Coleg Sir Gâr’s graduation ceremony this year celebrated a record success rate of graduates gaining top results in their degrees and post-graduate qualifications.

In partnership with University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), the college offers a wide range of programmes at higher education level, from counselling to construction management.

Councillor Meryl Gravell was awarded the college fellowship and the conferment of awards was presented by Mike Phillips, Pro-Vice Chancellor, UWTSD. 

Around 375 students graduated this year at an event which saw over 1000 family and friends celebrate at Parc y Scarlets.

Celebrating entrepreneurial success, competition winners of the Beacon Bursary and the Llanelli Old Boys Grammar and Graig Comprehensive Association Bursary were also presented at the event.

Mike Williams, assistant principal at Coleg Sir Gâr said: “Once again we had a wonderful day of celebration at Parc Y Scarlets recognising the hard work of all our graduates and their families in supporting learning and there were so many smiles from family members.  

“Developing higher level skills is such an important part of what we do as a college and university partner and vital for our regional economy.”  

Click on the picture for more photos from the day

Coleg Sir Gâr’s Animal Studies Centre has achieved outstanding results in their university level programmes as 57% of students have graduated this year with first class honours.

The BSc animal behaviour and welfare course, which prepares graduates for careers including conservation and animal behaviour management, is available to study full or part-time, enabling people already working in the industry to access higher education for professional development.

The course provides the opportunity to study animal behaviour, physiology and welfare and looks at how evolutionary adaptations and environmental stimuli can impact on survival, behaviour and health. The study of animal behaviour has been applied to improving training, care and welfare management of animals, and is also being used more frequently in conservation projects of local indigenous and worldwide endangered species.

The centre, based at the college’s Pibwrlwyd campus in Carmarthen, also offers a foundation degree in animal science.  In addition to mandatory study, the programme encourages student research in relation to current issues of animal management, ethics, legislation and environmental change.

To find out more about studying animal related courses at Coleg Sir Gâr, contact admissions@colegsirgar.ac.uk or 01554 748179.

A summer course at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Gelli Aur campus is attracting students from all over Europe and the UK.

The Welsh farm veterinary taster course is the only course of its kind in Wales and this year it’s hosted participants from Belgium, France, England and Wales.  

It’s open to 16 to 25 year-olds considering a career in veterinary medicine within the agricultural industry and co-hosted by the Royal Veterinary College.

Coleg Sir Gâr has a leading reputation for its agricultural provision and using local farms for home stays, participants are offered an extensive itinerary which explores local farms, how farm vets work in the agricultural industry, nutrition, parasites, lameness, pathology and bacteriology. They are also introduced to current students from Royal Veterinary College. 

Dairy Development Centre manager John Griffiths with support from Ann Owen of Coleg Sir Gâr’s farm services, organise the annual event with Dr Neil Paton and Lesley Grifith from the Royal Veterinary College.  Ann Owen said: “It’s a great opportunity for aspiring veterinary surgeons and over recent years, the course has attracted people from as far as Japan and Dubai.”

PICS: Participants from Coleg Sir Gâr’s Welsh farming and veterinary taster course including French and Belgian students exploring farms in Carmarthenshire

Students at Coleg Sir Gâr are once again celebrating on achieving an excellent set of A-level results.

The percentage of A* - E grades was again extremely high at 98%, with 22 out of 29 subjects posting a 100% pass rate.

Students on the A-level Academic, Cultural, Excellence (ACE) programme achieved outstanding results with three out of four examination entries yielding either an A* or A grade, enabling them to go to their first choice of university, including those within the Sutton 30 Group.

Head of A-levels and Access, Mrs Vanessa Cashmore, said: “We are delighted at the success of our students and this reflects the hard work and effort of students and staff over the last two years of study at the college.

“On behalf of all staff at the college we wish our learners every success as they go to the very best universities across the United Kingdom and into employment.”

