University of Worcester Staff NewsHere is an update on the University’s Charity Challenge which is now taking place on the 4 and 5 June 2021. Due to a couple of teams having to withdraw, two team places have now become available. There are also a couple of spaces available in other teams so if you are unable to form […]
Hot on the heels of the University’s ‘Go Green Week’ comes the SOS-UK Global Goals Teach In which is running for two weeks from 22nd February – 5th March. The Global Goals Teach In began three years ago as an annual student-led campaign to engage teaching staff in embedding the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in […]
We are weary We know more about ‘the virus’, how it spreads, what it can do to the body and how to treat it, that knowledge gives us hope, but we are exhausted. We have seen and continue to see death, debilitation and despair. Its been a year now, wrapped up in PPE, unable to […]
Today is Armistice Day, marking 102 years since the end of the First World War. One tradition that invites reflection year on year is the reading of Laurence Binyon’s 1914 poem For the Fallen. One of our English Literature students, Amber Petitt, has made a recording of the poem. For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon […]
The latest Communications and Participation fundraiser has been designed with travel restrictions and shop closures in mind. Our new ‘Presents by Post’ collection features tiny handmade treats that can slip inside a standard envelope, making them really easy to send through Royal Mail. Use them to jazz up a Christmas card or add a personal […]
After extensive work to put measures in place to ensure that the Fitness Suits at the Sports Centre, St Johns Campus & the McClelland Centre, City Campus are as low risk as possible from Covid-19 transmission, we would like to announce that the gyms are now open for University of Worcester students and staff to […]
As temperatures drop, it’s tempting to start closing windows, but remember, letting the outdoors in is one of the important things for limiting the risk of Covid-19 in buildings. The latest Communications and Participation fundraiser has arrived just in time to help you keep warm! Our new range of handmade wraps can be worn over the shoulders, bundled […]
October officially marks Black History Month in the UK. Senior Pro Vice Chancellor, Ross Renton and Students’ Union President, Meg Price, have written a blog post discussing Why Black History Month Matters. There will be a range of activities, workshops and campaigns to get involved with throughout the month, including an exhibition organised by the […]
It all happened very last minute. My husband, future son in-law and step-daughter all had entries in the April London Marathon, which was deferred to October because of Covid. As we moved towards October the sponsors, Virgin Money, decided to change the event to a Virtual Marathon (for non-elite runners!), opening it up to the […]
Introducing the latest Communications and Participation fundraiser for the University’s Charity of the Year: beautiful little pumpkins, handcrafted in rich harvest shades. Our pumpkins are perfect for adding some autumnal cheer to your home or office and also make delightful gifts. Take a look at the photo gallery below to see the range of colours […]
To support our work in sustainability, all current students were sent an email last week inviting them to undertake a Sustainability Literacy Test. They have until Sunday night to complete it. Colleagues in Sustainability are asking staff meeting students this week to encourage them to take it. This international initiative is a multiple-choice test of […]
New and returning students enjoyed a warm welcome back to the University over the weekend. Welcome Weekend saw students able to meet each other, find out about clubs and societies, as well as get support and advice, and enjoy food and drink at a physical distance, in the open air at City Campus. It is […]
Ross Renton, the University’s Pro Vice Chancellor Students, will today write to all students advising them of a new COVID safe community agreement. For information, here is the full text of the email: Dear Student, Community Agreement – COVID Safe The University of Worcester and Students’ Union have worked hard to ensure our campuses […]
In his final lockdown puzzle, David Hunt, PGCE Computer Science Subject Leader in the School of Education, has supplied a computer coding style challenge themed around the text language of Leet. The solution is now available at the bottom of this post. We would like to thank David for his contributions and hope staff have […]
As we build up to the weekend we have another computer coding style challenge from David Hunt, PGCE Computer Science Subject Leader in the School of Education. This one is titled The Cat Burglar! Send us your answers and we’ll reveal the solution on Monday. The Cat Burglar A cat burglar was planning to scale […]
With just a couple of weeks left of the school summer holidays those parents among you may be looking for some final inspiration on how to keep children entertained. If you’ve exhausted your jigsaw and board game cupboard in lockdown, and don’t want to venture out, here’s a few of our favourite arts and culture related resources we’ve come […]
Staff have been in touch with us to share some of their favourite, independent shops from coffee houses to family farms, from gift shops to bookstores. Now that regulations have eased, these independent businesses are going to need support more than ever in the wake of the pandemic. Here are suggestions from staff for hidden […]
