Study in the UK at Stratford College

If you have plans of studying abroad, this may take a little bit of your interest.

The Statford College London is currently offering the following courses as Tier 4 (Category A) Registered Sponsor offering international recognized qualifications in:

1. ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)

2. Professional Graduate Diploma in IT

3. Post Graduate Diploma (Level 7) in Business Management/Information Technology for one (1) year, and in Business Management, leading to Masters in Business Management for 18 months.

4. Graduate Diploma (Level 6) in:

- Business Studies for two and a half years

- Hotel Management for two and a half years

- Legal Studies for two and a half years

5. English Language (B2 Level)

- Cambridge ESOL Examination for one year

Course commencement will be in May and September.

Stratford is a registered independent school under UK's Department for Education, and an OFSTED-accredited institution.

Stratford College London is located at Broadway Chambers, 2 Broadway Stratford, London 15 4QS - England, with telephone number 0208 519 7362, and fax number 0208 519 1833. You may also contract them electronically through admin@sclondon.co.uk. Visit its Web site here for more details.

About ACCA

Stratford prepares its students for ACCA, which is the world’s largest growing international accountancy body, and the first professional association to offer examinations based on International Accounting Standards (IAS).

About OFSTED

OFSTED is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, which is empowered by UK's Education and Inspections Act 2006 to regulate and inspect child centers, learning and training institutions, including colleges, etc., ensuring quality of service and education for recipients.

//rmis

Jetstar Begins Flying Darwin-Manila on Feb. 9

Qantas-owned Jetstar Airways, reputed leader in low fares flights, will soon begin flying from Manila to Darwin* beginning February 9, 2011.

According to a press release sent out in November 2010, the direct flight will be done on a tri-weekly A320 service (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) that will link northern Australia via Darwin to the Philippines, as well as prime southern states like Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns.

This offering will complement the current flights to Manila from its Singapore hub and existing international service to the Philippines via Sydney.

JetStar says its everyday fares start from $169 for Darwin – Manila** (JetSaver Light), up to 30 per cent lower then current competitors’ fares between Australia and the Philippines. 

“Jetstar’s new low fare international offering will be an attractive link for both Filipino visitors and the Filipino-Australian community in Darwin, amongst the largest in the country,” Jetstar Head of Government and Commercial Partnerships Unni Menon stated in the November press news. 

“Filipino Australians now represent the third largest overseas born population base in Darwin. This alone will drive personal, holiday and commercial related travel between Darwin and Manila* and underpin this service to set a sound platform to attract larger Asian visitation to Australia," Mr. Menon added.

Scroll down for more information:

Jetstar’s Darwin - Manila *schedule - flights commence 9 February 2011

Departs Darwin - Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

Darwin-Manila*                                             Manila*-Darwin
JQ 75    19.00-21.40                                       JQ 76             22.55-05.00 (+1)

Via SYDNEY

Sydney-Darwin                                             Darwin-Manila*
JQ 75    1400-1705                                         JQ 75              19.00-21.40

Manila*-Darwin                                             Darwin-Sydney
JQ76    22.55-05.00 (+1)                                JQ 76              07.15-13.05 (+1)

Via MELBOURNE

Melbourne-Darwin                                        Darwin-Manila*
JQ 61 1405-1650                                            JQ 75              19.00-21.40

Manila*-Darwin                                             Darwin-Melbourne
JQ76    22.55-05.00 (+1)                                JQ 62              07.30-13.10 (+1)

Via CAIRNS

Cairns -Darwin                                              Darwin-Manila*
JQ 57  12.45-1445                                          JQ 75              19.00-21.40

Manila*-Darwin                                             Darwin-Cairns
JQ 76    22.55-05.00 (+1)                               JQ 58              0620-0920

MANILA* TO/ FROM:	One-way JetSaver Light*  SALE# fares at Jetstar.com:	Every day one-way  JetSaver Light* fare at  Jetstar.comfrom:
Darwin	$ 99	$ 169
Sydney	$ 199	$ 349
Melbourne	$ 199	$ 339

*Subject to regulatory approval.  
**JetSaver Light fares offer customers the choice to travel for a lower fare with carry-on baggage only (10kg).