Matthew Howells, a former Coedcae Comprehensive School student obtained an A* grade in mathematics, an A in further maths, an A in history and an A in law. Matthew is hoping to study maths at Cardiff University.

Former St John Lloyd pupil and Coleg Sir Gâr Student Union President and Corporate Board Member, Siôn Davies, who obtained an A in Welsh, an A in biology and a B in English language and literature is going to Manchester University to study politics, philosophy and economics.

Coedcae student Patrick Irwin is going to Birmingham University to study engineering after obtaining an A* grade in further mathematics, an A in maths, an A in chemistry and an A in physics.
Budding anthropologist Ella Bailey from Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen obtained an A* in geography, an A in world development and a B grade in history and will be going to university to continue her studies.

Sophie Joseph, a former Bryngwyn student is going to study law at university after obtaining an A grade in sociology, an A in history and an A in law.
Mr Barry Liles, Coleg Sir Gâr Principal, said: “It is great to see our students performing consistently well and to a high standard.

“Performances in A-level mathematics and geography are particularly strong this year.

“These A Level results along with an equally strong performance in the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate qualification will see our learners continue to progress to the very best universities and their chosen careers.

“High grades on vocational programmes coupled with tremendous success in national skills competitions will enable vocational learners to progress to university, higher level apprenticeships and future employment.

“This year’s excellent performance on academic and vocational courses reflects the progression of students from the strong foundations laid in partner schools in Carmarthenshire and beyond. On behalf of the college, I wish them the very best for the future.”

Photos

A computing student who aced his A-levels at Coleg Sir Gâr has received a university scholarship as a result of his grades and top marks for a computer programming project.

Christopher Evans picked-up his A-level results to find two A* and an A grade for applied ICT, computing and business studies. This immediately secured his place at Swansea University with an excellence scholarship to study a degree in computer science.

As part of his course, Christopher completed and extended project which received an impressive and unprecedented 100 per cent using his skills in investigation, code, design and testing, which was scrutinised by an external moderator.

Christopher Evans, who won a Skills Competition Wales gold award for IT Solutions for Business, on his course said: “I’m so pleased with my results which I put down to the high standard of teaching and support I received from the college, I’m very thankful and it’s been an amazing two years.”

Daniel Davies, Coleg Sir Gâr computing lecturer added: “We are massively proud of Christopher’s achievements.”

Two A-level students at Coleg Sir Gâr have proved how sporting achievement can be reached alongside academic study as they ace their A-levels with the support of the college’s sports academy.

Lloyd Pike achieved an A* and two A grades in his A-level results and is preparing to study law at Cardiff University.  Lloyd achieved the level of rugby academy team captain for the first team and achieved a cap for the Wales U18s rugby team as well as playing for the Wanderers.

Joshua Broadhurst achieved 2A* grades and a B which resulted in a place at University of Bath to study engineering.  Josh played for the first and development rugby academy teams whilst at college and plays for Felinfoel RFC.

Euros Evans, from Coleg Sir Gâr’s rugby academy said: “Academy sessions are aligned with student timetables so they don’t impact on academic activities. 

“To achieve top grades such as these and reach the standard of a national rugby team is particularly commendable.”

The sports academy is open to all students who want to pursue a sports career and they are automatically given access to tailored conditioning, nutrition and strengthening sessions.
 

Pic: Lloyd Pike (left) and Joshua Broadhurst ace their A-levels and achieve sporting success through Coleg Sir Gâr’s rugby academy. They are pictured with Nikki Neale, Llanelli campus and faculty director.

Coleg Sir Gâr computing graduate Carwyn Thomas from Bryn, Llanelli, has praised his tutors for a university education he studied at college.

Now armed with a BSc first class honours degree in computing after graduating in July, Carwyn initially joined a full-time course after school, opting for the vocationally-led level three National Diploma course, now known as an Extended Diploma. 

