“I am on a lonely road and I am
travelling
Looking for the key to set me
free”, Joni Mitchell
“The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when”, The Hollies
The lyrics from these songs encapsulate all of our journeys
at our college, whether it is as a student or a member of staff. None of us knows where the road will lead and,
undoubtedly, there will be many twists, challenges and hopefully rewards and
enjoyment too.
Having just returned from one of my learning walks, I have
been delighted by the very purposeful learning, teaching and assessment that I
have just witnessed. It makes me so
proud that this is happening at our college and fills me with great confidence
about the future.
As I came out of the Ash building, I saw our footballers
training with our 1st team coach, Nick Barmby. How brilliant is that? What a great honour for us to have Nick
Barmby at our college and to have the privilege of learning from someone who
has played and coached at the highest level.
In-between writing this, I have just been to congratulate
staff from one of our most successful departments at a results review meeting,
that have performed at the highest level ever since I have been at the college. In fact, I would say that the department has
got better and better each year. I
cannot commend the staff any more than I have and it makes me a little
emotional when I think about how hard they work to ensure the success of our
wonderful students. This is one of the
best bits about being a Principal and nothing can prepare you for this
experience – a real sense of elation, pride and humility. As students, I do not think that anywhere
else in the country can offer you more.
How time flies? I
cannot believe it is already nearly half-term and we are about to embark on our
first Open Evening. It only seems like
yesterday when we came back in September with so many new faces, new names to
learn, full of hope and expectancy about the new academic year. For many of you, our college was a completely
'new' place and the start of a new episode in your lives. I do hope that it has been worthwhile and
that you are really pleased to have come here.
So much has happened within the last six weeks: trips,
visits to universities, national competitions, tests, auditions for our cross-college
performance of Chicago, dancing,
singing in the theatre last week, presentations in class, beautiful and humorous
poetry throughout the college, queueing to have your photo taken for our whole
college photograph (which is now up), posing for the latest college prospectus,
UCAS and all of us learning together.
This is what makes our college so special. It is far greater than the sum of the parts
and I do know that this experience is unique to our college.
For me, the bike ride to Scarborough last Wednesday was
certainly a highlight. To have the
privilege of cycling with such brilliant colleagues: the fun; the banter; the
‘craic’; and of course the fish and chips.
I have rarely met such determined and supportive colleagues and the
whole team, the fellow cyclists, drivers and sponsors, were a revelation as
well as a fabulous cake sale on Monday.
It proves how powerful we can be if we operate as a team for a common
purpose.
As I think about national events around us, I am saddened by
so many things: the loss of jobs in our steel industry; the refugee crisis from
Syria; the migration of people from one part of the world to another and the accompanying
personal dangers; the creation of a new grammar school in Kent when all the
evidence suggest that they (grammar schools) inhibit social mobility; the cuts
in tax credits for the most vulnerable families; the new contracts for junior
doctors which will mean that many will have to work for over 90 hours per week;
the short termism at my beloved Leeds United (I am distraught that those with
money make rash personal decisions whilst supporters show so much
loyalty). I was so full of hope this
season and now I can only watch from a detached and numbed state from afar.
However, there are many good things too: the 84 Church of
England Bishops who are campaigning to help provide housing, foster care and
support for the 50,000 refugees; the launch of the Women's Equality Party; the
Bestselling Book by Sophie Sabbage about beating the fear of cancer; and, of
course, being at our college around so many enthusiastic, energetic, fun-filled
people. It is certainly so uplifting to
hear the "beautiful conversations" and my advice to you is summed up
by a verse of Steve Millar:
"Time keeps on slippin’,
slippin’, slippin’
Into the future …
I want to fly like an Eagle
Let my spirit carry me …."
Well done on the first 6/7 weeks. Make the most of your time, work hard, play
hard and be open to the learning culture at our college. Have a great half-term.
