High Melton Fitness Suite

Here is some information on the new gym, which will open on 5th January 2010 at the Pavilion, High Melton:

Dates
Grand Opening: Tuesday 5th January 16:00 – 20:00
Then open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 16:00 – 20:00

Prices
Opening week special: £5 for Tuesday AND Thursday, plus induction and 3-point health “MOT” (assessment)
Normally £2.50 per session with student ID
You can buy a pass at High Melton reception.

More info:

http://www.don.ac.uk/mini_sites/pavilion_health__fitness/home.aspx.

Doncaster Travel Pass - "Travelmaster"

A weekly “Travelmaster” pass costs £16.60 per week and allows you to travel on both Stagecoach and First buses in Doncaster, as well as on the train.

You can buy this pass from the Transport Information Centre which is at the top of the escalators in the Frenchgate Shopping Centre.

The telephone number for information about travel in South Yorkshire is 01709 51 51 51.

Photos of High Melton October 2009

Registering with a doctor

For students living off campus, you should visit the Health Focus shop in the Colonnades Centre in Doncaster (see map above). Take your passport and proof that you are a student (for example your enrolment letter or visa letter).

Tel. 01302 768550

For students at High Melton, there is no need to register in advance - you can go to the doctor in nearby Barnburgh (see map above) when you are ill and register as a temporary patient. See Carole in the accommodation office to make an appointment, or contact High Melton reception.

Cooking ideas for students

The BBC has a couple of useful sites about cooking for students:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/news_and_events/events_student1.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/headroom/grubclub/index.shtml

New Activities for Students 2009/10

Hi everyone,

Please download the Enrichment Brochure which gives details of the various activities that are available for you to get involved with.

They include Dance, Martial Arts, Horse Riding, Go Karting, Climbing, Journalism, Graffiti, and Music.

Faculty of Arts End of Year Shows

Thursday 21st May
The ‘Fine Art’ and ‘Fashion’ Degree Shows have their Private View on (with wine and nibbles) at the Hub campus. 6pm to 8pm.

Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd May
The annual Fashion Show is on in the Events Hall at the Hub. Tickets are £5 for the matinee show on the Friday, and £7.50 for the evening shows on both days. Unfortunately we do have to charge for the Fashion Show, as hiring the staging, lighting, models etc is extremely costly and we don’t want to have to pass this cost on to the students.

Wednesday 3rd June & Thursday 4th June
The ND2 Dance and Drama students are performing ‘Seussical’ which is a musical based on the works of Dr Seuss in the Harvey Theatre at High Melton. Shows are at 7pm on the 3rd, and 1pm and 7pm on the 4th June and Friday 5th June. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3.50 for concessions. Kids will love this show, so please bring your sons/daughters/nieces/nephews/grandkids!!

Thursday 4th June
The ‘Graphic Design’, ‘Photography’ and ‘Animation and Illustration’ Degree Shows have their Private View on 6:30pm to 9pm at the High Melton Campus.

Thursday 4th June
The pre-Degree courses show that will include Design, Photography, Fine Art, Painting, Printing, Fashion and Illustration and will be between 6pm to 8pm at the Hub campus!

For further information, or to book tickets for the Fashion Show/Seussical, please contact Laura Zenbergs on x 553578.

May Ball at High Melton

Here is the poster for details of this year's end of term May Ball which will take place on Friday 29th May. You will need to buy a ticket in advance from the bar which is just £2 per person.

Taxi Companies

Please always use Alpha Minicabs whose phone number is 01302 323333 or 01302 364000. If they are not available then Dial-a-Cab are also okay - 01302 364184.

I have attached a map showing the location for if you are in town at night.

New Time for Exercise / Relaxation / Self Defence Class

Taekwondo Olympic Coach Seelan Rengesamy's class will now hold his Exercise / Relaxation / Self Defence / Taekwondo class at 6:30pm on Thursdays.

It will be every Thursday at High Melton - Room QA26 (The Dance Studio).

Just turn up - wear trainers & appropriate clothing ie. casual - either shorts or jogging bottoms or tracksuit etc.

College's Got Talent

Doncaster College will be raising money for Comic Relief by show casing our students' talents. Students can audition for a chance to be in the live final or they can come along on the night to support!

Live Final: Friday 13th March, 6pm – 9pm in the student common room, The Hub.

Ticket only - £1.50 each (max 3 tickets per student on production of student ID card). Purchase from The Hub, Student Union Office & High Melton, Stables Reception.