With employability skills in high demand, the 22 year-old took the opportunity of an apprenticeship in IT whilst studying to degree level.  “I enjoy engaging and discussing with my lecturers,” he said.  “It’s more personal than being at a university as the volume of students are less.”

Focussed on a career involving web design, Carwyn Thomas added: “I’m glad that I elected to do my degree at Coleg Sir Gâr rather than at university as I enjoyed discussing and having conversations with my lecturers, rather than being in a lecture theatre taking notes in a big group.

“I will miss going to college after being there for six years but I look forward to the future, taking what I have learned with me.”

“Carwyn is an example of a thorough progression from leaving Ysgol Gyfun y Strade to gaining his degree with us and he’s been a fantastic student all the way through," said Denise Hudson, Coleg Sir Gâr computing lecturer.  "The college offers the degree in partnership with University of Wales Trinity Saint David and we were thrilled to see Carwyn as part of our graduation ceremony this year.”

Rachel Evans graduated from Coleg Sir Gâr with a first class honours degree in computing and is now working for a software development company in Swansea.

With aspirations of becoming a doctor or a lawyer, Rachel wasn’t drawn to a career in computing until she read a book which triggered her interest in what lies behind computer interfaces, the theory behind the technology and its methodology. 

After sourcing a few books on programming language and networking theory, her interest was firmly cemented.  “I knew what I wanted to do and dropped everything,” she said.  “The idea of being part of this technological revolution was riveting.”

Rachel studied A-levels at Coleg Sir Gâr and decided to stay at the college to study a university education due to the level of support she received from staff during some difficult times and studying locally was of a financial benefit. 

Determined to do well but with little computing experience under her belt, Rachel worked extremely hard.  “The best part of the course was the teaching itself,” she said.  “Rowena Griffiths and Anthony James encouraged me and inspired me to study the CCNA evening class and with my final year being the most technical and challenging, they were there to help and I would never have got through it without these two, let alone achieve a first-class honours.”

With a passion for programming, Rachel was delighted when she was offered a job before she finished her degree. 

She hopes to emigrate to Canada to work her way up to lead developer level and work with as many languages and technologies she can.  “You can never have too many experiences,” she added. 
 

 
Coleg Sir Gâr students at Gelli Aur campus are top award winners whose dedication to agriculture has been recognised at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.

Aled Davies from Llangadog won the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s 2016 Student of the Year Award and the Gwili Jones Travel Award.  The award was introduced in 2013 in memory of the late Gwili Jones who established his agricultural machinery business at Peniel, Carmarthen in 1947. It aims to encourage learners to explore, examine and evaluate different cultures and production systems that could prove beneficial in their chosen field of employment.

Whilst studying Aled also works on the family farm helping with the sheep, beef and dairy herd, as well as helping on his aunt’s farm.  Aled was involved with the first Agri Academy Junior Programme organised by Farming Connect and the NFU Next Generation Group.

Three Coleg Sir Gâr agriculture students have also benefited from the NFU Wales Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarship.  Aled Davies, Mark Harries and Jordan Davies have each received a financial contribution towards a three-week study tour of New Zealand organised by the college, where they will explore various farming systems and grassland management techniques.

David Davies, head of land-based studies at Coleg Sir Gâr said: “Our students are committed to the agricultural industry and this shows in their studies and practical home-based activities.
“I’m very proud of this year’s winners and also very grateful to organisations and companies such as Gwili Jones, NFU and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for recognising the college’s and students’ contribution to agriculture.”
 

Above pic: NFU Wales Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarship.  Beneficiaries include Coleg Sir Gâr agriculture students Mark Harries, Aled Davies and Jordan Davies pictured with Mr Dai Davies, NFU Cymru.

Coleg Sir Gâr agriculture student Aled Davies from Llangadog wins the Gwili Jones Travel Scholarship presented at the Royal Welsh Show. From left, Sian Davies of Gwili Jones, president’s wife Mrs Jones, Mrs Gwili Jones, Aled Davies, RWAS president Richard Jones and Coleg Sir Gâr assistant principal Caroline Peek.

