As I reflect on the last month, I cannot help feeling really pleased and satisfied about the tremendous team effort of the students and staff in making the Awards Evening and the two Open Evenings such a success. It was lovely to have a meal together in anticipation of what was to come and energy that would be required. Much like preparing for a big football (Leeds) game.
A parent of a prospective student told me that he was "bowled over" by the enthusiasm, friendliness and knowledge of our students at our Open Evening. A few said that they really did not know much about us but that they were "stunned" by the beauty of the building, the atmosphere and ethos that exists at Wyke. I feel really proud, long may that continue and I look forward to a different (equally positive) and my first Open Day on Saturday morning.
This is a particularly busy period for our students in the lead-up to the modular examinations, completion of UCAS forms and revision. I cannot help thinking of some lines from Bob Dylan’s, “Street Legal” album:
"There’s a long-distance train blowing through the rain…
In the last hour of need
We entirely agreed
Sacrifice was the code of the road”.
For me, this symbolises the journey that most students are on at Wyke and as they approach the 'last leg', all have to make sacrifices for future success.
Christmas is particularly important in re-charging batteries and at the same time ensuring that revision and coursework are not forgotten. This means not engaging in too much part-time work, isolating oneself from some family celebrations and having some sort of structure to do academic work so that January is not such a shock. The period after Christmas is incredibly pressurised and seems to pass really quickly, so we must all be well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Students should get ahead of the game and make some early New Year’s resolutions by revising, planning, preparing and practising papers. Start accelerating down that road to success.
Good luck!
