Enrichment at BHASVIC

SEPTEMBER

Wednesday 23 September - Freshers & Enrichment Fair

Running alongside the curriculum, BHASVIC aims to provide enriching trips linked to students’ studies. These trips not only bring their studies to life but also encourage independence, an opportunity to make new friends, and have new experiences.

Moving On Day - Residential Trips 2025

At Moving On Day we let our new students know about what residential trips we will be running for their course in 2025. If your young person is interested in joining any residential trip linked to their course you do not need to do anything at this stage. We  will contact students/ parents & carers in the Autumn term with all the finalised details, but we are aware that finances are a concern for many at the moment, so we just wanted to let you know about these opportunity as far in advance as possible, so you have time to financially plan if you wish.

All payments for trips are through our BHASVIC Parent Pay account, you will be sent details on how to activate your account once your young person has enrolled, we do encourage you to set your account up as soon as possible on receipt of these details to avoid any delays later. 

Latest information is communicated to students via myBHASVIC, students can also check Student Union - Clubs and Societies.

If you are a BHASVIC student who leads a college society, or you want to set up your own college society, please read the Student Union Society Handbook. If you have any trouble accessing the handbook, get in touch with your Student Union. 

We have an exciting range of societies and clubs open to all BHASVIC students to join, including:

• Debate Society
• Culture Club
• Book Club
• LGBT+ Society
• Climate Action Society

If you are a BHASVIC student, head to TEAMS to join our societies. 

Example Society Timetable:

The Music Department have launched the following clubs during lunchtimes and after college, please contact the Music Department for more details.

• Mondays - Soul Band, Choir 
• Tuesdays - String Ensemble
• Wednesdays - Salsa Band, Wind Ensemble
• Fridays - Big Band

• Table Tennis
• Badminton 

We are pleased to announce the launch of BHASVIC’s online student magazine B-Mag. You can access it from the main BHASVIC homepage- just click on the B-Mag button in the top menu bar. You will find fiction pieces and articles on a range of topics, written, subedited, and illustrated by students in their first and second year. The magazine needs more keen authors, and students interested in photography, fine art or graphical illustration.

If you’d like to get involved, please contact Anna Wexler on TEAMS.

DofE Introductory Day on Sept 4^th, 2024

1PM - 3PM in the Main Hall.

The DofE Awards is a non-competitive scheme that is open to all young people!

Through their DofE, students make new friends, learn to set personal goals and push boundaries. They build confidence, resilience and self-esteem, which benefits their mental health and prepares them for their post-college life.

The skills they develop and harness such as problem-solving, team-working and self-motivation will allow them to stand out when applying for university or jobs. They achieve an award (silver or gold) that is recognised by top employers.

For more information, please visit: www.dofe.org.uk

Every young person’s DofE programme is personal to them:  they must complete three sections (Skills / Physical / Volunteering) and activities for each section take about one hour a week so they can fit around studying, hobbies and social lives.

Each section will take between 3 and 18 months to complete (depending on the level). The college will provide guidance and support on how to complete each section. Participants can either choose to continue an activity they already do or discover something completely new. For more details about programmes and timescales visit DofE.org/do.

For example, for your volunteering or skills section, you can join our weekly baking group and help distribute the baked goods to the Brighton Food Network! Please see recent DofE Success stories on BHASVIC News

DofE Introductory Day on Sept 4^th, 2024

1PM - 3PM in the Main Hall.

Silver Award: If you are new to the scheme, you will be able to complete your Silver Award. This is a fantastic opportunity to get to know people and challenge yourself to complete the four sections and includes two wonderful compulsory expeditions in 2025 (comprised of three days and two nights): the Practice in April and the Assessed in May. 

Gold Award: If you have previously achieved the Bronze Award you may choose to go straight to Gold or move onto Silver. If you have your Silver, you will progress to Gold. Gold compulsory expeditions (comprised of five days and four nights) will take place in 2025, the Practice in April and the Assessed in May.

Gold Award also includes a five-day Residential work experience.

