West World ISSUE 11, Dec 2018

ISSUE 11, Dec 2018
WestWorld
Staff Newspaper of West College Scotland
WCS wins big at the CDN Awards!
Full story on page 4.....
Christmas puzzle!
Turn to the back page
In this edition...
COLLEGE NEWS
Q & A with Liz – page 2
A Look Back At 2018 - page 3
Skype for Business - page 4
The Armed Forces Covenant –
page 6
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
WCS win at the CDN awards –
pages 1 & 4
Amanda Ford, Our Rising Star in
Tech– page 5
A Lion Rose in Paisley - page 5
The Love rally - page 3
KNOW YOUR
COLLEAGUES
Danny on Board – page 4
GET INVOLVED
Sustainability portal – page 6
Paul McGuinness - page 7
California Dreamin with Drew
McGowan - page 7
WELL DONE
Shoebox Appeal - page 2
CONTACT US
westworld@wcs.ac.uk

02 WESTWORLD DECEMBER 2018 03
COLLEGE NEWS
LIZ CONNOLLY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WELL DONE
LOOK BACK AT 2018
An amazing year of activity at West College Scotland!
Liz was appointed Principal of West
College Scotland in September.
In her interview for the job, Liz
said she did not want to be a
college Principal. She wanted to be
Principal of West College Scotland.
WestWorld caught up with Liz and
asked her about her first three
months.
Liz, how would you describe your
first term as Principal of West College
Scotland?
Absolutely hectic but wonderfully rewarding!
It seems like only yesterday students were
settling in for the new academic year and yet
here we are, about to break for Christmas.
So what has made it so hectic?
The College is a really dynamic organisation at
the best of times, so in some respects a hectic
introduction is no more than I expected. But
having spoken at so many staff sessions and
attended five graduation ceremonies, the first
few weeks have been something of a blur, but
an incredibly enjoyable and stimulating blur!
And what has made it so rewarding?
Two things, I suppose: Firstly, I have really enjoyed
getting round the campuses and meeting so many
of the support and curriculum teams, describing
where we want to be as a College, how we
intend to get there and the challenges we need
to overcome to arrive. It is also important for
My first term of
principal at West College
Scotland has been
absolutely hectic but
wonderfully rewarding!
me to hear from staff, listen to their ideas and
understand the concerns they have. It has been
worthwhile and hugely enjoyable, for me and, I
hope, for staff.
And what’s the other thing?
Basking in the glory of our achievements! We
had a brilliant night at the CDN Annual Awards
in October. For me, that wonderful picture of
our prize-winners (see front page) sums up West
College Scotland. It represents the best of what
we are - teaching and support staff, the Board of
Management and SMT all together, celebrating
our success.
But it seems like every day I am hearing about
another staff success, such as Amanda Ford
winning Technology Champion of the Year at
the Scotland Women in Technology Awards.
Last month we were highly commended in two
categories at the SQA Star Awards and next
month we will find out if we have won a UK-wide
award for our work in signing the Stand Alone
pledge to help young people estranged from their
families.
What other highlights have there
been?
Well, this is my first year of graduations
as Principal. I have really enjoyed them –
although I hadn’t realised how long I would
be on my feet for! But meeting so many
of the graduates and their families has
reinforced for how much of a force for good
we are.
It can actually be quite moving to listen to
a lecturer read out the citation for a class
prize-winner. It helps you understand the
sacrifices some people make to come here
and to achieve what they do, usually with
great modesty and humility. There have
also been some wonderful moments this
year: the mother and son who graduated
on the same day in Clydebank, a marriage
proposal on the steps of Paisley Abbey,
and the unique atmosphere of Greenock
Town Hall on graduation night! All fabulous
occasions that we get the opportunity to
share.
So, what can staff expect to see in
2019?
Nothing stands still at West College
Scotland! As I said at the staff sessions, we
are reworking our Corporate Plan and I am
really keen to have feedback from staff. So,
if you want to contribute, please do so as
soon as possible. We have also started the
big Skype for Business project which will
impact on all of us in the next few months.
