The Times they are a-Changin'

During the last half-term break, I reflected on what I would write in my last blog.
Seven years ago, when our neighbour in Burton asked me if I would be writing a blog, I decided that I would do so, but only under the following conditions:

1. I would regularly update it.
2. I would write in my own style with references to my favourite poets and writers:

Gill Scott Heron, Bobby D, Tagore, Ehrman, Gibran…. . as well as my favourite musical artists: Alison Kraus, Joni Mitchell, Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Billy Joel and Joan Baez.

1. I would attempt to write to multiple audiences of students, staff, parents, Corporation members……
2. I would refer to my beloved Leeds United because I believe that there are many parallels between leading a football team and a College.
3. My blog would be celebratory and transmit key messages and values.

The Bard’s words from As You like It are (as always) very poignant as a starter:
“All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts
…. (in the fifth age) And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part….”

In my ‘fifth age’ during the half-term week, we travelled to Hay-on-Wye, to stay with friends and attend the annual Hay Festival.  Whilst the festival was certainly stimulating with many renowned world “experts” and authors, (and convinced me that a second referendum or vote in Parliament on Brexit is essential), our most memorable moments were with our friends.  Their generosity, humour, support and intellectual challenge were life-affirming.  The opportunity to think and reflect is so important and I feel incredibly privileged that my role enables me to do so.

We travelled to the Festival after attending our Sports Presentation evening on the Friday.  It was amazing to see so many of you (staff, students and friends), looking so beautiful, ready to party and celebrate your amazing achievements.  I was truly humbled by the presentation and achieved a “first” for me.  I have always wanted to have “minders” and in Chris and Andy, I had the very best.  To be serenaded by Toni, Kate and Hollie from the PE Department was unforgettable and the words rang back to me as I drove home to Burton:

“We’ve come so far and we’ve reached so high….
We’ve come a long way
But we’re not sure where we’ve been
We’ve had success, we’ve had good times
But remember this….
Never forget where you’re coming from
Never pretend that it’s all real
Someday soon this will all be someone else’s dream”,                Take That

Thank you to Mark and the team who made it so special. 

When I returned to College after half-term, it was clear that the examination season is truly underway.  I was delighted to learn about how so many of you came into College for revision, support sessions and to use our facilities.  Thank you to all of the staff who came in specially to support you and put in the “extra mile”.  This is what makes our College so special.  Long may it continue.

As we approach the end of an academic year and (for me), the end of an era, the starting line from Dickens comes to mind:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,….”    A Tale of Two Cities

So many things have happened at our College (in the short and medium-term): the amazing academic success that you have achieved; the range of national accolades for so many of you (academic, intellectual, sporting, musical, dramatics, dance), the success in competitions….  The reputation that we have in the local, regional and national arena is phenomenal.  It is a testament to the superb work that takes place day in and day out by every one of you.  It is therefore no surprise that some of you spend over an hour travelling into College and that our College has ‘grown’ from 1300 to just under 2000 full-time students.

I maintain that the range of trips, visits and residentials, is truly unique: Iceland, Italy, South Africa, Thailand, Germany, Belgium, France, Tanzania, New York, Washington, Spain, Poland; all in the last few years.  There are very few colleges that can boast such a range and I believe that the ‘sorts’ of experiences that are gained from such visits are ‘life changing’.

I hope that you will retain very fond memories of our College, the trips, the visits, the staff, the colleagues, the fun, the laughter, the friendships that exist and the hard work of everyone around you.  Remember that all of us have to work hard in order to enjoy the success that follows.

“You are never really playing an opponent.  You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits that is real joy”,                                                                      Arthur Ashe

So what of my beloved Leeds?  We have changed managers (again) and are likely to ‘buy’ an ex-Tigers goal scorer.  I believe (with James, my Leeds compatriot in the History Department), that this will be the year.  We will hire an outstanding coach, spend the much-needed money to win in the Championship and get the right team balance between youth and experience.  This will be our year.  (Did I say this in 2017?)

Like my beloved Leeds, I believe that whilst we will be losing some of you, we have appointed an outstanding team of staff and created the right structure to take us to the next level.  Exciting times indeed.

My advice, as always, is to believe in yourself and take control of your life.

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate
version of somebody else”,                                               Judy Garland   

Love conquers all, so enjoy and don’t run away from it.  Look for beauty in so much of what happens around you in our College.  As Khalil Gibran wrote:

“When love beckons to you, follow him.
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you, yield to him.
Though his sword hidden among his pinions may wound you            
And when he speaks to you, believe in him.”

Remember that there are no easy solutions, and the “grass is not always greener”.  Beware of the easy fixes.  As Buddha said:

“If you find a man who points out faults and who reproves, follow such a wise person as you would a guide to hidden treasure”.

As the time approaches to “pass the baton” for others to lead our College to the next exciting step, remember that we have all played our part in the journey.  I would like to use the metaphor of the cedar:

“The heart, with its ramified feelings, is like a cedar with spreading branches.  If the cedar loses a strong branch, it suffers, but does not die.  It carries its vital energy to the neighbouring branch, that will grow and fill the void with its young green twigs,”                                                            Gibran

I leave with really fond memories where “we have danced the clumsy dance and sung the sorrowful song”.  Such bellicose laughter, fun and exhilarating moments discovering the power of a team.  Thank you to students, staff, friends (near and far) and family for believing in me.

The very best of luck to all of you and to the continued success of our College.  As Bobby D sang,
              “The times they are a-changin'”.

Jay Trivedy

The "Right" Thing

This morning I listened to a track by Bob Dylan called “Buckets of Rain”.  It inspired me and made me think about our College and my role:

“Buckets of rain
Buckets of tears
Got all the buckets coming out of my ears
Buckets of moonbeams in my hand”.

As Principal, the vast majority of my time is spent attempting to solve problems and find acceptable solutions.  Sometimes on my own but mostly with different teams of staff, students and of course, our Senior Team.  Sometimes this involves making tough decisions but always with our whole College in mind and ultimately, with what is in the best interests of you (our students), to enhance learning and success.  In the course of my daily dealings, I encounter so many “moonbeams” that it reinforces what is so special about our College.

“I been meek
And hard like an oak
I seen pretty people disappear like smoke
Friends will arrive friends will disappear”.

Trying to do the ‘right’ thing is always very difficult and cannot be taken lightly.  With a College community of nearly 2000 students, 180 staff plus the associated parents and external partners, pleasing everyone is impossible.

“Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must
You do what you must do and ya do it well”.

However, within all of this, the “moonbeams” shine through, lighten our hearts, make me smile about our purpose and raison d’être.  On a daily basis, I hear beautiful conversations and meet with so many selfless people who are prepared to go the “extra mile” for our College.

“I like your smile
And your fingertips
I like the way that you move your hips
I like the cool way that you look at me”.

At Easter, I was privileged to take part in the visit to Poland.  Throughout the trip, I kept pinching myself because I could not believe how special it was.  Apart from the emotional (Auschwitz), physical (walk to the top of the mountain in the snow) and intellectual (salt mines) challenge, the trip was by far the best that I have been on.  Throughout, there was laughter, support of one another, deep intellectual conversations and reflection.  I found it extremely gratifying to witness the next generation of leaders emerging.  Our College (and society) is extremely safe and in great hands.  The support and encouragement that I got on the walk was incredible and the experience is one that will always remain with me.

