Dog on the 'catwalk'

Today I had to go to my dog sitters. Yay!

Ann is getting a bit obsessed with making jewellery and went on another jewellery making workshop. This time at 'Truro College'. What a difference from the last course she went on.??!!

The lady that took the course was very lovely, but the course was nowhere near as organised as the last workshop Ann went on.

Sorry feel a bit of a rant coming on...................................

I’m modelling what Ann has made today (a lovely copper bracelet & ring) so if you don’t want to trawl through the rest of this Blip you can just comment on what a fabulous model I am?? LOL!!

Firstly, on Ann’s last course at the CSACJ she arrived to a desk with all the equipment that she needed for the day neatly laid out. Today she had to share a lot of stuff and the tutor had to go to the class next door to steal back stuff that had been ‘borrowed’. (Oh the joys of local education authorities??)

Secondly, on the privately run course, the tutor went through all the H&S stuff, Ann had to wear goggles when using the burner things and that was it. The tutor kept a watchful eye on the students when they were using ‘dangerous equipment’ and never left the room for the whole of the course.

Thirdly, Ann totally understands that 'Truro College' is a college that caters for a lot of different students and obviously has a handbook for tutors that they have to work through at the beginning of their classes. However, on a one day jewellery workshop (where the average age was probably about 50), does one really need to be told where one can go for contraceptive advice??????? What a waste of half an hour?!!

Fourthly, the first thing that anyone needs to be told on the introduction part of a workshop is what the tutor is called, where the toilets are, where to get a coffee, what time lunch is and where one can go for lunch. Truro College you may have a teachers manual the size of ‘War & Peace’ – but 50+ students would prefer to have that information than know where to go for careers advice or where to go if we’ve got a STD.

Fifthly, in the letter of confirmation one should have info about which building the course is actually being held in, where to park, how much car parking costs, who the tutor is, etc. etc. Ann has never, ever been to Truro college before and her confirmation letter gave her the choice of reporting to reception at 3 buildings. She went to the first one she came to. Fortunately the college was having an open day so there was someone there, but the receptionist had to make 3 phone calls before she could tell Ann where to go.

Sixthly, Ann is a reasonably confident person around collages/education etc (because she used to be a teacher). Fortunately out of the 8 people on the course today, a couple were already involved with the college and others came with a friend. If Ann had been a really nervous, timid, person she probably would have just got straight back in her car when the first receptionist she spoke to didn’t know where the course was being held???

Anyway, Ann could rant forever about her experience at Truro College today!!!!
The actual college is lovely, very modern, etc. etc. etc.

Will Ann be doing any more courses at Truro College? Absolutely NOT!!!

The Cornwall School of Art, Craft & Jewellery maybe a bit further away but in Ann’s opinion it’s well worth driving a little bit further for a better course.