Earlier this week we shared a letter with parents to inform you about a recent increase in scarlet fever and to remind you of the symptoms and actions to be taken if your child shows signs of infection. Please find a link to the letter below:

Scarlet Fever Parent Letter

We are aware of concern from some parents about websites which enable children and young people to meet strangers online, with no moderation or age restriction. 

The most common of these are Omegle, Chatroulette and Kik, and they can expose children to inappropriate and unmoderated content. 

While these applications are blocked on the school network, children and young people can still access them via their devices. 

Parents can access information about how to talk to their child about internet safety via NSPCC. Information for children on what they can do if they see something upsetting is available via BBC newsround. 

Information on how to block specific websites and adult content is available for apple devices and android devices.

Victoria College has an attendance target this year of 95%. Currently, we are at 94%. This week we have contacted home with an update for any students who are below the College target, sharing the information with the goal of encouraging all students to come in whenever they can.

A good attendance record is vital for students to make the best progress, both academically and socially. We encourage boys who are feeling a little unwell to make the effort to come into College and have a go – more often than not, they are able to get through the day with no problems at all. Any student who is feeling really poorly can go to the School Office, where staff can contact home for them.

This chart shows the real-terms meaning of the percentages for attendance:

Please note that the term will finish with our Annual Christmas Carol Service, held at St Thomas’ Church in St Helier. Boys will walk down to the church and then be dismissed at the end of the service, earlier than usual at approximately 3pm. If you would like your son to return to College after the service accompanied by members of staff, please email admin@vcj.sch.je with his name and tutor group.

Please note that boys should not bring bags into school on the final day.

How would you/ your child like to have his artwork displayed alongside local artists in a professional exhibition next summer?

VCJ eagerly awaits the launch of a new competition in January, which will give our students the chance to step away from their screens and immerse themselves in art, a force for wellbeing. 

The resulting exhibition and auction in June, will kick-start the fundraising campaign for The VCJ Wellbeing Garden.

For corporate sponsorship opportunities, email e.sweeny@vcj.sch.je, otherwise watch this space!

Following a 2 year break, we are delighted to once again offer this opportunity to all students of French. Interested parties should register direct online and inform Miss Innes of name, Year group and the French Eisteddfod class number (m.innes@vcj.sch.je). The registration deadline is Friday 7 December. Some guidance and practice sessions will be available from the week beginning 12 December.

https://www.jerseyeisteddfod.org.je/the-festival-of-the-performing-arts-languages/french/

Our Orchestral Challenge Concert takes place next Tuesday 13 December at 5pm.  We are pleased to see that many of you have been able to book tickets to come to hear your sons perform; we hope that you will be able to attend as all the boys will be taking part. If you haven't yet booked, please follow this link:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/victoriacollegearts/t-galgeaa

The timetable for the day is as follows:

• Year 7 will remain at school at 3.25pm and meet in the Great Hall to rehearse
• After the rehearsal, we will provide them with some pizza and a drink before the concert
• The concert starts at 5pm and we anticipate it will last around 50mins

We do hope you will be able to join us for the concert, any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch:  f.murton@vcj.sch.je

We are delighted to let you know that Horrible Histories - Terrible Tudors is coming to the island in December. This is a West End quality production which will be visiting the island, and we have been fortunate to secure tickets on Thursday, 15 December for a performance at 13:30.

Please click on the link for further information:

Horrible Histories Parent letter

On Friday 9 of December your child will be invited to a formal Pass Out Parade in the presence of Dr Hughes, Headteacher of VCJ, Mr Howarth, Principal of JCG, and the Contingent Commander, Squadron Leader Simon Blackmore. 

Parents/Guardians are invited to attend the Parade, which will take place at 4pm in the Great Hall at Victoria College. Please be aware we have limited seating and standing space. If you require any assistance, please let us know. 

In you require any more information about the Pass Out Parade, please feel free to contact Simon Blackmore at ccf@vcj.sch.je

Year 9 Bronze

Thank you to all the students and parents who have asked Mrs Blackmore for clarification. Being present at the Year 9 Option Evening helped some people to discuss what they were going to do. We have some amazing boys at VCJ and we look forward to sharing the huge range of activities that people have done to achieve their D of E Award.

At time of writing only 7 students out of 100 have logged on and recorded what they are going to do for each section. We are a little concerned as we are dealing with students in Year 10 and Year 11 who haven't filled this in until now, and we cannot pass them as it looks like they have only been doing D of E for a few days. We don't have the authority to move these dates.

Again any queries or concerns please encourage your son to drop into Mrs Blackmore's classroom and speak with her.

Year 10 and 11 Bronze

We have been going into the year 10 and 11 tutor groups to remind them that these accounts will close down over Christmas. Of course if students genuinely still need more time, Mrs Blackmore will keep these accounts open. They only need to speak with her or email her so that she can make a record. Otherwise, they will be archived. If at some point they do wish to continue, perhaps with Silver or Gold, they will already have an account.

DofE FAQ Booklet

DofE FAQ Video

Earlier this year, The Institute of Directors Jersey, in partnership with Skills Jersey and Jersey Business, and in collaboration with Haute Vallee School and Victoria College launched a new scheme called the IoD Accredited Internship.

This scheme seeks to encourage students from Years 11 to 13 to gain valuable work experience in Hospitality and Retail on a casual basis, primarily weekends and school holidays.  While undertaking this paid employment students will also work towards receiving a certificate accredited by the IoD. For more information about this and how to sign up please follow the link below:

IoD Accredited Internship Letter to Parents

Here is some guidance from each department about what your mock exams will be on. Students know this already, but here it is to consult in one place. You can also find this document on Year 11 Teams and on SMHW.

Thank you and, as ever, any problems, let us know.

Year 11 Mock Examination Guidance

Please see attached information about the Neil Hussey Heart Charity initiative, which will allow approximately 24 Sixth Form students to take part in a heart screening event in February and March.

Heart Screening Parent Letter

Dear Parents, the attached has been put on Teams and given to the tutors to share with your son in readiness for the Year 13 Mock Examinations in January. Please can you ensure he has read the expectations and submitted the form in the link:

Examination Expectations