What about Hull?

As the academic year comes to an end, it is a really good opportunity to take stock and reflect upon the year.  I will be continuing with the football metaphor because I believe that in the new season, my beloved Leeds will rise and reach the play-offs.  "What about Hull?” I hear you ask - I think that it depends on many things!

I have mentioned before that as a College, we also have to plan and prepare for the next academic year.  This involves ensuring that we have excellent staff in place to replace the staff who are leaving, that all of our courses are well prepared and that we are 'ready' for the start of the new academic year.  All of our staff appointments have been made and as always, I have been delighted by the student engagement in the whole process.  Your comments and observations have been very perceptive.  Like my beloved Leeds, I think that we have an even stronger team and one that will ensure that our success continues.  I anticipate some excellent results and look forward to seeing you in August when you can celebrate in style.

Many of you have had some excellent offers and I know that they are well deserved.  I do hope that you have not slackened off because you may have had an unconditional offer.  I believe that this type of offer can lead to a lack of motivation and in the long run, be harmful to your life chances.  Indeed, one of our sons was shortlisted for an interview for graduates where only graduates with a UCAS points score of 300+ were invited.  So the message is, regardless of what the University offers, always aim to get the best possible grades.

For those of you who are leaving our College, I would like to wish you well and to thank you for your contribution.  I hope that you will remain a friend of our College and that you will have great memories of your time here.  The David Bowie song comes to mind:

"Golden years, gold whop whop whop

Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere, angel

Run for the shadows in these golden years".

As always, the year has passed very quickly and become a blur: images of successes in academia, sports, arts, visits, competitions, fancy dress and national accolades come to mind.  Throughout all of this, the one thing that has remained constant is the energy and drive to achieve your potential – maintaining your focus about the next stage is crucial.  Do not be distracted, as Paulo Coelho said,

"Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure that you know exactly what it is that you want.  No one can hit their target with their eyes closed".

Do not be fooled by those who 'pretend' to accept mediocrity or can only think of reasons why we should not do something:

"People pretend not to like grapes when the vines are too high for them to reach",

Marguerite de Navarre.

"Nothing…will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must be first overcome,"

Samuel Johnson.

Doing the Right Things

As the examination season begins in earnest, it is an excellent time to remind everyone about the importance of this last stage/the final leg/the finale.  Even now, by doing the right things, it is possible to make a real difference.  I do not want anyone to finish this year with the thought that, “if only I had…"

Last week my focus was on the leavers' talks which I have really enjoyed.  It is great to see so many of you together and on each occasion, seeing an individual in the audience triggers a new memory.  It may be that I have taught you, supervised your EPQ, talked to you at some stage, seen you participate in an activity or (rarely) had to reprimand you.

Throughout the last four weeks, we have been interviewing for a range of teaching posts for next year.  The format that we use always involves a lesson observation followed by a discussion/evaluation, when you give me your views of the lesson, and followed by a formal interview.  Your views, thoughts and feelings are always really appreciated and taken into account.  I believe that it is very hard to fool you and that on each occasion your comments have been extremely helpful and perceptive.  One comment comes back to me again and again, and makes me smile:

“s/he may not have engaged us but s/he would get the better grades for us…"

What a brilliant comment!  Many thanks once again.

Two weeks ago, I was privileged to see our girls' football team play in the National Colleges’ Final at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall.  I felt incredibly proud of each and every person who played, watched or supported the team.  The effort, ability and camaraderie of everyone involved was extremely moving.  Indeed, a number of staff from the competitor college mentioned how good our supporters were.  I was also really impressed by the standard of our play and the sheer commitment of each and every player.  These moments are precious and need to be savoured.  Throughout the match, I had a smile on my face and kept humming "Mr Raffles" by Steve Harley:

"…, Man!  It was hard not to laugh out loud

I couldn't believe the size of the crowd

You must have fooled them into coming…

Inside you sniggered so hearty, you only came for the party

Man, it was mean, it was mean, man it was mean".