To understand what is involved for your young person and plenty more information, check out:

• Do DofE - Basic Information - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
• Parents-Info-Booklet-A4.pdf

For any further information, please contact:

Laetitia Key

DofE Manager

l.key@bhasvic.ac.uk

Mia Penfold

DofE Assistant

m.penfold@bhasvic.ac.uk

JANUARY 2024

Futures Fair is an opportunity to speak directly to a range of organisations who offer progression routes to your young person. We will have around 120 exhibitors attending, representing higher education, further education, apprenticeships, gap year providers, volunteering and employment. There is no onsite parking available so please travel by public transport where possible. View the Exhibitor List. 

Thursday 18 January 2024. Any questions, please email careers@bhasvic.ac.uk

JANUARY 2023

On the 19th January 2023 we welcomed over 100 exhibitors to provide advice, give talks and run workshops, helping our students explore the huge range of options for their future. ITV even came along to capture the event and speak to some of our students about the challenges they may face, view recording . Thank you to all involved and great to know our students are feeling confident that the education, support and guidance we are giving them will help them to succeed. You can also see the Exhibitor list and Talks Programme we offered during the day.

BHASVIC Freshers & Enrichment Fair returned this September... the ultimate welcome to BHASVIC and college-life! 

Freshers & Enrichment Fair '23 was bigger than ever! Our Student Union introduced the amazing clubs, societies and support offered at college, as well as a wide range of local organisations and charity support services!

New and returning students had the opportunity to meet other BHASVIC students with similar interests, grab freebies and sign up to our exciting clubs and enrichment-offers, ranging from Debate Society, to Dungeons & Dragons Club, to LGBTQ+ Society, to Origami Society! There's something for everyone.

Who exhibited at the Fair?

• BHASVIC Student Union
• Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group
• NHS
• Allsorts
• YMCA
• Brighton & Hove Council
• BMYEPP
• All BHASVIC Clubs & Societies 

& many more...

Students can find out more about the college clubs & societies via the BHASVLE

Book Swap Drives

Students from Book Club team up with the Events Team to host seasonal Book Swaps! 

Swapping your books will not only give other students the chance to dive into new stories, but it is also an environmentally sustainable way to get rid of your books which may, instead, go to landfills.

We will be holding book swaps more regularly! Email events@bhasvic.ac.uk if you want to see more events like this at BHASVIC, or if you wish to get involved with the next Book Swap!

DECEMBER 2022

MARCH 2022

Over 200 books swapped in March!

Clothes Swap Drives

BHASVIC's Climate Action Society seasonally host their Clothes Swap Drives, in BHASVIC's efforts to be more environmentally conscious, where our students swap their pre-loved clothes with each other. 

Our Clothes Swaps have been huge successes totalling over 400 items swapped across both the Spring and Winter events! 

Watch this space for future Clothes Swaps! Get in touch with events@bhasvic.ac.uk for more information

DECEMBER 2022

MARCH 2022

NOVEMBER 2021

NOVEMBER 2022

Self-Care Workshop with Zoe Lyons

Our students joined the Flourish Mentors on a new and exciting workshop featuring Zoe Lyons, comedian and Flourish Mentor, who will shared her personal story around the theme of feeling different as a young person.

The workshop covered:

• Ways to support your well-being
• How to improve your self-care

MAY 2022

Anxiety Workshop With Flourish Mentors

Students learned practical coping techniques for study & exam stress. BHASVIC students joined the Flourish Mentor group who held a 2 hour fun and useful workshop teaching about stress and how to reduce it.

OCTOBER 2022

The Student Union hosted their annual BHAS'o'WEEN to bring the college together to celebrate Halloween before the half term break.

To get students in the spooky spirit, there were treats, with a Halloween themed bake sale, the SU raised over £100 - this will be given to the student's chosen charity, and a cross-college fancy dress competition with frighteningly fantastic prizes for the winner and runners up! 

In the afternoon, the SU screened a scary movie for students!

The Student Union hope BHAS'o'Ween was a great way to end a very busy first half term and to get everyone in the Halloween vibe!

Congratulations to the Vampire that won the costume competition!

JANUARY 2023

BHASVIC's Veganuary Food Stalls

Student's from Climate Action Society celebrated Veganuary by selling yummy dishes and treats including Tom's famous vegan Thai Green Curry and vegan brownies.

The homemade vegan food was a sell-out!