As we approach the examination season, it is imperative that we are all extremely focused on what is required for success.  I felt humbled earlier this week when I talked to some of you at 4.30 pm, as you were having a “break” from your “stint” in the Library.  Our conversation was wonderful and it reinforced just how committed you are to ensure that you succeed.  This combination of friends was also very interesting.  It made me think about a metaphor that I have heard from a close friend of mine.  There are energy givers (radiators) and energy sappers (drains).  During this period and in the future, ensure that you are a roaring radiator (positive, finding solutions, optimistic and taking control of your life) and not a drain.  Surround yourself with roaring radiators and avoid the drains.  From my experience, the radiators tend to gravitate towards other radiators and the drains are drawn to other drains.  I love this quote from Nelson Mandela:

“I never lose.  I either win or learn”.

I would like all of you to be winners and to have this attitude to life.

Earlier this week, when so many of you were arriving through the main entrance and I was concentrating on checking lanyards, one of you came up to me and offered me some sweets.  It made me smile and once again, I thought of “moonbeams”.

Finally, remember to believe in yourself.  We all have an inner strength that we need to harness and try on “different faces” but remember your ‘real’ face.

“Well we all have a face
That we hide away for ever
And we take them out and show ourselves
When everyone has gone.
Some are satin some are steel
Some are silk and some are leather
They’re the faces of the stranger
But we love to try them on”,                 Billy Joel.

 

Good luck in the examinations.  You can never be over prepared.

 

Jay Trivedy

Making the right choice

The Easter break represents a crucial period in the academic calendar.  All of you are at a point in your Wyke career when the choices that you make will greatly influence the degrees of success that you are likely to achieve.

The Rag Week is in “full flow” and I have just been downstairs to witness the students vs staff games as well as the Super Mario races.  There is a great atmosphere and a tremendous level of energy throughout our campus.

Amidst all of this, many of you, students, teachers, support staff and members of our Corporation are involved in choosing the next Principal for our College.  How do we reconcile such divergent and complex things that surround us?

So much is going on and the decisions that are made will have a significant and profound influence on us all:

• What do I need to do to improve my grades?
• Which events should I participate in during Rag Week?
• How can I influence the choice of our “new” Principal?
• What sacrifices do I need to make now in order to achieve success in the future?

The complexity and connectedness of things that happen at our College and that we do are a testament of the beauty of all that happens.  Albert Einstein said:

“Genius is making complex ideas simple, not making simple ideas complex”.

So the appointment of the Principal will occur and whoever is chosen to lead our College to the next stage will be an excellent choice.  I am certain that the “new” Principal will want you to make the necessary sacrifices at Easter, to get involved in all that happens at our College and to listen to your voice about how your experience can be improved.  Remember that all of us have to work exceptionally hard in order to succeed.  Albert Einstein said:

“Inspire others by the way you deal with your struggles, your heartache, your imperfections”.

So my message to you, and one that underlies everything that I have previously said, is that you need to take control of your life and look for positive solutions to the issues that you face.  Do not look for others to solve the everyday issues that concern you.  Be part of a team in which your positivity helps to bring about the greater good.  My close friends and the ones that I value are all people who are “energy givers” rather than “energy sappers”.

“The essential challenge is to transform the isolation and self-interest within our communities into connectedness and caring for the whole”,          Peter Block

My beloved Leeds are faltering but have a new manager who I am confident will lead us to success, perhaps not in 2018 but 2019.  But then again, I am just an optimistic fan.

Have a great Easter.

Jay Trivedy

Celebrate all that is excellent

All employers, pre-or post-university, look for candidates who have a range of characteristics which include: resilience; the ability to communicate effectively; an excellent work ethic; the ability to provide solutions to problems; the ability to work effectively in a team and to have a track record of success.  An excellent attendance rate, punctuality and presentation are essential and should never be underestimated.  Indeed, no employer will want an employee whose attendance is infrequent, who is frequently late and cannot be relied upon to complete tasks effectively.  I believe that these skills are essential for success in every ‘walk’ of life and at every stage.  Our role as a College is to ensure that we are outstanding role models in the development of these skills.

“Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself”,                
Chinese proverb

Many of you will have certain goals that you want to achieve, some of you may even have certain resolutions for the New Year.  Our family have started the “30 Day Song Challenge” where each of you has to think of a song which you link to certain memories (good and bad) and with certain titles, for example, a song that makes you sad, a song that moves you forward, a song that breaks your heart… This has been a very revealing exercise and meant that I have listened to songs that I have never heard before: “Boy from School”, Grizzly Bear or “Chi Mai”, by Ennio Morricone; “Halfway Round the World”, Aurora or “She moves in her way”, Kooks…..

The term has started well and it was wonderful to meet up with last year’s leavers on the Awards Evening.  So many students returned to collect their awards and I couldn’t help thinking how they have changed in such a short time period.  The whole evening made me realise what a fantastic College we have and I felt incredibly proud of the amazing achievements.  Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work that is necessary to make this happen and long may that continue.  I particularly enjoyed the performance of our musicians and dancers who demonstrated the extremely high standards that they have been set.

“The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word”,
Mata Hari

I would like to congratulate our 1st XI football team who were selected by the Hull Daily Mail as the Team of the Year last week.  What an honour and my thanks to Nick and Puj for all that they did last year. 

There is a great line from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:

“Experience shows us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking together in the same direction”.

I believe that this is what we all need to do to look together in the same direction and celebrate all that is excellent about our College:

• The record number of offers (11) that you have from Oxford and Cambridge Universities;
• That over 600 of you have submitted your UCAS applications;
• You continue to excel in sports, music, the arts and academic achievement;
• Many of you will be travelling to New York, Washington, Berlin, Thailand, Iceland, South Africa….
• The wonderful mentoring work that many of you engaged in with Year 10 and Year 11 at the Boulevard Academy;
• Your impending visit to the London Universities;
• Our first ever trip to Poland at Easter;
• Our Rag Week in March and the monies that we will raise for MIND;
• Our hosting of and participation in the Youth Speaks Competition;
• Our cross-College production of Grease (first performed 30 years ago at Wyke), in February.

There is so much going on but we must remain ‘grounded’.  As DH Lawrence said:

“The fairest thing in nature, a flower, still has its roots in earth and manure”.

Being grounded at our College means that all of us must work very hard for a common purpose, take control of our fate and talk to each other rather than on relying on hearsay and gossip.  Vincent Lombardi in “The Chase” said:

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up”.

We have to learn to be resilient.  My beloved Leeds have had a bad run of late (again) but as ever, I remain optimistic and continue to “draw” lessons from their fate:

“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning”, Pele.

So aim for the best and push yourself to strive.  Leeds have certainly made it difficult for themselves but their eventual success will be all the sweeter.

“You are never really playing an opponent.  You are playing yourself, your own high standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy”,
Arthur Ashe

In aiming to do so well, it is your high standards that you have to reach.
As the racing driver, Mario Andretti, said:

“If everything is under control, you’re not going fast enough”.

Enjoy the remainder of this term and the start of spring, it will come and go in a flash.

“A lifetime of training for just 10 seconds”.
Jesse Owen

Jay Trivedy
Principal

No Substitute for Hard Work

As the 1st term draws to a close, I would like to congratulate the following and express how proud I feel to be a part of our College:

• Our footballers in reaching the national quarter-finals.
• Our netballers on becoming County Champions (again) and on reaching the regional finals.
• Our students on reaching the regional finals in the Bar Mock Trial in Leeds.
• Our actors in being so highly commended in the Shakespeare for Schools competition.
• Our incredible dancers on reaching the next stage in the dance finals and for their performance in the Dance Showcase last week.
• Your success in the Oxbridge and medical applications: over 24 of you have been invited for an interview at Oxford or Cambridge and a significant number of you are awaiting interviews for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science.
• The selection of two of our netball students to represent England in the National Colleges’ competition.

