The Retreat's objectives related to the Department's as well as the Faculty's development, and could be viewed from three angles: issues which pertained to the Faculty at large, to the Department, and to individuals.

     The programme was a long one in that the day's agendas ranged widely. The Retreat kicked off with a Department Board meeting, where issues of general relevance were discussed. Following the Board Meeting, colleagues remained in their subject groups for Session 1, where they considered issues relevant to their own subject area. Key issues here were peer support and mentoring; support for part-time colleagues in the Department; and course coordination issues.

     After reporting back and a quick break for light refreshments, Session 2 related to Departmental development; namely, knowledge transfer; colleagues' professional and career development; and the Department's image looking outwards and forwards.

     After lunch, we moved to Session 3, where the issues focused on programme quality. Issues discussed here were: programme administration at course and programme levels; pastoral care; and student assessment.

     Subsequent to these three major sessions, the Dean addressed colleagues, reporting on issues which had been discussed in the Faculty Retreat in November 2009, and commenting on how the Department Retreat might complement the Faculty Retreat.

     In closing, my view as Chairman was that the Retreat, while being an intense day, had seen colleagues interacting with each other about issues both big and small in ways that tend not to be possible in casual conversation in the Department or over lunch. The day had been long, yes, but had been – from informal discussions with colleagues – well worth the effort, and would provide food for thought and development for both the Department and the Faculty.