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

Formula for Success

Welcome back and I hope that you have had a really good Christmas and that 2016 is a great year for you and our College.  As always, the New Year brings lots of challenges and opportunities.  As I have said in my meetings with all of you, it is critical that we are all focused on ensuring that everything is done to achieve success and reach our potential.  There is no magic formula for doing exceptionally well other than hard work, commitment and having a 100% attendance rate.  At our recent Awards Evening three weeks ago, there were over 30 students who received the Principal’s Award for achieving the highest grades in all of their subjects.  It is worth mentioning that almost all of these students showed remarkable commitment and worked exceptionally hard.
“I can’t give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time,”    Herbert Bayard Swope.
In the last few weeks, we have all been saddened by the loss of David Bowie, Alan Rickman and Terry Wogan.  Many people have asked me how I feel about it and whilst it is sad for the people concerned and their families, they are celebrities and have had a good life.  I am more saddened by the loss of those close to us, family, friends and those who have illnesses and elderly relatives.
Bowie’s music represents the passing of an era for me: the ‘golden’ days after finishing our Finals and really relaxing by playing sport, lying in till mid-day, having long conversations with our closest friends, many of whom remain so after over 35 years.
Karl Marx in the German ideology describes the Utopian Society:
“… it is possible for me to do one thing today and another tomorrow, to hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticise after dinner…..”
Unfortunately, we have to concentrate on the task ahead for now.  For those of you who will be leaving our College in July, your time here will also represent the passing of an era; one that I hope that you will remember with great fondness, excitement, achievement and stimulation.  So focus on the here and now, push yourself and share in the tremendous activity and success all around you:

• our men’s and women’s football teams in the national semi-finals;
• the success of our netballers and basketball team;
• the success of our teams in being runners-up in the law mooting competition;
• our Gold Crest Winners in Science;
• the wonderful offers that many of you have from some of the most prestigious universities and on the most sought after courses;
• our College’s position as the top performing A level provider in the region in the performance league tables;
• the visits to New York, Berlin, Florence, Berne in Switzerland, Washington and South Africa in the next few weeks;
• the national poetry recital competition that we have been involved with;
• the numerous external speakers in engineering;
• the visit of the Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness D’Souza and our local MP, Diana Johnson.

Thank you too for the fabulous help that you have given during our numerous Open Evenings and Open Days.  A prospective parent asked me if you were happy and I was delighted to send him to talk to any of you.  I did emphasise that we do not tell you what to say but that nearly 200 students had volunteered on a very cold and windy day.
So make the decisions that are so crucial now, don’t wait.  Seize the opportunities that life throws your way and make the most of your time at our College.
Jo Walsh, the lead singer for The Eagles, wrote a song with the following line:
“Life’s been good to me so far…..”
I believe that it can get even better but we all have to work exceptionally hard to maintain our success.   Remember, that we all make choices:
“Each day is one step further from birth, one moment closer to dismissal.  How we travel the path is our own decision,”   Anon.
Even if things don’t unfold in the way you expected, don’t be disheartened or give up;
“…one who continues to advance will win in the end,”   Anon.
Be positive and optimistic in life and in 2016.
There is a Chinese saying, “…in the stream where you least expect it, you’ll find fish”.

An Excellent Time to Reflect

As Christmas approaches, it is an excellent time to reflect on all that we have achieved.  Since I last wrote, so much has happened.  Thanks to all of you in ensuring that our Open Evenings in October, November and our Open Saturday, were so successful. 

As always, parents and prospective students have made many really positive comments about your enthusiasm, helpfulness and knowledge about all that we do at our college.  This is despite the fact that in some schools, I am led to believe that assemblies are held specifically to say how bad we are.  I guess that line from Oscar Wilde is poignant:

“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”

As you know, I am a Bobby D. fan and the words from 'Idiot Wind' come to mind:

"Someone's got it in for (us); they’re planting stories in the press

Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out but when they will I can only guess.…

People see me all the time and they just can't remember how to act.

Their minds are filled with big ideas, images and distorted facts (about Wyke)".

I hope that those of you who joined us in September have settled in well, that you are comfortable with how we work and that you have been inspired by our practice.

So many positive things have happened at our college since I last wrote.  I am always amazed about the number of successes that are achieved and that so much goes on. 