2019 is going to be as busy as ever!
In the meantime, I hope all of our
magnificent staff have a wonderful time
over the Christmas break.
I wish you and your families a very happy
Christmas and a happy and prosperous New
Year.
SKILLS SURVEY
Launched January 2018 a survey of
231organisations, employing more than
65,000 people. This gathered employers’
perspectives on workforce planning and
business needs. The research is the first
of its kind to be conducted by a Scottish
college or university.
COLLEGE INNOVATION FUND
May 2018 – WCS hosted the national
launch of the Scottish Government’s
College Innovation Fund by Paul
Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business,
Innovation and Energy
SFC BUDGET LAUNCH
February 2018 Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP,
Minister for Further and Higher Education, and
members of the Scottish Funding Council tour
our Greenock campus before announcing the
Scottish Government’s 2018-18 budget for
colleges and universities.
CREATIVE EXPOSURE
August 2018 – an inaugural industry event
launched by the hair, beauty and make up
artistry sector saw 28 award-winning Glasgow
artists and stylists showcase their skills in
masterclass demonstrations and pop up shops to
an audience of more than 200 people
DUKE’S VISIT
April 2018 His Royal Highness The Duke of
Gloucester visited WCS to see how students are
gaining the skills to preserve our built heritage,
as well as designing modern homes for the 21st
century.
NEW PRINCIPAL
August 2018 Liz Connolly is welcome as our
new Principal & Chief Executive
Spreading the Love!
SNIPEF EVENT
June 2018 - 30 participants from colleges
and training centres across Scotland and
Northern Ireland gathered to compete at
the 44th Annual SkillPLUMB competition in
our Paisley Campus
GRADUATIONS
November 2018 – 5 amazing ceremonies
across Clydebank, Greenock & Paisley saw
more than 650 students graduate.
WELL DONE
THANK YOU!
The crowd marched through Glasgow city centre in
October to demonstrate a commitment to equality
and respect for people who had spent part of their
lives in the care system.
College Scotland is a part of history, highlighting
that love should be a basic part of life for careexperienced
people.”
Many thanks to all staff & students who,
once again, stepped up to support our
Blythswood Shoebox Appeal!
Now in its 25th year, the Blythswood Shoebox
Appeal has donated over 2 million boxes to those
in need at Christmas time.
West College Scotland has contributed more than
100 boxes this year. Thank you for supporting
this fantastic cause and helping to provide some
special treats for families in poverty this Christmas.
Four members of our Student Services
& Communities team proved that they
don’t just talk the talk, they also walk
the walk!
Scott Campbell, Kirsty MacEwan, Dean Pattison
and Iain Forster-Smith were among hundreds of
people who took part in the world’s first Lifetime
of Love Rally for Care-Experienced People.
The marchers made their way to the City’s Royal
Concert Hall where they were entertained by
musicians and speakers.
Kevin Browne-MacLeod, of Who Cares? Scotland,
an organisation that works for and on behalf of
care-experienced people, said, “Care-experienced
people tell us that love is the most important thing
that is missing and they say they feel they have no
right to experience it.”
Iain Forster-Smith, Director of Student Services
and Communities, said, “It was a such a humbling
thing to be part of and we are so proud that West

04 WESTWORLD DECEMBER 2018 05
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
CDN AWARDS
.....continued from page 1
West College Scotland had a successful night
at this year’s CDN Awards, scooping 2 of the
top prizes.
The awards which are the most prestigious in the
Scottish college sector were presented at a formal
dinner which took place on Thursday 25 October
at Radisson Blu Glasgow. BBC broadcaster and
writer Sally Magnusson hosted the ceremony which
was addressed by John Swinney MSP, the Cabinet
Secretary for Education.
Our Greenock Learning & Development team received
the top recognition in the Employer Connections
category for their ‘Work Ready for Employment’
project and our Marketing Team struck gold in the
Marketing and Communications category for our
#BeLike recruitment campaign.
Our work was also “highly commended” in the
KNOW YOUR COLLEAGUES
DANNY
ON BOARD
Danny Walls
2018 is a year Danny Walls, an MIS
Technical Administrator, won’t forget
in a hurry!
Not only did the twenty-five-yearold
become the Support Staff rep on
the Board of Management, he also
won a prestigious Year of the Young
Person award for Enterprise and
Regeneration.
Inclusive College and Colleague of
the Year categories, and we were
“commended” in the Digital Learning
category.
Our Principal, Liz Connolly, said:
“This was a fantastic night for West
College Scotland. These outstanding
results are a true reflection of the high
standards and professionalism of all our
staff.
“I was thrilled by the fact that so much
of your work gained so much national
recognition. It confirmed to me that
I am Principal of the best college in
Scotland!
“On behalf of the whole College, I want to thank and
Danny, joined the College five years ago and it is
his job to help turn the data the College collects
into useful intelligence that we can use to help
shape our services. He creates reports, for example,
about enrolments and applications, and develops
and implements processes across departments,
generally trying to make life easier for our College
population!
Danny was elected to the Board in September and
says he wants to share his experience of ‘on-the
-ground’ working with other Board members:
“I am delighted to have been elected. I work with
most departments in the College so I have a good
understanding of how we all link together, what
works and what doesn’t. I thought this could be
useful to the Board.
I would like to continue to develop in my role and
see where it takes me. I am looking forward to
using the knowledge I have built up to try to make
a difference and keep improving things going
forward”
In November, Danny got a surprise when he found
out he had been nominated for a Year of the Young
People Award for Enterprise & Regeneration. He
accepted the prize from Iain Forster-Smith, Director
of Student Services and Communities, at our
Paisley Graduation ceremony last month.
“I didn’t even know I had been nominated so it was
a surprise when I got the email through! Getting
to attend the graduation was great and the
atmosphere was brilliant. Thank you to whoever
nominated me!”
Contact Danny on danny.walls@wcs.ac.uk
congratulate all our winners on their achievements
and the many other colleagues who supported
them. They have done themselves and the College
proud.”
SKYPE FOR
BUSINESS
Plans are now well underway as the College
begins the migration to Skype for Business.
Earlier this month, a Skype for Business Projects
Page was set up on the Staff Intranet. It is a
one-stop-shop for everything you need to know
about Skype for Business.
It has video guides and documents showing
you how best to use the application, including
Instant Messaging, Conferencing and Document
Sharing. It also has a helpful Frequently
Asked Questions section, a list of contacts for
our volunteer “Champions” and examples of
colleagues who are already finding it useful.
By the end of June next year all of us should
have moved over to this new tool. It will make
communications across the College much
easier, saving time and money, and reducing the
number of emails we send. It will also replace
existing telephone systems.
For teaching staff, the Projects Page is where
you will book an appointment to have your
laptop or PC upgraded.
In the meantime, if you want to get a feel for
Skype for Business, please take a minute to
visit one of the Demonstration Desks which you
can find at each Campus IT Service Desk:
• Clydebank – Queens Quay , Room 193
• Greenock – Finnart Street, Room WB04
• Paisley – Renfrew Building, Room 123
STAFF ACHIEVEMENT
Our Rising Star in Tech!
Computing lecturer, Amanda Ford is
delighted to add another accolade to
her ever-growing awards collection!
Following on from her recent triumph at the We
are the City Awards as the Rising Star in Education,
Amanda was thrilled to win the Scottish Women
in Technology award for Technology Champion in
Education.
The glittering awards ceremony took place at
the Radisson Blu in Glasgow in October. Amanda
saw off fierce competition from her tech peers to
win the prize. The award recognises outstanding
women working in tech and Amanda is just that!
After returning to education as a mature student,
Amanda has lectured at the College for 4 years
and she completed her PhD this summer at the
University of the West of Scotland.
Not only does Amanda do amazing work with her
students, from programming to 3D modelling for
games development but she is also extremely
active in the community, running afterschool
coding clubs. One of these is in Royston Primary in
Glasgow which her own children attended. For the
past seven years she has organised Mini Game Jam
events, engaging over 1000 children in Glasgow &
Renfrewshire.
STAFF ACHIEVEMENT
A Lion Rose in Paisley
West College Scotland staff and students
from have helped transform Paisley Abbey
into the House of Commons!
They did it as part of the shoot for a film called A
Lion Rose in Paisley. It tells the story of one of the
most famous politicians to emerge from the town –
Willie Gallagher, who was the last Communist MP to
serve in Parliament.
The film is backed by Renfrewshire Council’s
Cultural Heritage fund and is being produced by
College Business lecturers John Kelly and Ronnie
Wilson, along with a retired West College Scotland
colleague, Alex Cathcart. Alex is a recognised writer
and is now passing on his media and story-telling
Alex cathcart
Computing lecturer Amanda Ford receiving her Technology Champion in Education award
Of her latest achievement Amanda said, “I am
extremely humbled and overwhelmed to be
recognised by my peers.
“The thing I love about my job is getting to work
skills as a community volunteer working for a number
of projects.
Alex said that the students from Construction did a
wonderful job in transforming the Abbey:
“The choir stalls took on the look of the House of
Commons chamber, and this helped the actors, who
responded as if it was the real thing. The look was
really authentic and that is due in no small part to
the input of students and staff from West College
Scotland.”
Alex continued: “We have to thank Tommy Campbell
and Andy Corbett. The students and staff did us all
proud and contributed to a serious but fun day.”
The film, which will be completed in the next few
with the latest technology – I use Virtual Reality
and Augmented Reality whenever I can when
teaching. It’s great to see when students have
that lightbulb moment and realise what they are
capable of.”
months, was inspired by a walk through the town by
Alex and John. Close to WCS’s Centre for Performing
Arts on New St, they noticed a cairn to the memory
of Willie Gallacher. They thought it odd that such
a modest memorial should mark such a significant
figure in the history of British trade unionism, while
so many other Buddies are remembered by statues.
Alex and John decided there and then to embark on
the project.
John Kelly said: “This film is a really important one
and we are grateful of the support provided by the
College. Hopefully A Lion Rose in Paisley can shine
a light on a very important figure from Renfrewshire
who has left a lasting legacy on the world of
politics, trade unions and community activism.”

06 WESTWORLD DECEMBER 2018 07
COLLEGE NEWS
ARMED FORCES
COVENANT
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
TOP JUDO PRIZE
FOR PAUL
A Clydebank Sports Lecturer has won an
international award for his work promoting
Judo.
Paul McGuinness organises an inspiring education
seminar every year called “The Gathering”. He does
this on behalf of the governing body for Judo in
Scotland. The seminar has grown from just 40
participants in 2012 to 200 participants in 2018.
The most recent Gathering took place in
September at the Inverclyde National Sport
Training Centre in Largs. Enthusiasts travelled
from all over Europe to learn from guest
speakers who had flown in from Japan to
deliver talks, lessons and workshops.
The Gathering is now one of the main events in
the calendar of the European Judo Union (EJU)
and last year it won the EJU’s “Best Education
Seminar” award. This was presented at a gala
dinner in April at the 2018 European Judo
Championships in Tel Aviv.
Paul told WestWorld:
“The Gathering goes from strength to strength,
thanks to Scottish judo’s community of
coaches. Receiving the award for 2017 earlier
this year was a fantastic accolade for our team
and our 2018 event was even bigger and
better”.
Well done Paul!
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
Get involved!
The College has joined 1,500 organisations from across
the UK by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
We need everyone’s help to make our operations more
sustainable. Check out our new Sustainability portal which has
been designed for you to keep up to date and get involved in
sustainability initiatives across our campuses.
