Treble Success for Chichester Ladies Football Team
Chichester College Ladies Football team have officially been crowned ‘treble winners’! Coach Matt Wright and his excellent squad completed their final challenge in the treble hunt on Wednesday, with a hard fought 1-0 victory against Sussex Downs College. This added to the League Championship and National Plate won last week, to complete the first treble in Chichester College’s history!
The County Final was played at the Sussex FA headquarters in Lancing with a packed crowd and Vice Principal Andy Green cheering from the stands. Chichester were in control throughout the game but could not find a breakthrough. The midfield was controlled by Hollie Wride and the defence marshalled by Georgina Starkey. The score was 0-0 at half time, with the crowd discussing the possibility of penalties to settle this end of season battle. As the game wore on, Sussex Downs tired and retreated into their own half and Chichester pressed for a winner. The winner fittingly came from the outstanding Lizzy Ogden who capitalised on a mistake by their keeper to put Chichester into the lead. Chichester continued to press for a second goal and came agonisingly close twice when Starkey hit the post from a long range free-kick and an excellent display of technical ability from Jade Widdowson who narrowly missed from a long range volley.
The National Plate final was a little easier for the team, who were absolutely outstanding against a very good Dudley College team. The final was hosted by St George’s Park, the FA’s new National Headquarters. Chichester started excellently with their possession very Barcelona-esq! The team were 3-0 up at half time. The half time team talk centred on continuing in the same manner in the 2nd half and the team did exactly that with another 3 goals. The scorers were two a piece for Ellis, Starkey and Wride.
Matt Wright was quoted during a post match press conference as saying “This team has progressed more than any other team I have coached. It has been a fantastic season for them. A special mention needs to go to Lizzy Ogden (Captain) who has been instrumental in developing our system of play. Educating the players as Coaches has helped every aspect of their game. It has been a long tough season and the team deserve a well earned rest now!”
The team has had an excellent partnership with the Chichester City Ladies Club, providing further opportunities for the players in the community.
back to top
Vibrant Street Art for Chichester College
We hope everyone will get the chance to see the vibrant murals that have appeared on the end of A, B and C blocks, as well as the cluster of mushrooms adorning the main reception entrance, created by South African Street Artist Christiaan Nagel.
Chichester College were keen to encourage a ‘different kind of art’ so we jumped at the chance to be part of the Street Art Festival. The brainchild of Neil Lawson Baker, CEO of the Chichester based National Open Art Competition, the festival corresponded with the ‘Art Trail’ that happened over the weekend too, which encouraged the community to visit the homes and gardens of the many creative’s living within the city.
With the front and back of Metro House Northgate, the old electric cinema, a private house in North Street, the side wall of Superdrug, the back of Henry Adams on Baffins car park as well as 61 panels around Chichester Festival Theatre all receiving a vibrant splash of colour, the city has been transformed, literally overnight!
Providing accommodation in our halls of residence for some of the world renowned artists as they visited Chichester over the weekend, including Thierry Noir who painted the panels at the Theatre, we were very pleased to be part of the project. Not only will it encourage more visitor interest but it provides an educational and stimulating example of art to our students.
We have already received great feedback, with one staff member commenting “What a wonderful surprise to come in to a college looking brighter, younger and with its walls bursting with creativitiy! An inspired decision for an inspiring environment!”
back to top
Students 'Takeover' at The Hilton
Catering, Hospitality and Beauty students from Chichester College were provided with an exciting opportunity during the last weekend in April, as the renowned Hilton Avisford park Hotel opened its doors and prepared to be taken over! After a tough selection and interview process, where over 20 of our students applied for weekend positions within their kitchen, restaurant, reception and duty management, just 14 were chosen by the hotels Human Resources Officer Karen Istead.
Beginning with an induction and onsite training on the Friday, the students were prepared by the hotel’s senior staff as to just what they could expect with working within the fast paced hotel environment. Operating in shifts, the students worked hard to ensure a smooth delivery of service during the three day period and had the experience of delivering celebratory events, two weddings and of course, dealing with the many guests who were staying at the hotel.
Abbie, a Catering student from the College was thrilled to be working within the restaurant kitchen. Working alongside Dan McSweeny, an ex Chichester College student and Professional Cookery Chef, Abbie had to ensure she plated and served a three course meal for 100 guests at one of the two weddings being managed by the hotel. “At first the size of the kitchen was a bit over whelming!” Abbie commented “However, I was quickly in awe of the way in which the food was prepared, presented and how efficiently the chefs worked. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience!”
Providing an opportunity to diarise their practices, the students used the Hilton’s Facebook page to keep fans, family and friends updated about their progress over the takeover weekend. This offered an insight in to the different tasks and responsibilities the students were managing and clearly demonstrated just how much they all enjoyed the opportunity too!
“The takeover weekend was an amazing success!” Karen said. “I have had nothing but positive feedback from both the students and the hotel team about how great the event was. Some of the students have demonstrated a keen interest in wanting to work for the hotel after their experience, so we have encouraged their applications and look forward to welcoming them as Hilton Team members in the near future."
Alex – Duty Management: “WOW the hotel service at the wedding was so different to Hong Kong! I am currently in the second year of my level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Hospitality Supervision, this opportunity with the Hilton has enabled me to work alongside the Duty Manager and I was involved with regular fire checks around the hotel, working at one of the weddings (this was a very different set up to the weddings back home in Hong Kong!) and I also worked on reception. I was worried about how I would handle a customer complaint but luckily we didn’t have any on our shift!"
Lottie – Reception: “It was a great experience; I loved it!” “I currently attend College Travel where I have completed my NVQ Level 2 in customer service, when Juliet suggested I apply for the takeover weekend, I was worried about the systems in the hotel and what I would have to do. When I was offered a place to work on the hotel reception, 
I was delighted. Everyone was very friendly; I have now been trained on the desk the Hilton way! I answered the telephone and served customers at the desk too."
Leonie Parish – Living World (Beauty) “I really enjoyed my weekend at the Hilton. I enjoy all aspects of my beauty course and when I was given the opportunity to apply for the takeover weekend, I was delighted! The hotel was absolutely beautiful, everyone was so welcoming and I felt at ease with its great atmosphere. The experience had the ‘WOW’ factor for me."
back to top
Intercollege Competition at Merrist Wood
On 1st May the Equine team at Brinsbury had great success, taking a team of four students to compete in both dressage and showjumping, against four local colleges including Writtle and Harlow.
Each member of the team had seven minutes to warm up the horse provided by Merrist wood before they had to ride a dressage test or jump a course of show jumps. On completion of the day all scores were collected, including points from a general knowledge quiz. The results came as a shock to all when it was announced that the Equine team were second and only losing to BCA College by one point. A very successful day for all!
back to top