Principal’s Update

Dear Colleagues,

I start this week’s note by sharing that we had a great set of English 2nd Language Cambridge results last week with 44% achieving a grade four or above, and two students achieving grade 9. Congratulations to the students and their lecturers.

• Danny Franca- grade 3 to a 9
• Raquel Martins – grade 3 to grade 9

Lecturers

• Rudy Ghidoni
• Tania Monteiro

I also had some great feedback about the School Council Network event we supported in the Great Hall. Our Education Minister, Deputy Rob Ward complimented Celina Crenan for her professionalism.

New Team Leader, Adult & Community Education

Welcome to Amanda Berry who has joined us form Acorn Enterprises which she led for ten years. We have eight new colleagues joining us this term and the SLT will have an informal lunch with all joiners soon. Marketing and Communications are preparing a “meet the new staff” update for the end of this month. We are very fortunate to continue to attract talented, experienced, and well qualified staff to work for the College.

Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029

We have our last two stakeholder events this half term with the Governing Body and Ministers and the Voluntary sector. Although we are about four weeks behind the initial timeline, the feedback has been valuable and it has highlighted some organisations we do not work with who we could. By half term I will have written the full first draft. It will be smaller document than in previous years, with more data and infographics, designed to read online and be accessible.

SLT this week

This week Beth Lloyd will present a summary report on sustainability. Finance and Oracy 21 Project is also on the agenda. On Tuesday I am chairing the External SAR Validation Panel and  on Friday updating our IOSH health and Safety qualifications. The English team is interviewing for a replacement for Jo Gueno today. I am signed up for a webinar on the Outcomes of the Review of Qualification Reform with the DFE UK and will share my learning thereafter.

Personally, I had a good de-clutter of my conservatory this weekend. The recycling centre is clearly the place to be on a Sunday 😊. I E-cycled Jersey some furniture to a new home and felt very much that spring is on its way. If you get a chance, listen to the “Strangers on a Bench” podcast where Tom Rosenthal approaches strangers on a bench in a London park; wow it makes you think how rich and varied life can be.

Have a great week,

Jo