We have a newly elected Student Executive.  I am really pleased that the hustings were so well attended and that so many of you voted.  I hope that the new Executive can follow in the footsteps of the outgoing team.  I believe that the current Executive have been outstanding – certainly one of the best since I have been at our College.  I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for all that you have done for our College and our students.  You will be a very hard act to follow.

Many of you will have voted for the first time last week.  I hope that you enjoyed the experience and excitement that is generated during a General Election.  All that I will say about the outcome is that, as Bobby D sang,

"You can fool some people all of the time

You can fool all the people some of the time

But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time".

Just a few quotations to ponder:

"Human beings were invented by water as a device for transporting itself from one place to another," Tim Robbins.

"When elephants fight the ants get trampled," Malaysian saying.

"The first camel in the train holds everyone up, but it is the last which gets the beating," Amharic proverb.

Good luck in the examinations and I hope that your performance reflects your effort.

Jay Trivedy

Remember, you are on the Final Straight

As you must know by now, I have been a fan of Leeds United, my beloved club, for the last 42 years and as the football season draws to a close, many things have yet to be decided:

• As we are unlikely to be relegated or promoted, at what position will we finish in the Championship?
• What are the plans for the club so that we can continue to improve?
• Which players will leave for 'bigger' clubs, which players will be encouraged to move to other clubs or indeed, like all supporters, which players will we sign to improve our squad?  How will we continue to develop some of our talented youngsters and existing players?
• Will those who lead the club still be in position for next season?
• How much money will be available to develop our club and what ideas are there to build on the success (of the second half for Leeds) of the season?
• How can steps be taken to ensure that Leeds United can get into the Premier League (like Hull City) where we 'rightfully' belong (given the size of our fan base and level of support)?

These are all fundamental questions and ones that all schools and colleges have to consider at this time during the academic year.

On Sunday, on the drive to Beverley, I listened to a song called "Night Moves" by Bob Seger.  It got me thinking about how plans are constantly being made and revised for even greater success for our College community.  Indeed, what is achieved in the remaining weeks can be crucial.  Leeds United can finish in the top 8 in the Championship, (no mean feat given that we were in the relegation zone in January), Hull City can survive in the Premiership, and you can get an even better grade in your examinations if you are focused, committed and listen to the advice that is offered to you. 

You have to enjoy what you do, work as hard as you have ever worked, make the necessary short-term sacrifices and, as Bob Marley sang,

"Don't stop believin’

And hold onto the feelin’".

Races are won and lost in the final stretch and what you do in the remaining weeks, during the Easter holidays, the 4 weeks upon your return and in the evenings, can make all the difference: whether you get into the University of your choice, the course that you wish to pursue, the job that you would like to get, can be determined at this stage.

The Dire Straits' song, "Love over Gold" is poignant:

"It takes love over gold

And mind over matter

To do what you do that you must

When the things that you hold

Can fall and be shattered

Or run through your fingers like dust."

Don't look for others to 'save' you.  Take control of your life because it can make all the difference in terms of your future, your career and your life chances.  Be brave, have fun and be prepared to laugh at yourself.  There is a Chinese saying:

"In the stream where you least expect it

You will find fish."

It is a little too early to reflect on the academic year but already there have been so many outstanding successes:

• Offers from the 'top' universities and on the most prestigious courses;
• Employment offers with brilliant sponsorship and development opportunities;
• Outstanding success in sports, dance, drama, music and the arts;
• Academic success in national competitions in chemistry, biology, physics, maths and engineering;
• Poetry publications;
• Outstanding performances at a national level;
• The large amounts raised for local and national charities;
• Visits, work experience and expeditions to 'far-flung corners' of our planet.

 

Throughout all of this, I continue to receive 'glowing' reports about our wonderful students and the exemplary way in which members of our College community conduct themselves.  You are a credit to our College and it makes me feel very proud and honoured.

Remember, you are on the final straight….

Have an enjoyable and productive Easter.