The Covenant commits us, among other things, to support staff who sign up
as Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force Reservists. Among other things, it
means staff who are members of the Reserve Forces will get the necessary
time off to train with Regular Forces or to support them on tours of duty.
This has been included in a new Reservist Policy.
David Gunn, Director Organisational Development and HR, told WestWorld:
“We recognise the benefits of allowing staff to serve with the Reserve
Forces. We know, for example, how organisations can gain from the
leadership-training their staff receive in the Forces.
“The Covenant also means we will support veterans and their families, as well
as serving personnel. There are 200,000 ex-servicemen and women living
in Scotland. We believe the College can contribute to reskilling or upskilling
many of them for life outside the military.”
Speaking for the Armed Forces, Hugh Devlin, who is Regional Employer
Engagement Director, said:
“We are delighted West College Scotland has signed the Armed Forces
Covenant and we are looking forward to developing a relationship which
works for serving military and their families, the veterans and the College.”
The page will be continuously updated with news, information and
useful resources so make sure you visit it regularly! Recent updates
have included new workbooks designed to embed sustainability issues
into the Curriculum and information on rewards to be had for recycling
so definitely worth a look. You can also find details of the Cycling Club,
news & policies and our Empower online tool
Staff are welcome to share their ideas, projects and achievements
on our new Sustainability Portal and you can already contribute by
sending your input to Marcelle McLaughlin, Sustainability Officer, at
Marcelle.McLaughlin@wcs.ac.uk
What can you do now to get started? Help the College reduce our
Energy consumption by “turning it off” – just look at the difference it
can make!
Marcelle McLaughlin,
Sustainability Officer
Marcelle.McLaughlin@wcs.ac.uk
WCS Policy Officer Drew McGowan spent
the best part of a month in California,
as part of a politician’s campaign to be
elected to the US Congress. Here, Drew
tells WestWorld of his time in the States.
As a political junkie living in Scotland, I feel as if
have been spoiled these past five years, having
gone to the polls seven times in elections and
referendums.
So, with no votes likely in 2018, I couldn’t pass
up the chance to go to the USA for the Midterm
elections. The opportunity came through a new
social enterprise that I happened to stumble
upon and I saved up my leave to go to California
for four weeks.
I was based in Orange County, working for Katie
Porter in the 45th Congressional District. Katie,
a Democrat, was attempting to unseat the
Republican congressional representative Mimi
Walters.
Orange County, a Republican stronghold, was a
key
battleground in the fight for the Democrats to
take back control of the House of
Representatives.
Dissatisfaction with President Trump and
changing demographics meant that, for the first
time, all the County’s districts were “up for grabs”.
No Democrat had ever won in the 45th district.
In fact, Mimi Walters secured 65% of the vote
as recently as 2014. So, a Katie Porter victory
was far from guaranteed.
My job was to liaise with the campaign and
coordinate the efforts of volunteers from the
UK and Ireland. Campaigning in the Californian
sun, we chapped doors, identified supporters,
registered voters, convinced undecideds and
recruited volunteers.
After nail-biting count, Katie Porter secured
51.6% of the vote. I am proud to have played a
small part in getting her elected.
I did manage to escape the campaign trail from
time-to-time and made sure I was able to get
on a tour of the RMS Queen Mary. Bigger than
the Titanic, she was launched in 1934 from
the John Brown shipyard – where our Clydebank
campus now stands – and she is now docked at
Long Beach in Los Angeles.
It was an incredibly exciting time to be in the
States and to be immersed in their politics. It
was a trip of a lifetime for a political anorak like
me. Who knows? I might just find myself back
for the presidential election in 2020!

08 WESTWORLD
12 Days of Christmas spot the difference
On the first day of Christmas we created another fiendish spot the difference puzzle to get you in a seasonal mood. Can you spot the 12 differences
between the two pictures below and also tell us which of the 12 days is not featured? Correct answers will be put in a draw for a £20 Braehead voucher.