🔹Principal’s Update
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to another sunny—and rather hot—working week at Highlands College. As we approach the final stretch of the academic year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the meaningful events of last week and look ahead to what’s coming.
A Time of Remembrance
Last week was filled with mixed emotions, marking both new beginnings and heartfelt remembrance.
On Friday, we welcomed the families of Innes MacLagan and Gary Aubert to a special remembrance event.
- Two beautiful benches have been placed alongside the central car park:
- Innes’s bench features a tree plaque, and a tree has been planted in his honour, reflecting his background in Forestry in Higher Education.
- Gary’s bench includes a guitar plaque as he was a keen member of a band, and a painted tribute created by colleagues in the Painting and Decorating workshop.
Thank you to all present and former colleagues who attended and helped honour their memory. Innes and Gary remain cherished members of our Highlands Family.
Transition Days Success
A huge thank you to James Bennett and the Employability Team for leading our Transition Days for incoming Year 12 students.
- 461 students attended across two days—an impressive 97% of the cohort.
- 97% of attendees reported feeling ready to begin their journey at Highlands.
Your collective efforts made these days both informative and enjoyable. Thank you for your dedication.
Parents/Carers Open Evening
Thank you to the Student Life and Employability Teams for supporting our recent Open Evening. These events are vital for ensuring a smooth transition for students. They also help parents/carers understand the support services available and expectations for their young people.
Reflecting on the Year
Many of you have been engaged in Performance Review Appraisals (PRAs). This is a valuable time to reflect on the year’s highlights. Let’s continue to recognise and appreciate the incredible work of our colleagues.
Support Services Survey
It was heartwarming to read the recent Support Services Survey results. Every area of support received positive feedback from peers and colleagues. Your contributions are deeply appreciated—thank you!
Estates and Maintenance Update
On Friday, Rob Moy and I met with Jersey Property Holdings to review the Service Level Agreement and discuss ongoing projects.
- Jersey Property Holdings manages a £1.2 billion portfolio with a £4 million maintenance budget.
- Despite the challenges, progress is being made with a data-led approach to prioritising urgent maintenance projects based on risk assessment
CPD Opportunities This Week
This week features a full programme of Association of College CPD events, including:
- Developing Learner Resilience
- How to Speak Up and Thrive – Influencing Your College Workplace Culture
We acknowledge that a significant minority of staff feel under-informed about certain changes. In September, we will revisit this topic with a full debrief on the recent staff survey to improve communication and transparency on what changes can be consulted on, co-created, or are information only as they are legal or regulatory.
🎉 End-of-Term Celebration
Looking ahead to Friday 11 July:
- We will host a full staff meeting with refreshments, hopefully outdoors on the field.
- This will be a chance to:
- Say goodbye to colleagues moving on to new opportunities.
- Celebrate the achievements of the 2024–2025 academic year.
I look forward to seeing you all there and during these final days of term.
Thank you for your continued commitment.
With very best wishes,
Jo
Principal