CATS College Canterbury
Extra Activities
Sports
Football
Tuesday and Thursdays 3-5pm.
Astroturf at Kent County Cricket Club All ages
Matches Sunday evenings
All students have sports timetabled on either Tuesday or Thursdays. Teams are then selected for Sunday evenings for
a 5 a side league where we have 2 teams entered.
Basketball
Tuesday and Thursdays 3-5pm.
Sports Hall Kent County Cricket Club
All ages
All students have sports timetables on either Tuesday or Thursdays. Most weeks we also have an extra hour of
basketball one evening but this is to be confirmed each week on evening activity posters.
Horseriding
Thursdays, 3-5pm
Little Barton Stables, Littlebourne
All ages
Fridays, 5.30pm
All abilities welcome! Learn and develop your walk, trot, canter and jumping skills! Great fitness and great fun!!
Dance club
Mondays and Fridays, 4-5.30pm,
Drama studio
All ages
5.30-6.30pm
There are two dance clubs at CATS College on Mondays and Fridays. One dance club focuses on more traditional
dances such as the Cha Cha and Tango. The other dance club focuses more on modern dance, jazz and disco.
Gym Membership
Evenings and Weekends
Several local gyms available
All ages
CATS students get discounted membership at local clubs and many students enjoy regular exercise during the week
and being part of a gym. See Claire McGee our Activities Manager for details.
Leadership Awards
Language Leadership
General meeting on Fridays at 16.10 in Lecture Theatre
See Maria Burch
(Whenever is necessary for guiding and monitoring progress)
The chance to spread your language to others and learn new linguistic skills! This is a popular award leading to the UK
national Language Leadership Award
Excelsis Award
2 sessions a week - see Dr Mannion or Dr Friend
Various locations
An exciting award which comprises a range of challenges which could range from Peer Mentoring to helping other
students with English skills – there are lots of options to achieve this award and Dr Friend or Dr Mannion can assist you
with this.
Boarding Schools Award
After college with Dr Friend
Lecture Theatre
All ages
A chance to get involved in the UK Boarding Schools Award – it is based on a series of challenges and really helps you
prepare for university life and the world!
CATS College Leadership Award
Sessions on at least once or twice a week with Dr Mannion
Science Block
All ages
This award is worth 70 UCAS points and you have to produce a detailed portfolio of work. The challenges are of a high
standard and you need to be prepared to work hard for this. Dr Mannion will be able to help and guide you are you
prepare your folder and the challenges you are to undertake.
Sports Leadership Award
Tuesdays or Wednesdays, 6pm
St Lawrence building or KCCC
All ages
depending on availability
This is a national recognized award which will boost any university application. Although it is called Sports Leadership, it can
be adapted to any extra curricular activity such as safety, rules, communication etc. See Claire for further details.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Thursdays, 3.05pm
Room 606
All ages
CATS College start all students on the Bronze award which takes approximately 6 months to complete, however if
students do not complete the award whilst they are at CATS College then they have until their 25th birthday to do so and
should be able to continue with this at most universities where students would also be able to complete the Silver or
Gold awards. The Bronze award is based on 4 sections – Physical, Skills, Volunteering and Expedition.
Student Council
Tues and various times
See Senior Tutor for details
All ages
We launch the year with a Leadership Training Day giving everyone the chance to get involved in what leadership is. You
can then go on to do a range of leadership courses at the college. These are also open to January start students too.
There are also House Representatives responsible for running and organising activities in the Houses – see your Senior
House Parent for details of regular House meetings – Chill and Chat sessions - to attend and have your say in leading your
House!
Business and Enterprise
Business Challenge
Every Sept – a Business Challenge to complete
Kent Cricket Ground
All ages
Watch for details every September. A chance for everyone, no matter what their subjects to get involved in a
Business Challenge Activity
Student Interviews
Every September and during the year
Various
All ages
Every student in September gets an interview with a local business to challenge and help them think about the
future. Those students applying to universities which require interviews will have interview practice as part of the
Key Professions Programme at the College
Young Enterprise
Wednesdays, 5-6pm
Room 503
All ages
If any students are business minded then this is the club for them! Students have to be interviewed to join and can
be elected as President! College fundraising events are then held and work experience opportunities.