Three weeks ago, we were selected for a short Inspection by Ofsted.  I would like to thank those of you (students and staff) who were ‘fortunate’ in being able to spend time with the Inspectors.  The inspection was extremely successful and our College was highly commended on our excellent careers education and guidance, our work-related programme, the destinations of our students, our safeguarding and the work that we have done in relation to “British” values.  Inspections are rarely ‘enjoyable’ but I am pleased that we were able to demonstrate so much that we do extremely well.  Inspections also provide the impetus to continue to improve and we will certainly aim to do so.  We cannot be complacent.
In the last two months, we have had two ‘mornings in action’.  These provide an opportunity for prospective students and their parents to visit our College on a ‘normal’ working day.  I believe that these ‘mornings’ are an excellent way to show prospective applicants what happens in our College without the razzmatazz of Open Evenings.  Interestingly, during the first ‘morning’, it came to my attention that two fairly senior staff from a 5-19 school in Hull came to our ’morning in action’ under the guise of being a married couple with a son as a prospective student.  They then proceeded to visit many lessons and spent nearly two hours in conversation with our staff about “their son”.  It has subsequently transpired that they do not have a son in Year 11 and are not a ‘couple’.  Whilst somewhat flattered by this, I am also quite alarmed by their dishonesty.  We have not got a problem with bone fide visits during an ‘Open Evening’, but to blatantly ‘lie’ and take up so much of our time is unforgivable.  I do wonder what sorts of ‘stories’ will be told about our College to their students.
On Thursday, our winter examinations begin and I hope that all of you have prepared as much as you can.  I believe that your grades will certainly reflect your efforts and that these examinations will be the first clear indicators of your progress to date.  Remember, as Thomas Edison said,
“There is no substitute for hard work”.
The importance of taking control of our own lives cannot be underestimated.  Too often, I hear people talk as if things are inevitable, and thereby become victims.  All too often, some people are negative about the future.  My perspective on this is one that Barack Obama has commented on in The Audacity of Hope:
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something.  Don’t wait for good things to happen to you.  If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”
I love this festive period and look forward enthusiastically to spending time with my family and friends.  All too often, Christmas becomes a commercial activity and we lose the ability to appreciate the benefits of spending time together, eating, laughing and doing the simple things together.  I was inspired by this quote,
“A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things,” 
Change we can believe in - Barack Obama

During the Christmas period, I will have the opportunity to watch my beloved Leeds United.  I hope that “we” have now “turned the corner” and look forward to going on a decent run of results.  I am so glad that we did not engage in any knee-jerk changes.  Change has to be planned very carefully and embraced so that it can have the desired effect.
As Mahatma Gandhi said,
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
……Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do, are in Harmony”.
Have an excellent festive break.


Jay Trivedy
Principal

If it doesn’t Challenge you, it doesn’t Change you

As we begin the second half of this term, it is worthwhile reflecting on the first eight weeks of the new academic year.
It is pleasing to see how well all of you have settled into life at our College and the lovely way in which you are conducting yourselves around the campus. Already, many of you have begun to access the additional support provided by the departments and are benefiting from the staff experience.
Attendance at the new parents’ evening and at the student Flyers’ evening in September has been excellent. All of you will now have completed your first Standardised Assessment and will be in the process of reviewing feedback on your performance. Remember that you are only here for two years and you must make the most of your time at College. It is really pleasing to see all of the extra PCs being utilised in the Library. As I explained in my talks, we are currently looking at expanding our catering provision and to offer you alternative facilities.
We have received our destinations data and I am really delighted that last year 87% of our students were successful in getting to university and that just under 25% of these (130 students), have gained entry to the Russell Group of Universities. Our record for entry into employment is equally impressive with the large accountancy, engineering, media, communication and software companies ‘cherry picking’ our students for higher level apprenticeships and sponsorship.  I am so proud of your achievements and never fail to be amazed by what you can do. I believe that a high-quality general education continues to be the best preparation for future success.
On the theme of destinations, we continue to be the largest provider of students going on to study medicine, dentistry and veterinary science at university. I do believe that our medics’ programme is outstanding. Recently, I was privileged in being invited to participate in our mock interview programme for medics and was delighted to witness the range of test situations that presented themselves. Indeed, today I will be involved in your mock Oxbridge interviews at Hull University, where over 35 of you will be ‘put through your paces’.
I have reflected on the start of the new academic year and realised how much I miss the friendship and presence of a ‘sage’ and colleague who retired last year. His wisdom, support and advice continue to be invaluable and I really miss our meandering observations about life in our weekly meetings. He gave us some great advice and left us with pearls of wisdom:
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”
“Even better if….”
“And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. This above all else, to thine own self be true.”
This ex-colleague worked here for many years and made a real difference to the quality of what we provide at our College. I am certain that he will be doing the same in Pocklington where he lives.
The adage, “… time waits for no man…” is so apt. We are already into our second Open Evening and I want to thank all of you for volunteering to come and talk to prospective students. The first Open Evening was the busiest that we have ever been and I was incredibly moved to hear so many parents talking about you (our students).
Our College is beautiful because of what happens inside the fabric of the buildings – the support, the achievement, the friendship, the care, the relationships……..
We have a colleague on the Senior Team who frequently says:
“So…hang on a minute lads, I’ve got a great idea….. Or “Here’s one for you……”
This boundless enthusiasm combined with intellect and humility is the essence of what we are about – long may that continue because it is only by continuing to think of new things and better ways of doing things that we will improve and remain outstanding.
I would like to thank all of you for the way in which you have ‘embraced’ the concept of lanyards. You can see the necessity of having this and for the overwhelming majority of you, you have co-operated. After all, I feel that all of us should be proud of being ‘members’ of our wonderful College but our College is nothing without you.
On a different note, I am quite concerned about my beloved Leeds United. After a wonderful start, we have faltered and already the ‘knives are out’. I hope that there is no knee-jerk reaction and that the international break will allow time for reflection, practice and self-belief (which is sadly lacking in a team that is devoid of confidence).
Sometimes in life one has to ‘draw up the hatches’ and focus fully on the task at hand. As Colin Powell said:
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure”.
Enjoy the second half of this term.
Jay Trivedy
Principal

Wyke Welcome

Welcome to our College and to the start of the new academic year.  I hope that you have had a great summer and that you have achieved the grades that you deserve.  It has been a wonderful summer for our College with some outstanding results, excellent staffing developments and news coverage, record recruitment and further development of our accommodation.  I believe that the extension of our library makes it one of the best study facilities for students in the area.
As I drove home last Friday I reflected on the numerous comments that were made to me by our newest students and parents.  As always, in an effort to retain students (against their best interests), the usual "mistruths" and negativity about our College were aired by some 11-18 schools:

• "Wyke is too big."
• "You won't know anyone and you’ll be lost".
• "You will only be a number at Wyke".
• "You will struggle to make friends".
• "Wyke is too academic…"

Indeed, a few of the schools have even "promised the earth":

• "You can be the lead in the school production and choir".
• "You can have access to the most amazing work experience".
• "You will have a personalised reference from the headteacher".
• You can captain the netball team"….

