Principal’s Update

Dear Colleagues,

I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by and we are almost at the end of term.

The PRIDE 6^th form awards and festival were wonderful, followed by the Highlands Connected event on the field where I met students from Adult Education who had become lifelong friends and former hospitality students who studied here more than 30 years ago. I also greeted an entire family who studied Childcare evening classes, full-time 16 to 19, English community provision and a son who graduated from the UCJ Computing Degree. A physical embodiment of how we transform lives. The events team worked day and night to make this a success and ably backed up by our wider staff.

• Sarah Keites

• Deborah MacDonald

• Ellen Marett

• Simon Macdonald

• Jane Bell

• Alex Stryszowska

• Kineta Lally

• Elaine Egerton

• Ben Pirozzolo

• Sam Drayson Le Tissier

• Fallon Leitch

• Vanessa Strauer

• Lucy Fosse

• Alex Salmon

The following colleagues have made it onto the CYPES shortlist for Stars Nominations, many congratulations and good luck with the final awards.

1. Nick Rudkin

2. Colm Lawless and Engineering Team

3. Ben Bennett and the UCJ (University College Jersey)

4. Rob Moy

5. Allison Le Couilliard

6. Eileen Buicke-Kelly

The Transition Days were a super success with attendance up on last year. Thank you to all colleagues who supported the prospective students and made sure they had a great experience. Also, a parents’ and carers’ evening was held on the 27^th where they were briefed on our whole curriculum offer and shared feedback in groups.

We had 30 applicants for the new Vice Principal role which led to 15 candidates being invited to first round interviews last week via TEAMS. This Friday we have the five shortlisted candidates in college to undertake a range of assessment activities. They will be taking part in a campus tour, a lunch with Heads of Departments and joining the Bingo night. Then on Monday the 10^th of July, we will have another task and a final interview.  Please give them your usual warm welcome.

We have held the last full Governing Body meeting of the academic year, and the Governors wanted me to pass on their sincere gratitude. We have plans to bring them into college more next year. They do meet with staff and students, but with new members, it is key that we sustain a connection and understanding of the work we do.

Eileen and I are members of the CYPES Inclusion Board. Currently we are developing a charter setting out expectations and rights for all to enable people to thrive in education settings.

GoJ and HC, Jane Burns and Rob Moy have jointly appointed a new Sustainability Education officer, Bethany Lloyd, she holds a MSc in Environmental Sustainability and will lead on our Highlands Pledge as well as promote this work in schools.

We will be saying farewell to six colleagues next week – there will be local and central celebrations. Our colleagues who are moving on to different pastures decide how they want to say farewell and we respect their choices. Please sign their cards and make sure you say goodbye soon. These colleagues have given over 60 years of service to the public.

Have a great week.

Jo