Principal’s Update
Welcome to a new week colleagues,
Here are some important diary dates and updates for everyone as we head into a busy and exciting period across the College.
National Apprenticeship Week & Skills Competitions
Next week marks National Apprenticeship Week, and we are delighted that our students will be competing in the Isle of Man against our sister islands.
They will be competing alongside teams from University College Isle of Man (UCM) and The Guernsey Institute (TGI) in the following disciplines:
- Brickwork
- Carpentry & Joinery
- Plumbing
- Painting & Decorating
- Electrical Installation
- Motor Vehicle
- Welding (taking place at Highlands College with TGI)
A huge thank you to all staff supporting the students’ preparation and cheering them on.
You’ll be able to watch a live stream on the day here.
Mock Examinations: GCSE English & Maths
We also have mock examinations taking place for students re‑taking GCSE English and Maths.
This is a key assessment point in the year, giving students a clear view of the progress they need to make ahead of the summer exams.
Thank you for the encouragement, guidance, and high expectations you continue to provide – your support makes a genuine difference to their confidence and outcomes.
Performance Reviews, Appraisals & Succession Planning
All staff will now be working through their performance reviews and appraisals.
As part of our ongoing succession planning for critical roles:
- Staff who have expressed interest in future opportunities will be discussing their development needs and aspirations in their PRAs.
Stuart, Philip, and I will also give a whole-College update on this project during the staff meeting after half‑term.
Principal Recruitment Update
To keep everyone informed about the recruitment process for the new Principal…
There will be a two‑day assessment centre for shortlisted candidates on:
- 23 March
- 24 March
This will take place at the College and be led by CYPES, the Appointments Commission and Association of Colleges (AoC) Recruitment Consultants.
SLT Updates This Week
At this week’s SLT meeting we will be focusing on:
- Our regular SEND report, reviewing trends in student needs and how effectively we are meeting them
- An update on the succession planning project, following the recent meeting with the team
- Progress updates on joint projects with the Government of Jersey
A Thank You
A special thank you to Mike Watkins for organising International Hot Chocolate Day.
It was lovely to meet and chat with staff—and I particularly enjoyed the marshmallows and cream!
Approaching Half‑Term
We are rapidly approaching the half‑term break – already post the halfway point of the academic year. This is when assessment pressure starts to build for many students.
Please continue to encourage students to:
- Catch up on any outstanding work over the half‑term
- Return with renewed confidence for the second half of the year
Your support is central to helping them stay motivated and on track.
With Very Best Wishes,
Jo