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Category: Current Students

Student takeovers: Introducing Jo

We’d like to officially introduce our new team of student content creators, who are here to share their uni experience with you and keeping you up-to-date with everything related to student life at Canterbury Christ Church University.

A little bit about me…

Hi, I’m Jo and I’m one of your new Student Content Ambassadors. I’m a first year Hospitality Management student; I chose my course as I love theme parks and plan to work at parks all around the world as soon as I’ve finished my degree.

You’ll usually find me listening to Billy Joel or reading a Stephen King book, but I also love exploring and learning about people and places, both new and old.

Why I chose to study here

I chose to come to Canterbury Christ Church for a few reasons: not only did it offer the course I wanted to do with some incredible opportunities – including to study abroad, which I hope to do the year after next! – but, as cliché as this may sound, I had a good feeling; I’ve always trust my gut when making decisions, and I knew as soon as I walked on campus for my open day that Christ Church was the place for me.

Uni highlights so far…

My favourite part of being at Christ Church is the fact there are so many opportunities to get involved, from societies to jobs, roles within your course to lunches with your new flatmates.

As part of my course, we took a residential field trip to Tenerife in January and it was such an incredible opportunity to spend time with both new and old friends.

Follow me through the uni’s socials

Across my time as a Student Content Ambassador, you can expect to see a plethora of exciting things. I’m primarily a blogger so you’ll most likely see me residing here, but I’m also looking forward to walking you through student life and talking about various topics I’m passionate about across all platforms.

I’m so excited to be a Student Content Ambassador and can’t wait for you to see what we have in store.

Maundy Thursday Service at #CCCUVirtualCampus

The University Chapel is closed. But that’s not going to stop the Chaplaincy Team!

This year our usual Maundy Thursday Service will be live and online. We shall meet at 3pm this Thursday (9 April) via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to join in, please send an email to Jeremy.law@canterbury.ac.uk simply putting Maundy Thursday as the subject. An invitation with be sent to you. If you are willing, there is also a little bit of preparation to do before the Service (all will become clear). Please gather together the following items:

Easter Virtual Opening Times

We may be off campus but we are still here for you over the Easter Holidays!

However, please note there are some changes to our services during this period particularly over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (10 -13 April inclusive). 

Students’ Union and University message to private accommodation providers

The Universities and Students’ Unions operating in the Medway and Canterbury area have made a joint request to private landlords and accommodation providers.

The Universities and Students’ Unions are working together to try and counteract the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate the turmoil this has caused for students and staff across all of our campuses.

Take-Home Exams during Covid-19

As part of our commitment to supporting our Level 5, 6 and 7 students through their assessments in these challenging times we are putting in place alternative forms of assessment.

Most formal exams that were due to take place as face to face exams will now take place as a Take-Home Online Exams.

Self-Isolating in Canterbury

While many students will already have travelled home, we know that many of you have decided to stay in Canterbury so we thought it would be helpful to provide information on support that is available to you.

The Government’s advice is that students remaining at university in England should now stay where they are and not attempt to travel. If you are living in student halls, or private rented accommodation, you should remain there and stay indoors while current restrictions are in force.

World Autism Awareness Day

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month. So the Student Disability Service has written the following blog post to raise awareness and also highlight what their service can provide support with. Remember they are still available remotely during this time and if you are struggling with the current situation they are there to help.

Healthcare Students’ choices

Our University role is to provide students with the opportunity to complete their programme and enable registration as a healthcare professional in line with the anticipated outcome of study.

As students you signed up for a specific programme, and as your University we would normally consult with students prior to implementing any changes.  We are however in exceptional times and are having to develop a timely response to a rapidly changing external context.

Postgraduate Update – Continuity of Research and Research Related Activity

Many of you will quite understandably be concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on your research and research-related activities, and the impact that this might have on your studies and award.  Clearly, the closure of the University’s campuses in Canterbury, Medway and Tunbridge Wells, and the need to avoid face-to-face interactions and social gatherings to achieve social distancing outcomes, requires that research and research-related activities are undertaken in different ways, or if this is not possible, suspended.

Level 5, 6 and 7 Students (non-professional body programmes) Assessment Updates

Working with the Students’ Union, we are aware that many students remain understandably anxious about the impact coronavirus is having on their lives, their studies and potentially their assessments.  

As we continue to work on the detail around assessments for Level 5, Level 6 and Level 7 (non-professional body programmes), we want you to know that this is being done with very careful consideration for your current off-campus situation and all the challenges that this is likely to involve.   

Our aim has always been to support you through this difficult situation in a compassionate and fair way – supporting your wellbeing, recognising your achievements so far and maintaining the integrity and value of your qualifications to ensure your future success.  

As such we are pleased to be able to provide you with further reassurances as follows: 

Volunteering During COVID-19

With everything that is going on in the world and the UK now on lockdown, volunteering may well be the furthest thing from your mind, but there are still many ways you can safely help your local community and continue volunteering in these difficult times. If you want to help, but aren’t sure how, here are a few ways you can get involved.

CCCU helping you look after your wellbeing

During these uncertain times where things can feel stressful and scary, now more than ever you need to look after your wellbeing… And remember, we’re here to support you! We know that following the five ways to wellbeing is a good way to feel in control, remain optimistic and stay positive…

Extenuating Circumstances during Covid-19

We are committed to supporting our students through their assessments in these challenging times and so are making it easier for those students affected to apply for as much support as they need, for a longer period of time.

Message for students from Minister of State for Universities

As Universities Minister, I wanted to write to students in higher education to explain the latest developments in the battle against COVID-19.

I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to keep you safe and to mitigate the worst effects of the virus on you and your education. The Government is working closely with the HE sector on a wide range of issues, and student wellbeing is at the heart of those discussions.

Assessment Update

We hope you are keeping well and the transition to off campus learning is progressing smoothly. We are grateful for your continued understanding as we all adjust to this new way of working and studying.

The impact of school closures, requirements for vulnerable groups and carers, self-isolation and social distancing for all, is significant. We acknowledge these will have an impact on your studies and your ability to complete assessments and placements. We would like to assure you that we are taking these factors into account as we design our revised requirement for enabling your progression and success.

Latest Advice for Healthcare Students

We are working in a complex environment with uncertain information, however in the last 24 hrs we received some further information in relation to the way forward for our PSRB Health programmes. This was also discussed in a Webinar with HEE, the NMC and the Council of Deans for Health UK, last night. There is some clarity, but everything is moving at such a pace that it is important to note that things may still change.