Principal’s Update

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to this week’s bulletin. As we approach the half-term break, I want to take a moment to reflect on recent successes and share key updates for the week ahead.

🎓 Celebrating UCJ Graduation

The University College Jersey Graduation on Friday was an exceptional event. Our university partners each commented on how unique and community-focused the celebration was, truly showcasing the impact of Highlands College and UCJ on our island.

A heartfelt thank you to:

• Celina Crenan, Events Coordinator
• Jessica Tidswell, Marketing and Comms Team, Vanessa and Alex
• Eileen Buicke-Kelly, for her unwavering support
• All UCJ and support staff who volunteered to ensure the event ran so smoothly

Your dedication made this a memorable and meaningful occasion for our graduates and their families. The student orator made the best speech of the day!

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🏛️ Governing Body Meeting – Thursday

This Thursday from 4–6pm, we will hold our first full Governing Body meeting of the academic year. I will present the Principal’s Report, which outlines developments under our strategic ambitions in:

• Economy and Skills
• People, Culture, and Community
• Learning and Sustainability

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🏆 Leading Parent Partnership Award

On Friday, we welcome visitors from the Leading Parent Partnership Award team as we seek re-accreditation as an excellent provider. This is a valuable opportunity to showcase our commitment to inclusive education.

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📊 Quality Improvement and Self-Assessment

Thank you to all staff involved in the Self-Assessment Reporting Panels. We are making excellent progress in developing Quality Improvement Plans at team level. Your contributions are vital to our continuous improvement journey.

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👥 Sector Engagement and Leadership Development

This week, Kate Hobbs and I will attend the Social Work Strategy Board, focusing on the sustainability of the Social Work degree in the context of wider professional developments.

Meanwhile, Stuart Philip will be engaging with focus groups to test early ideas for a CPD programme for emerging leaders—a key step in nurturing future talent as part of the Succession Planning Project.

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🧭 Half-Term Reflections

It’s fair to say this has been an extremely busy half-term, and I’m pleased to see that students have settled in well.

This is a crucial time to:

• Set clear standards for learning and behaviour
• Communicate high expectations
• Lay the foundation for successful outcomes across the academic year

As we head into the break, I encourage you to pause and prioritise. Focus on what truly matters—whether that’s rest, reflection, or social activity. For those taking time off, I hope you enjoy a restful break. For those working through the half-term, may this quieter period offer space to catch up on key tasks and recharge in your own way.

Thank you

Best wishes,
Jo
Principal