Principal’s Update

We had an interesting briefing from Beth our sustainability coordinator on the work she is doing with SOS-UK the educational charity. This involves training young people to identify and analyse aspects of their education which develops their understanding of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. There will be more on this to consult with you on at the whole staff meetings, 25th of October.

I met with the Principals of UCM and Guernsey College on Friday in Liverpool; we signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise our partnership working across the crown dependencies. We already engage in peer review and inter-Island skills competitions, plus sharing staff to support delivery. We are now preparing to use immersive technology to link Higher Education classes and also develop a staff research network and conference. I am envious of Guernsey College’s new build which has now begun. Its new campus will cost approximately the same price as were quoted in 2017 for the redevelopment of hours. They are about half the size, but still it brings three campuses and the 6th form centre together, so it will be more efficient and sustainable.

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This week we have a full Governing Body meeting where the Governors will have a close examination of health and safety. This is one of their key responsibilities. We have a presentation from CYPES on the new build on what was the old D’Hautree House school and La Sente. This is to accommodate 60 pupils a week, pupils who cannot, at that point, access curriculum in mainstream schools.

In my diary this week I will be part of the judging panel for the Pride of Jersey awards. Well done again to Tanya Miller for her nomination. We have a number of events coming up; Apprenticeship awards, University College Jersey open evening, and corporate engagements externally with Mason Breese and other employers.

At SLT, we will be doing a deep dive into the next step of the strategic plan. We’ve got an updated timeline, stakeholder groups and focus group questions developed. We will also be updating our risk and opportunity register and have our monthly safeguarding report from Nicola Brown and Student Life.

Thank you to Mike Watkins for organising the flu jabs. I hope everybody who wanted to took advantage of that.

Thank you to those staff who volunteered to be staff representatives for their departmental areas. I look forward to meeting them and hearing what they would like included on the agenda and how we’d like to take that forward..

Further on staff voice, I am happy to announce following one-to-one discussions with the Chair of Governors, Julie Acey has selected two new staff governors. They are Paul Spencer and Jessica Tidswell. Please join me in congratulating them for taking on this role. She was very impressed by all the colleagues she met, who articulated their commitment to the college and their passion for doing the best for our students.

Have a great week everyone!

Best wishes,

Jo