Ahead of the end of term, the college would like to wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well as to let you know about a few items.
Key dates
Here are the key dates for your diary:
- College finishes for the Christmas break at 12pm on Wednesday 20 December 2023 – college buses will run from 12.30pm
- Teaching begins again on Thursday 4 January 2024 – timetables will run as normal
Communications over the festive break
If there are updates or changes in arrangements for students for the return to college in January, then we will communicate to students via the MySCG app – please look out for updates.
Information will also be sent out in the following ways:
- College’s social media channels, please search for Shrews Col Group
- College’s website: www.scg.ac.uk
- Parent information page on this website.
Staying safe and healthy over the break
The college website has some excellent resources available to you to help you stay safe and healthy over the break.
Student Assistance Programme (SAP), provided by Health Assured
You will have access to a 24/7 helpline staffed by BACP accredited counsellors to help you with any concerns and this does include linking you up to local safeguarding and emergency services where immediate action is needed to keep yourself or a friend safe. All you need to do is call 0800 028 3766 to access this service.
Website resources
This webpage will provide you with some advice on approaches to dealing with bereavement.
Emotional health and wellbeing booklet
We’ve prepared a booklet that you can access via the college website which has some great tips, recipes, and games to help your mental wellbeing over the Christmas break.
Staying safe if you’re going out over Christmas
This article has some great guidance on how to stay safe if you are planning to go out over the Christmas break.
We want you and your friends to enjoy Christmas and the New Year. We hope this information will help keep you all safe.
Here is some general advice for when you go out:
- Tell people where you are going, when you will arrive and when you will be coming back.
- Let people know when you have arrived.
- Stay with your friends and people you can trust.
- Watch out for your friends to make sure they are safe.
- Make sure your phone is charged and your Bluetooth on so you can be located in an emergency.
- Always use a trusted taxi company instead of hailing one and ensure the details match the one you get into.
- Budget for Christmas. It can be a real financial burden if you spend too much. Be wary of competitions, ‘deals’ and fake products.
- Don’t leave drinks unattended, learn your limits.
- ‘Talk to Frank’ for information and advice on drugs and alcohol which may be affecting you orothers0300123 6600
- Report crime anonymously on 101 or www.fearless.org. If you find yourself in immediate danger, call 999.
Ask for Angela
If you’re out this festive season and someone makes you uncomfortable, Ask for “Angela”.
Bar and restaurant staff will know that you need help getting out of the situation and will call you a taxi or help you leave discreetly – without fuss.
Warm Welcome locations
There are a number of ‘warm welcome’ locations being run by Shropshire Council as well as Telford & Wrekin councils over the Christmas break. Details of the locations are here:
Shropshire Warm Welcome locations
Telford & Wrekin Warm Welcome locations
Staying healthy
Here are some tips to stay healthy during the festive break:
- Make the most of the festive break to get some downtime, to relax and sleep – don’t make plans for every day – it’s okay to do nothing some days!
- You don’t need to be ‘stuck’ in the house – take walks, get some exercise but also find the time to rest – maybe try some mindfulness activities or Fika courses?
- If you feel low and are having negative feelings, remember it will pass –but there’s always someone to talk to. Call the Samaritans on 116 123.
- Please remember to protect yourself from STIs and unwanted pregnancy by using a condom.
My thanks
Thank you for your resilience and hard work this term. Our college community has suffered a number of tragic events this year.
Thank you for the care and support that you have shown your fellow students and the staff at the college.
With best wishes,
James Staniforth
Principal, Shrewsbury Colleges Group