thecover and also did some drawings inside.To see it in print is really wonderful.”Twenty-year-old Marisa’s love of illustration startedas a child reading Beatrix Potter books.“I loved the pictures and used to copy them all the time,” shesaid. “To be able to capture people’s imaginations in that way andinspire people is something I hope my work will do one day.”Big Big Secrets is a comic adventure set in Worcester and followstwo schoolchildren trying to reverse a crazy experiment.Piet Grobler, Course Leader forIllustration is himself an awardwinningillustrator. He said: “In thevery competitive environment ofbook illustration, it is an exceptionalachievement to get published – letalone before one has even graduated.”Marisa is now working ona commission for FrancesLincoln Publishers to illustrateanother book cover.For more information on Big BigSecrets visit www.severnpix.co.ukor www.bigbigsecrets.comChildren in NeedThank you to all colleagues who generously contributed towards the Children in Need cake sale and raffle. In total£1235 was raised. The event took place across the St John’s and City Campuses and in the Students’ Union.Thank you again to all those who baked, bought and sold – this is a magnificent total.12 / DECEMBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

newsOne campus, many sitesA reminder to colleagues based at St Johns thatrooms may be booked at City for meetings whenthey are not in use for teaching.There are well equipped, large seminar rooms inCharles Hastings as well as a 24 seat meeting roomin Mulberry House. (The room in Mulberry Houseis not accessible for someone in a wheelchair).Bookings may be made through Timetabling, andit is a great way of enabling colleagues who mightotherwise not have a natural reason to visit City,to see the facilities and activity going on.Colleagues who are moving between St Johns and Cityhave the use of hot desking facilities at St Johns in BB222and HB1001 as well as the wireless network across thecampus. At City, staff have access to the wireless network,which extends across the site including the café.arena race nightoff TO A GALLOPINGSTARTRACE GOERS ENJOYED A DASHING EVENING AT THEUNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER’S FIRST RACE NIGHT.The prize-filled event wasorganised to raise money for thenew university and communityWorcester Arena. Almost 120guests and staff attended whoall contributed to the greatatmosphere and the impressivesum of £3,905 raised for the Arena.The official event sponsor,Worcester Racecourse, and theEnjoying a flutter at Race Nightrace sponsors, provided somefantastic prizes. The University was also fortunate to receive some great gifts donatedto the raffle by local businesses, sports clubs and theatres.The night was such a success that it will now become an annual event.Meeting and seminar rooms available at City CampusBeth Heaney, Alumni and Development officer, and event organiser, said: “I would liketo thank the sponsors and everyone who attended for making it such a fun night. I wouldalso like to give special thanks to the University’s President of the College of FellowsJohn Yelland OBE for acting as chief bookmaker and Alumni Association member MuffMurfin who donated his time as the compere for the evening and did a great job of gettingeveryone geed up.”Partner College HonoursThe Education and Training team who teach our Foundation Degree in Learning Support at Hereford College of Technology have recently beenawarded ‘Highly Commended’ honours in the LSIS 2010 STAR awards in the Workforce Development category. For more information contactChristine Robertson at HCT (email: RobertsonC@hct.ac.uk)Struggling to find the perfect gift this Christmas?Buying a commemorative brick or stone in the Worcester Arena Wall canmake a perfect present for a friend or loved one, and it’s a gift that youcan guarantee won’t be thrown to the back of the wardrobe along withthe musical tie and unwanted smellies.With Buy a Brick you can leave a permanentmessage to celebrate the success of 2010, lookto the future for 2011 or pay a lasting tributeto a loved one. Better still, the money from thegift contributes to building the new Universityand community Worcester Arena.To buy a Christmas brick all you need to do is fill in the form available fromthe finance office and return it to the finance office. They will give you theattached Buy a Brick Christmas card for you to send to your recipient witha gift envelope.For further information please contact Beth Heaneyb.heaney@worc.ac.uk (ext. 2273).newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / DECEMBER 2010 / 13