 
Coleg Sir Gâr agriculture student Aled Davies from Llangadog wins the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s 2016 Student Award. He is pictured with Mr and Mrs Richard Jones the society president and his wife and award sponsor Phil Hambling, agricultural manager at Sainsbury’s.

Coleg Sir Gâr students visited France over the summer to represent the college and the town of Llanelli in the Pruneaux Festival in Agen.

Invited by Llanelli Town Council, travel and tourism student Megan Wanless and professional cookery and hospitality student Daniel Spratling, ran a stall with their lecturers, selling Welsh produce at a gourmet market as part of the twinning of Llanelli and Agen in France. 

Thousands of people from all over Europe flock to celebrate the emblematic fruit of Agen in this annual festival.

Jodie Pinnell, Coleg Sir Gâr lecturer, said: “This experience provides real-life experience for our students and on a European level, so we were thrilled to be invited for the second year.”
 
PIC: Coleg Sir Gâr professional cookery and hospitality student Daniel Spratling and travel and tourism student Megan Walness working at the Pruneaux Festival in Agen, France with the Mayor of Agen and college lecturers Jodie Pinnell and Peter Ware.

Grand Pruneau Show 2015

Llanelli Boys Grammar School Old Boys Union and Graig Former Pupils Association are holding their annual 2016 reunion on October 7.

Now known as Coleg Sir Gâr’s Graig campus, Llanelly Boys’ Grammar School, and its predecessor the LLanelly County Intermediate School, was a prestigious and highly respected seat of learning which produced a galaxy of pre-eminent, successful and famous men during its 82-year existence.

The annual gathering will this year take place at Stradey Park Hotel with a 7pm to 7.30pm start and a black tie or lounge sit dress code. 

The event speaker, Dr Keith Marshall, PhD (Lond) is a former member of the grammar school who has experienced a striking career with the likes of Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Dental Advisory Panel, BUPA and the Faculty of General Dental Practice.  He continues his work as a specialist consultant and lecturer.

This exemplary record of educational success is a rich part of Llanelli’s history which should be cherished and celebrated along with the town’s other world famous achievements.

In fact, many of the ‘Old Boys’ of the school have progressed to play a highly significant part in the world; in politics, industry, commerce, the Church, education, medicine, the media, sport and a multitude of other professions, at home and abroad.

Tickets for the dinner cost £25 per person and can be purchased either from committee members, Parker Plant Hire, Stradey Park Hotel, llanelliboysgrammar.org or by emailing Secretary@llanelliboysgrammar.org.

Sean Vicary, an artist, animator and part-time lecturer at Coleg Sir Gâr, is exhibiting his work at Oriel Davies, Newtown.

Oriel Davies shows groundbreaking national and international art and craft which includes Sean’s exhibition which is entitled Studies in Solastalgia.

The exhibition includes the exhibition premiere of The Nose which was produced as part of an arts-science collaboration funded by Wellcome Trust. It also brings together different strands of the artist’s practice including recent and un-exhibited work.  

Oriel Davies described the exhibition as, “Steeped in a dark ecology, these muti-layered and richly crafted animations invite the viewer to explore and intense semi-fictive landscape of observation, collection and devastation.  

“The artist’s points of reference span scientific, historic and geographic activity alongside more personal, autobiographical and poetic ideas. The show includes large-scale animations such as Taxonomy that consider data collection, industrialised violence and our human-centric viewpoint framed within scientific and colonial empire; and Ascension Ceiling, inspired by Baroque illusionistic ceiling paintings while responding to the continued testing of military drones in West Wales near the artist's home.”

The Nose is an arts project that joins the physical and medical elements of the human body with an artistic interpretation and has involved not only artists but medical professionals in its exploration of its concept and physical routine.

