Hi ,

The festive season is here and we hope you’re enjoying the celebrations happening across campus and the city!  

In this edition, you’ll find all the details about Winter in Newcastle, with activities and events available if you are spending the holiday season in the North East. We also share important information about the cclosure period, a festive message from Linming, your PG Officer and details on where to find support and resources if you need them. 

Finally, we’re sharing this year’s University Christmas Card to spread some cheer.  

Have a brilliant Winter Break and we’ll see you back in 2025! 

❄️ Winter in Newcastle

If you are spending the holiday season in Newcastle, there are lots of activities and events across the University and the city for you to enjoy. From festive food on campus to Christmas crafts in the Library, there are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit! 

During the Winter Break period, when the University is closed, you can join activities like the Northern Lights Trail in Leazes Park 2024 and Ice Skating at the Centre for Life. Tickets for these activities cost £5 and are available to buy on the University Webstore until 18 December 2024. 

Full details of what’s happening over the next few weeks are available on the Winter in Newcastle page.  

🎄 University Closure Information

With exception of some facilities, the University will close for the Winter Break this year at 17:00 on Friday 20 December 2024 and reopen on Monday 6 January 2025.  

Please read the University’s Christmas and New Year Holidays closure information. This includes important details of closure days, postal services, energy supplies, emergency contact information and services across the University.  

The Student Services Helpdesk in Great North House will close for enquiries at 16:00 on Friday 20 December 2024 and reopen at 09:30 on Monday 6 January 2025. 

🎉  A festive message from Linming, your PG Officer

As we approach the holiday season, Linming, your Postgraduate Officer, has shared a special message reflecting on the year gone by and offering important details about the Students' Union's closure period. You can also find information on where to access support during this time.

⛄ Wellbeing and the Winter Closure 

The University Health and Wellbeing Services will also be closed for business as usual from 17:00 on Friday 20 December 2024 to 09:00 on Monday 6 January 2025. 

Please take some time to read the Wellbeing and the Winter Closure Sway (accessible version) to make yourself aware of the support resources available to you during this time. 

📚 Library Services over the Winter Break 

Whether you’re staying in Newcastle over the Winter Break, or heading home, the Library is here to help you access all the resources you need for your studies. 

The Philip Robinson Library will remain open throughout the vacation period: Saturday 14 December to Sunday 5 January, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (24 and 25 December) and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (31 December and 1 January). Find out more about opening hours and access on the Library webpage. 

The Library also has thousands of online resources that can be accessed wherever you choose to study! 

💌 Season's Greetings!

From all at Newcastle University, we hope you have a wonderful festive season.

🔗 Quick links

• Need to put some time aside for an upcoming deadline? Why not try some dedicated time and space away from the day-to-day and take part in a Research Retreat! Visit the PGR Noticeboard to learn how to register for a retreat or organise your own with our new Research Retreat Resources pack.
  
  
• If you are a later stage PhD student, discover the opportunities to teach on the Explore Lifelong Learning Programme, a volunteer-run adult education charity.
  
  
• Check out the Top December Events from Rachel, our Student Content Creator. 
  
  
• Getting a new mobile phone over the holidays? Remember, uninstalling the Authenticator app from your current phone will disable your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method. Learn how to be prepared. 
   
• NUIT are delighted to announce that a new IT Service Support Hub will be opening in The Frederick Douglass Centre at the Newcastle Helix site on 6 January 2025. Find out more. 
  
  
• For the chance to win £100, head to Whatuni? to write a review about Newcastle University! Select '4 year+', complete your review and make your voice heard.