It saddens me to hear this but I listened to a song by Labi Siffre in the car, Something Inside So Strong, which I found very inspiring, almost as if it had been written about our College:
"The higher you build your barriers
The taller (we) become
The further you take (our) rights away
The faster (we) will run…
The more you refuse to hear (our) voice
The louder (we) will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
Your lies will come tumbling
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just not good enough
Well, we know better
Just look (them) in (their) eyes and say
We’re gonna do it anyway
Because
Something at (Wyke’s) so strong, so strong
Though you're doing (us) wrong, so wrong…"
Labi Siffre     

  
So a great summer of success for our College: students and staff returning safely from Thailand and South Africa; having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; progressing to the 'top' universities on some of the most prestigious courses and so many happy stories on results day on National TV (the BBC).

As the new term begins, I cannot help but get excited for the year ahead.  On Wednesday, the new students will arrive with fresh faces, excited but nervous too.
A verse from Coldplay's Lost comes to mind:
"You might be a big fish
In a little pond.
Doesn't mean you've won
‘Cause along may come
A bigger one
And you will be lost".
Let's hope that none of you get lost this week and that you thrive in a new, more adult environment.
Enjoy the "new adventure", learn, smile and get involved in all that our College can offer.  Don't believe the doubters and remember that so many students have already trodden the path to success.  Be positive and be determined to begin successfully the new chapter in your Wyke career.
My optimism stems from so many great bits of news that we received about our College and things that happened this summer.  No doubt, the purchase of an extra 200 new PCs will be a real bonus in terms of private study facilities as well as the option of exploring other catering provision on site.
I am also excited about my beloved Leeds United and the stability (finally) around the club.  We finally own our ground and some excellent staff have been recruited from all corners of the globe (much like our College).
Finally, it would be remiss of me to not mention the fabulous "Story of Mick Ronson: The Spider from Hull".  It was certainly one of the most enjoyable evenings that I have had with incredible live music (involving our Wyke music students and staff).  Full credit must go to Garry Burnett and Rupert Creed who wrote and produced the show and performed to a ‘packed house’ for 13 consecutive days.
Have a great start at our College and welcome to aspirational success and the enjoyment of learning.
I will leave you with two quotes from WH Auden and Dolly Parton:
"Among those whom I like or admire,
I can find no common denominator,
But among those whom I love, I can;
All of them make me laugh",       WH Auden.
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain",                                                                                                                      Dolly Parton.
Jay Trivedy
Principal

Mobilisation of the Young

As the academic year draws to a close, I am very conscious that I must take the opportunity to reflect on some of the key events that have impacted on our College.

Sadly, all of us participated in the minute’s silence in honour of those affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower last week.  This was the third occasion in the last few months when we have had a minute’s silence, and as always, you have been immensely respectful as a 'marker' of our sadness about the tragic loss of innocent lives.  We live in troubled times but we must endeavour to acknowledge so many of the positive things that are happening in the world.

 Sophocles said:
"Do nothing secretly; for Time sees and hears all things, and discloses all".

In the case of the Grenfell fire, a line from Bobby Dylan comes to mind,
"Money doesn't talk, it swears".

What is particularly encouraging is the mobilisation of the young to be involved in social issues and to be committed to bring about change.

"The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe.  You have to make it fall,"
Che Guevara.

"In the dime stores and bus stations, people talk of situations, read books, repeat quotations, draw conclusions on the wall", Bobby Dylan.

Stories of ordinary folk like you or I, who have risked their lives and showed incredible generosity are really heart-warming.  I am delighted when I see many of you looking concerned as you read/hear the news on our College screen.

I am even more pleased when I hear you in animated discussion about social issues.  We all need to be engaged in shaping our world and be optimistic about the future when we witness amazing kindness and heroics. 

As Marcel Proust said:
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul blossom".

As Bobby Dylan said:
"The hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with freedom".

Let us all be heroes and aim to create a better world.  Our small but individual actions and acts of kindness should not be underestimated.

This is the time of year when we say ‘goodbye’ to the second year students and wish you luck for the future.  I do believe that we make our own luck and that we shape our destiny.  As the first cohort since 2000, when our examination systems switched to modularity, you have participated in linear A-levels.  Clearly this requires a different approach to passing examinations and I do believe that you have adapted very well.  I haven't spoken to a single person who has come out of an examination in a distraught manner.  I believe and hope that you will achieve the success that you deserve.  So many of you have worked incredibly hard, accessed all of the support available and you deserve to achieve your dreams.

As Bobby Dylan said:
"I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours".
I look forward to sharing your dreams when you collect your results in August.  In the meantime, as long as you have done your best, no-one can ask for any more.

This is also the time of year when we say ‘goodbye’ to a number of staff who are retiring or moving to other promoted posts.  I would like to thank you for all that you have done for our College and our students.  Many thanks for your work in ensuring our success at a time when our College has grown by nearly 50% and the outcomes improved so significantly.  We wish you good health and good fortune for the future.

 As Morrissey said:
"Age shouldn't affect you.  It's just like the size of shoes – they don't determine how you live your life.  You're either marvellous or you’re boring, regardless of your age….."

So even in retirement or at the next stage in your career, seize the day and make informed choices.  Morrissey also said:
"Age gives you a great sense of proportion.  You can be very hard on yourself when you're younger but now I just think "well, everybody is absolutely mad and I'm doing quite well…"

For all of you, I hope that the year has been immensely productive and a time for growth, development and friendship.  I would like to thank all of you who have been involved in the series of appointments that we have made.  I believe that the new appointments are extremely exciting and will enable our College to become even better.  I hope that the friendships that you have developed will serve as a foundation for future success.

Helen Keller said:
"The greatest gift of life is friendship.
Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light".

For those of you who will be returning for the start of the new academic year and those who will be joining us in September, as Bobby Dylan said:
"Yesterday is just a memory, tomorrow is never what it's supposed to be".

Finally, the year has been extremely successful and one in which there have been many challenges, great opportunities and significant triumphs.

My highlight has got to be winning the National Colleges' Football final so convincingly at the Walsall Stadium.  An extraordinary feat against some of the largest Colleges in the country.  Winning the final is something that I will always remember, even if I did have to dry-clean my suit.  I hope that this success will be replicated by my beloved Leeds United, who have a "new" management team (again).  Have a great summer and remember:

"A bore is a man who, when you ask how he is, tells you," Bert Leston Taylor.


Jay Trivedy, Principal

The Final Push

I hope that you have all had a great Easter and are ready for the 'final push' to the end of the year.  I do know that all of you have worked hard but the ability to work at one's own pace in one's own environment and without the structure of College, is itself, restful.  Many thanks to all of you who came into the College for revision, further preparation for the forthcoming examinations and those who journeyed with you to Scafell, poetry competitions in London and the national sports competitions.

Clearly the focus this term is very much based on the classroom, attending lessons and any support sessions that are organised by departments.  Races are often won on the final lap and it is never too late for the last minute push to succeed.

Just before Easter, I had the privilege to travel to Beijing in China, with a colleague from Hull University, Dina Lewis (who is on our Corporation), and Andy Grace, the Principal of the Boulevard Academy.  All of us worked together and individually presented 'papers' on some of the innovative liaison work that we are engaged in, as three separate organisations.  Dina’s paper on the ‘engagement’ of Hull University with the community was the focal topic, which was extremely well received, and around which both Andy and I were able to tell "our" stories.  Our hosts at Beijing Normal University were wonderful in ensuring that we were very well looked after, and able to visit a school and be involved in discussions about some of the educational issues facing China (many of which are similar to the ones we face in the UK).  I found the whole experience very moving and as always, it enabled me to reflect on our College.  We met some incredible students who were highly articulate, very positive, amazingly bright, generous and confident and were superb hosts.  They also had a wonderful sense of humour which made the whole experience fun, enjoyable and enlightening.

