Article from Rachel Christie, Admissions Coordinator| Division of Human and Social Sciences 

Myself and my best friend of 13 years, Summer will be tackling the London Landmark Half Marathon on the 3 April 2022. We will be running for Strode Park Foundation where Summer is their Fundraising and Communications Assistant.

Strode Park Foundation are a local Kent charity that provide care and support for children and adults with disabilities. They believe in independence, well-being and choice, and promote these ideals throughout their care services, enabling people to live life the way they choose. We think this is a fabulous charity that deserves our support so please help us smash our target to help this deserving cause. This is such an important foundation to make a real difference to so many families and their community.

We are not seasoned runners at all so this is a real challenge for both of us, but we’re so excited to be doing it! We are completing the Couch to 5K app and are currently finishing up on week 5 and already noticed a real difference in our stamina and health. Once this is done we will move onto Couch to 10K! Our goal is £800 between us and we’re at 30% so far! I know it is an expensive time of the year so any donations or support are greatly appreciated!

Please see our JustGiving page.

Last night the Government announced additional guidance taking effect across the country to help slow the spread of the new omicron Coronavirus variant. We have also subsequently received more specific information for Universities from the Department for Education on what this means for teaching for the rest of the year. In brief the guidance is that ‘providers should continue to deliver face-to-face teaching and staff can continue to attend work as necessary to deliver this. For other staff, there is a recommendation to work from home if possible’. 

In line with both of these updates, with the exception of staff involved in the delivery and support of teaching and direct student services, everyone who can do so should return to working from home from Monday 13 December until further notice.  As per the specific university guidance, all timetabled face-to-face teaching will continue until the end of term, with staff working from home outside of any in-person sessions. Essential campus support services such as security or mental health support will also continue in person under local team agreements.  

Christmas parties and on-campus activities 

Any non-essential on-campus meetings or gatherings should also be avoided where possible – many of these have already moved online or been postponed so do consider what is best based on what you have due to take place. I also appreciate that many of you will have planned off-site Christmas meet-ups before the end of term; bars and restaurants remain open as before so there is no need to cancel these, but again I’d ask you to consider what the best format is and how you can make these as safe as possible.  

I know this will be disappointing news and that lots of us have enjoyed returning to campus in recent months. This will also be a worrying time for many, particularly those who have a continued need to be on campus. I can only thank you for your continued assistance in supporting the national effort to keep each other safe and avoid further Covid restrictions in the future – as ever, the safety of our students, staff and wider community is our number one priority throughout. 

While cases regionally have been rising, those linked to the University remain low thanks to a combined effort across our community. We also have a number of additional health and safety measures in place. 

Face Coverings 

Everyone on campus is now expected to wear face coverings in all teaching spaces and communal areas, unless they have a medical exemption. Face coverings should also be worn in shared offices and other indoor spaces where social distancing can not be maintained. These are available free of charge from any student reception desk. 

Testing and Vaccines 

Regular testing remains key to keeping everyone safe, and those still coming onto campus should continue to take a Covid lateral flow test at least twice a week and report your results to the NHS online. You can get walk-in tests or pick up take-home kits from the Old Bank on our Canterbury campus or the Old Sports Hall at Medway, or order them online.  If you have symptoms or if you do test positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days from the day your symptoms started and get a PCR test as quickly as possible. Positive tests should also be reported to the University by letting your line manager know and via covidsupport@kent.ac.uk.  

Vaccinations remain a critical part of stopping the spread of the virus – everyone who qualifies for a booster jab is strongly encouraged to get one if they can. 

Ongoing support 

As always, if you have any questions or need further support, please email covidsupport@kent.ac.uk. You can also get free, confidential advice at any time via our Employee Assistance Programme. 

I know the continued impact of Covid-19 has made this a difficult year for all of us and that these additional changes late in the year will be disruptive – however, taking these additional steps should help all of us make the most the festive period and hopefully support wider efforts to return to normality as quickly as possible. 

The measures are due to be reviewed on Wednesday 5 January, so I will update again on where things stand after the Christmas break. 

With all best wishes,  

Richard 

Professor Richard Reece | DVC Education & Student Experience

The Marsh family are back again with a new song, this time singing and swinging for a leading men’s health charity.

Teaming up with Prostate Cancer UK, Ben, Danielle and their four children Alfie, 15, Thomas, 13, Ella, 12, and Tess, 9 have released a song that they hope ‘will raise awareness of a disease that will affect 1 in 8 men in our lifetime’.

A sparkling new video of their adapted version of the swing classic ‘Mack the Knife’ was launched this week (on 6 December). You can view it now on YouTube (or see link below). 

Titled, ‘Mack the Knife’ (prostate cancer – facts of life)’, the lyrics written by Ben have been adapted to feature some facts about Prostate Cancer.

This single is particularly poignant as it comes after Danielle’s father, John Burn, was diagnosed with the disease in 2018.

In a Kent Online article, Danielle says: ‘We were so lucky with my dad but even he nearly left his concerns too late. We hope the lyrics will make people smile but also make them start discussions with loved ones about actions that they may need to take.’

The Marsh family will be donating all profits from downloads of this song to Prostate Cancer UK.

Kent Hospitality has launched a new survey, aiming to hear about student, staff and visitors’ experiences at their catering outlets on the Canterbury campus.

The survey, which asks questions about value for money, customer service and food/drink quality, gives customers a chance to provide feedback after each visit.

Customers who leave feedback are entered into a monthly prize draw to win a £20 catering voucher to spend on campus, and each month presents a new opportunity to enter into the prize draw! The feedback received will help Kent Hospitality to maintain and improve their services.