The exhibition at Oriel Davies, Newtown opened on Saturday September 10 and will remain open to the public until October 15.

Picture: Sean Vicary’s The Nose (still) which was produced as part of a Wellcome Trust Project

Jonathan Garcia, football academy director at Coleg Sir Gâr has been appointed as assistant manager for the Welsh Schools Football Association (WSFA) U18s national side.

Approached by the WSFA to undertake the role, Jonathan Garcia is working towards the 2017 SAFIB centenary shield fixtures starting in February where Wales will play the Republic of Ireland.  

Responsible for soccer development and academy performance at Coleg Sir Gâr, Garcia has recently returned from an academy trip where 30 students took part in games against Bangor, Broughton and Connah’s Quay with an added tour of Manchester United FC.

He is also assistant manager for Welsh Colleges U18s and U19s teams, Swansea City FC development centre manager and a UEFA A licenced coach.

Andrew Cornish, Coleg Sir Gâr assistant principal, said: “It is tremendous news that Jonathan has been appointed to this post. 

“Jonathan is a well-respected Football coach who has worked with many young people.

"The college wishes him well with this new position which he has achieved with hard work and dedication.”

Pic: Jonathan Garcia at Coleg Sir Gar's new 3G pitch facility with college football players.

The llanelli branch of pizza delivery company Domino’s has freshened-up Coleg Sir Gâr’s sports academy by supplying coaches with a new kit.

The college relies on its sponsors to help players and coaches sport a professional look so staff were thrilled to hear from Domino’s when they said they could help.  “We have developed some great relationships with our academy sponsors over the years,” said Coleg Sir Gâr football academy director, Jonathan Garcia.  “We are thrilled to welcome Domino’s to our team and are looking forward to the season ahead.”

Tracy Bevan, franchisee for Domino’s said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the local college, It’s very important to us to be involved in the community.” 

Pic: Lewis Williams (left) and Aaron Cruickshank from Domino’s Llanelli, present Jonathan Garcia with the sports academy coaches’ kit at Coleg Sir Gâr. 

Andrew Dunlop is a new face at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Graig campus this year where he teaches A-level physics, Welsh Bac and science elements of the Access to Higher Education course.

Armed with a master’s degree from Strathclyde University and a post-graduate qualification in physics, Andrew’s role is to build on GCSE topics and introduce new areas such as quantum physics, particle physics and materials for A-level study.

“Students considering physics at A-level will be completing a challenging and stimulating course,” he said. “It requires hard work, however physics A-level develops your key skills and logical thinking and ultimately rewards you with a well-respected qualification that opens many doors.”

Andrew has also worked in industry, working for various manufacturing companies producing various products including animal feeds, cleaning products and one of the UK’s top names in snacks.

Andrew Dunlop added: “I enjoy teaching physics as you are able to combine both theoretical and practical elements and apply knowledge and understanding to real world situations.

“A good teacher is someone who knows their students and enthuses them with their teaching; it’s important the students enjoy the subject.

“I also love the way that certain topics generate more questions than we have answers.”

Coleg Sir Gâr students have been working with a London theatre company in a workshop aimed at inspiring male performers.

Known for their innovative style, Frantic Ignition, part of the internationally renowned theatre company Frantic Assembly, delivered a workshop for 16-20 year old males to find the next generation of performers.  The company also invited students to attend local trials where performers could be selected to perform at a London show.

Bryony Evett-Hackfort who heads performing arts at Coleg Sir Gâr, said: “It is such a privilege for our students to get the opportunity to work with the world renowned Frantic Ignition company. 

“We are greatly inspired by the work of the company here at the college so it is an honour for our students to get an inside look into how they develop their work and their performance style.”

Pic: Staff from Frantic Ignition theatre company working with Coleg Sir Gâr learners

After studying a part-time evening course at Coleg Sir Gâr, Sion-Dafydd Williams has set-up his own company and become a self-employed sports massage therapist.