Christian Carlisle, Sine FM DJ, will be co-hosting the show with Kristy Crawford (Pop Idol Finalist)

Top Live Band - includes Kirsty Crawford Pop Idol Finalist and Rockaoke (Glastonbury, V Festival, Ibiza Manumission, NME Awards, Radio 1 & GMTV)

Guest appearance from the band 'Little Baby Cheeses'

Many Top Prizes to be won including:

-2 hour Recording Session with a top Producer / CD to take away/ live interview on Sine FM, donated by Sine FM
-Custom designed trainers, donated by Star Sparkles
-5 a side pitch (1 session) donated by Keepmoat Stadium
-2 directors tickets for one Doncaster Dons Rugby Match at the Keepmoat Stadium
-1 Family Pass for Doncaster Dome (includes ice-skating and swimming)
-2 Annual Doncaster Dome Gym Passes
-Signed Doncaster Rovers Shirt
-Meal for 2 at The Stables

High Melton Food Hall & Bar

Click here to visit the High Melton Student Food Hall and Bar's webpage which features lots of images from the facility which opened in January 2009 - http://www.don.ac.uk/university_centre_doncaster/high_melton_food_hall__bar.aspx.

Also, click here for details of the afternoon and evening menu - http://www.don.ac.uk/PDF/high_melton_food_hall_and_bar_menu.pdf.

Illusion Photographs 12:02:09

Activities at The Hub

Tae Kwon Do
Wednesdays 4:30 - 6:30pm - Sports Hall / Activity Room

War Games Club
Wednesdays 5:00 - 9:00pm - Common Room

Medieval Re-enactment Group
Tuesdays 5:00 - 9:00pm - Common Room

Football (Men)
Mondays and Wednesdays 2:00 - 4:00pm - Keepmoat Stadium

Football (Women)
Mondays and Wednesdays 2:00 - 4:00 pm - College for the Deaf

Basketball
Mondays 2:30 - 3:30 and Wednesday 2:00 - 4:00pm - Sports Hall

Street Dance
Tuesdays 12:15 - 13:15pm - Activity Room (Adjacent to Fitness Suite / Gym)

Netball
Mondays 1:30 - 2:30pm and Wednesdays 2:00 - 4:00pm - Sports Hall

Kickboxing
Wednesdays 4:30 - 6:30pm - Sports Hall / Activity Room

Exercise / Relaxation / Self Defence Class at High Melton

Taekwondo Olympic Coach Seelan Rengesamy will conduct an Exercise / Relaxation / Self Defence / Taekwondo class every Thursday at High Melton. All are very welcome.

In takes place in Room QA26 at High Melton (the dance studio) between 4.45 - 6.15pm.

Just turn up - wear trainers & appropriate clothing ie casual - either shorts or jogging bottoms or tracksuit etc

It's No Illusion

**POSTPONED UNTIL 12th FEBRUARY**

University Centre Doncaster’s first club-experience will be launched in the newly refurbished Student Bar on Thursday, February 12th.

Organisers say Illusion will be an audio-visual experience to remember with DJs playing an eclectic mix of music, defying all genres and labels providing guests with an unpredictable array of sights and sounds.

The launch night will coincide with the arrival of three new groups of international students – two from France and one from Germany – giving the free event a real cosmopolitan feel.

It is one of the first events to be held in the newly refurbished Student Bar at the High Melton campus which was opened in January and due to be officially named by students in the coming weeks.

http://www.don.ac.uk/news/latest_news/january_09/its_no_illusion.aspx

The Hub Opening Times (Gym, Refectory, etc.)

The Fitness Suite (Gym)

Monday 12:30 - 14:00 16:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 12:30 - 13:30 16:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 12:30 - 13:30 16:00 - 18:00
Thursday 12:30 - 14:00 16:00 - 18:00
Friday 12:30 - 14:15

To book an induction - please visit to gym or call Bez on 01302 553553 and ask for extension 4248.

Refectory

Breakfast 0800 - 1130
Lunch 1140 - 1330
Drinks and Snacks 1330 to 1700

Friday close at 1600
Holidays 0800 - 1500

High Melton opening times (Library, Bar, Refectory, etc.)

