<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Last month in November, our staff and students came together in a powerful display of solidarity for Movember, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health and prostate cancer. Building on the success of last year’s initiative, our vice principals and student engagement team organised a series of activities aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>“Move for Movember” Challenge: Aiming for 96,000 Minutes of Exercise</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>As part of the Movember initiative, we launched the "Move for Movember" challenge, encouraging staff to accumulate as many minutes of exercise as possible throughout the month of November. In recognition of the 60 men lost to suicide every hour globally, the challenge aimed to reach a target of 96,000 minutes—160% of last year’s total of 60,000 minutes. Last year, staff members collectively exceeded expectations with 69,610 minutes of exercise recorded across more than 1,000 entries, and this year’s goal was to take that achievement even further.&nbsp;</p><p>Two of Weston College’s Vice Principals committed to exercising for 60 minutes daily throughout the month, as a show of dedication to the cause. In total, staff participated in a variety of activities, ranging from high-intensity workouts to low-impact exercises, such as leisurely dog walks, chair aerobics, and swimming. As part of the challenge, participants were also encouraged to join in at their own pace and find exercise that worked for them, reinforcing the connection between physical activity and mental well-being.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Men’s Talk Club: Offering Safe Spaces for Discussion</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>In addition to the physical activity challenge, we introduced Men’s Talk Club taster sessions at its three campuses to further engage students in conversations about mental health. These sessions, facilitated by staff and a member of the External Men’s Talk Club charity, provided a safe, non-judgmental space for male students to discuss their emotions and experiences. The aim was to establish permanent Talk Clubs on campus, offering peer support and creating networks for students facing common stresses and worries.&nbsp;</p><p>These initial sessions provided an introduction to the future Talk Clubs, giving students the opportunity to learn about the supportive networks being created and understand the importance of mental health awareness.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Campus Challenges: Building Community Spirit</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>We also introduced a fun and competitive element to Movember with a series of campus v campus rowing challenges. A rowing machine was placed in the reception area of each campus, with students encouraged to row as many metres as possible for their campus. The challenge sparked excitement and friendly competition among the students, with some pushing themselves to extraordinary distances. The event was a fantastic success, helping students to stay active while supporting a crucial cause.&nbsp;</p><p>" A huge thank you to all the staff who participated in Move for Movember 2024 - we recorded a staggering&nbsp;73,703&nbsp;minutes of exercise across the month," said Ben Knocks, Vice Principal for Student Experience and Support. "This may not have been above our challenging target but is still&nbsp;4,092&nbsp;more minutes&nbsp;than we achieved in 2023. "&nbsp;</p><p>We'd like to extend our&nbsp;heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part in Movember activities, from the "Move for Movember" challenge to the rowing competition and Men’s Talk Club taster sessions. The community spirit displayed this month has been exceptional, and we are grateful for everyone’s involvement in helping to raise awareness for men’s mental health.</p><div class="news-content-first et_pb_row node-content news layout-" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);flex:1 1 700px;font-family:&quot;HCo Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;margin:auto;max-width:unset !important;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:57.0781px 0px;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;width:unset !important;word-spacing:0px;"><div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item" style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;display:block;font-size:18px;margin:auto !important;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;width:1192.55px;"><p style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-family:&quot;Hco Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:500 !important;line-height:1.6em;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;width:1192.55px;"><strong style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College&nbsp;here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p></div></div>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The real highlight of Helen’s 20 years at the College has been ‘the people’. It has been the friendships formed, the teamwork, the celebrations of shared successes, and during the tougher times, when staff always come together to support one another. It is these connections that made every day worthwhile and the reason why Helen continues to be totally committed to the College.</p><p>During her time at the college Helen is thankful to have had the privilege of working alongside so many talented, dedicated, and inspiring individuals. Reflecting on when she first walked through the doors for her interview two decades ago, she never could have imagined the journey ahead. What makes Weston College so special for Helen is the ethos and unwavering commitment to excellence.</p><p>Throughout her time at the college, she has always felt valued as a staff member and feels that she has been given countless opportunities to grow and to take on new challenges. Beginning her career as a Business Lecturer, Helen quickly progressed to a Curriculum Manager, then Head of Faculty, Dean, and now an Assistant Principal.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Helen George, assistant principal of curriculum&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98c2b0c2-98c2-48e0-8e32-d0cbdc7ab17d" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>Helen reflects on some of her fondest memories and the ‘stand out’ moments she recalls are the numerous team events which have been instrumental in helping teams to bond and form long lasting and trusting relationships and most importantly life-long friendships.</p><p>Reflecting on what Helen is most proud of, it is the countless learners’ achievements, both academic and personal. Being part of their growth, their progress, and their achievements are what truly makes working here so meaningful and rewarding. It has been a privilege to be part of so many inspirational learner journeys.</p><p>A few pieces of wisdom that Helen would like to share which she still reminds herself of regularly is: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” It’s simple, but powerful. Early on, she recalls hesitating in meetings to ask questions for fear of looking inexperienced or unprepared. But she quickly learned that asking questions is one of the most important things we can do to grow. It shows curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn, traits that are invaluable and not a sign of weakness but strength.