These characteristics are universal.  I witness them throughout our College on a daily basis in members of our College community who are positive, hard-working and only want our College to be successful in everything that we do.  This is what so many visitors say to me when they come to our College and the reason why I believe that our College is so special.

Just before I went to Beijing, we had dignitaries from Thailand who came to our College to meet some of the staff and students who will be visiting Thailand in July.  They were overwhelmed by their reception, the performance of our musicians, dancers and even our 1st team coaches, Nick and Michael (aka Pugg), who ‘popped’ in to "say hello".  Our friends from Thailand left Wyke feeling welcomed with warm/lovely memories of the day.  I have absolutely no doubt that this hospitality will be reciprocated to our students and staff in July.

The line from Lord Tennyson in Ulysses comes to mind:

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield".

This has become a call to the human spirit to never give up even in the face of adversity.  I believe that it was also used as an inspirational maxim to greet the world's athletes at the entrance to the London Olympic Village in 2012.  I believe that travel and reflection are great motivators to continue to strive.  I would urge each and every one of you to continue "to seek" and to be true to your values during the final few weeks before your examinations.

"A person doesn't have to change who he is to become better",   Sidney Poitier

As the football season draws to a close, like on many occasions, my beloved Leeds United have fallen short of all the promise that was evident a few months ago and like all lifelong supporters, I am deeply saddened.  Indeed, both James Goodchild and I can be found lamenting on what could have been.  However, I am really pleased that Hull City (the Tigers) are likely to survive.  In this Year of Culture, Hull desperately needs a team that is in the Premier League and to benefit from the accompanying investment as well as publicity.

Next week our Under 19 Boys' football team will be playing in the Association of Colleges' national final at the Walsall Stadium.  This is an amazing achievement and a great honour.  It is a 'first' for our boys' team and one that is thoroughly deserved particularly as we have been competing against some of the largest Further Education Colleges in the country.  Clearly, I know that we will give a 'good account' of ourselves and hopefully, that we will win.  However, regardless of the outcome, this needs to be celebrated and as a College, we will all be rooting for our team in Walsall on 4th May.

I am immensely proud and would like to thank all of the staff who have been involved with the team: the coaches, the referees, the squad of players, the whole of our magnificent PE Department, the cleaning staff and our minibus drivers.  This team ethos is one that can achieve at the highest level and the metaphor of the success of our football team can be used to illustrate your "drive" for success in academia.  Ultimately, you will be judged by your performance in the examinations (much like our football team).  However the "team effort" in College in preparing you should not be underestimated: the departmental staff; support staff, the tutors, examinations team, our library staff, minibus drivers, premises staff, IT staff….  The list is endless and each of us has a part to play in your success.

"All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages."                              William Shakespeare

Remember, that all of us have to work extremely hard and that success has to be earned.

"So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great good fortune",                                                                   Ruth Ginsburg



Finally, to return to our wonderful team and the cup final in Walsall, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, voted athlete of the century in 1999, said:
"The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning",     Pele

Work extremely hard and play hard.



Jay Trivedy

Principal

Level of Commitment Sets Us Apart

Welcome back after the well-deserved half-term break.  As the daylight hours increase, I feel increasingly optimistic about our College and the range of activities that you are engaged in.
  Only last week, students returned from Florence (Mathematics), Berlin (Film Studies and German), Cern (Physics), New York (Media Studies), and I am delighted by the brilliant comments made by staff.  You continue to be such outstanding ambassadors for our College and I am certain that your experiences will stand you in good stead for the future.  Of course, none of these trips would have been possible without the tremendous commitment and dedication of our wonderful staff.  Organising such excellent experiences is certainly not easy and can be extremely demanding, both physically and mentally.  These trips also mean that our staff are away from their immediate families.  However, we are blessed with such commitment and we know how beneficial these trips can be.  I do believe that this level of commitment sets us apart from almost all of the post-16 providers at 11-19 schools and colleges.  The fact that the following trips are organised for later this year is testament to this: Thailand (July); South Africa (July); Tanzania and Kilimanjaro (June); Paris (June); Washington (April); Iceland (March). 
  So much has happened since I last wrote both at our College and in the world. 
  Recently, I had the fortune of spending time with four wonderful students who "volunteered" to take part in the Youth Speaks Competition.  It was such a privilege to experience the development of an argument about role models; the thoughtful, sensitive way in which the group supported each other and the passion with which Sarah Magaharan delivered the argument.  It was no surprise that Sarah’s speech won the day but the team effort was incredible.  There is a great line from the writer Calvino,
  "I speak and speak, but the listener retains only the words he is expecting.  It is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear."
As our group finished their presentation, one noisy adult behind me said,
  "Wow!  Who said young people don't care.  Doesn't it give you hope for the future, Jay?"
  Last week was 'Book Week’ and it was great to see evidence of reading, the book of Wyke, quotes and to hear famous lines.  After all, as an educational establishment, we are nothing without books and the written word.
  "The desire to have many books, and never to use them, is like a child that will have a candle by him all the while he is sleeping", Henry Peacham
"The pen is the tongue of the soul", Miguel de Servantes in Don Quixote.
Two weeks ago, some of our photography students won prizes and accolades for their outstanding work.  I am hoping that their work will soon be displayed at our College so that we have the opportunity to 'enjoy' their creative endeavours.
Our boys' football team have progressed on to the national semi-finals (once again for the third year) and it is an incredible achievement for a College of our size.  We are participating in a competition where most of the colleges are at least five times our size and we continue to "punch above our weight".  I am immensely proud of our students, the manner in which they conducted themselves on the day and our outstanding coaching staff.  I will certainly be attending the semi-finals in Crewe and hope that we can progress on to the finals.  I have always maintained that when one achieves or reaches a certain level on merit, there is no stopping them.  This applies in all walks of life: academia, music, drama, sport…… It is crucial that you believe in yourself and the evidence is in your success, whether it is being accepted at the top universities, on the most prestigious courses or in a competitive environment on a national platform.
On Friday, our dancers will travel to Liverpool to take part in the National Dance Competition Finals.  I wish them luck because it is an honour to compete at a national level against some of the best dancers in the country.  It is certainly something that you will never forget and at a level that we have never achieved at our College.
On Wednesday I went to the first night of our College production, Your House, and loved every minute of it.  As always, the team of staff and students decided to push the boundary.  The live music was performed in the atrium and digitally transmitted into the theatre and to the cast.  Clearly, the acting, singing and music had to be synchronised.  What a difficult challenge to set ourselves but the outcome was truly amazing.  Well done to all of the cast, the musicians and the staff.
As we approach the examination period and that time of year when judgements are made, I am really convinced that you should be true to yourself:
"Above all, do not appear to others what you are not".   Robert E Lee
Hold your counsel and be focused on the next stage:
"A bore is a man who, when you ask how he is, he tells you,"      Bert Leston Taylor
Take control of your life and do not expect others to make things happen for you:
"The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is right.  You have to make it fall,"
Che Guevara
The world is a more uncertain place at the moment with the changes at national and international level.  However, I believe that truth, like quality, always rises to the fore.
"Do nothing secretly; for Time sees and hears all things and discloses all,"                                                                                                              Sophocles
Finally, I will leave you with one of my favourite quotations from an English "convict", imprisoned for hunting and poaching:
"The Law locks up the man who steals the goose from the common, but leaves the greater villain loose who steals the common from the goose".

Jay Trivedy
Principal

Try Something New

As we approach the end of the first month in this ‘Spring' Term, it already feels as if the Christmas/New Year celebrations are a distant past.

