Milton Keynes College Group in festive spirit
Throughout December, Milton Keynes College Group’s campuses and prisons have been getting into the Christmas spirit and buzzing with festive activities. From festive gift bags to cheerful choirs, read on to get a glimpse of what’s been happening.
Festive chocolate bar design of the year
A few weeks ago, we received our annual MK College Group-branded chocolate bars, featuring this year’s design created by Emily, a Level 3 Graphic Design student at the College. The judging panel reviewed a variety of submissions and were impressed by the high quality of the entries. The winning design depicts a snow globe with a winter landscape and skiers, set against a dark blue background.
Emily shared her thoughts on the process and inspiration for her snow globe design: “Winning the festive comms design was a great experience. I was inspired by an image of a ski setting on Pinterest. I changed it to be in a snow globe, using my iPad to draw the design digitally.
“This has been a great opportunity for me, as it has been amazing to see my design used on chocolate bars as well as other comms used by the College!”
The chocolate bars will be sent out to a range of partners that the College Group works with as a festive ‘thank you’ over the Christmas period.
MK College donates festive gift bags to MK YMCA residents
Milton Keynes YMCA have over 150 young people living with them and for many of their residents, Christmas won’t be a time of happy memories or feelings of festive cheer. MK College staff, teams and individuals put together festive gift bags for each of the residents, containing toiletries, treats, stationary and cosy items such as socks and gloves.
On Friday 12th December, a group of Inclusive Learning students from the College delivered the gift bags to MK YMCA.
Naomie Conway, Head of Communications and Campaigns at YMCA Milton Keynes, said: “Although Christmas is a happy time for many, it can also highlight the real struggles some people face. We are so grateful to Milton Keynes College for their lovely gift bags for our residents this Christmas. Their contribution will make a real difference to people in need.”
Cakes & Carols takes over Chaffron Way
On Wednesday 17th December, our Inclusive Learning choir are performing a series of festive songs at the Atrium at Chaffron Way. Students and staff also have an opportunity to discover a Tombola stall, visit the “Inclusively Yours” shop for Christmas decorations and sample delicious festive bakes.
The event also features a raffle with prizes, including an EpicBoom speaker worth over £300, a Christmas hamper and much more.
Learners and staff celebrate Winter Fair at HMP East Sutton Park
HMP East Sutton Park celebrated its second annual Winter Fair, filled with festive spirit. The Winter Fair featured a raffle with food and handmade items made by East Sutton Park’s staff and learners. The money raised from the raffle will be going to a charity chosen by residents themselves.
Tracy Hyder, Education Manager at HMP East Sutton Park, said: “We want to thank all for their donations and continue to accept more. I am blown away by the residents’ generosity. The total raised has exceeded my hopes for the event.”
Discover the festive menu at the Brasserie
Served throughout December, Level 3 Professional Cookery and Hospitality students are hosting a Christmas Taste Night at The Brasserie. Prepared and served by students, the menu contains a soup dish, a light second course, a main course with a choice of roast turkey parcels or Christmas mushroom and nut roast and a festive dessert dish.
The menu is available at lunchtime or during Thursday Taste Nights. At lunchtime, this is open for bookings for six or more. Vegetarian alternatives are available.
To book your table or find out more details, please email thebrasserie@mkcollege.ac.uk
Art & Design students host Art Mart
This week, Art & Design students are hosting ‘Art Mart’ – a crafts fair full of fun handmade decorations for students and staff of MK College.
A great opportunity to buy last-minute Christmas decorations to cheer up the house, Art Mart is hosted on both Chaffron Way and Bletchley campuses.
- Mon-Tue 15-16th December at 10am-1pm at Bletchley (Atrium)
- Wed-Thu 17-18th December at 10am-1pm at Chaffron Way (Refectory)
Campus learners and staff celebrate College Christmas Jumper Day
MK College students got into the festive spirit on Thursday 11th December on MK College’s Christmas Jumper Day. For the event organised by the student executive committee, students were encouraged to wear their most festive outfit, PJs or jumper. For a sustainable celebration, they were encouraged try reusing a jumper rather than buying a new one.
HMP Woodhill learners run a festive book drive
MK College Group learners at HMP Woodhill took part in a special literacy initiative to promote reading, learning and family connection.
For the learners at HMP Woodhill, initiatives such as this enable them to nurture the bond with their children whilst apart. One learner said, “This will make my children’s day to know Dad’s thinking of them” and another stated, “My children love to read and will be so pleased to receive these gifts!”
Asking for book donations to help them choose and send a meaningful book to their children for Christmas served as a powerful way to maintain bonds, support literacy at home and inspire a lifelong love of books.
The Education Team were blown away by the quality, range, and sheer number of books collected as part of this year’s donation.