I hope you all enjoyed the winter break, and were able to get some rest and time away from your studies. My thanks also to all of you for the efforts that went into testing at the end of the last term, particularly those of you who were self-isolating over the holidays – I know this was not easy, but your continued support with keeping our community safe is hugely appreciated.  

Ahead of the start of term, I wanted to send you a quick update of what we have in place to keep our campuses safe in light of recent Government Covid announcements. I would also like your help with completing an anonymous vaccination survey we have been asked to run to support national efforts to target resources in the right areas.  

Face-to-face teaching – what to expect  

As you will have seen from your timetables, the vast majority of your teaching this term will be face-to-face, including lectures. For those that need it, remote studying will also remain an option for the rest of the year, subject to approval. 

Unless you have a medical exemption, all students should wear face coverings in teaching spaces and communal areas where social distancing cannot be maintained, including when entering and leaving the room or walking through corridors – this can really help to stop the virus spreading. 

Depending on the room set-up, your tutors may also wear a face covering throughout your lessons too.  

We have undertaken risk assessments of all teaching rooms to ensure each area is compliant with public health regulations, and have reduced lecture capacity where needed to ensure appropriate ventilation.  

Vaccinations survey  

Vaccinations remain key to minimising the impact of Coronavirus, and we strongly encourage those that haven’t, and who are able to, to get a free booster jab as soon as you can.  

Alongside this, please complete the following anonymous survey about take-up of the vaccine among students – we will not be recording any personal information of this individually and your responses will just be used for statistical purposes.  

Pick up a kit and do your bit!  

Testing remains a really important part of keeping each other safe. Please do continue to test at least twice a week if you are coming onto campus, with free take-home lateral flow test kits available shortly from places across campus including college receptions and the Templeman Library. Medway students can also collect tests from the Old Sports Hall. Remember to register your results with the NHS – we’ve also updated our information on what to do if you have Covid-19 symptoms or test positive.  

Travel to campus from another country 

If you are returning to campus from overseas, make sure you check Government guidance on travelling to England. 

Thank you once again for your continued support with this and I look forward to seeing more of you on campus in the weeks and months ahead.  

With all good wishes,   

Richard   

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Education and Student Experience