Refectory (Restaurant)
8:00am - 1:30pm Monday to Friday

Coffee Bar
Monday to Friday 8:00am - 3:00pm

Shop
9am - 4pm

LRC (Library)
Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 8:00pm
Friday - 8:30am - 4:45pm
Saturday - 12:00pm - 4:00pm
During holidays:
Mon-Thurs - 8:45am - 5:00pm
Friday - 8:45am - 4:45pm



Student Bar
Monday - Friday 12:30pm - 11pm
Saturdays - 7:30pm - 11pm
Sundays - 7:30pm - 10:30pm

Useful Telephone Numbers (including Emergency Numbers)

International Office: 01302 553592 / 01302 553785 / 01302 553593

High Melton Reception: 01302 553773

College Emergency Number

The Hub: 01302 553933

High Melton: 01302 553939

UK Emergency Number: 999 or 112

NHS Direct (health advice over the telephone) 0845 4647

Taxi numbers:
Alpha: 01302 323333
Apple: 01302 342000
Mick's: 01302 820282

Useful links

Train times - for times and prices of train from Doncaster see:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Young Person's (& Mature Student's) Railcard

http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/

International Student Card:

http://www.isiccard.com/

Doncaster Rovers (the local football team who play in the Championship) fixtures:

http://www.doncasterroversfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10329,00.html

Doncaster Free Press (the local newspaper) online:

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/

Jobs in Doncaster

There are several sources where you may be able to find employment whilst you are studying here.

There are usually plenty of vacancies for part-time work in Doncaster town centre, for example: waiter / waitress, cook, bar staff, cleaner, shop assistant, etc. Places to look for these vacancies include:
· the Free Press, published every Thursday and available in all newsagents.
· The Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Jobs & Careers, published weekly on sale in most newsagents
· the Jobcentre on Wood Street in the town centre
· the Jobcentre’s website: http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/.
· You may also find vacancies by looking in the windows of shops and businesses, or just by going in and asking for the manager.
· A number of agencies offer a variety of part time work including the jobs mentioned above and also shift work in factories and warehouses. These agencies include:
o Taskmaster, 3 Trafford Court (01302) 323292
o Stafforce (01302) 342424
o Major (01302) 738288
o Protemp (01302) 816816
o Travail (01302) 363811
o Manpower (01302) 343226
o Primetime (01302) 321159
o First Choice Recruitment (01302) 515000
o Pertemps (01302) 320480, plus there are several others, mostly located in Doncaster town centre. You can find a full list of Employment Agencies in the Yellow Pages.
As always, if you need any assistance, please come and see us in the International Office.

National Insurance numbers
If you need to obtain a National Inusrance (NI) number, call the Jobcentre Plus line on 0845 6000 643

Renting Property in Doncaster

Many students decide to live off-site during their stay in Doncaster. Here is some useful information for students looking for suitable accommodation in Doncaster.

*For information about accommodation in Doncaster College's halls of residence at High Melton, please see the college website at http://www.don.ac.uk/international_students/accommodation.aspx **

Advice on the internet about renting
There may be many concerns or questions that you may have regarding renting a property in the UK. There are several sites that provide useful information for students including:

Student UK Accommodation Guide
This site provides all kinds of information on accommodation for students, including advice on house-hunting, costs, contracts, etc.
http://www.studentuk.com/Advice/accommodation.asp

Sharing
There is a very good website for people wanting to move into shared accommodation – see http://www.easyroommate.com/.

Estate Agents
There are several estate agencies that offer properties to rent. They usually provide a list of available houses and flats. Here are some of the main ones:

Barnsdale Estate Agents, 59a Nether Hall Road, Doncaster DN1 2PG
Tel: (01302) 323453

Highfield Property Management, 1 Windsor Road, Town Moor, Doncaster DN2 5BN
Tel: (01302) 369475

Kerrigans Property Services 79 Nether Hall Road, Doncaster DN1 2QA
Tel: (01302) 323453

Reeds Rains 38 Hallgate, Doncaster DN1 3NR
Tel: (01302) 325115

Specialist Lettings & Management 11a Priory Place Doncaster (01302) 321251

Portfield Gerrard & Wright 27 Hallgate Doncaster (01302) 327341

Newspapers
The main local newspaper in Doncaster is the Free Press, which is published on a Thursday. This contains a property guide which includes a property to rent section.

There are other newspapers with classified sections including renting property such as “Admag” and the “Yeller”. You can find these at most newsagents.

Please remember we are here to help so come and see us in the International Office if you need any more information or assistance.

Visiting Chinese teachers visit Doncaster Mansion House at meet Mayor Winters

Here is a picture of a our recent group of Chinese teachers meeting the Mayor at Doncaster Mansion House in December.

Welcome to the new Doncaster College International Blog

Here you'll find lots of resources and bits of useful information - please e-mail us at international@don.ac.uk with any suggestions or comments that you have.

Thanks,

Ben