Greenhead’s illustrious Charity Week hails another spectacular success as on the 20^th and 22^nd of November the college assembled to raise as much money as they could for charity. The chosen charity this year was CALM, an organisation campaigning to better support male mental health and the college’s combined effort managed to raise an impressive £2,851.

The week began with a widely anticipated staff horse race featuring many of Greenhead’s well-known figures all competing in a balloon-popping, fiercely competitive sprint around the college in an effort to be crowned winners, with the blue team David Greenwood and Charlotte Twigger emerging victorious. The sale of raffle tickets for the event contributed fantastically to the final sum raised and the general buzz of excitement present throughout the week. There was also a superb bake sale with a large number donations of baked goods from students, staff and local businesses. Thank you so much for your generosity – both baking and buying!

With Thursday came the main event – the array of costumes was so impressive this year, with students and staff alike, crowding into college in the guises of costumes portraying countless characters, creatures and the odd obscure references. With lunchtime came Battle of the Bands with incredible performances given by all six performers. The band Mud Mask were chosen as the winner by our judges, with their version of Bowie’s ‘Ziggy Stardust’. The true spirit of Greenhead College; community, togetherness and an overarching mutual support for all was epitomised by the performance of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, where Mud Mask invited all the musicians to join them in a final performance in which the whole student body sang along in a euphoric rendition.

Article written by Greenhead College Student Officers.

Charity Day Gallery:

As part of the enrichment programme ‘Hooked on Books’, students from Greenhead College review various books throughout the year and would love to share their reviews with you. 

This Q&A style review is of the book ‘Natives’ by Akala and was written by A2 student Zahrah. 

Enjoy!

What inspired you to choose this book to review?

It’s so relevant, and I was watching a TV show and Akala was a guest on it, and he was so well spoken, and seemed well educated on the issue of race relations and politics in Britain today. So I thought it was really thought provoking.

Why do you think this book will appeal to students in college?

I think it’s because as students, and the new generation, we’re growing up in a very heavy globalised world. This is really reflective on the state of how our communities interact in Britain, and black history in Britain is something that’s been washed over. I think its highlighting how much we have in common, and trying to improve social cohesion.

Did you learn anything from the book?

I always thought that black history had its roots in the civil rights movement in America, and I didn’t realise how close to home the violence to black people was. It was quite humbling to think about how as a young Asian woman in Britain today I’ve faced some adversities related to my race, and it was so much worse 30 years ago, and it institutionalised racism in Britain. 

How did you find out about the book?

He mentioned it on the TV show. I was also in a bookshop and I remembered that he published the book, so I asked when it would be available to buy, and when the date arrived I went out and purchased the book.

Today, Friday 9th November 2018, the students and staff here at GC joined together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

An incredible number of students and staff all turned up to the service, which took place in the College hall at 11am. Members of the GC Student Association, Charlotte Armstrong and James Fishwick, read aloud a short reading which was followed by 2 minutes silence completed with a playing of ‘The Last Post’.

A number of staff and students then walked across the road to Greenhead Park to lay our poppy wreath at the war memorial. Student Equality and Diversity officer, Simone Dawes, laid the wreath whilst another moment of silence was held.

The reading from our students follows:

This Sunday marks the 100th year anniversary of the Armistice and the ending of the First World War.

Greenhead College would like to remember the fallen from this conflict and all subsequent victims of war.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

(Audience Repeat): We will remember them.

We would now like you to join us in observing a 2 minute silence.