Jay

Success Means Many Things

As the days get longer and the ‘dust’ has settled from the mock examinations in December, I hope that there is clarity about the goals that we are all striving for.  Success means many things but I would like all of us to feel that we have done as much as we can.  The worst thing to feel whenever we have striven for something is “If only I had done more”.  This is the case in all walks of life: our academic achievements; our work career; our relationships with peers, colleagues, siblings, children and partners.  Very little is achieved without effort and sacrifice.  Throughout, it is critical that we retain our values, our dignity and professionalism.  In order to achieve our Vision,

            “Inspire and support all students to achieve exceptional success”,

it is necessary that we work as a team for the “greater good” of our College. Rousseau talked about this in “The Social Contract”, when he wrote about when things are going well:

“… all the springs of the state are vigorous and simple and its rules clear and luminous; there are no embroilments or conflicts of interests; the common good is everywhere clearly apparent, and only good sense is needed to perceive it….

A state so governed needs very few laws; and, as it becomes necessary to issue new ones, the necessity is universally seen."

I love the quotation from J.F. Kennedy when he talked about personal interests versus those of the greater good,

"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

During this week, there are more events and visits than at any time during the academic year, listed as follows:

·         The Film Studies students are in Berlin for the Film Festival;

·         The Media Studies students are in New York;

·         Religious Studies students are in Manchester;

·         Science students are at the Hull York Medical School;

·         Students studying English Language will be in London on Friday;

·         The PE/ski trip to Italy leaves on Friday;

·         Students on the flyers’ programme will be at an HE+ event at St Mary’s College on Friday;

·         Creative Writing/English students will be travelling to Whitby on Sunday.

All of the above comes after a week of our first cross-College production of the year, “Sweet Charity”, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  The level of commitment, work and talent was very evident - many thanks to all those involved.

On the Tuesday and Wednesday after half-term, our Flyers will be in London visiting some of the prestigious universities in the capital.  Our Spanish students will be visiting Seville and also taking part in a half-day language school.  On 7^th March, we have the visit to Washington by the Politics students and just before Easter, we will have our annual expedition to South Africa.  This week we have our last two Consultation Evenings.  I hope that you are able to attend and that the discussions with the staff are very useful.  The aim is to ensure that you are absolutely clear about what you need to do to improve.

On Monday lunchtime, I was privileged to be able to watch the staff versus students’ netball game.  It was brilliant to see so many taking part and the hordes of enthusiastic supporters.  It doesn't matter who won but it was certainly very competitive and close.  I was particularly pleased to see two members of our Senior Team so involved.  Unfortunately, I missed the concert to raise money for the Peru expedition at lunchtime yesterday but I believe it was also very well attended.  I hope that it managed to raise the much-needed funds for the students that are taking part.

We are all a little nervous about the "staff event” at lunchtime on Friday.  It is all getting quite competitive.  I believe that Chris, Meg, Brenda et al have been busy rehearsing late into the night and have spent £000s on preparing the relevant props/costumes in order to ‘shine'.  Alas, Mark Rothery and the Senior Team have struggled to find the time and have had to contend with rehearsing by text and e-mail.

Anyway, as always, I find it really nerve wracking but enjoy it after the event, much like the bucket challenge and Gangnam.  We shall see, but I hope that as many of you as possible can attend, be supportive and raise lots of money for the building work at the orphanage in South Africa.  Remember, the secret is to work hard, play hard, have fun, and take control of your life.  A verse from Neil Young/Bob Dylan comes to mind from "Forever Young":

"May your hands always be busy,

May your feet always be swift,

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of change shift.

May your heart always be joyful,

May your song always be sung,

May you stay for ever young.”

So what uplifting stories have been particularly poignant for me?

·         My beloved Leeds winning last night and gradually pulling away from the relegation zone.

·         Seeing the wonderful, effervescent, adventurous folk in their endeavours at the Banff Film Festival in Birmingham last weekend.

·         The news that the "super-rich" and their accomplices at the Inland Revenue are being pursued for tax avoidance.

·         That over 75 MPs from all parties have signed the petition on "Drop the Learning Tax on Sixth Form Colleges".

