🔹Principal’s Update
Dear Colleagues,
The data from the recent Parents and Careers Evening shows a slight increase in engagement and participation from 60 to 62%. Thank you to everyone involved in organising the event and to the tutors who met with parents, both in person and online, over the past two weeks.
I have been in contact with the parents of Bob Nash, our 20-year-old civil engineering student who sadly passed away recently. Bob had a 100% attendance record and was a well-liked and engaged young man. He had many links to staff in UCJ, and elsewhere. His mother, Jo, has informed me that his funeral will take place on 28 March, 2:30pm at the crematorium. We will maintain contact and typically prepare a ‘memory box’ for relatives, which includes any pictures and the student’s footprint from their time studying here.
We also welcome back Rob Moy from his incredible project in Kenya, where he led the Jersey Overseas Aid Group in building a dam to improve local water supplies. I’m sure many of us will be keen to hear about his experiences. Congratulations, to Rob and his team on a successful project.
You may have read in the press over the weekend about the recent cancellation of a Women’s Rights Network event. To clarify, the event was cancelled as it did not align with our college’s values. The Women’s Rights Network operates across the UK and holds the belief that sex is binary (male and female are determined at conception). They reject the concept of medical differences in sexual development, which can be seen as conflicting with our commitment to celebrating diversity and protecting the rights of trans students to self-identify. This aligns with both our college values and our agreed CYPES government policy, updated and re-issued today:
“Safeguarding transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender questioning young people”
This document acknowledges two statements:
• that transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender questioning (trans*) individuals exist; and,
• that all children and young people have a right to safety, security and belonging”
However, we fully support the right to free speech—the organisation was able to book another venue on the island, and attendees could still engage with their views elsewhere.
Last week, we held a full Governing Body meeting, welcoming four new members. We also received positive feedback from the CYPES representative and our Governors, who commended the staff for their dedication to maintaining quality and achieving the best outcomes for our students.
You may recall my ongoing work on a Memorandum of Understanding with Utalii College in Kenya. Progress is still being made, and we are getting closer to an implementation plan. Additionally, the school in Malindi has begun its building project. The £3,500 we have raised so far will go toward constructing a kitchen to provide meals for the 280 primary school students who attend each week. Please continue supporting Malindi Bright Futures Academy, a charity chosen by our student body.
I recently listened to a BBC Radio 4 program on the impact of COVID-19 five years on, particularly on young people and education. The data highlighted that those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds faced greater negative consequences, and there has been a significant rise in diagnosed mental health conditions—especially among young women—due to the combined effects of the pandemic and economic pressures. It’s a thought-provoking listen if you get the chance:
More or Less – How did lockdown impact children? – BBC Sounds
This week at SLT, we will focus on the health and safety of our community. I will also be working with Jessica Tidswell, Kate Hobbs, and Rob Moy on a draft layout for our Strategic Plan 2025–2029. Additionally, we all have mandatory Connect training on Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion scheduled for this Friday.
Wishing you all a happy and productive week—long may the sunshine continue!
Best wishes,
Jo