<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This month, Weston College celebrated <strong>Raising and Giving (RAG) Week</strong> with the theme of the Wild West. The themed event gave everyone the chance to organise games, activities, and raffles in support of two incredible charities: <strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> and <strong>UNICEF</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> provides vital palliative care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, while also offering essential emotional support to their families. <strong>UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)</strong> operates in over 190 countries, working to protect children’s rights through initiatives such as vaccinations, education, access to food and clean water, and safeguarding.&nbsp;</p><p>Throughout the week, students from across the college took part in a wide variety of fundraising activities, showcasing teamwork, creativity, and community spirit. RAG Week is held annually at colleges across the UK and is a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved, have fun, and make a difference ahead of the exam season.&nbsp;</p><p>Our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; learners played a huge role in the week’s success, hosting an exciting lineup of events including a dance-a-thon, Mario Kart tournaments, Buckaroo and Pony Club racing, karaoke sessions, and even a Wild West-themed bar serving snacks and drinks. Their energy and commitment were outstanding, with multiple events taking place each day.&nbsp;</p><p>Other curriculum areas also embraced the challenge, with <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; students going above and beyond by selling scrap wood and organising a raffle featuring high-quality tools. Across the college, staff and students fully embraced the theme, dressing up in cowboy hats, bandanas, and plenty of denim. The Student Engagement Team added to the atmosphere by selling themed accessories, helping to raise additional funds while encouraging participation.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services</u></a> students also organised an impressive 30-mile Wild West-themed stretcher relay challenge along the seafront. This provided a great opportunity for students to have fun, stay active, and support two meaningful causes, as well as prepare them for the upcoming Ten Tors Challenge and future careers in the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services</u></a> industry. &nbsp;</p><p>A highlight of the week was the college-wide raffle, which included a range of popular prizes such as day passes and tickets to local attractions, including restaurants, cinemas, and activity centres. Bake sales were also held to boost fundraising efforts.&nbsp;</p><p>Other curriculum areas across the college also got involved, with <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</u></a> students enjoying a pyjama day, while <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave…; students organised a games afternoon and football match. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… and Social Care</u></a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; students hosted a Nerf gun tin can alley and a rodeo rush event, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; students led a Pokémon GO raid walk through Weston-super-Mare town centre.&nbsp;</p><p>Overall, the week brought together students and staff from every campus, creating an exciting, inclusive, and impactful celebration of community and charity. In total, RAG Week raised an impressive&nbsp;£3,723.98 for <strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> and <strong>UNICEF</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p>Thank you to everyone who organised events, took part, or made a donation. Your support made the week such a success and helped raise an incredible amount for these important causes.</p><p data-pm-slice="0 0 []"><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="0 0 []">&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sport students were recently given a unique opportunity to experience the inner workings of elite football during a behind-the-scenes visit to <a href="https://www.bcfc.co.uk/"><strong>Bristol City Football Club</strong></a> on a busy matchday at <strong>Ashton Gate Stadium.</strong></p><p>The visit offered learners an exclusive insight into the club’s <strong>performance analysis environment,</strong> providing a valuable glimpse into the professional standards and practices required at the highest level of the sport. Students were able to engage with industry professionals and gain a deeper understanding of how analysis supports team performance on matchdays.</p><p>Luke Morgan, a former Weston College learner who now works as an Analyst at Bristol City FC, made a strong impression on the group by showcasing the opportunities available within the sports industry, helping to build the learner's ambition, raise standards and show them what is possible if they are prepared to work for it.</p><p>Dan Pratlett, Head of Sport, said: <em>“We’re really grateful to Luke for giving up his time on a busy matchday to give our learners such a valuable insight. Opportunities like this help learners understand the real standards of elite sport and motivate them to push themselves towards careers in the industry.”</em></p><p>A huge thank you to Luke Morgan and the wider team at Bristol City FC for their time and support in delivering such an impactful experience. The visit highlights the importance of industry links in enhancing education and inspiring the next generation of sport professionals.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="Luke at Bristol City FC" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8bc19644-453f-4e5a-a61c-e7305932893b" 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><drupal-entity alt="The players changing room at Bristol City FC" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6695ed0f-5388-4ed5-aea3-810c1efffa6e" 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>Recently, our Sport learners attended an inspiring guest lecture delivered by Luke Morgan, <strong>First Team Football Analyst </strong>at <a href="https://www.bcfc.co.uk/"><strong>Bristol City Football Club</strong>.</a> Luke is a former Weston College student, having previously studied the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science.</strong></a></p><p>In his current role at Bristol City FC, Luke is responsible for observing, filming, and analysing the team’s technical and tactical performance. A key part of his role involves analysing upcoming opposition to help inform game plans and tactical decisions, as well as reviewing Bristol City’s own training sessions and match performances. On match days, Luke works from within the stadium, providing real-time video clips and performance insights to coaches and players to support immediate review and improvement.</p><p>During the lecture, Luke spoke in detail about his career journey since leaving Weston College. This included progressing to university, completing a placement year that sparked his interest in performance analysis, and subsequently undertaking an MSc in Performance Analysis at the University of Gloucestershire. Luke highlighted his placement year as a pivotal moment in his development, as it helped him identify the area of sport he was most passionate about and ultimately led him to his current role at Bristol City FC.</p><p>Luke led engaging discussions and practical activities, such as identifying KPIs to measure team performance across different types of sports, all of which emphasised the value of gaining experience across a wide range of roles within the sports industry. He made it clear to the learners that many career opportunities may not become apparent until you gain hands-on experience, encouraging students to keep an open mind, think carefully about their next steps, and avoid specialising too early in order to explore different areas of sport before committing to a specific career pathway.</p><p>A huge thank you to Luke for delivering such an informative and motivating session, and for inspiring our learners with his journey and expertise.</p><p>This programme forms part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… &amp; Fitness</u></strong></a><strong> </strong>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><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege/video/7595971309297962242&quot; data-video-id="7595971309297962242"><section><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?refer=embed&quot; target="_blank" title="@westoncollege">@westoncollege</a> Weston College alumnus Luke Morgan, now a First Team Football Analyst for @bristolcityfc <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-WestonCollege-7595971339471…; target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - WestonCollege">♬ original sound - WestonCollege</a></p></section></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script></p&gt;