·         That the London School of Economics has opened a global centre for women in war zones.

Have a really good and productive half-term.

Jay

Welcome Back

A Happy New Year and welcome back to the start of the Spring Term.  I hope that you have had an enjoyable, restful break, and that you are prepared for the challenges ahead.  Soon you will receive the results of your mock examinations and I hope that they reflect your commitment and understanding in the subject.  Your subject teachers and tutors will shortly discuss your progress with you and agree an appropriate plan to improve further.  Please ensure that you are fully focused for the remaining five months so that you can fulfil your potential to progress on to the next stage in your career.

You may have taken on specific resolutions for the New Year to improve the quality of your life and your well-being.  If you have done so, good luck and I hope that it works for you.  I don't believe in New Year resolutions but I do believe that we have to take control of our lives and not wait for things to happen, to be done to us or for us.

For nearly a year, I have decided that I want to use my time to become proficient in a new language.  I have been looking for someone to teach me, without success, as it is a non-European language.  So about two months ago, I purchased a series of CDs which I use when travelling to and from work.  I must admit that it has been really fulfilling, "enjoyable" and at times, very mind-jumbling.  Never more so than when I used it for the first time with a native speaker in December and her response was bewildering.  I could feel and hear the cogs in my brain slowly moving to make sense of what I had heard.  I felt somewhat intimidated and daft but felt pleased when I was able to respond, albeit, with a very clipped and short phrase.

Taking control of your life means that you have to listen and be mindful of the advice that you are given:

"Good advice is sure enough hard to come by but bad advice surrounds you constantly",

Gill Scott-Heron.

You have to look within yourself and not be too hasty in making judgements.  There is an old Chinese proverb:

"Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship".

And do remember what Bill Gates said,

"Don't take the mickey out of geeks and nerds.  They may end up being your boss".

Finally, remember to be tolerant and to listen:

"It is better to be thought of as a fool than having it confirmed by opening your mouth",

Mark Twain.

I listened to lots of music during the holidays and was introduced to Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s beautiful rendition of Over the Rainbow as well as Sam Smith (by one of our sons).  I also went to watch my beloved Leeds United lose against Derby County on a very cold evening.  In an odd sort of way, I enjoyed watching the team but it made me realise that we are going to be in a relegation scrap and desperately need leaders on the pitch.

I managed to keep abreast of the news and was heartened by the story of a homeless person, who paid for a taxi to take a young woman safely home, late at night.  Subsequently, the young woman raised over £3000 for the person through the generosity of her family and friends.

Have a great Spring Term and take control of your life.

Jay

Success Breeds Success

Two weeks’ ago on Friday afternoon, I drove home in anticipation of news about our College success.  I listened to "Oh, Lonesome Me" by Neil Young and thought about the pressures on young people to succeed and to make the necessary short-term sacrifices.

"Everybody’s going out and having fun

I'm a fool for staying home and having none."

Clearly, all of you have a lot going on in your life and the temptation/pressure to prioritise the social aspects of life at the expense of academic success is always present.  However, the point I would make is that sometimes it is possible to do both by being well-organised, using your time productively and being well disciplined.  On other occasions, it is necessary to make short-term sacrifices for the long-term gain.  Indeed, recent reports in the press (Institute of Fiscal Studies) clearly show that students with A-levels outperform those without in terms of future earnings and promotions.  It is also no surprise that, on average, graduates outperform in comparison to students who have succeeded at A-level.

So, the message is work hard even if it means that you have to defer things that others are 'enjoying’ at the moment.  We all have strategies to avoid work.  Mine is to decide to tidy my desk but I am now aware of this and when I find myself doing so, I am better positioned to stop myself.

The mock examinations are looming and I hope that you are all revising hard and clear about what you will be assessed on, when and know the structure of the examination.  Please do not be lulled into thinking that it doesn't matter.  It certainly does and will give us a clear indication of what you have learned and how you are likely to do in the summer.

