Dear Parents and Students,

I hope you and your loved ones are well. It was so lovely seeing our Year 11 return yesterday, plus students who are joining us in September, for their Sixth Form induction. It was a poignant day as the last time they set foot in College was 20 March. They expressed their pleasure on being back and excitement on seeing faces they had not seen in months. We are beginning to feel like a whole College again. House Art is displayed and looks stunning, our new House Captains have launched their challenge to their Houses and our Year 9 complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition next week, albeit without an overnight camp. Our students have responded brilliantly to our challenge to walk for our Gorillas. Just under 2000 miles were walked, run or cycled last week, money has been raised and another gorilla has been released. Thank you for your support. I understand there was a software issue on TouchTopUp restricting donations to £4.50. That has now been resolved and you will have received advice on how to proceed with a donation. Every penny goes to Durrell.

What do we know?

• Planning for September:  I have been having a comforting delusion that come September everything will have magically returned to normal and we can have our old College back in every way.  It is comforting to think this, but it is a delusion.  The pandemic will not have disappeared though we all hope it has lessened.  While there are no definitive decisions as yet as to how September will look and feel, it remains that we will do as much as we can to provide as close to a normal JCG environment and provision as possible.  I will be able to give you more details about September in August.
• Being organised: Please could you check that your daughter has what she needs for her school day.  We have had some students arrive without their textbook or exercise books and we cannot give out resources at the moment.
• Survey: The Government are asking all parents of students in Jersey’s schools to complete a short survey entitled ‘Learning at Home and Returning to School – How was it for you?’ The short online survey is open for completion over the next week (6 July to 10 July 2020).

The purpose of the survey is to to help the Government understand the experience of learning at home during the Covid-19 Pandemic for children, young people, and their families and carers across the Island.  ‘We want to make sure that all pupils can successfully move forward with their education now that they are back in school and your feedback will help us achieve that. We hope that as many families and carers as possible will send in their responses so that everyone’s voice is heard.’  Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey. 

• JCG Life: You should be receiving this term’s JCG Life before the end of term.  It will an online publication though I do hope you find time to look through it and see what our students and staff have achieved just before lockdown and throughout it.
• Webinar for Parents: Elevate Education is hosting its final free webinar of this term on Tuesday 14th July.  This webinar is going to give you practical strategies for helping children remain focused, beat procrastination and organise their time so they don’t leave work to the last minute. Details are below:

Event Title: How to help your child manage their time effectively and overcome distractions when studying

Date: Tuesday 14th July 2020

Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm

Cost: Free

Sign up link:  https://get.elevatecoaching.info/uk/webinar-signup-14-july/

And finally, as I was walking to my study to write this update, I met a teacher on her way to class.  She was beaming and looking so happy.  When I asked how she was, she replied ‘I just love being back, just love it.’  While it is not possible at present to have everyone back all the time, I share this sentiment as I hope your daughter does too.

Take care.

Yours,

Carl Howarth

Principal