November 2018

CONEL alum, Molly Napier-Doyle, 18, has recreated the Mona Lisa using sauces and burger leftovers. Molly, who now studies art at our sister college, The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, produced her version of the famous Leonardo Da Vinci painting while out for a meal with friends at her local pub.

They were enjoying burgers and cocktails when Molly began to play with the leftovers on her plate at the pub in Holloway Road.

Using the straw from her drink, she shaped the ketchup, mayonnaise, brown sauce and mustard to produce a copy of the classic work of art.

She also produced another portrait of her idol, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, using leftover limes, tomatoes and lettuce leaves.

Molly, who studied at the Royal Drawing School for nearly 10 years, said: “It was just a whim – I was having fun with my friends in a pub and thought it would be funny for the waiters to see that when they came to collect the plates.”

Molly’s friends drew the attention of the chefs, who proceeded to take pictures of her artwork, which quickly gained notoriety and was picked up by the media..

The story of her food artwork was covered by The Sun, LADbible and an Indonesian website called detikfood, as well as featuring across social media.

She added: “Frida Kahlo is a face I’m very familiar with because I paint her a lot and I thought that would be a fun one for me. Frida Kahlo is definitely one of my favourite painters. I know that the Mona Lisa is such an icon and because Da Vinci is such an old master, I thought it would be funny if it were re-done out of ketchup.”

Molly was a Key Stage 4 student at CONEL where she won a seasonal greetings card competition in December 2015 and received an Excellence Award in 2016 for her achievements at the college.

At the time, she said: “I found all my teachers to be very qualified in their subjects and really enjoyed my lessons and coming into college every day. They gave me great one to one support when I was stuck and were absolutely brilliant. Overall, my time at CONEL was a fantastic experience.”

Jonathan Silman and Darran Brown, who work at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, have received recognition for contributions to their fields by the college.

Jonathan is the Head of School for Sport, Public Services and Key Stage 4 at CONEL. On Thursday 4 October he was presented with the Newham Community Project of the Year Award sponsored by the University of East London (UEL) at the Newham Awards, for his amazing contribution to the local community.

Jonathan has set-up and runs a borough-wide football programme that offers young people free football activities. Based at the Olympic Park in Stratford, the programme allows people of all backgrounds and abilities to train for free in the local E20 community.

Jonathan said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to UEL for choosing us to receive the award. I’m delighted for all the volunteers; including the work experience learners from CONEL and coaches, because without them, the free football project wouldn’t be possible. A massive thank you to all 750 members that have attended and currently attend. This achievement is for them.”

Darran Brown teaches Public Services at CONEL and specialises in working with people with physical disabilities. Darran is collaborating with Sports Able – a company that aims to promote training fitness instructors who provide a service to clients with disability. They enable the client through health and fitness activities regardless of their disability. Darran and SFE Academy enable the integration of disabled and able-bodied people via training. His work has been recognised by mainstream health and fitness Workout Magazine, a nationally recognised industry standard magazine.

Darran aims to bring in more equipment and training to our learners to facilitate training sessions with Sports Able at the college.

The Association of Colleges (AOC) hosted the England’s College Football Association (ECFA) men’s phase one trials at our Enfield Centre on 25 October.

There were four CONEL representatives from the football academy trialling in front of the AOC and Tottenham Hotspur coaches.

The AOC visits regions all over the country hosting trials for college players. Successful trialists move onto phase two and so on until a 24 man team is created with the best college players in the country. Students can be put forward by their college for exceptional ability.

Charlton Academy goalkeeper and CONEL student Akan George said: “I travel from Harlow everyday to be here (CONEL) because of the good facilities and coaches. I think I played well even though I’m currently injured so hopefully I get through. I also study Sports Science Level 3, which will hopefully help.”

Those who make it to the final squad will be rewarded with a football tour of Italy, enrolment onto the group’s training camp with a fixture at St. Georges Park, and fixtures against Australia and Wales in the coming year.

Senior Competitions Officer at AOC Sport, Ian Barber, said: “This is the first time we have come to London for a while. Good chance to see the talent in the area and good chance for lads to play at country level. Also great to come to The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London and use their great facilities.”

Trials continue throughout London until 2 November. CONEL has expressed interest in providing facilities for the trials in the coming year.