Over the weekend, I learned about the thrilling way in which our netballers triumphed in the Regional finals, our Economists were runners-up in the prestigious Bank of England competition in York and about the 15 students in Year 11 from our partner schools, who were taken to Cambridge University.  I was particularly pleased that these prospective students were shown around the University by our former students, Connor Fowler and Katie Craven.  Long may this tradition continue.  Success breeds success and there is no reason why we cannot have this arrangement at every Russell Group University.

On Sunday evening, I learned that one of our students, through his own endeavour, had won the Hull Entrepreneur of the Year for 2014.  Clearly, this young man has a tremendous future and is one to watch for the future.

Today, in staff briefing, we enjoyed seeing a short clip of a video when it was announced that we had reached, for the first time, the final of the Law Mooting Competition in Leeds.  Even though we were narrowly beaten by another Sixth Form College, it shows what we are capable of.  I feel so proud and genuinely believe that there is no limit to what we can achieve provided that we believe in ourselves, work extremely hard and aim for the very best.  It is not enough to be very able; what makes the difference is that extra commitment, drive and practice (10,000 hours) that the top performers in all areas put in.

I heard on the news this morning that £15 billion will be spent on the much-needed 'road revolution' and at the weekend, an extra £2 billion for our deserving NHS.  I'm very pleased but cannot help wondering why there isn't a commensurate increase in funding for Sixth Form Colleges.  I feel it is wrong that, despite being one of the most successful and cost effective sectors within education, unlike academies, schools and free schools, we still have to pay VAT on our provision.  The Sixth Form Colleges' Association has launched the "DROP THE LEARNING TAX" campaign and I would urge you all to have a look at the web page, dropthelearningtax.org, and sign the e-petition.

I was delighted with the performance of my beloved Leeds United at the weekend.  The result reflected the power of teamwork and self-belief.  I feel quietly confident and slightly smug, just for this week.

Finally, as the darkness 'draws-in’ and daylight hours appear to diminish, remember to remain upbeat.  You are not on your own.  On the Neil Young theme from 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart':

"When you are young and on your own

How did it feel to be alone?

I was thinking of games

That I was playing

Trying to make the best of my time"….

"I have a friend I’ve never seen.

He hides his head inside a dream.

Someone should call him and see

If he can come out.

Try to love the down that he has found".

Have a great build up to the end of term.

Jay

It is all about using Data

Welcome back and I hope that you have all had a really good break.  Thank you all for such a superb Open Evening on Thursday, 23^rd October, when we were able to show prospective students what a great College we have.  Many parents commented on our achievements, our warm and friendly welcome, our honesty, our openness and our celebration of success.  I certainly felt really proud and honoured to be a part of such a key event.

I read a fascinating article in The Guardian a few weeks ago about Billy Bean.  He is an American former professional baseball player and CEO of Oakland Athletics.  He has revolutionised the way in which data is used to understand baseball and improve performance.  Since 2000, the As have reached the play-offs 8 times despite having

one of the smallest budgets.  So how do the As achieve such success?  According to Bean,

"… it is about using data and detailed analysis to find value.  It means that when it comes to recruitment you have to engage in detailed and lengthy analysis of potential targets, not falling into the familiar trap of recruiting someone because they played well against your team.  It means being open to new ideas and 'being the dumbest guy in the team'".

As I read this article, I began to extrapolate about our College, our performance, our development and, of course, my beloved Leeds United.  Are we "punching above our weight?"  This would seem to fit with the expressions of surprise that I hear when I attend meetings in the South, and for some, they don't even know where our college is.  However, I am certainly not surprised when I see all the wonderful work going on and the 'beautiful' conversations that I have and overhear.

If each of us can understand and begin to use the data more intelligently, then surely we can get even better.  So for example, what does the data tell us about:

how we teach;
how we learn;
the quality of results that we obtain;
taking that small step to get better;
are we receptive to new ideas;
do we make a judgement about someone who asks the most basic question, such as, 'Why are we doing this?
Does it work?" and finally,
what can we do to improve our performance even further?

Hope we all have an even better second half-term and that we can continue to improve.