Hello Sam!

A big hello to everyone out there! 

My name is Sam, I’m 25 and I’m the new Student Services Officer here at TTPL.  

I graduated from Southampton Solent University in May where I gained a First Class Honours in International Tourism Management and I am now eager to get stuck into this vital role. I am a cheerful chap, loud, excitable and potentially annoying as I like to be a part of everything and anything.  I live for football and worship the mighty Torquay United but I also enjoy the “quieter” things in life like snowboarding, live music and socialising with my crazy friends. I am passionate about Torquay and the surrounding area and encourage you all to explore my home town and learn about our history and GeoPark status (Yes I am a secret geek/ecowarrior).

I have been working with international students both abroad and in the UK since I was 17 and love meeting new people, hearing about the differences in our lives and learning about different cultures and traditions. If you have any pointless facts about your country that will enhance my quiz knowledge please tweet me @TTPLsupport. On a serious note my role here at TTPL is to make sure our trainees have the best possible experience.  I am a firm believer in the benefits of work placement experiences and want you to create happy memories that last for a lifetime whilst developing your career potential. To ensure your experience is an amazing one, I need to know how you are, how your work placement is, your host family, is there anything bothering you and what can we do better?  Information is vital and without hearing your views I’m afraid I cannot help you. I promise I don’t bite and although I might look strange I assure you I’m nice and your welfare is what is important to me. I am here to help, support and aid your stay here in Devon, so please please please email, call or come and visit me in the TTPL office and let me know how you are today!!!

So...Welcome Sam, from all of us at TTPL

September starts!

On Monday one of our groups spent their last day at the brand new and very interesting SW Energy Centre in Paignton...if you have not been I urge you to go and have a look around - I am certain that one of the team there will be only too happy to show you around. Before they left the Italian 'Eurocentro' group felt they had to say "Goodbye Torquay" 

We also said farewell to a number of our students this week, among them our student Daniel - he will be missed, he made a real impact here in the office and has produced some excellent project work for us. Auf Wiedersehen Daniel!                                     

The student meeting this week was a great afternoon bowling at AMF Bowling inTorquay, it is always great to see so many students all having fun together...and even having their own competitions! I overheard two students (who will remain nameless) bowling to decide who would clean the kitchen when they got back to their host family! So nice to see such competitive spirit put to such good use. Our weekly meetings are such an integral part of our students experience - if anyone has any ideas for an interesting venue please let us know.  

The 'and finally' this week is about Social Media - you have probably read this blog via Facebook or Twitter but did you know we have a Pinterest page and a You Tube channel...please have a look and follow us or even just take a peek. Tell us what you are doing and tag us in your pictures. Have fun, enjoy yourselves and don't forget to let us know. Enjoy the weekend, and hope to hear from you very soon.

Bye for now!

Vicky the Finance Officer!

Hi I’m Vicky the Finance Officer at TTPL. Thanks to my bosses I’m having a great summer with my 3 daughters!  Thank you bosses!! You see they allow me to work school hours during term time and two days (9am-5pm) each week when the girls are on holiday, which is brilliant!! I’m so lucky!!  I’ve been on bikes rides, walking on the moors, kayaking, lazing on the beach, going to the cinema, shopping, visiting friends, eating out (not so good for my waistline but I love food!!), staying up late and having a great time with my girls.  I also got to lead a TTPL organised trip to Woodlands for some of our participants, it was great.  The best bit was whizzing down the death slide. Boy did I scream! What a buzz!! I also liked the Owl display, they were so beautiful and you got so close to them, it was fab!  I have to say I have also enjoyed going to work, its given me a couple of days to rest my bones!