#SALE TERMS & CONDITIONS
Sale fares for travel from 09 February 2011 – 30 March 2011. Fares on sale between 16.00pm - 20.00pm (AEDT) Friday 19 November 2010 unless sold out prior. Limited availability - these fares are not available on all flights or days. Sale may be extended. See jetstar.com for details. Flights from Darwin to Manila* commence 9 February 2011. Sale fares are based on payments by direct deposit through jetstar.com. For all card payments an additional $5.00 per passenger, per international flight sector will apply, unless you pay with a Jetstar MasterCard or Jetstar Platinum MasterCard. Flights depart Darwin Airport and connecting services from Sydney and Melbourne Airports. Fares are one way. Fares are non-refundable. Limited changes are permitted, charges apply. Carry-on baggage limits, including size restrictions, will be strictly applied. Passengers with more than the applicable carry-on baggage allowance will need to check in baggage and charges will apply. Conditions apply. See jetstar.com for more details. * Subject to regulatory approval.

-- Ireen --

January 26 is Australia Day

Our timing can sometimes be very impeccable, especially for this maiden story about Australia. Read through and find out why.

Every January 26 is a national holiday in Australia. The whole country commemorates what is known as Australia Day, the celebration of which varies in each city, state or territory.

But for most Australians, it is a time for family gatherings or reunions enjoyed with barbecues or picnics at the beach, fireworks display, charity walks, parades, concerts, and regattas.

Special highlights of this commemoration are the ceremonies for the annual recognition of outstanding individuals in the Australian of the Year Awards and the Order of Australia.

The Order of Australia, established by Elizabeth II as Queen of Australia in 1975, is given to any living Australian (also non-Australians) who gave the country great pride and honor for his or her achievements or for meritorious service to Australia or humanity.

The Australian of the Year Awards is a distinguished part of the entire Australia Day celebration and viewed by many all over the country. It is an event to dedicate and honor model citizens/Australians. The Australia’s Local Hero Award, Young Australian of the Year, and the Senior Australian of the Year Award are given during this ceremony.

Last year, Prof. Dennistoun McGorry, an Australian psychiatrist, who developed the Early Intervention in Psychosis (a clinical approach to young people with symptoms of psychosis) became the recipient of the Australia’s Local Hero Award.

The Senior Australian of the Year winner for 2010 is Maggie Beer, a restaurateur, while the Young Australian Award went to Mark Donaldson, a member of the Austalian army.

Main organizers as well as local organizing councils of this year’s Australia Day focus their commitment to raising funds for the victims of the recent flood that created havoc in some parts of the country.

A Snippet of History

The celebration of Australia Day is historically tagged to the arrival of the “First Fleet” in Sydney Cove, sent by the British Admiralty in 1778 to establish the first European penal colony in Australia. The First Fleet, composing of 11 ships led by Captain Arthur Phillip, brought along with them almost 800 convicts, both men and women.

This part of Austalia’s history about “convicts” sours original Australian settlers when it comes to celebrating the national day. But, over time, by recreating and reconceptualizing the purpose of Australia Day, the Aussie people are now simply enjoying the annual event as a great nation with diverse culture.

Seeing Australia

So, if you happen to be in Australia unplanned or purposely for this national holiday, do not fail to add iconic places in the "Land Down Under" in your destination list once you are through with the Australia Day events.

You can start with the captivating shores found in Tasmanian national parks, onwards to the trails and breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains, and capped it with the Australian Alps in Victoria or New South Wales.  Such experience will surely give you a lifetime story to tell, simply too big to contain in your luggage.

--- Ireen ---