Across classrooms, workshops, social spaces and outdoor areas, staff and students took part in activities designed to highlight the values that shape daily life at Reaseheath: People, Responsibility, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence (PRIDE). The result was a week packed with opportunities to connect, reflect and play an active part in what the festival stands for.
Each PRIDE value took its turn in the spotlight, blending naturally as the campus moved through a rhythm of conversations, events and shared experiences.
The festival opened with a focus on People, recognising the individuals who make up the Reaseheath community. PRIDE pledges and positive recognition activities encouraged students and staff to acknowledge everyday actions that often go unnoticed. Odd Socks Day added a fun, light-hearted touch across campus, while a visiting caricaturist captured smiles and personalities throughout the day.
Tuesday’s theme, Responsibility, covered everything from self-care to environmental stewardship. Armistice Day commemorations at the flagpole on Main Campus and at the Reaseheath Engineering Apprenticeship Academy provided a moment for collective reflection, while the Volunteers Fair and a well-supported campus litter pick demonstrated how small contributions help maintain a respectful and sustainable environment.
Integrity followed on Wednesday, encouraging students to explore the values that guide their decisions and interactions. A busy Clubs and Societies Fair offered the chance to find communities aligned with their interests and principles, while staff took part in an Integrity Quiz in the Staff Room with the added incentive of a Starbucks voucher for the winner.
On Thursday, Diversity took centre stage with a Diversity Café raising money for the college’s RAG Charity of the Year, the David Lewis Centre.
The festival closed with Excellence, celebrating the achievements, big and small, that shape the Reaseheath experience. Staff recognised colleagues who go above and beyond, while students took time to reflect on their own progress and ambitions as the year ahead gathers pace.
A key thread running through the week was ‘positive noticing and recognition’, where staff were encouraged to nominate students who demonstrated the PRIDE values, with entries going into a draw for daily £20 Amazon vouchers and two iPad prizes.
Colleagues were also invited to nominate their ‘unsung heroes’, with multiple nominations for several members of staff. The scheme will continue throughout the year as a meaningful way to recognise personal growth and contribution.
Reflecting on the week, Vanessa Rhodes, Director of People and Culture, said: “Unity Week has shown how powerful it is when our community comes together. The sense of connection across campus has been fantastic – from the small moments to the bigger events, you could see our PRIDE values being lived in real time.
“Positive noticing sounds simple, but it clearly meant a lot to people. Those small messages of appreciation showed just how much care, kindness and encouragement flows quietly through our community every day. Seeing the post box overflowing was genuinely heart warming. It was a lovely reminder that taking a moment to recognise each other can create a huge ripple of positivity.”
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