Well done, and thank you, to everyone who got involved! Climate Action Society hopes the students and staff all enjoyed their vegan dishes!

JANUARY 2023

We hit refresh for our January Refreshers Fair!

Students came along to explore our exciting range of enrichment opportunities and support services offered at BHASVIC!

• Student Union
• Clubs & Societies
• Curriculum Activities
• Student Services & Welfare
• NHS Sexual Health Team

Environmental Employability Masterclass

At an Employability Masterclass focusing on sustainability, students were guided through sustainable design and the co-design process by:

• Stuart Large from HNW Architects, the award-winning practice that designed the Elms Building
• Councillor Samer Bagaeen, Hove Park councillor
• Sustainability consultant, and Jessica Melville-Brown PhD student at the University of Brighton studying co-design

The hands-on session encouraged students to consider what sustainability means for building and planning by exploring the theory, creativity and practicality that underpins sustainable design.

The Masterclass was part of BHASVIC's work on the DfE Skills Development Fund Trailblazer to develop Green Skills.

If you want to see more events like this, please email events@bhasvic.ac.uk

Progression Week is an essential part of the first-year study programme at BHASVIC and is the perfect opportunity for students to engage in research and activities about their options for life after BHASVIC and to start making progress towards those destinations. It follows on from our A1 into A2 transfer process  where students chose their preferred “tutorial pathway”: either UCAS, Employability and Enterprise (E&E), Oxbridge, Medics, or Visual Arts.

Progression Week is a combination of online activities and in-person workshops. There will be essential information on topics such as how to make applications to UCAS, medical school, Oxford or Cambridge, art foundation, employment, apprenticeships and more. Applications to conservatoires of music will be mentioned as part of the UCAS sessions. Students will also have time for independent research and, if they have made suitable arrangements, to attend open days or similar events in person or online. For further information go to Events and Communications.

Past Enrichment:

• In June, our Economics students benefitted from a guest speaker from the Bank of England. Owen Lock, an analyst with the Bank’s Financial Market Risk department, came in to talk to our students about monetary policy and financial regulation. He ended this fascinating talk with some information and advice on careers in this fascinating and essential 325 year old organisation.
• Our 4 Young Enterprise teams competed in the Area Finals in the AMEX Stadium on the 25th April. Soundwaves came second place in the ‘Company of the Year’ category for their success with their Bluetooth waterproof speaker. This allowed them to compete in the County finals on the 1st May at Ricardo Ltd’s Innovation centre in Shoreham where they won ‘Best TV advert’! 
• a cohort of our BTEC Certificate students had a talk from two different digital marketing businesses to support their coursework preparation. The students heard from Nina and Tiff Garner from Icrossing, and James Leigh from Graphite Digital.
• A cohort of A1 Business students had a talk from Simon Harrison, HR Director of Training, American Express,
• A cohort of BTEC Business Certificate students had a talk from Simon Cobb, Founder of Stoneham Bakehouse – a Hove bakery with well being in the community at its heart
• Young Enterprise students were interviewed for their team roles by local business people, details here https://www.bhasvic.ac.uk/young-enterprise-interviews . 
• Our BTEC Business Diploma students, as part of their ‘Managing a Business’ event coursework, organised and marketed the recent BTEC Music gig, details here https://www.bhasvic.ac.uk/btec-music-fundraising-gig-for-the-martlets .
• Other students in the class organised and marketed our Business BTEC course for the college’s Open Evening.
• Business students visit the BMW mini factory.   
• Economics students visit the London School of Economics

Past Enrichment

Mock Interviews with Local Employers

BTEC Business students had a series of mock interviews on campus with a range of employers, including Morgan Sindall, Job Socks, Public-i, CK Futures, Win at Life and more.

Each student had a professional interview with feedback at the end of the session, this included being interviewed with an employer in rotation with acting as an interviewer - interviewing a class peer 1:1. Students were tasked to “apply” for a role that they have researched themselves.  

Young Women in Enterprise

American Express, one of Brighton’s biggest employers, have joined up with Albion In The Community (the community organisation of Brighton Hove & Albion Football Club) to deliver ‘Young Women In Enterprise’, a virtual activity hosted at BHASVIC for our students.