Here’s another puzzle to get you thinking as we move into the weekend. David Hunt, PGCE Computer Science Subject Leader in the School of Education, has this time devised a word ladder themed computer coding style challenge. Word Ladder A word ladder is a puzzle where you are trying to change one word into another, […]
As staff slowly begin to return to campus you will, I’m sure, notice how green and luscious it is looking. That’s thanks to our wonderful Grounds team who, throughout the past few months, have been working hard to keep the campuses looking their best. “It has been a strange time with so few people on […]
Sian Hobday has been at the very core of the University of Worcester for the last 35 years – and 1 month to be precise. Starting out fresh from Worcester Technical College (as it was then) having completed an RSA Diploma for Personal Assistants, Sian worked her way from a Clerk Typist to Secretary to the University Executive […]
Whether it was paying more attention to wildlife or enjoying spectacular landscapes, one of the best aspects of the lockdown for many was finding a greater appreciation for and inspiration from the sights on our doorstep. Here are some of the views our staff have been enjoying during lockdown. Debbie Shotton, in the School of […]
Here’s another brainteaser to test staff over the weekend from David Hunt, PGCE Computer Science Subject Leader in the School of Education, This computer coding style puzzle is based around clowns! The solution is now at the bottom of the page. Custard Pie Clowns There are 10 clowns sitting around a circular table for their […]
With most students having moved back home and the majority of staff still working virtually, the University’s campuses remain unusually quiet. Whether it’s a trip to the bustling canteen or stretching your legs on the University Mile, many of us have been missing campus life, particularly in summertime when it is perhaps at its best. […]
The first Morse code message was sent in 1844. This is why Morse code sent over the telegraph is now known as the Victorian Internet, as it was the first system that allowed global communication. Dots and dashes were transmitted over the electric cables using a ‘key’ device that allowed the operator to send messages […]
David Hunt, PGCE Computer Science Subject Leader in the School of Education,has provided another puzzle for colleagues to grapple with over the weekend, based on a computer coding-style challenge. The solution is at the bottom of the page. Mr Anaso runs the ‘hook-a-duck’ stall at the fairground. In each new town he sets up the […]
Continuing what has been an outstanding year for achievements in sustainability for the University, this year’s Green Impact awards ceremony has taken place celebrating the work of staff and students. There were 15 Green Impact teams across the University this year. Each team worked on a specific project during the year, working alongside a student […]
Was it a rat I saw A nut for a jar of tuna Never Odd Or Even Step on no pets Was it a rat I saw? If you read that sentence backwards, it is the same and is known as a palindrome – above are all examples of palindromes. It is also possible to […]
As lockdown eases, some of us have been taking advantage of this to stretch our legs further afield, and capture spectacular views in the sunshine. We share with you a few snaps of the Malverns and Croome Court taken by staff over recent weeks. Send us the views you have been enjoying most in lockdown […]
‘Learning from Moving Online’ was the theme of this year’s annual University Learning and Teaching Conference. The conference itself was run entirely online through the VLE and Microsoft Teams, there was fantastic participation by staff, much inspirational learning and a clear appetite for sharing experience and practice of online and remote working. The conference was focused on providing colleagues with […]
If you enjoyed last week’s brainteaser, David Hunt, PGCE Computer Science Subject Leader in the School of Education, has set another computer coding style puzzle for staff to tackle over the weekend, this time based around alphametics. The answers are at the bottom of the page. Alphametics An alphametic is a puzzle where individual letters […]
Although technically from Saturday, English theatres and concerts halls will be able to open to the public under the new Government rules, live performances will not be permitted. In response to the lockdown, many theatres have made material available in the meantime online, while galleries and museums have come up with new ways to share […]
Can’t wait to get back to the popcorn and trailers, but a little nervous about returning to the traditional screenings? Look no further than the all-American experience of the drive-in cinema! We have located some of the nearest outdoor venues. Warwick Castle is offering films July 7-20. You can even get food and drink delivered […]
Here are a few pictures of activities on campus during the University’s first virtual Open Day.
Covid-19, Higher Education and shifting to online teaching and learning – we’ve reviewed the literature so you don’t have to! Since the lockdown began, there have been countless useful resources to help us all get to grips with online delivery whilst maintaining a focus on accessibility, inclusivity and staff and student wellbeing. To save you sifting through your inbox or raiding your ‘to read’ folder, […]
University of Worcester Staff News 