Trading Floor Experience in the City of London
In holiday time plus visits in term time
City of London
All ages
A chance to get involved in real live trading in the world’s financial centre in the City of London! You visit
Bloomberg and Trading Technologies and sit the Bloomberg Aptitude Test. This week long experience does carry a
cost, but we also do visits to the Bank of England and Interest Rate Challenge competitions as well so everyone
can have some great experiences.
Academic Clubs
Maths Society
Thursdays throughout the academic year
Venue to be confirmed
All ages
The Maths Society hold approximately one event a month/term which are based on various maths topics and points of
discussion.
Spanish
Tuesdays, 3.05pm
Room 304
All ages
A change to learn more about the Spanish Language. See Maria Burch for more information
Russian
Wednesdays, 5.30pm
Room 501
All ages
A fantastic club to join to learn about the Russian language, the country’s history and culture. This is an interactive
club with games and films helping you learn in an enjoyable manner. We also offer Russian A level for native speakers
as an extra course.
French
Thursdays, 3.05pm
Room 505
All ages
Come and learn all things to do with France, the language, the culture, music and food! A great club to attend if
looking to learn a new skill and have some fun.
Latin American
Fridays, 4.10pm
Room 302
All ages
Learn about a fantastic culture in this fun and interactive club with games and quizzes whilst learning about the
culture and languages.
Chinese Student Meetings
Mondays 3.05-3.55pm, Wednesdays 3.05-3.55pm and Rooms 207 or 204
All ages
Fridays 4.10-5pm
This is a great way for Chinese students to express any concerns they may have to our Chinese Liaison Officer in a
familiar environment where they can speak their native language. Fun activities are also held, often based around
cooking and food as this seems to be very popular with our students!
Careers and Key Professions
Lots of different times over the year
Various venues
All ages
See our Key Professions booklet for what you can do to further your career beyong CATS and University. There are
lots of activities over the year linked to a range of Key Professions which many of our students go into in the future
School Trips
Thorpe Park, Football trips, Harry Potter, City visits etc
Once a month at weekends
All over the south of England! Recent
All ages
trips have included Oxford, Brighton,
Stonehenge and Dover Castle
Popular British attractions are offered to the students at CATS College once a month for them to have the opportunity
to visit places of interest with other students. Not only do the students have great fun, but it also develops their
understanding of British culture by taking part in activities that English people enjoy!
Global Cafe
Saturdays, 7.30pm
Oasis Café, Canterbury
All ages
The Global Café in Canterbury hosts fun activities every Saturday evening for International students in Canterbury.
Our students therefore get the chance to meet other students staying in Canterbury from other colleges or
universities and therefore they get to share experiences and cultures further with one another.
New York and the United Nations
Each Spring Term
New York, USA
All ages
Our highly popular annual visit gives students the chance to debate, talk and represent other countries in an
amazing environment at the UN! It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
Cultural – Drama, Art, Music, Media
International Evenings
Once a month after lessons
Private Study Area or St Lawrence
All ages
building
A great way to learn all about the different cultures that our students are from at CATS College Canterbury.
Presentations, music, games and food are the highlights to these events!
Music Group
Thursdays, 5-7pm
Room 512
All ages
If you would like to learn a new instrument or develop your singing, please join this popular club! Students perform
locally in Canterbury and at college events.
Dance Group
Mondays and Fridays, 4-6.30pm
Drama studio
All ages
Come and learn new routines with your friends! Not only is this a great way to develop your fitness, but it’s a great
way to develop interpersonal skills such as teamwork and leadership.
Instrumental Tuition
In between or after lessons depending on timetable
CATS College Canterbury
All ages
Private lessons can be arranged with Kent Music School on site. These are at a cost depending on the length of time
requested.
Drama
Tuesdays, 3-5pm
Drama studio
All ages
If you would like to perform in college plays then come to drama club! Budding actors, actresses, sound and music
technicians along with directors are all needed!
Meditation club
Wednesdays, 3.05-3.55pm
Drama studio
All ages
Meditation club teaches students key relaxation techniques that they can use in their own time when stressed with
college work or anything else that may be going on around them.