Joined virtually by a range of American Express employees, there will be discussions on career pathways and experiences, backgrounds and the key skills needed to be successful in the world of work. There will also be an opportunity for a question & answer session, where students can ask specific questions to any of the employees from either AITC or American Express.

Past Enrichment

Oxford University Computing Challenge

British Algorithmic Olympiad

BEBRAS Computational Thinking Competition

Seven teams of Year one Computer Science students are taking part in the CyberCenturion VII competition run by Cyber Security Challenge UK and designed by the American Air Force Association. 

Each team of 3/4 students undertakes training and practice rounds through October to develop their technical skills before then completing a series of online qualifying rounds from November to January which challenge them to learn about the following:-

• Networking
• Defence
• Cyber security. 

Leaders in each group could be invited to a national final to find an overall winner, who wins a once in a lifetime trip to America to visit the Northrop Grumman facilities. 

Past Enrichment:

Daniel Van Olmen, from Lancaster University, Visited Our English Language & Creative Writing Students

A Discussion with Linguist, Lynne Murphy from University of Sussex

Visit from Gen Roberts, Journalist with the i Newspaper, and Lecturer at University of Portsmouth 

Author, Bethan Roberts, Visited Our English Language Students 

Students Heard from the Royal Literary Fund

English Students Visited the E-magazine Conference in London

Trip to Arvon Foundation: Creative Writing

Past Enrichment:

Farming in the post-Brexit World: With guest speaker: Romy Jackson, NFU

The Challenge of Providing Education in Refugee Camps: With guest speakers: Debra Laxton & Dr Linda Cooper, University of Chichester

The Geographies of Crime: The Case of Cybercrime: With guest speaker: Professor Tim Hall, University of Winchester

'Lessons from Auschwitz' Programme 

Micromobility: The Future of Personal Transport: With guest speaker: Brock Rogers, Future Transport Zone Project Manager

The micromobility sector has been on a rollercoaster journey since Barclays Cycle Hire, better known as ‘Boris Bikes’, launched in London in 2010. Now officially named Santander Cycles, the UK’s first city-wide bike share scheme has proved hugely successful. It was even able to withstand the ‘wild west’ period of the mid-2010s when emerging competitors’ laissez-faire business models threatened to tarnish the entire sector. Today, bike share schemes across the UK are well established and many towns and cities have delivered almost two years of e-scooter trials. This presentation will introduce the concept of micromobility and share experiences of launching multi-city and multi-operator micromobility schemes across the Solent Region.

Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Global Issues that Demand Local Solutions: With guest speakers: Elias Pogany & Hamish Lee, Albany Associates

Over the past 20 years or so, in countries around the world, there has been a surge in individuals, (particularly young people) being drawn to violent extremist ideologies and joining terrorist organisations. While many of the general narratives and arguments that these organisations use (whether in Syria, Britain, or Bangladesh) are common, what actually drives someone to ‘become a terrorist’ so often depends on what they and their families have been through in their own villages, towns, cities and countries. In this session, we will draw on case studies from Kosovo and Kyrgyzstan to examine the various drivers of violent extremist radicalization, comparing similarities and differences between the drivers in each of these countries. We will then look at the specific tools and solutions that one counter extremism project has applied in both Kosovo and Kyrgyzstan order to reduce the likelihood of young people being radicalized or continuing down violent extremist paths.

MFL regularly run the following enrichment:

• Languages competitions 
• Poetry / Creative Writing competitions
• Film / video competitions

Weekly Enrichment Activities:

STEP and Stretch

A weekly club where the best BHASVIC mathematicians gather to Stretch themselves and prepare for the challenging entrance papers demanded by top universities, such as Cambridge University’s STEP exams. It’s also where students find advice and support with personal statements and university interviews. Many BHASVIC Alumni are currently studying Maths at Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, Imperial College etc. having honed their skills at STEP & Stretch.

Past Enrichment:

Alumni Maths Students Presented to our Current Maths Students Possible Progression Routes with Maths & University Courses. The former students were from a range of universities studying a range of subjects

Our Maths Students Visited Oxford University's Maths Department

University of Liverpool Virtually Presented a Maths Talk to our Students

With over 100 BHASVIC students in attendance

Weekly Enrichment Activities

Digital Theatre - This is a chance for students to see productions staged by companies like the RSC, Frantic Assembly and the National Theatre for free, with discussion.

