Since early 2020, the College has embarked on a significant curriculum review – a challenging task amidst routine work and the disruptions caused by the pandemic. To encourage reflection and collaboration, a half-day workshop was arranged at Sprouts Cooking School, uniting 24 participants, including Course Coordinators, Teaching Program Directors, Deans, and key educational staff.

The workshop facilitated a fresh perspective on staff roles, underscoring that education forms just one facet of their busy lives. Participants brainstormed their ideal curricula and identified steps to realise it. This exercise highlighted the value of collaboration and leveraging existing strengths. A ‘crazy eights’ activity stimulated innovative thinking, yielding new ideas for courses.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants appreciating the off-site, collaborative, and humanising experience. The event reinforced collegial relationships, motivation, and the abundance of talent within MPH.

‘I think it would be good to do this workshop again (half a day and not longer- outside of university) as I think it can strengthen collegial relationships among CCs (also sharing some ideas). I really enjoyed talking with different people in a relaxed atmosphere.’

‘Seeing people outside the work environment in a more relaxed but structured format worked well. It rehumanised our endeavours, individually and as part of the group. The feedback I got was that people felt acknowledged …. being in a positive environment was a real antidote to the tiredness and frustration that people can often feel by this stage of the year, so the timing was important. The few ideas we were able to hear about at the end were fantastic, innovative, and inspiring. I found it very motivating – we are an incredibly talented and committed bunch.’