The mocks have been marked, reports written and all of us are concentrating our energies on the Parents' Consultation Evenings and the areas that need our attention in order to improve.  I have had a number of conversations about the mistakes and silly errors that were made in the mocks.  I have been pleased to hear about the lessons learned and how these will not be repeated.  I am glad this happens during the mocks rather than the actual examinations.  We all make mistakes but only some of us learn from our mistakes.  Einstein said,

"The person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."

Mistakes can be made when you take risks, try something new and push yourself out of your comfort zone.  Too many people just "play safe" and as a consequence, never "move on".  I believe that it was Einstein who also said,

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

During January, many of you have begun to receive offers from universities and employers.  It is really pleasing that so many of you are being successful.  Invariably, some of you may be a little disappointed, but remember, that for many of the most prestigious universities and courses it is a bit of a lottery.  I believe that sometimes it is their loss.  They are the ones who will be losing such outstanding students.

During this month, I have had the privilege of speaking to all of you about the next stage in your career and what you need to do to be successful.  Clearly, hard work, commitment, the drive to understand and practice under examination conditions is essential.

Successful people in all walks of life always work extremely hard and are aware of what needs to be done.  I hope that by now all of you have had one-to-ones with your subject staff and your tutors.  I do hope that you are inspired by many of your subjects and that you are accessing all the support that is available at our College.  Einstein said,

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge" …. and remember,… "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough".

At the start of term, we had our annual Awards Evening and it was wonderful to see so many of our students returning to collect prizes and share some of their experiences.  Invariably, the students who received awards were the ones who had a 100% attendance record and who worked extremely hard.  It was a privilege to meet with students whom I last saw in August.

Our musicians and dancers performed in the marquee and I realised the level of talent that we have at our College.  It was fantastic to learn about the amazing success of our dancers at the National Semi-finals in Blackpool.  We have managed to progress through to the National Final in Liverpool despite being the only College that is not a dance school.  I am extremely proud of our students and staff who have taken dance to a completely new level this year.  To return from the competition, laden with trophies and having learned so much, is truly incredible, especially as this is a 'first' for our College.

World events in January continue to be a worry.  The growth of Nationalism and a "Forrest Gump" approach as guiding principles is a concern.

"Nationalism is an infantile disease.  It is the measles of mankind," and … "the world is a dangerous place to live: not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it," Einstein.

I believe in the power of young people, like yourselves, to change things for the better but I also believe that none of us can be complacent.  We all have to believe in what we are doing and strive to make the world a more informed, safer and better place to live.

Finally, I am ever the optimist and as always, believe that this is the year for my beloved Leeds United.

My talks to you were about "time" and academic maturation so I will finish with two quotes from the genius that is Einstein,

"When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second.  When you sit on a cinder a second seems like an hour.  That’s relativity."

"Solitude is painful when one is young, but delightful when one is more mature".

My next blog will incorporate quotes from my brilliant EPQ group that is a microcosm of our College.


Jay Trivedy
Principal

Mesmerised by the Quality

As the term comes to an end and with Christmas looming, it is worth reflecting on the past few months in terms of what we have learned and achieved.

As always, the first term is incredibly busy: for students in the first year, a new environment, getting used to new staff, a different culture, establishing new friendship groups and concentrating on a smaller number of subjects.  For returning students, the emphasis has been on planning for the next stage beyond Wyke and ensuring that the foundations are in place to achieve the appropriate grades.

As I write this, the Sports Hall, the Elm Fitness Studio and the Theatre are full of students taking mock examinations.  It is wonderful to see such focus and commitment from all of you.  Of course, all of our staff will also ensure that the mocks are used to bring about further improvements in performance and the accompanying success.

Our College has a local, regional and national reputation for achieving excellent results by whatever standards we use to make the judgements.  Therefore, it is galling for me to hear about some colleagues from schools with small sixth forms, castigating us and we have no opportunity to have a "right to reply".  We are unable to engage in any sort of dialogue and to present the objective data countering the misinformation.  As the late Leonard Cohen wrote in "Everybody Knows":

"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich.
Everybody knows the boat is leaking
Everybody knows the Captain lied."
So stories of excessively large groups and the impersonal nature of our College are perpetuated without students having the opportunity to hear the truth.  Information about our outstanding results, our largest ever Oxbridge cohort, our applications for Engineering, Medicine, Science, Mathematics and the fact that 20% of our students went to the Russell Group of Universities, are "glossed over".  Leonard Cohen, in "Waiting for the Miracle", wrote:

"Ah I don't believe you'd like it (at Wyke)
You wouldn't like it (here)
There ain't no entertainment
And the judgements are severe
The Maestro says it's Mozart
But it sounds like bubble gum”.

It's definitely "bubble gum" and I believe that students eventually "see through” it.

Last week I went to our Dance Showcase and I was mesmerised by the quality of our dancers.  It really has moved to a different level and it is no surprise that our dancers recently returned from Liverpool with two first and two runners’ up prizes.  A definite first for us and I'm really proud of the participants. 

Tomorrow, our Christmas music concert will be in Beverley.  I am delighted that for the first time in three years we will be returning and I'm certain that it will be a wonderful occasion.  I am very pleased that so many staff and members of our Corporation will be attending to support the music provision at our College.

Finally, have a restful and fun-filled Christmas.  I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.


Jay Trivedy
Principal

"For the times they are a-changin…."

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depths of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habits;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever widening thought and action –
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake”,

Rabindranath Tagore

Tagore wrote this about the birth of his country but it could equally apply, with its universal aspiration, optimism and hope, to the success of our College. 
Our story, too, needs to be witnessed and experienced:

• On Wednesday, the Oxbridge mock interviews took place, with over 25 students, and nearly 30 interviews.  It made me so proud to listen to the thoughts and ideas of some of our students; your ability to think "on your feet" and to be able to articulate your wonderful thoughts.  We also interviewed a very small number of outstanding students from Kelvin Hall School.  All of our external interviewers were incredibly enthusiastic.  What was interesting was that some of them were unaware of our existence and our unique atmosphere/ethos.

• The large number of staff and students who were involved in activities, walking, camping, dancing and map-reading during the half term break.

• The amazing success of our teams in the Regional Sports Finals and all the results from the fixtures on Wednesday, particularly our 3rd team in Netball.

• The incredible atmosphere that was created by those of you who volunteered during our first Open Evening.  So many of the parents commented on how much they enjoyed talking to you and your sheer enthusiasm for our College.  You are definitely our best ambassadors.

• The willingness of my delightful EPQ group to think "outside the box".

• The wonderful stories about your behaviour and conduct that I hear from staff who have returned from a trip.

Currently, there is a great deal of turmoil in the world and tremendous rapid change which can be a little unsettling: increase in tuition fees; linear two year A-levels; new ways of assessing what is learnt; the reintroduction of grammar schools….. Our role is to survey the landscape and make sense of so much of the nonsense.  It is crucial that you remain focused on what is important and that you continue to work extremely hard, to learn what is needed to access your dreams. 
It is sometimes difficult and unsettling when there is so much change: what will happen in the American elections; will the UK invoke Article 50; what will happen to the refugees in Calais; the role of Russia; the growth of the xenophobia; employment for young people, the growth of the National Debt… (Incidentally, so many of these are courtesy of my EPQ group).  However, it has always been thus.
Yesterday, I listened to a song and it made me really think about how change can feel threatening and that it is a perfectly natural reaction but one that we have to take in our stride.  We must not put up barriers or go into a cocoon.
"Some people stay away from the door
If there's a chance of it opening up.…
Some people see through the eyes of the old
Before they ever get a look at the young….
Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is….
But I'm not willing to lay down and die
Because I am an innocent man",

Billy Joel

Change happens and we must all embrace it and take control.  We have all been back for at least 7 weeks and in that time, I am sure that we too will have experienced and undergone change.  During that period, it is imperative that we return to our fundamental values and our belief in education and its ability to transform all of our lives.
As the 2016 Nobel Prize winner for Literature sang,
"For the times they are a-changin…."