Monologue Slam -  Students are welcome to come and find their voice, exploring writing, poetry, rhythm and swagger. Helpful for audition practice and competition entry and fun.

Past Enrichment:

Year 13 Composition Project with Ensemble Reza Professional Musicians

Workshops in Greek Music Performance with Rebetiko Carnival

Northern School of Contemporary Dance: Cultural Dance Forms Workshop

Performing Arts & Art Students To Meet Marvel Comics Illustrator, Short Film-Maker and Author

Kev Hopgood is a freelance illustrator and comic book artist. His best known comics credit is his stint drawing the Iron Man comic book for Marvel Comics. During his time on the book he designed the War Machine and Hulkbuster characters that have since made appearances in several Marvel Studios movies He is also a short film-maker, having directed 2 short films: Story Time and The Last Confession and has also illustrated  a Ringo nominated graphic novel  "Blowback" and written a novel "Dead in the Water". Kev will be visiting our Music & Performing Arts and Art students to talk about his creative and diverse careers. 

Production of Bramblehead by Thea Adams, a Current BHASVIC Student 

BHASVIC student, Thea, wrote & starred in the play. All proceeds donated to RISE Charity. 

Institute of Contemporary Theatre's Head of Acting, Phil Edgerly: Progression routes into the Acting Profession

On Campus Workshop with Hofesh Schecter Dance Company

Akram Khan Visited to Host a Workshop Focused on Dance & Choreography

Ceyda Tanc Dance Company Ran a Contemporary Technique Workshop for our Dance Students 

Alumni & Singer Songwriter, Lily Knott, Visited to Share Experiences of Working in the Music Industry

Judith Shard Visited Students to Present Experiences of Working in Music Press

Drama Industry Visit from Sophia Ragavelas, Notable Lead in Les Miserables & Mamma Mia

BTEC Acting Virtual Discussion with Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA - Drama School)

Drama A2 Mock Audition Panel 

Mercy by Evvie Visser
BHASVIC Drama student playwright, Evie Visser, was given the opportunity to direct and perform at BHASVIC for charity

Black History Month 

In 2005, BHASVIC Performing Arts ran a theatre trip to the Royal Court, to see the then aspiring playwright, Debbie Tucker-Green. We use Tucker-Green's work as stimulus material with our students. BHASVIC alumni, Miranda Mufema was particularly inspired by Tucker-Green's plays while studying at BHASVIC. Tucker-Green's ‘Ear for Eye’ is being shown concurrently at the BFI London and streaming on BBC 2,16th October at 10:15 pm.

Miranda is now on a play-writing course with the Theatre Royal and working as an Assistant Dramaturg with Murmuration Arts, a community arts project organisation. Here is a monologue she created while at BHASVIC. It is a verbatim piece of theatre, about motherhood, which she researched in her community. I hope one day we will see her on the BBC too!

Miranda Mufema Component 1

Annual Events:

• Concerts and events in college including: Christmas concert, Summer Concert, Leavers Event
• BHASVICTV videos on a range of topics and college events
• The BEARDS, Visual Arts Exhibition.
• Moving Image Awards: BHASVICTORS at the Duke of York's Cinema.
• Dance shows
• LOOKOUT Project – Creative industry mentoring for students.
• BTEC Music Trip to BIMM - Future of the Music Industry
• WaterBear College of Music Visits our Music Students to Discuss Careers in the Music Industry

BHASVIC TV FOOTAGE

BHASVIC TV - Futures Fair 2022

BHASVIC TV - Young Carers Interview 2021

BHASVIC TV - Freshers Fair

BHASVIC TV - Welcome to BHASVIC

MedSoc brings together students who are exploring entry into medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.  There are weekly meetings covering diverse topics from First Aid to medical ethics, infectious diseases to work experience.  The aim is to support students through the complex application process and to develop the skill sets that will see them succeed at interview. Over the last eight years, MedSoc is proud to have seen over 200 students take up places at medical schools, many of whom return to work with and encourage our current cohort.

