<p>Last week, our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>students visited the Bristol Hippodrome to gain work experience photographing the performing arts venue. They photographed both the interior and exterior as well as the staff at work.</p><p>This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to gain valuable, hands-on experience, learning more about Press photography, portraiture, and working within creative arts in a popular and well-known venue.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Photography students sat on the steps of the Bristol Hippodrome smiling&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cb37b837-2633-4987-b6c8-644274e53710" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>During the visit, students received a tour of the building, got a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for the performance, War Horse, where they were warming up vocals and fitness, and met members of the Bristol Hippodrome staff.</p><p>The day began with the students capturing some interior photography of the bar, lounge, auditorium and foyer areas to take promotional photos of the venue using the correct lighting, angles and camera modes.</p><p>Following lunch in the Grand Bar, the students then shot more photos from the exterior of the building which was a great way for students to learn to adapt between natural and artificial lighting.</p><p>Not only did they learn about the different settings required for public venues, but they also got to consider how to be more discrete when taking photos in such a high-profile environments, making sure to capture up-close and detailed photos without causing disruption or distractions.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Student standing taking a photograph in the auditorium&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eab32247-6838-4fe4-8d8b-d5c0393844b2" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>During the day they improved their compositional techniques when framing their photographs which allowed them to achieve a variety of shots and develop their portfolios.&nbsp;</p><p>Sam Brooks, one of our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>lecturers at Weston College, expressed the impact that this experience had on the students’ personal and professional development, saying, “This opportunity introduced our students to high-profile client work with a leading Performing Arts venue. It provided them with invaluable practical experience and the chance to network within a dynamic industry that has a high demand for talented photographers — one we hope to collaborate with again in the future.”</p><p>Thank you to the Bristol Hippodrome for accommodating our students and giving them this fantastic opportunity.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… you’re interested in applying to one of our Photography or Media courses, click here.</a></p><p>This curriculum trip forms part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">As the academic year draws to a close, students from <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… &amp; Social Care</u></a> came together for an in-house Sports Day, organised by the Year 2 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… 3 Sport Coaching</u></a> cohort.&nbsp;</p><p>The event brought plenty of energy, teamwork, and laughter as students competed in a variety of traditional sports day activities, including the egg-and-spoon race, sack race, wheelbarrow race, three-legged race, sprints, baton relays, and an intense game of tug-of-war to round off the day.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students running with batons in the relay&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cd10a3cd-2ca0-4730-897c-c82abfa1010e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Participation was enthusiastic across both departments, with students and staff getting fully involved to earn points for their teams. While some approached the competition with fierce determination and others embraced the fun more casually, the atmosphere remained light-hearted and supportive throughout and provided a much-needed break from the pressures of exam season.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… &amp; Social Care</u></a> students added extra spirit by turning up in colour-coordinated outfits, complete with handmade signs and pom poms to cheer on their teams. Their enthusiasm created a sense of community and excitement that kept energy levels high all day.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Group of Health and Social Care students wearing purple and holding pom poms&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e76e595-4add-4803-9265-a89951c33809" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Group of Health and Social Care students wearing green holding supportive posters&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b391365-5225-4316-aa86-6831018e6ed4" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… 3 Coaching</u></a> students took on the role of organisers and judges, carefully tracking results and awarding medals to the top three competitors in each event. The day finished with an awards ceremony where the overall winning team was presented with a trophy, celebrating not just athletic success but also teamwork and enthusiasm.&nbsp;</p><p>Flynn, one of the Year 2 Level 3 Coaching students who helped with the organisation of the event, shared the impact of this day on his education, saying, “As a Weston College student, I felt that this event was a really good way for students to take part in an enjoyable, well planned out, first Weston College sports day. Not only was it good for those who participated, but it was also a great way for our Sports Coaching team to practice and learn how to organise a successful event.&nbsp;</p><p>We did have to change the day due to unfortunate weather, redirecting it to the Sports Hall, which was a great lesson of adaptability for our future coaching journey. However, overall, it was a massive success and will become an annual event from now on for the college as it was a great practical lesson for us which helped with our assessments.”&nbsp;</p><p>Dan Lomax, Curriculum Co-ordinator for <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; at Weston College, praised the efforts of the organising students, saying, “The <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… 3 Coaching</u></a> students did an excellent job planning and delivering such a fantastic event. Despite the challenge of moving indoors due to poor weather, they adapted seamlessly and kept morale high. It was brilliant to see both Health and Sport learners enjoying the day together, celebrating the end of a hard-working year. They’ve all been a pleasure to teach, and it was great to see them support each other and fully embrace the day’s challenges.”