Jay Trivedy
Principal

A Real Privilege

The start of a new academic year is always very exciting.  All of you will be returning after holidays, new experiences, results at GCSE, AS level or on the BTEC courses.  For over 1000 of you, you will be making a new start.  We also have a number of new staff who have started with us.  So welcome to our College and to the wide range of new experiences that you will encounter.  For those of you who have received results, I hope that they reflect your efforts during the last few years.

It is a real privilege to be a part of, and to see, so many happy and smiling faces.  I am immensely proud to say that you are joining a very successful college where so many students have achieved such outstanding success.  This is evident by the number who have progressed to the top universities, been recruited by some of the largest employers in the area and enrolled on to the most prestigious courses.

As I stood at the entrance on the first day of term, I couldn't help singing a Leonard Cohen song in my head:

"One by one the guests arrive
The guests are coming through
The openhearted many
The broken hearted few
All at once the torches flare
The inner door flies open
One by one they enter there
In every style of passion."  The Guests by Leonard Cohen

So many vibrant faces, smiling, enthusiastic and open.  If my EPQ group is representative, then we have a really exciting new year to look forward to.

The first day/week is always quite nerve wracking and demanding.  The routine of getting up early, preparing for the next day, the transport arrangements, as well as deciding what to wear and whom to talk to.  I can assure you that I too have the same feelings and anxieties at the start of every new year.

I spent a really interesting and moving weekend with members of my extended family.  I met some of my uncles, aunts and cousins whom I have not seen for a very long time.  It made me realise the depth and strength of familial bonds.  Invariably, our conversations drifted on to educational issues (as well as football), and they duly quizzed me on some of the issues about our College.  I reflected on what our College represents and the uniqueness of what makes us so special.

I am absolutely convinced that it is a combination of so many factors: the way in which we communicate with each other, care for one another, the fact that all of us work so hard to make sure that we are always student-focused and that everything we do should be to ensure that we enable you to fulfil your potential.  We all have a role to play.

A few minutes ago, I walked out of my office and asked some colleagues to sum up what makes us so special in two words: our students; inspiration and dedication; a critical mass who always 'go the extra mile' (not two words but extremely powerful); our culture and ethos, intellectual curiosity…

At the moment, based upon the national statistics and information that we have, our College is in the top 12% of all A level providers.  I believe that this year we will move into the top 8% of all Colleges nationally.  I am confident that because of some of the changes that we have made our results will get even better.  I believe this for the following reasons:

• Our staff team (teaching and support) is stronger than it has ever been since I started in 2011.
• Our new Faculty system and Progress Tutors are completely focused on inspiring and supporting every single student to achieve at the highest level.
• Our AS and BTEC results from 2015-2016 are some of the best that we have achieved.
• The new system of common standard assessments, mocks and end of year examinations will enable us to monitor, stretch and support every one of you so that you are successful.
• Our new intake of students is amazing and it makes me so pleased that you have decided to get on "the Wyke train".

Everything that I observe confirms this.  On Monday over 400 of you took part in the sports trials under the supervision of our amazing PE Department and the team of outstanding coaches.  It was incredible to see so many of you competing, supporting and being so respectful of each other.  It is also evident when I walk around at lunchtime and it reaffirms my belief that our College is the best possible preparation for the next stage in your careers (University or employment).

At this time of year, I always remember one of my best and at times infuriating friends who was always an inspiration to students.  Sadly, he passed away three years ago but as a Neil Young fan, a song comes to mind:

"Instead of cursin’ the darkness
Light a candle for where we’re goin’
There's something ahead, worth looking for.
When the light of dawn is on us
We will see what we can be
And the ancient ones can sleep an easy sleep".
Neil Young, "Light a Candle"

So the role of all of us at our 'beautiful' College is to ‘light’ the way to take you forward in your academic career and show you what is possible because it certainly is "worth looking for".

Finally, as always, I am optimistic about my beloved Leeds United and can only hope that we can have the stability that is necessary to make progress.

So to all staff and students, have a brilliant academic year, work extremely hard, get involved in College life, have fun and enjoy all that is on offer.


Jay Trivedy
Principal

The Best of Times

As we approach the end of an academic year, this comment from Dickens is poignant:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us……."
- A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
A period of great change for our country and for the education system.  The outcome of the Referendum is certainly very unsettling and even the "experts" are uncertain about what this will mean.  A series of questions remain unanswered:

1. What will happen to employment?
2. What will the companies, who rely on exports, do in response to the falling value of sterling?
3. Who will be our next Prime Minister?
4. Will there be a credible opposition and who will lead it?
5. What will happen in relation to the border controls in France?
6. Will Scotland remain a part of the United Kingdom?
7. Will the outcome of our Referendum trigger further exits from the European Union?

However, tumultuous changes at the macro level invariably cause changes at the micro level.  Changes to education mean that almost all Sixth Form Colleges will introduce linear A-levels.  All Sixth Form Colleges will also be deciding on whether they will and/or be allowed to convert to Academies, in the future.
Change is inevitable and our role, as a Senior Team, is to manage the change whilst ensuring that the quality of experience that you have continues to be of the highest standard.  Our role as a College is to ensure that all of you can fulfil your potential and proceed on to the next level in your careers.  The changes within the College include:

1. The movement from six to four new faculties.
2. New staff base rooms and accommodation for many subjects.
3. The departure of some excellent staff to 'retirement' or the next stage in their careers.  This includes two staff who have served the College for over forty years between them and one who has inspired generations of students over the last two/three decades into the love of politics.
4. The creation of new IT areas in response to the many requests from you for more study space. 
5. New displays and ways to celebrate your amazing success and experiences.
6. The appointment of exciting new staff: Business; Science; Law; Sociology; PE; Dance; Health and Social Care.
7. The appointment of support staff so that we have a new Administration Manager, a UCAS/Careers Coordinator and a Work Experience/Careers member of staff.
8. New catering arrangements in the Elm building.
9. A new and exciting visit planned to enable you to experience Thailand and the opportunity to teach English as a foreign language.
10. Changing the nature of our Awards Evening in January so that we are not constrained by the size of our Theatre.
11. In line with changes at national level, becoming a linear College so that all of our A-levels will be examined externally at the end of two years of study.
12. Introducing the idea of Electives for all students in their first year.
13. Introducing a small number of new courses for prospective students.
14. A new Student Executive that will function in a harmonious way to enhance the experience of our students.

So the year comes to an end and yet again, disappointingly, our country will not be in the latter stages of the European Championships, much like our country "choosing" to be out of the European Union.
As always, I am excited about the future of my beloved Leeds United: a new, young management team; some anticipated arrivals into the squad and a 'fresh' approach to the 2016-2017 season.  I cannot wait for it to begin.  No doubt, the Championship will be incredibly tough – some 'big' clubs have been relegated from the Premier league.  Leeds United will need to adapt.
"The snake which cannot cast off its skin has to die.  As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind," Friedrich Nietzsche.
Enjoy the summer.  For those who are going to 'new pastures', good luck in the future and for those returning, come back reinvigorated and ready for a successful new academic year.  Remember:
"The times they are a-changing," Bobby Dylan
"Fashion changes, but style endures," Coco Chanel 
We will continue to do what we do best.
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples," Mother Teresa.