Clearly the mocks next week will be an excellent gauge for the amount that you have learned and your likely performance in June.  I really hope that you have made as much effort as possible and that you are well prepared.  I do not accept the argument that "… it is only mocks".  From my experience, the mock results are usually a very good indicator of the eventual grade.  I believe that you should do your absolute best and not think "… if only".  Your time at Wyke is very short and you have to make "the most of it".  There is a great line from a badly dubbed children's television programme which states:

"As long as you have done your best

And no-one can do more…"

So, some of the highlights since my last blog are:

·         being runners-up in the Regional Team Maths Challenge;

·         the Netball County Champions for the fifth year;

·         the selection of Emily Hairsine for the British Colleges’ England netball team;

·         being runners-up in the Bar Mock Trial in Leeds;

·         the boys’ 1^st XI and 2^nd XI getting to the last 16 of the national cup competition;

·         the large number of students on interview at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses;

·         working with the 5 fabulous students who are taking part in the Youth Speaks Competition;

·         over 600 applications through UCAS for universities;

·         the impeccable behaviour of our students during Remembrance Day, and the performance of the “Last Post” by Christine Longman.  I felt so proud;

·         our Winter Showcase and the tremendous variety of talent and acts performed;

·         the numerous trips and visits organised by departments.

I do feel really privileged to be part of our College and so proud of the behaviour and tolerance that I witness every day.  Long may that continue.

When I think beyond our College, my thought invariably turns to my beloved Leeds United.  I think that it is going to be a long hard season and my initial optimism (like all long-standing fans) has been severely dented by the "short-termism" on show barring some ‘freakish’ results like those last week.

I do worry about some of the events happening nationally and their consequences:

·         the bombings in Paris;

·         the airstrikes in Syria;

·         the cutbacks in the public sector - social care, health, transport, local government and education - announced in the "comprehensive" Spending Review;

·         the dreadful flooding in Scotland and Cumbria;

·         the corruption at FIFA.

My hope is that you will come to terms with many of these and find solutions that many of my generation fail to comprehend.  I do know that it is not an age phenomenon but surely many of these events could and should have been avoided.  As young people, you need to debate, discuss and be passionate about these occurrences.  They are not inevitable.  I am so pleased that our large screen in the atrium brings the national and international perspective into our College.  We are a Hull college and a world College.

Enjoy Christmas, have a wonderful break with your family and friends.  Come back safely and when you return, after the Winter Solstice (shortest day), we will have more daylight and "longer" days.

Twists, Challenges and Rewards

“I am on a lonely road and I am travelling

Looking for the key to set me free”,                Joni Mitchell

“The road is long

With many a winding turn

That leads us to who knows where

Who knows when”,                  The Hollies

The lyrics from these songs encapsulate all of our journeys at our college, whether it is as a student or a member of staff.  None of us knows where the road will lead and, undoubtedly, there will be many twists, challenges and hopefully rewards and enjoyment too.

Having just returned from one of my learning walks, I have been delighted by the very purposeful learning, teaching and assessment that I have just witnessed.  It makes me so proud that this is happening at our college and fills me with great confidence about the future.

As I came out of the Ash building, I saw our footballers training with our 1^st team coach, Nick Barmby.  How brilliant is that?  What a great honour for us to have Nick Barmby at our college and to have the privilege of learning from someone who has played and coached at the highest level.

In-between writing this, I have just been to congratulate staff from one of our most successful departments at a results review meeting, that have performed at the highest level ever since I have been at the college.  In fact, I would say that the department has got better and better each year.  I cannot commend the staff any more than I have and it makes me a little emotional when I think about how hard they work to ensure the success of our wonderful students.  This is one of the best bits about being a Principal and nothing can prepare you for this experience – a real sense of elation, pride and humility.  As students, I do not think that anywhere else in the country can offer you more.

How time flies?  I cannot believe it is already nearly half-term and we are about to embark on our first Open Evening.  It only seems like yesterday when we came back in September with so many new faces, new names to learn, full of hope and expectancy about the new academic year.  For many of you, our college was a completely 'new' place and the start of a new episode in your lives.  I do hope that it has been worthwhile and that you are really pleased to have come here.

So much has happened within the last six weeks: trips, visits to universities, national competitions, tests, auditions for our cross-college performance of Chicago, dancing, singing in the theatre last week, presentations in class, beautiful and humorous poetry throughout the college, queueing to have your photo taken for our whole college photograph (which is now up), posing for the latest college prospectus, UCAS and all of us learning together.  This is what makes our college so special.  It is far greater than the sum of the parts and I do know that this experience is unique to our college.

For me, the bike ride to Scarborough last Wednesday was certainly a highlight.  To have the privilege of cycling with such brilliant colleagues: the fun; the banter; the ‘craic’; and of course the fish and chips.  I have rarely met such determined and supportive colleagues and the whole team, the fellow cyclists, drivers and sponsors, were a revelation as well as a fabulous cake sale on Monday.  It proves how powerful we can be if we operate as a team for a common purpose.