MedSoc students undertake work shadowing in local dentists, GP and veterinary surgeries and local hospitals. They develop their interpersonal skills through volunteering; our students regularly give up their time to others at Blind Veterans, Whoopsadaisy, Chailey Heritage and in numerous other residential homes and schools around the area.

Past Enrichment:

Court Trips to UKSC and Royal Courts 

Visit from Lloyd Russell Moyle 

Tim Loughton, MP, In Conversation 

BTEC Law Enrichment Day 

Local MP, Peter Kyle Visit

Discussion with Politician, Mims Davies

Local MP, Caroline Lucas Visit 

University of Law: A workshop case study on Tony Martin 

Visit by a Supreme Court Justice, Lady Rose

The PPL department is pleased to announce a visit by Lady Justice Rose, a Justice of the UK Supreme Court, taking place at BHASVIC on Friday 18 November.

James Yates, Alumni & Solicitor Visited Our Law Students

Visit from BBC Crime Correspondent, Colette McBeth

Workshop for Law Students in the Royal Courts of Justice

Students debated a murder case and took on the roles of prosecution and defence

Social Mobility Business Partnership - Our Law students liaised with the Social Mobility Business Partnership; students were offered work insight and skills development

Past Enrichment:

Technopolis Group and Mott MacDonald will be coming to BHASVIC to give a talk to our students about Tackling Climate Change and Innovative Technology.

Biology CREST Award Portfolio Course is working with the University of Sussex looking at the yeast genome and links to cancer

University of Brighton are teaming up with our Biology CREST Award students in researching the properties of artificial skin and bioplastics

SeaLife Centre are working with our students on a variety of projects, including blacktip reef shark hierarchy. 

Biology Photography Competition - The theme for 2022 is sustainability. All past winners are proudly displayed in the Biology corridor.

BHASVIC ChemSoc (Chemistry Society) is open to all chemistry students and runs a range of extra-curricular activities to enhance their CV and/or University Applications. Weekly activities are advertised via the VLE and include research collaborations with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, trips to local universities to study pharmacy practicals and internationally recognised competitions such as the Chemistry Olympiad in January or the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge in June. Participation is free, and any first year chemistry students keen to pursue a career in a chemistry related field or medicine, for example, would be well advised to consider taking part even if on an ad hoc basis.  Please see the “news” section of our home page to view some of the regular events we have held over the past year. Please contact BHASVIC chemistry teacher Jason O’Grady should you require any further information.

Hypatia Society has been set up to help build bonds, confidence and excitement in Physics among our female Physics students. The first event- a picnic in which students mingled with visiting women in STEM careers- was enjoyable and well attended. This was followed by a session on "Building resilience in female physicists" by Neil Atkin, Gender officer for the Institute of Physics and priority places given to female students at a University of Brighton outreach lecture, Measuring with Light to hear how Physics is being used to make more efficient engines. Students had the opportunity to go to a session on "Laser cooling in Quantum Technology" by Will Evans (Quantum ambassador and DPhil student at the University of Sussex). We plan to get telescopes out for a Star Party, visits to Sussex Laboratories and a Lecture on Particle Physics. Please contact Jane Drummond or Kishani Ranatunga for further information.

Annual Events:

• The Visual Arts - a gallery of student work in Art, Photography and Textiles - Visit our virtual Visual Arts Exhibition
• Virtual Summer Concert - Watch and listen to our brilliant music students performing from their homes. There's something for everyone - from Micheal Bublé to Tchaikovsky.
• BHASVICTORs - a celebration of films produced by students from Communications and Culture, Media and Film Studies.
• InMotion - an evening of contemporary dance from our Dance and Drama students.
• The Beards - a showcase of written work from students in the English Department.

Please see a sample of curriculum clubs offered at BHASVIC:

• Greenpower Eco Car HERE
• Peat Fires research
• Maths and Science Olympiads
• IT competitions
• Drama clubs
• Physics Society

We have a partnership with local primary and secondary schools, allowing A Level students to develop their skills with children and young people while giving back to the community.

BHASVIC students are valued by schools and younger students alike, and the skills you’ll develop as a mentor will be considered highly by higher education establishments.