&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Three relay teams standing on the celebratory podium&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e0520ab-1c0d-4e48-8fe7-a8ba132eba5b" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Congratulations to the Year 2 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; students for delivering a memorable event that displayed great examples of teamwork, encouragement, and celebration.&nbsp;</p><p>This event forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… &amp; Social Care</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Hi, I’m Tom, a Year 1 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin… 3&nbsp;Business BTEC</a> student at Weston College. My course gave me the opportunity to go on an amazing trip to New York City, where we made lots of memories, gained a greater insight into the industry and experienced many new things. Both my course and this trip have benefitted me greatly due to the range knowledge I have gained and the opportunities I have received like the trip to New York which I will discuss below!&nbsp;</p><p>The New York trip was across 5 days, exploring the sights around Manhattan and no day was the same, every day was filled with new landmarks, attractions and memories. We went to Times Square, The Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, The 9/11 Memorial and many more. We also had an even balance of free time, which gave us all time to try American food and experience things that are once in a lifetime.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Panorama photograph of Times Square taken by Tom&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0b084d5-9c23-49b9-8ca8-5feac6d7728c" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The memories started when we landed in New York and headed through JFK airport, and whilst waiting for other students at security, we saw Mike Tyson! It was a memorable start to the trip as he met everyone there, including the students.&nbsp;</p><p>Once we’d unpacked our bags, we took to Times Square and were in awe of the American nightlife, particularly the tall buildings and billboards, and the huge amount of people. It even began to snow! We then got food, did some shopping and explored the area. My friends and I went to Raising Canes for the first time (now a group favourite of ours) and we were greeted by the queue reaching the door, they even had a live DJ!&nbsp;</p><p>The next day, we went to visit the Statue of Liberty! We got on the island and took a group photo, and we explored the area, grabbed some food, looked around the museum, and then went to Ellis Island where we learned about its historical significance around immigration. We then had a snowball fight between first- and second-year students! Later in the day, we walked to Chinatown where everyone explored the rich culture, before heading to the Brooklyn Bridge. That night we went out to Times Square again, shopped for souvenirs and got the famous New York Pizza!&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Polaroid photograph of Tom and his friends&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9353d7e1-359f-42be-ba06-1ed07c858d39" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Our third day was extremely busy, we walked past the Ghostbusters Building before an impactful visit to the 9/11 memorial where we learnt more about the attacks, saw exhibits, viewed real pieces of the salvaged towers before finishing with an emotional video. This was a very powerful and insightful part of the trip. We then had free time around the area, so of course we went to an American McDonalds!&nbsp;</p><p>After this, we went to Wall Street for our guided tour with our extremely eccentric tour guide, Jared, which made the tour a lot more engaging due to his wisdom and quirkiness. The tour taught us a lot about the history of Wall Street, banking and so much more. That night, we walked around Rockefeller centre and got Chick Fill A as a group.&nbsp;</p><p>The following day, we went up the Empire State Building, walked around the exhibits, and took some pictures from the very top. Since it was Valentine’s Day, we witnessed four proposals which made the experience a lot more wholesome! I even bought a Lego set of some iconic NYC buildings from the gift shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>After this, we had some more free time, so my friends and I split a pizza together and did some shopping before heading to Central Park and 5th avenue. By this point in the trip, we were doing 25,000 steps per day and my feet couldn’t take it, so I got a taxi back to the hotel and rested for a bit before rejoining the group later, feeling a lot better.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>That night, we heard rumours that it was the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, so we rushed down to Rockefeller Centre where we stood in the audience and saw Jimmy Fallon walk outside!&nbsp;</p><p>On the fifth and final day, we visited the Highline, an abandoned railway line which has been converted into a footpath, before visiting the market below which was full of interesting shops and places to eat. We then headed to our meetup point, the Vessel, where I had a look in the Ray Bans store and, after long consideration, I bought a pair of Meta Ray Bans which allowed me to get some immersive pictures and videos in Times Square!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Unfortunately, it was time to get ready for our flight back to London. Once we landed and got off the plane, we headed for the coach back to college, and throughout the coach trip, there was good vibes the whole way, trying to remain on the trip as long as we could, but sadly, after 5 days and 120,000 steps later, we were back at college, where our loved ones were waiting.&nbsp;</p><p>This trip was an amazing opportunity to learn about international Business, and Travel &amp; Tourism, whilst trying new experiences and making friends and memories along the way. This is not the only trip offered by Business and Travel &amp; Tourism! Other trips include Alton Towers, Mendip Activity Centre, becoming a British Airways Cabin Crew member and many more.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin… you would like to apply to one of our Business courses, click here.</u></a></p>