Principal’s Update
Dear Colleagues,
It’s been another eventful time where I am filled with a sense of pride and gratitude for the great people I work with.
Lycée Hotelier College, Dinard visited Jersey from 14th to the 19th of April. The Academy of Culinary Arts have spent the week hosting and working alongside students and teachers from Lycée Hotelier Dinard. A wide variety of activities have taken place both within the College kitchens and restaurants and ‘off-site’ visits, including how to make the perfect ‘English breakfast’ followed by a visit to Manor Farm in St Ouen to view seasonal produce and enjoy lunch provided by Le Roberline company (cooking pork on open fire). Students were hosted by Ganache Chocolatier at the waterfront where former Highlands Academy student, Glenn Noel talked about his journey from College to working at the ‘best restaurant in the world’ to setting up business back in Jersey last August. A cheese tasting session took place at Relish delicatessen with owner Florian describing how to pair specific cheeses and challenging students to describe tastes, textures etc. Highlands Academy has provided skills sessions for the French students, filleting fish and sauce making in the kitchen and a Barista Masterclass in the restaurant. Further visits to the Royal Yacht hotel to view the facilities and have dinner, and a trip to Woodside farm to learn more about Jersey produce and the famous ‘Jersey cows’ have showcased the best of Jersey from a Culinary and hospitality perspective. Our hospitality/tourism students also arranged a half day island tour for a selection of French students, highlighting attractions such as historically significant aspects of Jersey’s north and west coast, including the Puffin sanctuary at Plemont, the work of the Durell conversation trust and occupation / military history. On the final day both French and Jersey students had the opportunity to visit the Highlands College careers fayre, hosted at the Merton hotel, to practice English talking to employers about potential job opportunities. Both sets of students have worked together within the Highlands academy restaurant producing lunch and dinner to a full restaurant of paying customers, with a focus on local produce and sustainability.
This has been a hugely successful partnership and opportunity for both sets of students and whilst the learning experience has been invaluable – my thanks to Nathan and his wonderful team for such a wonderful exchange visit.
James and Jane and the Employability Team held our now annual Careers Fayre at the Merton Hotel. Over 420 College students attended, and buses were laid on every 30 minutes to facilitate their attendance. There were more than 60 stands representing a wide range of employers and sectors. The students were a credit to you and their families.
At SLT this week, Paul Bisson and Simon Macdonald came in and shared their experience and learning thus far on the new MA in Education in partnership with Plymouth University and CYPES. This ignited a meaningful discussion about ADHD and Inclusion, and they have plans to share their learning with all staff later this year. Please contact Stuart Philip if you are interested in joining the next cohort, applications are from all CYPES teachers and lecturers; staff who are currently studying on this programme speak highly of it. We also covered Events, Learning Walks and observations, stakeholder engagement and pan-island partnerships on our agenda. We aim to focus on big ticket items for staff, students and curriculum (learning) regularly whilst keeping on top of compliance and external demands.
Most departments are in for review of their curriculum plans for 2024 to 2025. At the current time, numbers appear healthy and where there is a course at risk, we have plans A, B and C in place to meet students’ aspirations. I will keep CYPES advised of the situation to support us in managing expectations.
This week coming we have the Sussex University Steering group, the Inclusive Education Event at The Radisson where we have a stall and a review of staffing against budget.
Also, there’s (details available in bulletin calendar link):
- CULTURE DAY – 23 APRIL (STUDENT EVENT)
- BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT EMPLOYER MEET & GREET – 23 APRIL
- CISI INSIGHT DAY – 24 APRIL
- WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE (STUDENT EVENT) – 25 APRIL
- OLYMPIC GAMES (STUDENT EVENT) – 26 APRIL
- FUN SIZED FAIR – 30 APRIL (STUDENT EVENT)
- 5 A SIDE FOOTBALL – 5 MAY (STUDENT EVENT)
Let’s have a great week. As I said in last week’s staff meeting – these weeks leading up to final submissions and exams are crucial to students completing and achieving so let’s support one another to get them through.
Jo