The first of many postings

It has been my intention for some time to provide at least a monthly input to the Blog. I recently referred to the importance of effective communication in a recent Class magazine (the College’s staff magazine), and the Principal’s Blog will be one way of maintaining a dialogue with staff on emerging issues and the trials and tribulations of life as Principal of Coleg Llandrillo.

The aim of the Blog is to keep it brief and not exceed one page A4 equivalent, so apologies in advance if any of you feel that it’s a little truncated. I welcome constructive feedback on any issue relating to the College.

I hope all of you enjoyed the recent holiday and survived the Christmas freeze, which is presently very unusual. Although, as I now write this there are large snowflakes falling and calls from staff asking “Can we go home?”!

I was pleased that the car parks / roads had been reinstated adjacent to the new MBEC building (the College’s new development – Marine & Built Environment Centre), and I can only apologise for any inconvenience caused. To date, the College has been very pleased with the response of K&C Construction , who work closely with us at all times, and keep all promises.

The MBEC building, which is making good progress, will provide new opportunities for the Built Environment provision, incorporating all the traditional Construction skills. It will also allow the area to diversify and develop the relatively new renewables curriculum (as it will be moving from Rhyl) and provide facilities to develop marine related provision. In due course new expertise will have to be recruited. This new provision will provide opportunities that are unrivalled elsewhere in Wales.

Many of you over the last few weeks will have heard that the Rhyl Sixth concept involving the potential closure of the two Rhyl Sixth forms and rebirth as the ‘Rhyl Sixth’ within Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl is moving into the final phase of its inception. Approvals have now been given by the Minister for Education, subject to certain conditions, and the discussion has moved to one of timing, will it be launched in 2009 or 2010? Whatever the final outcome the new building to house the Rhyl Sixth on the College site will not be ready until September 2010. This initiative represents a real opportunity to quickly transform post 16 educational provision in Rhyl. I’m sure that there will be more on this once final approvals have been issued.

We were very pleased last week to have been selected by Estyn as the venue for the launch of their annual report. They usually invite institutions who have been very successful in the context of quality outcomes, and no one has done better than Coleg Llandrillo over the last few years.

Since returning after the Christmas holidays it has been a particularly demanding time for me. The meetings concerning the Rhyl Sixth and the closure of the Sixth forms as well as a round of ‘transformation’ meetings with reports expected by Welsh Assembly Government in February on the future of post 16 education in the area. This combined with my work as part of the Ministerial Advisory Team and Chair of the 14-19 Extended Executive Group for Wales, has resulted in long days and overnight stops in Cardiff. I’m also currently trying hard to get around all the College sites to meet staff, and will be routinely organising open forums for staff. I would be pleased to hear from you at one of these occasions. If that is not possible please contact me directly.

We’re currently beginning the process of identifying priorities for the future and would welcome your observations on some of the following:

1) Are there any curriculum areas which we are currently not prioritising and have the potential for future growing in response to the local economy?
2) What should be our response be in a training and skills development context to the current economic downturn?
3) Could our services to students be improved in any way?
4) As part of ‘transformation’ of educational services should the College be looking at new partnerships and alliances to build critical mass and improve the strategic response to Central and North West Wales?

I look forward to hearing from you and will endeavour to respond as appropriate.