Siôn-Dafydd began the course as a keen sportsman who had undergone many injuries in his sporting career and therefore had an interest in the benefits of sports massage and how it worked.  “The course has helped me in a lot of ways,” he said.  “It’s developed my massage ability along with my understanding of the body and in particular the muscles origin and insertion points.” 

Working under his own name of Siôn-Dafydd Williams Massage Therapist, he is now running his own business from home as well as studying for his BSc sports coaching and performance at Coleg Sir Gâr.

Rhian Davies, sports massage lecturer at Coleg Sir Gâr added: “Siôn-Dafydd has taken the opportunity to get qualified though a local part-time, evening course which is great if you’re already working or want a change career.

“Although beneficial, this year we’re not asking for anatomy and physiology qualifications for entry requirements but it features as a main topic which is covered as part of the course criteria.”

To find out more about studying sports massage, contact 01554 748179 or enquiries@colegsirgar.ac.uk.

Coleg Sir Gar is offering an opportunity for Welsh speakers to enter the agricultural industry with a BSc honours course at its Gelli Aur campus.

The agricultural degree course prepares learners to enter the working world by providing career opportunities such as farming, business management, farm management, agricultural industry work, farm animal nutrition, teaching and much more.

It can be studied as a part-time or full-time course and a high percentage of students obtaining scholarships through Coleg Cymraeg Cenhedlaethol. 

A minimum of 40 credits must be completed through the medium of welsh.

The course provides opportunities to undertake invaluable work experience in bilingual settings, as well as undertaking exchange programmes in foreign countries.

To find out more about this course, contact admissions@colegsirgar.ac.uk or 01554 748179 or visit Gelli Aur campus during the college’s open day on Saturday October 8, from 10am to 2pm.

With a need for Welsh speakers in the childcare sector, Coleg Sir Gâr is encouraging Welsh speakers who want to work in the industry, to sign up to a full-time Welsh medium course.

The level three children’s care learning and development is a two-year course which is taught at the college’s Ammanford campus.  It prepares learners for employment and is also a stepping stone to study at university.

In response to a need for Welsh speaking childcare workers, the course aims to equip students for the workplace but also offers additional benefits such as support to improve oral and written skills. 

Learning specific terminology for the childcare environment has been introduced as part of the course and bilingual and Welsh medium work placements are encouraged.

Welsh language manager, Lowri Morgans, said: “In addition to their studies, learners have the opportunity to work closely with Yr Atom, the new Welsh language centre in Carmarthen and they are encouraged to compete in the vocational childcare competition in the Urdd Eisteddfod.”

Workshops are also held with Welsh language organisations and industry representatives. 

To find out more about this course, contact admissions@colegsirgar.ac.uk or 01554 748179 or visit Ammanford campus during the college open day on Saturday October 8 from 10am to 2pm.

Sports degree students at Coleg Sir Gâr have been recognised for their voluntary work in the community.

Working under a Sports Wales accredited volunteering programme called Millennium Volunteer (MV), students have been presented with a certificates for completing anything from 50 to 200 hours of voluntary work each.

Sports staff at the college continue to encourage students to volunteer during their studies to gain the experience that employers need. 

Coleg Sir Gâr sports lecturer Lee Tregoning explains: “The experience gained from volunteering has given our former students the edge on the competition when applying for work after they graduate.

“That’s why we’ve made volunteering an integral part of the course and something we recommend all our students to get involved in.

“Many of our former students have relied on their voluntary work as it adds so much experience to their CV including coaching, organising events and school liaison.”

Pic: Volunteer awards: Coleg Sir Gâr sports coaching and performance students Christian Rumbelow Rhodri Lewis, Daniel Russell, Sion-Dafydd Williams, Martyn Bowles and Ryan Nunes with 5x30 development officer Natalie Allen.