Jay Trivedy
Principal

To Thine own self be True

The exam season is now in full flow, so it is an excellent time to reflect on the last few months and to think about the future.

I have walked around the campus on a number of occasions recently and have been amazed by your work ethic and the studious atmosphere.  All of you have found various nooks and crannies where you can focus on your studies and I can see the serious way in which you are approaching the next few weeks.  As it is the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, I will endeavour to refer to him having been inspired by a live show that was beamed to theatres on the actual day.

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so," Hamlet.

Remember that however difficult it seems at the moment, it will be worth the short-term sacrifice:

"Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day," Macbeth.

It has been wonderful to have been able to respond to a request to open our Library on Saturdays.  I am delighted that so many of you have used this facility from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.  It is pleasing that the numbers have gone up from 14 to 42 to 61 last week.  Of course, I am extremely grateful to all of the staff, particularly Karen, who have made this possible by giving up their own time.  Indeed, I am always thoroughly grateful and in awe of the lengths our staff go to, to make sure that you are well prepared for the future.

"Nothing will come of nothing," King Lear.

Last month, I was privileged to be able to watch our Women's 1^st XI play in the AoC cup final at St Andrew’s Stadium in Birmingham.  It was the second consecutive year in which we have got to the final.  This is an incredible achievement for a college of our size.  Whilst we lost by 5 goals to 4 to the same team as we played last year, I felt incredibly proud of our players, our wonderful supporters and all of the parents who attended.  That combined with our boys' team reaching the semi-finals, I believe that these achievements are a testimony to our wonderful PE Department and all of the teachers and coaches who run the teams.  This line from the Bard is an apt description of what we witnessed:

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. 

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts," As You like It.

For me, that player was Misty Russell who was selected as the player of the final (which in itself is unusual from the losing team) but who was truly outstanding.  A fantastic role model for all of the players and supporters in the way in which she played (scored a hat-trick), the way in which she encouraged her teammates and her sheer genuine modesty.  You made us all really proud, Misty.

On Monday, I travelled with a colleague to a garden party at Buckingham Palace to collect a plaque for our College to offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award.  We are now a 'Licensed Organisation' to offer this award thanks to the tremendous work of staff.  It was brilliant to see so many Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award winners and to listen to Hannah Cockcroft, who is a world record holder and gold medal winner from the 2014 Paralympics.  Hannah astounded us all by telling us how hard she works and her motivation to ensure that she never loses a race (she has only ever lost one race).  As ever, someone who is so talented and determined was incredibly modest.

"If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men's cottage Princes' palaces," The Merchant of Venice.

Therein lies a message for all of us!

Three weeks ago I went to listen to the candidates in the hustings for the Student Executive.  It was great to see a packed theatre and hear such interesting ideas.  It is always incredibly difficult to speak in front of your peers and I thought that many of the speeches were excellent.  The current Student Executive did a great job in organising the event and ensuring that people kept to their time limit.  Unfortunately, not everyone can get elected and such is the democratic process that many excellent presenters were unsuccessful.  I hope to meet with the new Student Executive and begin the exciting journey into the new academic year.

We are now busy planning for the new academic year to ensure that our College is ready for the next stage in our development.  This means that we have appointed new staff, reorganised some of our current arrangements and made decisions about the subjects that we will be offering, the timing and nature of our internal examinations as well as reviewing the use of our existing resources and catering arrangements.  Much of this is about trying to guess the future from a position of strength:

"What light through yonder window breaks?"  Romeo and Juliet

As ever, we continue to hear snippets of some (false) negative things said about us in some 11-18 schools.  Our response as always is:

“Fi, thy calumnies taint us not”, As You Like It

or

"Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows," The Tempest

Finally, I cannot resist the temptation to comment on my beloved Leeds United.  Our season is disappointingly over and my club is a shambles:

"The fault, dear Brutus, lies not within the stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings," Julius Caesar

I am really pleased about The Tigers and hope that the club is successful at Wembley for our staff and students, for the City in 2017 and for our College.

Returning to Shakespeare, my advice to you is:

"To thine own self be true," Hamlet

and

"Love thrives not in the heart that shadows dreadeth," The Rape of Lucrecia,

Jay Trivedy

Thanks for a Wonderful Rag Week

As the term comes to an end and we prepare for Easter, I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone for the wonderful Rag Week: those who wore costumes, who organised events, who participated and volunteered to help.  What a fantastic week culminating in the terrifying and terrific Lip Sync on Friday.  The week was full of stimulation, fun, music, intellectual testing as well as much laughter.
What is really amazing are the number of events and activities that have been such a big part of this term:

• Trips to Berlin, New York, Rome, Washington, Geneva, Switzerland, South Africa.
• Success in competitions ranging from poetry recital to accountancy and sport.
• The cross College-production of Aspects of Chicago.
• The presence at our Rag Week of Take That, the Walt Disney team to perform The Lion King, The Spice Girls, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
• To see wonderful characters parading around the campus such as: Spiderman; Superman; Mary Poppins; Cruella de Vil; Harry Potter; Una Thurman; Juno; one of the Blues Brothers; Star Trekkies; Elsa; Marty McFly; Dumbledore…

Our College is so special.  You achieve outstanding results (fourth nationally out of the 92 Sixth Form Colleges for the points score at A-level), and have such brilliant experiences.
Take That's anthem, Never Forget, is so apt:
We've come so far and we've reached so high
And we've looked each day and night in the eye
And we're still so young and we hope for more…
I recently attended a Young Person’s lecture for the Royal Aeronautical Society and one of the speakers presented on "turbulence".  He made the connection between Leonardo da Vinci's sketches of turbulence in water to the impact on aircraft.  As I sit in my office to write this, I have just seen the images of turbulence in Brussels.  I am only too aware of the issues in Brazil, the impending referendum on Europe, the turbulence caused by Barack Obama's visit to Cuba and last week's budget on the reductions (now reversed) on disability benefits.  Too much turbulence can be unsettling but sometimes it is necessary, not comfortable, but productive.
The Easter period will be critical for so many of you.  How you use your time may well determine the results that you achieve and ultimately, your future.  So make sure that you commit the necessary time to ensure your success.  Be extremely determined, plan your revision and do not be tempted to 'slacken off'.  Do not be tempted by the lure of money to work part-time.  You can always do that after your examinations.  Leonard Cohen’s words come to mind,
"Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried…to be free".
You can certainly become more free after your examinations but in the meantime remain focused.
Last weekend, our youngest son took me to watch "my beloved Leeds United".  True to form, after three consecutive wins, we got "hammered" by four goals to one.  However, I really enjoyed the time together and it made me realise how important it is to appreciate and enjoy "the here and now".  The balance is always between doing the hard work (which can also be fun), and doing the "extra" things that are also so enjoyable – whether it is dressing up in costume, putting on extra sessions for revision, organising trips and activities.  As always, the old adage,
"The more you put in, the more you get out"
is so true.  This is the case in all walks of life: work, relationships, friendships and performance.  There are some for whom the glass is always half-empty whilst the ones that "lighten up our lives", who energise us, are the ones for whom the glass is half full.  They are positive, enjoy the "here and now", and work so hard to make our College so successful.
I love this quote by Martin Luther King:
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.
He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well".
Have a great, productive Easter.

Jay Trivedy