Hello and welcome to Collyer’s! I hope you had a fantastic summer and you got the results you wanted. It’s now time for you to start looking forward to the next one, two or three years you may be spending here at Collyer’s. Collyer’s is all about opportunities; to make new friends no matter what school you’ve come from; to mature as you begin adulthood, and the greater opportunities that’ll come your way from learning here. College is what you make of it, but the staff, facilities and extra activities available will help you make the most of these opportunities.
Take it from me, these next few years will go quickly and before you know it you’ll be taking your final exams (eek)! However, up until those exams I want you to know that you’ll have plenty of support here at Collyer’s. You’ll see your personal tutor most days of the week and he or she will always be willing to listen or help you out with any issues you have. If you’re getting behind in class your subject teachers can give up some of their time to get you back on track. The LRC is full of computers and books which will help across all subject areas and if you can’t find a book or need something recommended then just talk to one of the knowledgeable librarians. The LRC is also a great place for revision J! You probably didn’t want to hear that word already but revision is an important part of getting your grades and it’s also an important part of your college timetable – your ‘frees’ will be great at first for socialising but the sooner you start using them for revision the better because most of you will have exams in January!
It’s not all work, work and more work at college, though. As I just mentioned, there is still time for socialising and there are many different things to do at Collyer’s. If you’re looking for somewhere to chill then the student canteen is the place where most students go. Ample places to sit, the food’s great and the dinner ladies are fantastic people to make friends with especially if you want some discounted food on a Friday afternoon! When the weather’s nice, people head to the field or the park and soak up the sun. There’s also a variety of clubs and societies which are welcome to all and will help you broaden your interests. This year the debating society managed to get the three main candidates running for Horsham’s MP to come to Collyer’s for a debate that was very popular with the students. Other clubs include Historical thinking, Christian Union, Gaming and Amnesty International. All the societies and clubs will be able to give you all the information you could need at the Freshers’ Fair at the end of September. The Drama, Music and Dance departments all hold productions throughout the year showcasing the college’s talents and you can get involved in these. There is a huge range of sport from rugby to dodgeball! If you’re not into competition then there’s also the college gym which is free so make the most of it!
The College Council is a chance for you to be heard and make a difference. If you become a student rep you’ll not only have a unique addition to your UCAS form, but you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in the lively Council debates which are chaired by students.
RAG week is probably the most looked-forward-to week in the college calendar as there are fun events each day and, of course, you get to dress up in ridiculous outfits! Last year people were very creative on “C” day; there were cars, crabs and even a cannibal!
This is just a taste of what’s to come at Collyer’s. My advice to you would be to make the most of all the opportunities that come your way whilst you’re hear – get involved in college, ask for help when you need it and most importantly, have no regrets so you can take away many great memories. All the best for your time at Collyer’s.
Iain Waddingham – Chair of the College Council, 2009-2010