Dear Parents & Carers

I hope this email finds you well. As your young people prepare to leave us, I wanted to take the opportunity to write to you and thank you for entrusting us with such an important part of their journey.

I cannot fully express what a special year group they have been. They have brought energy, kindness, resilience and character to our college community, and it has been a privilege to see them grow, develop and achieve so much during their time with us.

They give me such a sense of optimism. Seeing their compassion, determination and potential reminds me that the future looks brighter because of these young people who will shape it.

Thank you also for the support, encouragement and trust you have given throughout their time with us. Education is always a partnership, and we have been grateful to work alongside you.

We are enormously proud of all they have achieved and wish them every success and happiness in whatever path they choose next.

I know for many of them they will still be studying hard over half term for exams which are continuing but for some half term marks the end of their time with us until results days.

Library access over Half Term

Our library is open during half-term week from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, Tuesday to Friday for all students to study in.

I would also like to take this opportunity as a reminder that any Varndean student is able to access the University of Sussex Library and its resources by collecting a card from our College library. Students and families can find the latest library opening times and further information here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/hours

Student Union Elections

Well done to all who took part in our two hustings events. Congratulations go to the new union, made up of:

• Presidents: Apollo Silver, Zeb Gordon
• Communications Officer: Veronika Zinakova
• Democracy Officer: Ilona Bradley Reijonen
• Wellbeing & Welfare Officer: Kit Muzychenko
• Events & Marketing Officer: Maya Klein
• EDI Officer: Bertie Round-Turner
• Environmental Officer: Leo Allan
• Charity Officer: Shelyn Osaretin
• Enrichment Officer: Eva Thomson

Recent Trips & Events

As always, there have been a wide range of College trips and events taking place this half term., including a Chichester Harbour field trip, Shoreham Beach field trip, University of Cambridge, Thorpe Park and the Black Mountains in Wales.

Thank you to all of you who came to watch our annual Dance show, Breaking Boundaries, at The Old Market, Hove on 25 April. The show was a huge success as always and our students performed to a sell-out audience.

Similarly, our Performing Arts students staged a highly successful production of 'The Threepenny Opera' at Shoreham Ropetackle Centre on 23 April.

Students take part in Brighton and Hove Citizens action day

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, students from Varndean Sixth Form College joined 120+ young people from schools and colleges across Brighton & Hove to join together to celebrate major wins already secured and to challenge city leaders to go further on issues affecting young people today. Together, the Alliance has secured £600,000 so every secondary school in the city can access counselling support. Students shared powerful testimonies about the life-changing impact this support has had on them and their peers. A huge moment came when Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, confirmed that the counselling "pilot" is no longer a pilot - it is now a permanent part of the Council budget, meaning funding will continue automatically in the years ahead. A massive step forward for young people across our city.

Students also called on the Council to tackle digital isolation and help make Brighton & Hove the most playful city in the UK.

Upcoming Events

Next term we are looking forward to our Creative Arts Showcase on Friday 5 June from 6.00pm - 8.30pm which is open to our Varndean community including all parents followed by the Visual Arts Showcase, open to members of the public, on Monday 8 & Tuesday 9 June, 10am - 4pm. It really is a wonderful opportunity to see the talent and dedication of our creative students studying Art, Dance, Drama, Film, Gaming, Graphics Design, Media, Music, Performing Arts, Photography, Textiles and 3D Design.

In July we look forward to welcoming our new cohort of students due to start their educational journeys with us from September when they attend our New Students Day on Thursday 9 July. And on Friday 3rd and Tuesday 14th July we host our hugely popular Year 10 Taster Days when we welcome around 1600 Year 10 students from secondary schools across Sussex and beyond to join us for the day.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful and sunny bank holiday weekend.

Best wishes

Donna-Marie Janson

Principal