June 2022 - Page 2 of 2 - Capital City College Group

Young stars from CANDI perform Annie like there’s no Tomorrow

Posted on June 15, 2022January 23, 2023 by Hannah Fenton

Aspiring actors from City and Islington College (CANDI) headed back to 1930s New York when they took to the stage to perform the Broadway hit musical Annie.

The show featured many of the classic songs written by Charles Strousse and Martin Charnin including Maybe, It’s a Hard Knock Life, Little Girls and the showstopper Tomorrow.

The spectacular production about a young orphan girl was performed over two nights at the college’s theatre at its Centre for Business, Arts and Technology on Camden Road.

The 11-strong cast was made up of Performing Arts Level 3 Diploma students. Different actors performed in the main roles with Shaquilla Farrell and Kerry-Ann Alvarez Trivino starring as Annie.

Africa Blagrove and Xanandu Sheriff played Miss Hannigan, while Marc Roth and James Whittington-Phillips played Daddy Warbucks, Lizzie Estell played Grace Farrell and Tomas Valencia was Rooster.

The rest of the cast comprised Esther Lafa, Bianca Alieze-Luciano and Janel Mevlit who played the orphans, servants at the Warbucks mansion and other minor characters.

Shaquilla, 17, from Islington, reprised the role of Annie she had previously played when she was a pupil at Montem Primary School in Islington.

She said: “I was a bit nervous because I wasn’t very well and had lost my voice a few days before. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, especially singing big numbers, but on the morning of the show I managed to push my voice out and I began to relate to Annie’s optimism. I had to believe in myself that I could do it, and I did.

“The audience loved it and were cheering after each song. At the end they were saying it was an amazing show and they didn’t even realise I was ill. I was very surprised because of how I had been feeling, but very proud of everyone I’d worked with on the show.

“When I’m performing it’s like I’m sharing a piece of me with everyone. I just feel alive.”

‘The audience loved it and were cheering after each song. At the end they were saying it was an amazing show.’

Audiences were quick to applaud the “wonderful” show.

One said: “What made this truly special was not only the impact on the performers, but their family and friends. The pride and joy as they see their children excel, and morph into something truly amazing, is testament to the commitment of CANDI’s teachers and staff.”

The show was directed by Tim Chaundy, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts, with choreography and acting coaching from Performing Arts lecturers Caroline Griffiths and Blanka Molnar.

Sound and lighting was provided by theatre technicians Natalie Tomlin, Chevelle Adeko and Neill Brinkworth supported by Performing Arts student Gabriele Jasineviciute.

‘The students worked with absolute commitment and flair … it’s not wonder every single one of them has been offered places to continue into higher education or got work in the industry this year.’

Tim said: “It was amazing to have worked with such a dedicated ensemble to fully realise our interpretation of Annie. The audience were truly impressed with the high energy and confidence of the students’ performance.

“The students worked with absolute commitment and flair, often rehearsing in their own time to ensure that the show was a success. It’s no wonder every single one of them has been offered places to continue into higher education or got work in the industry this year.”

The show formed part of a Summer Showcase of productions, that included stage adaptations of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses and Sonali Bhattacharyya’s Two Billion Beats.

The end-of-year event also featured productions of Cacophony by Molly Taylor and a version of the Greek tragedy Antigone, along with various music performances.

A career on the stage, as well as a lot more confidence for whatever you choose to do, can be yours, with a qualification in Performing Arts. Under the expert tutelage of our dedicated lecturers, supported by our team of support staff and technicians, you’ll get great tuition in our excellent theatre facilities.

Apply now for a Performing Arts course at CANDI here.

Public Services student recognised by Met for saving man after fall from bus

Posted on June 8, 2022February 27, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

A Public Services student at City and Islington College (CANDI) has received a Commander’s Commendation by the Metropolitan Police after saving a man who fell from a bus.

Met Police cadet Deontay Campbell-Taylor-Ming, 17, administered first aid to the man and stayed with him for an hour until paramedics arrived to take him to hospital.

Deontay was recognised for his professionalism and bravery and presented with the award at a ceremony at the Tower of London. He was also shortlisted for a Metropolitan Police Excellence Award.

He recalled how he was on his way home to Tower Hamlets last December when he spotted a crowd clustered around a man lying on the ground, but no one was helping.

“The man had fallen from the bottom step and hit his head on the pavement. There wasn’t much blood but there was a large bump,” he said.

“He was also complaining of abdominal pain, so I did a primary survey, checked his airways were clear and that his breathing was regular. I put him in the recovery position and got someone in the crowd to call an ambulance.”

When he heard there would be an hour wait, Deontay recognised the need for a defibrillator and flagged down a police car and carried out a full handover to the officers.

The officers at the scene described Deontay’s intervention and handling of the situation as “exceptional.”

Deontay joined the Met Police’s volunteer cadet programme at the age of 10 after officers visited his primary school, St Paul with St Luke in Bow. He is now a Team Leader and still attends weekly sessions on first aid, legislation and procedure and fitness.

He said his cadet training along with the skills and knowledge he had gained on his Public Services diploma, had given him the confidence to step up when others hesitated.

Deontay said: “I am not really surprised that people stand about watching rather than helping. For many people my age their first reaction is to get their phone out to record it rather than getting involved.

“If first aid training was an option, more people would know what to do.”

Deontay said his actions on the day were “second nature” and thinks first aid lessons should be an option for all school pupils.

“I think personally it is all about confidence. You build it up, so when you have to you intrinsically want to help,” he said.