</p><p>One of the most impactful pieces of advice Helen received was from a colleague who taught her the importance of balance. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” In our fast-paced world in education, it’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to take care of yourself. But this simple reminder about self-care, about taking time to recharge, to focus on your health and well-being has been a game-changer for me. It’s not just about being productive; it’s about being sustainable in your work and your life.</p><p>Looking to the future, Helen is excited about the direction we are heading, under our direction of the new Leadership Team and our new Principal Pat.&nbsp; There are new challenges ahead and who knows what the education landscape will look like in the next 10 years, but she is looking forward to this with optimism and the same enthusiasm and dedication that have fuelled her over the past 20 years.</p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Weston-Super-Mare came alive last week as the town hosted its second annual Black History Month Forum, bringing together community members, local businesses, and allies to celebrate, reflect, and engage in meaningful discussions. This year’s theme, Reclaiming Narratives, echoed throughout the event, as 13 speakers, half of whom were local, shared their insights and experiences with a packed room of over 130 attendees at Weston College Conference Centre.&nbsp;</p><p>The forum was a space where the global majority and allies gathered to see themselves reflected, to learn, and to engage in deep discussions about identity, health, education, and anti-racism. Our speakers came from diverse backgrounds, representing heritage from countries like Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. The conversations were powerful, often challenging, but ultimately inspiring. From the rich tapestry of heritage to the sharp focus on issues affecting our communities today, this forum was about more than just celebration—it was about building bridges and understanding.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;jason serlomey giving a speech at black history month event&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8eafbc43-0a63-40a9-95de-701c0298dc4b" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>Korede Adedoyin, who travelled from Essex on the day, took us on a journey through education, highlighting how we are often living decisions made for us long before we were born. Yet, as she reminded us, we hold the power to shape the future for the generations to come. Her call to action was felt deeply throughout the room.&nbsp;</p><p>Chipo’s discussion on rest provided a powerful moment of reflection. After a first half filled with hard-hitting truths and intense discussions, Chipo, embodying the voice we all needed to hear, called out to everyone: Now rest. This powerful reminder reinforced the value of recuperation and taking time to care for ourselves.&nbsp;</p><p>One of the key panels of the day was led by Louise, who facilitated a critical discussion on health and wellbeing. Vanessa, Sheridan, and Janneka joined her, with Vanessa captivating the audience with her passionate talk on health disparities and the unique challenges Black women face in the UK. Vanessa, a champion for Black women’s health, shared crucial data highlighting that our health experiences are not the same as others in this country. Her words sparked a rich discussion about the intersection of race and gender and why we must prioritise our health and wellbeing.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;female student listening into the black history month speeches&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d270c660-a5c7-4f15-9e0f-5dbe96d55b10" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>The audience’s engagement was palpable during the Q&amp;A sessions, where questions dug deep into the core of anti-racism as a humanitarian issue. One attendee asked about mending the broken trust between the Black community and the NHS, a conversation that many agreed was long overdue. Another question explored the power of narrative and the role of AI in shaping our health stories, leading to a vibrant discussion on decolonising archives and reclaiming our data and history.&nbsp;</p><p>Kayode shared a particularly powerful story about his experience with discrimination in a hotel—a moment that left the room audibly gasping. His encounter was a stark reminder that anti-racism isn’t just about combating overt acts of racism; it’s about dismantling an ideology that affects all of us, including those within our own communities.&nbsp;</p><p>One of the most beautiful aspects of the forum was the multi-generational attendance. Elders sat with open ears and hearts, listening intently to the conversations around them, while young children, as young as one, played, listened, and engaged in their own ways. Health and Social Care students helped create a welcoming space for the children, donating books and games with anti-discrimination themes, which created a nurturing environment for learning and play. These learners worked tirelessly as volunteers to serve their community, and the event simply could not have happened without their incredible support.&nbsp;</p><p>Special thanks go to Weston College for providing the venue and Weston Health for their generous support. Our volunteers, particularly the media students led by their teachers, documented the event and engaged with the community, while the Health and Social Care students helped ensure that the children were well cared for. This event truly embodied the spirit of community, with the town of Weston-super-Mare coming together to support this important cause.&nbsp;</p><p>We were also honoured to welcome the Mayor of Weston, who shared a few words of support, acknowledging the importance of this forum in bringing the community together and in promoting inclusivity.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;the mayor talking at the black history month event&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08f6abb2-2120-4840-a53b-e8fb83ea50fa" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>The overwhelming feedback from attendees was that they wanted more: more stories, more networking, and more tickets. The event sold out within weeks, leaving many people disappointed. Next year, we plan to host the forum at The Winter Gardens, with a capacity of 500—more than double this year’s venue. We’re already planning for it to be bigger, better, and even more impactful.&nbsp;</p><p>This year’s event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, including Weston College, Race Equality North Somerset, and Weston Health. Race Equality North Somerset played a key role in covering the expenses of bringing speakers from across the UK and ensuring reasonable adaptations for parents. The Global Majority Inclusion Group at Weston was instrumental in providing support throughout the event, and our Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly.&nbsp;</p><p>Weston-Super-Mare, we did it. And we’ll continue to do it—together. Here’s to next year’s forum, to reclaiming our narratives, and to celebrating Black excellence in all its forms.</p><p><em>Louise Hill-Davis</em></p>