Art Portfolio
Various lesson times over the week
Art Studio
A level and UFP
students
Special classes for those needing a portfolio to apply to student architecture or universities and colleges where
a portfolio of art work will be required. This is a non exam course but with full academic art tuition in addition to
normal lessons so there is a charge for this
CATS College Magazine
Mondays, 5pm
Room 606
All ages
Come to help produce the college magazine which is all produced by students! Quizzes, articles, photographs on
popular events are all showcased by the students.
Book club
Wednesdays, 4pm
Private Study Area
All ages
A wonderful club to join to develop your English language. Books are discussed and chosen by the students so they
have maximum input as to what book is to be read next. These books vary in genre so that everyone’s tastes can be
catered for. There are also termly competitions about books you really like as well – watch out for details!
Charity and Community Work
Beach Clean Up
When it’s on
Spring/Summer
All ages
An environmentally-friendly project whereby students go in groups under supervision to clean up local Kent beaches
by removing litter and other rubbish often dumped there.
Santa’s Fun Run
When it’s on
December
All ages
Students are sponsored to participate in a ‘fun run’ dressed as Santa Claus in Folkestone city centre every December
as part of a team from the college. All funds raised are then donated to local East Kent charities.
National Childbirth Trust Toddler & Baby Christmas & Spring Parties
December/April
AS/UFP/IB
Students volunteer to help entertain and organise two parties for toddlers and babies in the local area whilst also
raising funds for the National Childbirth Trust charity.
Climate Fair Canterbury City Centre
May
All ages
Students run a stall at the Canterbury Climate Fair where they sell products that are eco-friendly which they have
designed and produced themselves.
Charity Dinners for Staff Leaving or Arriving
Various Dates
All ages
Students prepare a delicious three-course meal for staff who are either leaving or are arriving at the college. Tickets
are then sold to other staff and the money raised donated to a nominated local or national charity.
Funk It Up Fridays – Last Friday of Every Month Dress Up Day and Cake Sale in aid of
Pilgrim’s Hospices
Last Friday of every month
All ages
Staff and students are encouraged to dress-up or down according to theme e.g. sports heroes on the last Friday of
every month for a small donation to our local charity Pilgrim’s Hospices. Students also bake cakes and bring food to
sell for charity.
Amnesty International
Regular meetings as advertised
All ages
Amnesty International have held Black and White Days and postcard campaigns to help raise awareness of
prisoners of conscience as we try and help students understand how there can often be injustice in the world and
we need to discuss the issues and understand how to help.
Primary School Clubs
Last Friday of every month
All ages
Students have a great time sharing their international culture with younger students and introducing them to new
languages and ideas. Its great fun for the CATS students who get to show their leadership and caring skills with
younger students as well.
Charity Shop and community work
Last Friday of every month
All ages
Charity Shops are an institution in England and students really enjoy heling raise money for international or local
charities by working in them. They sell a variety of second hand goods and clothes and are very popular in the UK.
Shops have application forms and our Key Professions and CAS Co-ordinator helps arrange experience for students
who are keen to do this..
Our Boarding Houses
Ethelbert, Stour, Raemore, Knights, Old Dover, 57 New Dover and more….
Regular Chill and Chat meetings
All ages
We have regular ‘Chill and Chat’ sessions in our Boarding Houses when students can meet and talk about activities
they would like to have and plan things with their House Parents.
Each House has its own Boarding Action Plan where students can make suggestions for improvements and plan their
own activities for the year! Great ideas from this go into the College Action Plan. Previous ideas from students we
have implemented include:
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Outdoor multigym at Ethelbert House
New TV lounge in New Dover Road
Extra water machines in St Lawrence
New communal room planned in the Lodge
Access to rooms in evenings for silent study and for Dance
Students are always encouraged to say what they think and what activities they would like, and they can do this both
at the Chill and Chat sessions and on the intranet under the Tell Us button where they can make any suggestions for
clubs and activities they would like to see in the College
Don’t forget to log onto the intranet for latest news on university
visits, activities and what’s going on, and check your emails
regularly!