Deontay attended the awards ceremony with his family who he said were “delighted” that his initiative and decisive action had been rewarded.

PC Reece Buckley, Cadet Co-ordinator for the Central East Command Unit said: “Deontay has spent a number of years with us in which we have watched him grow in confidence and in leadership. In this situation, Deontay launched into action, remembering his Cadet training, when everyone else stood by.”

Nigel Lewis, Curriculum Leader for Public Services at CANDI, himself a former Met Police officer, said Deontay’s award was well-deserved.

He said: “Through his college and police cadet work Deontay is knowledgeable about police practice and procedure and very conscientious. He has volunteered to police many community events and is the sort of person who would do very well in a public services role.”

Apply now for Public Services courses

‘Everyone treats each other with respect at CANDI. It’s just a great place to be’

Posted on June 6, 2022February 27, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

As the nation celebrates 50 years of Pride this June, former City and Islington College (CANDI) student Freddie Cook shares how the college gave him support and a platform to share his experiences as a gay man with other students.

When Freddie Cook celebrated the results of his Public Services diploma last summer, he was unable to hold back his love and appreciation of City and Islington College (CANDI).

“My teachers really helped give me the support I needed. For me, CANDI was like a second family,” he said, bursting with pride after achieving a triple Distinction.

Now a year into studying a BA (Hons) Criminology with Criminal Justice at the University of Greenwich, he recalled coming out as gay to his teacher at CANDI when he was 16.

“My tutor was so supportive and made sure everyone was on board with it. The college was really looking out for me and made sure I was in a safe place,” said Freddie, who lives in Islington.

Freddie’s tutor gave him the opportunity to educate other students about the history of the LGBTQ+ community, life in the public services as a gay person and the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

“I had so many of my peers tell me they would never have known about these things if I had not shared my experience,” said Freddie.

“It encouraged more people to feel comfortable in themselves.”

CANDI’s Public Services courses are ideal for anyone looking to join the Armed Forces, emergency service or other related profession in the security and legal sector.

“The course covers a mixture of topics. You look at how the services and legal system work, and there are some physical aspects to it, as you need to be fit to work in the public services,” he said.

“The teachers were so helpful with assignments and always there and happy to help you with any problems you may have. They supported and prepared us so much for the world we’re going into and what to expect when we go into our chosen careers.”

Freddie, now 19, hopes to join the Met Police as a dog handler or become a Border Force officer when he finishes his university degree in 2024.

“CANDI is an amazing college. It’s so friendly,” he said. “Everyone treats each other with respect. It’s just a great place to be.”

Apply now for courses and apprenticeships here.

City & Guilds recognises Capital City College Group for its ‘high quality’ apprenticeships

Posted on June 6, 2022June 15, 2022 by Paul Cassell

Capital City College Group (CCCG) has received an award from City & Guilds for the “high quality and standard” of its apprenticeships.

The awarding body recognised the Group’s success after reviewing the number of apprentices passing their end point assessment (EPA) with Distinction, their feedback and quality of service.

Elizabeth Akinaja, Business Development Manager at City & Guilds, presented a plaque to CCCG when she visited the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) on 18 May.

She said: “We have analysed our EPA data and selected a small cohort of providers that have met these criteria with evidence of volumes of Distinctions and positive learner feedback.

“As a result of the high quality and standard of your apprenticeship provision, we would like to present you with a personalised EPA plaque.”

The majority of CCCG’s apprenticeships are available through Capital City College Training (CCCT), London’s largest apprenticeship provider, training more than fifth of all apprentices in the capital.

The Group offers apprenticeship training in sectors including accounting, business administration, construction, healthcare, hospitality and culinary arts, customer service and facilities management.

Electrical Installations apprentice David Jones, 28, from Haringey, said: “I’m a bit older than most apprentices and I’ve tried a few things in the past including bricklaying, forklift driving, sales and removals. They were enjoyable, but not to the same extent as this.

“I’ve also got two uncles who are electricians and just thought that this kind of work would suit me better. It’s not just physical but involves using your mind as well. You’re also not doing the same thing every day, and that really appealed to me. If there’s a fault, you have to find it, look at the cable routes and how it fits together, and then plan how you’re going to fix it.

“I had a really good supervisor on my first apprenticeship job who helped me with the basics by breaking things down to making it easier to understand, which gave me a good head start. I’ve enjoyed learning not just about the electrical side, but how a building goes up from start to finish.

“I did look at doing a full-time course, but it didn’t fit right and then this opportunity came up and it was good money for an apprenticeship. I think most employers, if they see you’ve done an apprenticeship, it looks better because you’ve got the experience and a qualification to go with it.”

Each year CCCT works with more than 500 organisations to train 1,500 apprentices, as well as offering free short courses and employability skills training to help get people into work.

CCCG Executive Principal Kurt Hintz said: “We are absolutely thrilled that our apprenticeship provision at CCCG has been recognised by City & Guilds, which is a credit to the excellent work of our apprenticeship teams and the fantastic achievements of our apprentices.

“I am enormously proud of our success in delivering such a high standard of apprenticeships at CCCG. I have no doubt that with such incredible commitment from our colleagues, employers and apprentices we will remain London’s number one provider for apprenticeship training.”

Apprenticeships are paid jobs that are open to all ages, which usually comprise four days with an employer and one day of study towards a recognised qualification. They enable you to earn while you learn and gain real work experience in your chosen sector with no student debt.

Find out more about CCCT apprenticeships and training courses and how to apply here.