🔹Principal’s Update
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the final week of the 2024 to 2025 academic year. I hope you find this week’s Staff Development programme both stimulating and impactful. We have an impressive range of activities lined up, beginning today with the next steps on our Inclusion Roadmap, led by Sarah Le Good.
Personal Note
Last week, I had the great pleasure of taking special leave to attend my daughter’s graduation at the University of Edinburgh. Thank you to my team for covering for me during those few days.
College Events and Hosting
Highlands College was a busy venue last week, hosting a whole-service Headteachers’ meeting and a Governance Training and Development session. As always, a big thank you to the Events team for their excellent support to CYPES.
Professional Engagements This Week
This week, I’ll be participating in staff development activities and attending an online national conference titled “T-Levels and Technical Education: Lessons Learnt from the First Five Years.” While Jersey is not yet delivering T-Levels, this may change in the future. The insights gained from England’s experience will be valuable as we continue to evolve our curriculum offer.
I also have two NAHT Executive meetings this week—one with the local executive team and one with the UK team.
Senior Leadership Team Update
Our Senior Leadership Team meeting will be shorter than usual to allow time for staff development. We’ll receive a Health and Safety update from Ben Smith and review any outstanding end-of-term activities. All SLT members will be in college at various points over the summer, particularly around results days and in the lead-up to the new term.
Succession Planning Conversations
I’ve had some very insightful one-to-one conversations on Succession Planning, which have sparked wider discussions across the college about colleagues’ future career aspirations, just as I had hoped. Plus, ensure you have those conversations by the end of this week, if you have not already done so.
Campus Conditions in the Media
You may have seen recent media coverage following my letter to the CEHA Scrutiny Panel regarding the condition of our campus. This letter was reviewed by both CYPES and the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning. I believe it’s a positive step that the needs of our learning community are receiving public attention. Campus development is becoming an increasingly urgent priority.
Campus User Group Launch
This week, I’ll also be attending the first meeting of the Highlands College Campus User Group. With a growing number of groups using our site—impacting safeguarding and site safety—we’ve agreed to collaborate on shared protocols. Current users include:
- Inclusion
- Skills Jersey
- Jersey Music Instrumental Service
- La Passerelle
- Hautlieu students
- A new intervention service based in the former Education portacabins
Farewell to Valued Colleagues
On Friday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the leaving celebration for Seán O’Regan, Director of Schools and Colleges, and Tracy Cox. Over 50 colleagues joined the event. While change is a natural and often positive part of our professional lives, I want to express my personal thanks to Sean and Tracy for their support of me and the college over the years.
End-of-Term Staff Meeting
I look forward to seeing you all at our end-of-term Staff Meeting on Friday lunchtime. We’ll say farewell to colleagues moving on to new opportunities and celebrate the many achievements we’ve accomplished together this academic year in service of young people and adults across Jersey.
With very best wishes,
Jo