As I think about national events around us, I am saddened by so many things: the loss of jobs in our steel industry; the refugee crisis from Syria; the migration of people from one part of the world to another and the accompanying personal dangers; the creation of a new grammar school in Kent when all the evidence suggest that they (grammar schools) inhibit social mobility; the cuts in tax credits for the most vulnerable families; the new contracts for junior doctors which will mean that many will have to work for over 90 hours per week; the short termism at my beloved Leeds United (I am distraught that those with money make rash personal decisions whilst supporters show so much loyalty).  I was so full of hope this season and now I can only watch from a detached and numbed state from afar.

However, there are many good things too: the 84 Church of England Bishops who are campaigning to help provide housing, foster care and support for the 50,000 refugees; the launch of the Women's Equality Party; the Bestselling Book by Sophie Sabbage about beating the fear of cancer; and, of course, being at our college around so many enthusiastic, energetic, fun-filled people.  It is certainly so uplifting to hear the "beautiful conversations" and my advice to you is summed up by a verse of Steve Millar:

"Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’

Into the future …

I want to fly like an Eagle

Let my spirit carry me …."

Well done on the first 6/7 weeks.  Make the most of your time, work hard, play hard and be open to the learning culture at our college.  Have a great half-term. 

Welcome to Wyke

Welcome to the start of the new academic year: new students; new staff; existing students and existing staff.  I hope that you have had a wonderful summer, that the results that you have achieved reflect your efforts and that you are ready for the next part of our exciting journey.

Our results are the best that have been achieved at our College in terms of the top grades (104 A*), nearly 50% of students achieving A*– B grades, and a higher proportion, nearly 40%, achieving A – B at AS level.  The BTEC results are also outstanding with many students achieving Distinction* and progressing on to University.  More students have been successful in gaining entry to University (500) with many going on to the top Russell Group (4 to Oxbridge), and on to highly prestigious courses (medicine, economics, law, engineering, mathematics and natural sciences).

We are really proud of all of our students who have completed their study at our College and wish them success in their future careers.

Your journey begins on Wednesday and Thursday.  Our enrolment is complete and we will not be enrolling anymore students for 2015-2016.  Mark Twain said:

"20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the boat lines.  Sail away from the safe harbour.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover."

I would urge all of you to take this advice and make the most of your time at our College.  These can be some of the best years of your educational career and you need to make the most of all that you will experience.  You will meet many new people (staff and students), experience new subjects, have a range of opportunities available (trips, visits, performances, team games, competitions……), and become a part of one of the best Colleges in the country.

We would like all of you to shine, have fun, further develop the thrill of learning in a new environment and enjoy yourself whilst achieving success.

"Remember when you were young, you shone like the Sun.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom,

Blown on the steel breeze.

Come on you target for faraway laughter, come on you stranger,

You legend, you martyr, and shine!"     Pink Floyd

As you meet many new students and staff, remember that they too may be as nervous as you are.  Whilst others often appear calm and confident on the surface, inside, they may be equally anxious and self-doubting:

"What do they think of me?"

"Do I fit in?"

"Do they like me?"

"Am I as clever as they are?"

 Are the clothes that I am wearing acceptable?"

The metaphor of the swan comes to mind, calm, peaceful and radiant on the surface but frantic paddling below the water.  Remember, that everybody is in that situation.

At Wyke, the emphasis is on being yourself, perhaps more so than at any other time in your school career.  Individuality and diversity need to be cherished and celebrated but by becoming a member of our College, you are also a member of the collective.  Being a Wyke student carries an expectation about your behaviour, your intellect and your maturity.  My advice is to be yourself but also be mindful of which "you" you present.  Billy Joel’s songs come to mind:

"Don't go trying some new fashion

Don't change the colour of your hair

You always have my unspoken passion

Although I might not seem to care.

I need to know that you will always be

The same old someone that I knew

What will it take ‘til you believe in me

The way that I believe in you",               BJ, "Don't go changing".

"Well, we all have a face

That we hide away forever

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",                    BJ, 'The Stranger'.

Every week each of our curriculum areas have put forward a word for the week to help expand your word horde.   This week I have started the ball rolling with ‘endeavour’ (OED definition: try hard to do or achieve something and an attempt to achieve something).  I trust that you will endeavour to be successful in all your pursuits this year and look forward to seeing you grow academically, professionally, emotionally and personally.  

On a different note, my beloved Leeds United have a much stronger team (like our College), and have started the new season well.  I am quietly confident about the future and all of the pre-season changes that have been made.  Like Leeds, I believe that our performance as a College will get even better.

Have a brilliant start to the new Academic Year.

Jay Trivedy