Monday 1st February to Sunday 14th February 2021
Welcome to the Sixth Edition of our SELLL UG News, for a fortnightly round up compiled by Caroline Ede, with contributions from Professional Services (PS) colleagues in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.
Some new items below for this edition and important dates for your diary and please note the news has also been emailed to you on Monday. The Student Wellbeing and Support section is at the end of the news.
NEW FOR THIS EDITION
Dates for your diary!
Joining SELLL as the New Head of School
Monday 1st February 2021
Welcome to Professor Jo Robinson, who joins us today as our new Head of School.
Semester 2 Teaching & Student Support Plans (SSPs)
Monday 1st February 2021
Semester 2 teaching starts today, and for anyone who currently has a Student Support Plan (SSP), these are circulated at the start of each semester to your Module Leaders, Personal Tutor and Senior Tutor, for information.
Mental Health in 20th Century Literature Reading Group
Tuesday 2nd February at 5pm on Zoom
We will be focusing on the poetry of Maya Angelou, Anne Sexton, James Baldwin, Simon Armitage, and Sylvia Plath. This is intended to be a fun, informal session, so please feel free to bring your tipple of choice and listen in or, even better, share your ideas!
The group is open to undergraduates and postgraduates. To register your interest and for the Zoom link, please email m.stevenson1@newcastle.ac.uk
Reminder for changing modules or seminar groups
Friday 5th February 2021 by 4pm is the deadline to change any modules or seminar groups.
End of Semester 1 Module Marks and Feedback
Available from Thursday 25th February 2021
If you have had a PEC extension your marks and feedback maybe be released a little later.
THIS AND THAT
Peer Mentor of the Year Nominee 2020-21
Congratulations to Yasmine Bridge who was nominated for Peer Mentor of the Year. Here’s what she had to say: ‘I loved being able to guide my mentees through some of the more unexpected challenges faced in first year. I think giving them the honest, student to student perspective really helped them, and allowed me to share everything I’ve learnt at Uni so far in a comfortable environment. It was definitely a really rewarding scheme to be part of’
New Student Blogger
Congratulations to Tom Moorcroft who has been recruited to join the Student Leadership Programme as a Student Blogger. Tom will be joining Leanna & Hattie in providing you with regular social media content and updates. Make sure to follow the School on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see his posts.
Covid-19: Supporting our Students
Here are some of the ways you can receive support during lockdown and through this difficult period. From Rent Rebates, IT loan scheme, Wellbeing Support, Academic Safety net and more, click on this link for more detailed information.
Library Services while you’re away from Campus
We know that many of you are studying and working away from campus in line with Government and University guidance in response to the national lockdown. The Library is still here to provide you with the information resources and support to help you study and research. From E-Books to Click and post please follow this link for more information on these services.
NUSU Events
Check out the Online events and activities, NUSU are running this term at your Union – click on this link for all the information.
Online Chat – Every Tuesday 10-12 & Thursday 2-4pm
Just a reminder that if you need a quick response to a question, you can use our twice weekly online chat service for an instant reply. Further details are included in the Wellbeing and Support section.
Thought of the fortnight
A Journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step
Thanks for reading – From the Professional Services Staff in the School of English Literature, Language & Linguistics
STUDENT WELLBEING & IT SUPPORT
In SELLL, student wellbeing and support is one of our top priorities. We’ve highlighted some of the key contacts, services and processes available:
Personal Tutor
Your Personal Tutor is your first point of contact for any issues you might be having. If you need further help, they can recommend contacting the Senior Tutor or Student Wellbeing.
Senior Tutors
The senior tutors act as a second point of contact for you. They can also be contacted with queries about the personal tutor system or in the event of more complicated issues affecting your academic studies.
Stage 1 Senior Tutor: Dr Emily Murphy (from Semester 2)
Stages 2 & 3 Senior Tutor: Professor Martha Young-Scholten
School Office Staff
The SELLL School Office is currently open Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm. Members of staff are also available to contact via email. Key contacts are listed below:
Absence Requests, Personal Tutor Queries, SSPs, Online Chat – caroline.ede@ncl.ac.uk
PEC, Online Chat – karen.patterson@ncl.ac.uk
Module selection, Canvas – kate.errington@ncl.ac.uk
Assignment Submissions or any other queries – English@ncl.ac.uk
Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC)
If you have difficulties completing your assignments or handing your work in on time because of personal extenuating circumstances, the most important thing you can do is tell the School about any problems you are having. Please talk to your personal tutor or the appropriate senior tutor in the first instance. PEC forms are submitted through S3P, and more information is available on our website.
What does a PEC for Board of Examiners’ consideration mean?
Submitting a PEC for Board of Examiners’ consideration is different to submitting a PEC for extensions. We have put together some FAQs to help answer your questions so please read at your leisure.
Absence Requests
If you are going to be absent for 3 consecutive days or more (Monday-Friday), please submit an absence request through S3P.
Student Support Plan (SSP)
If you need any extra help to support your studies, a Student Support Plan (SSP) can be drawn up for you with an advisor from Student Health and Wellbeing. You can contact Student Wellbeing in person, by phone, or an online form, and the link gives all the information.
Online Chat for a quick response
If you have a question for the School Office and need a quick reply, you can log onto our twice weekly online chat service, through the Current Student section on the website. To access the chat, scroll down and click on the Contact Us icon on the right side.
Online chat is available every Tuesday 10-12 and every Thursday 2-4pm.
Nightline
Nightline is a confidential and anonymous listening and information service run by students for the benefit of students. Contact them any night of term to talk about how you’re feeling or request information about other services. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Nightline is currently only operating its instant messaging service with opening hours 8pm to 2am.
TalkCampus
A new mental health support network has been launched called TalkCampus. It’s a free to download app where you can talk with other students from around the world if you’re struggling and worried about your mental health. Your student email address will give you free access, just download TalkCampus from this site or directly from the app stores and check out TalkCampus guide.
End of Module Assessments
Whether you’re preparing an essay, or would like to review a past feedback, the Royal Literary Fellows can help you to hone your writing skills and learn from feedback. If you’re interested in booking an appointment please email anna.woodford@rlf.education.org.uk or carina.rodney@rlfeducation.org.uk
Other resources to help you in your assessments include:
Academic consultation and feedback hours
1:1 tutorials with the Writing Development Centre
Student IT Guide
If you are struggling with any IT issues and need some helpful information, please click on a Quick Guide to Student IT services for all you need to know. And further information is available on this link for IT support services
You should have downloaded the mobile University App by now, but if you haven’t, this gives info on your Student Timetable, Personal Tutor, Library account and finding available PC’s on Campus.
From the Professional Services Staff in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics