From the Principal #118

As many of you will know from previous publications, today is the date for the submission of the TAGs (Teachers Assessed Grades) and I am very grateful to all my colleagues for their hard work and commitment in completing what proved to be a demanding task. I am particularly grateful to Bryan Whittaker, our Examinations Officer, for his efficient organisation and advice that has made this process manageable. Although students may feel over-tested, it is fair to say that teachers have shared the sentiment. We have followed a thorough process and it has been rewarding to see our students’ response – they have stepped up and as a college, we are truly proud of their achievements. Students will receive their results on Tuesday 10th August 2021 for A Levels and BTEC; Thursday 12th August 2021 for GCSE students. You can find the link for the Appeal Process below.

This week was Aspirations week with a particular focus on progression to university. As I review the university offers selected by our leavers, I note that, once again, our students favour the University of London colleges. This year, King’s College London (our Principal’s alma mater) comes top of the favourites and for a wide variety of courses. We wish all our leavers the very best wherever they are heading to. For Years 9, 10 and 12 involved in the Enrichment Activities this week, certainly the trips to Oxford and Cambridge could only have been inspiring. To galvanise that spirit, students were invited to join a Motivational Talk by Kam Taj, a thought-provoking presentation about Human Rights and the Everyday Life and thinking about the benefits of the CCAs (co-curricular activities) and academia.

Each year we encourage students to enter our Essay Competition and submissions invariably make thought-provoking reading. Our young people do hold strong views and can express them persuadably. I am looking forward to reading this year’s entries.

We are always sad to say goodbye to our students each year but it is particularly so for me this year as I shall be leaving DLD College London this summer to enjoy semi-retirement after 21 wonderful years at College. My colleagues gave me the best surprise last Friday when they announced that I had been long listed for the TES Lifetime Achievement award: this was truly a very special time for me that I shall treasure and thank my colleagues for their nomination.

Thank you for all your support and kindness. I wish you every success and of course “Bon courage”.

Marie-Do Reza

Marie-Do Reza, Vice-Principal (Academic)