The participating catering outlets are: Bag It, Create, Dolche Vita, Gulbenkian Café, Hut 8, K-Bar, Mungo’s, Origins, Rutherford Dining Hall, Sibson Café, Sports Café and The Street Kitchen.

Have you visited one of Kent Hospitality’s catering outlets recently? Leave feedback on the survey.

Congratulations to Medway Security Guard Toby Owen (age 26), recently took part in The Men’s Physic Championships held in Maidenhead, where he became the new British Champion whilst also achieving his Pro Athlete card, both significant in their own right.

This natural competition celebrates the hard work and determination competitors put into achieving the very best for their body.

Toby puts his win down to hard work, complete discipline and persistence to attain the best possible results.

Toby not only has this mind-set with his sport but mirrors this in his work ethic as well. He is wished the very best for future competitions.

As we enjoy the lead up to Christmas, our Music department is delighting us with a festive two weeks filled with concerts and cheer.

ALL concerts this autumn term is by ticket only (free for the Lunchtime Concerts) and tickets must be booked in advance. Here’s a few highlights of the events that we can look forward to:

University String Sinfonia – Tuesday 7 December

Directed by Florian Peycelon, the String Sinfonia in an hour-long programme including works by Rutter, Elgar and Kalinnikov. Join us at 19.00.  

Chorus/Orchestra Christmas Concert – Saturday 11 December 

University Chorus and Orchestra, Simon Thorpe (bass) in a seasonal programme with works by Tchaikovsky and Vaughn Williams.  

Carols Around the tree – Monday 13 December 

Open to all staff, students and alumni, come along to the communal carols with the Brass Group on the Registry lawn at 16.50.

Big Band Christmas Swingalong! – Wednesday 15 December 

Get into the swing of things and come along to the annual cracker of a gig with the Big Band conducted by Ian Swatman at 17.15. 

An article by Hannah Brazier, Marketing and Commercial Services Assistant | Kent Hospitality  

It’s nearly that time of the year. Christmas is coming! Gather your friends and colleagues together for a festive feast with all the trimmings.

Here are a few suggestions of where you can enjoy Christmas food and drink on campus…

Rutherford Dining Hall

Christmas Menu (6 – 16 December)

Traditional Christmas Lunch – 2 courses for £8.95 (ex VAT)
Choose from traditional roast turkey or festive nut roast with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding or vegan chocolate orange torte.

To book a table, please call the dining hall on 01227 823500 or email rutherforddining@kent.ac.uk. All pre-booked groups will receive complimentary Christmas crackers.

Dolche Vita

Christmas Menu (1 – 16 December)

Chef’s Special Christmas Lunch – from £6.00
A Christmas dinner with a Dolche Vita twist. No booking required. Includes a complimentary mince pie (whilst stocks last). 

Gingerbread Latte – £2.50
served with a traditional steamed milk top

Mungo’s

Christmas Menu (22 November – 16 December)

The Very Merry Mungo’s Burger – £6.80
Turkey breast topped with cranberry sauce, cheese, streaky bacon, and cheese sauce in a charcoal infused sesame seed brioche bun. Served with skinny fries.

The Christmas Club Sandwich – £6.00
Toasted triple stacked sandwich with turkey breast wrapped in streaky bacon and stuffed with chorizo, sage and paprika. Topped with cheese, tomato, lettuce, and sweet chilli mayo.

Gingerbread Latte – £3.00
served with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a mini gingerbread man

Mince Pie Milkshake – £4.00
topped with whipped cream

Gingerbread Milkshake – £3.50
topped with whipped cream (Vegan version also available)

Gulbenkian Café

Christmas Menu (15 November – 17 December)

Kentish Pigs in Blankets Mac and Cheese – £7.50
Gooey Kentish Mac and Cheese with extra little chunks of sausage wrapped in bacon.

Kentish Brie and Cranberry Croque Monsieur – £6.00
A festive take on a French classic – Brie and cranberry toasted sandwich topped with a mornay sauce and baked.

Handmade Pigs in Blankets Sausage Roll – £2.50
What do you get if you cross pigs in blankets with sausage rolls? Delicious Christmassy sausage-and bacon puff-pastry snacks.

After Eight Peppermint Hot Chocolate – £3.50
topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and mini marshmallows

Baileys Hot Chocolate – £4.95
topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder

Gingerbread Latte – £3.30
topped with whipped cream and a mini gingerbread man

Create

Christmas Drinks Menu (22 November – 16 December)

Gingerbread Latte – £3.00
topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a mini gingerbread man

Mint Hot Chocolate – £3.00
topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and mini marshmallows

K-Bar

Christmas Cocktail Menu (29 November – 17 December)

Gingerbread Martini – £5.00
Baileys, Kaluha, and gingerbread syrup

Hot Apple Pie Cocktail – £5.00
Spiced rum, Licor 43, apple juice, whipped cream, and cinnamon

Bag It

Christmas Signature Sandwiches (6 December – 16 December)

Boxing Day Turkey & Bacon Sub – £3.90
Turkey breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise in a soft sub roll

Brie, Chestnut & Cranberry Mayo Doorstop – £3.90
Brie, chestnut, and cranberry mayo between two thick slices of bread

Vegan Christmas Panini – £3.50
Smoked Applewood vegan cheese, vegan bacon, cranberry sauce

And that’s not all! There are plenty more festive offers and promotions across campus to celebrate the season. Keep an eye out for festive drinks, cakes, and street food. Visit your nearest café, bar or restaurant to discover what’s on offer.

Download the Order Up! app and begin your festive order today