After positive feedback from our first session, held in September, we will be repeating our Safeguarding Seminar for parents. You will have seen recently in the news the pernicious effect that Andrew Tate and his like have had in promoting a toxic and harmful brand of masculinity in an appealing manner to young men. This evening will help parents understand their role in being vigilant to the tactics and means by which this indoctrination is achieved, as well as how we seek to combat them within College, along with the other main safeguarding issues that our young men face. As the adults in the conversation, the evening is also about how we can work together. The Senior Safeguarding Team will share important information and terminology to best equip parents in supporting their sons. Please sign up here.

At the start of the academic year, the College welcomed a number of new teaching and non-teaching staff. We have since enjoyed catching up with each one of them to learn a little bit more about them and the wealth of knowledge and experience that they bring to our College community every day. Please follow the link to access our New Staff Bios.

It is always a pleasure to speak with our Sixth Formers about their time at Victoria College. In these testimonials, the students talk fondly about the academic excellence, rich co-curricular opportunities, camaraderie and traditions that they have all experienced during their time at College. To read their full stories, please click on the link: 

Victoria College - Student Testimonials

It is that time of year again when the College Houses go head-to-head in the House Music competition. This will take place over two evenings - Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 February. Watch this space for more information next week on how to register to attend these spectacular evenings of entertainment.

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 Foundation & Alumni Officer,  e.sweeny@vcj.sch.je, otherwise watch this space!

We have been advised by the Government of Jersey that, for those Parents/Carers paying by monthly direct debit, school fee invoices for the summer term will be issued by the end of this week. Direct debit collections will continue as usual from 1 February.  The central ITS Team have apologised for the delay in issuing these invoices.  Parents/Carers paying fees on a termly basis will receive their invoice towards the end of this term.

We are delighted to see the return of 3 clubs after the February half-term break and I hope that your son may be interested in taking part in one of them.

Boardgames Club – Mr T.Smith:

This hugely popular after-school activity returns on Thursdays from 3.35 to 4.35pm in Eden Classroom. Pupils will have the chance to develop their skills in Chess, Draughts, Connect Four and a wide range of many other board games in a fun and friendly environment. Pupils are also allowed to bring in their own boardgames if they wish, but must look after them responsibly.

Remote Control Car Club – Mr B.Philp:

Calling all car enthusiasts. Pupils will get a chance to develop and then drive remote control cars, competing against their peers in this Tuesday after school activity from 3.35 to 4.35pm.

Airsoft Club – Mr J.Townsend

Airsoft is a competitive team shooting sport in which participants eliminate opposing players by tagging them out of play with spherical plastic projectiles launched via replica air weapons called airsoft guns (3 sessions) Group 1: Tuesday 25^th April to Tuesday 16^th May and Group 2: Tuesday 23^rd May to 16^th June. Pupils will be taken on a mini-bus after school at 3.35pm and taken to Valley Adventures. The session will end at 6pm and pupils will need collection from Valley Adventures.

All clubs listed are after school and will come with an additional fee for taking part. Once a place in confirmed you will be contacted by Head of Clubs & Activities, Mr Townsend, to confirm the payment procedure with the college finance team.

Please confirm your interest by emailing the Head of Clubs & Activities, James Townsend at j.townsend@vcj.sch.je

A team of Ophthalmology professionals from Jersey are visiting Lahore, Pakistan in March 2023 to undertake visual screening in schools and orphanages. They are hoping to take as many pairs as possible of children’s old glasses (or those belonging to small adults) with them, so they are asking parents to donate any old pairs that children do not need any more. If you have any to donate, please kindly put them in the box at Reception. 

We have recently added a page to our College website to clarify how and where Lost Property is collected and returned to students. There is now a gallery of unnamed items for parents to browse and claim any items of their son’s lost property. Please direct any questions to Patrick Crossley, Deputy Head - p.crossley@vcj.sch.je

Dunlop House is beginning 2023 with a fundraising raffle event to raise money for its chosen charity Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey. Students can buy raffle ticket strips for just £1 each with various prizes to be won.

If you wish to donate a prize, please email Head of Dunlop House, Maria Innes -  m.innes@vcj.sch.je - by Friday 3 Feburary.

Tickets will be drawn during the week commencing 6 February. Thank you for your support with this, it is for a very good cause!

Please consider this valuable opportunity; details are provided in the attached letter, which is accompanied by a nomination form.

VCJ Parent Governor Nomination Invitation

VCJ Nomination Form for New Parent Governors

With mock examinations completed, attention now turns to Sixth Form applications for our Year 11 students. In the coming weeks, each Year 11 student will receive a guidance interview with either a senior member of staff or with the Sixth Form team about their 16+ choices. This is not a formal interview, but will provide students with an opportunity to discuss their current thoughts and to receive guidance and support in making informed decisions.

Sixth Form applications are then due on Friday 10 February. The application form, and other relevant documentation such as the Sixth Form options guide and prospectus, can be found here. We have attached a paper copy of the form, which will allow students to draft their responses before completing the online application form.

Following the submission of applications, students and parents will then be invited to a formal Sixth Form interview with members of the school leadership group, after which offers of a place in the Sixth Form will be made.

Should you have any queries regarding the Sixth Form application process, please contact Mr Falle (a.falle@vcj.sch.je). 

Sixth Form Application Form

Please be aware that if your son is sitting Biology iGCSE this summer, one of his exams (Alternative to Practical) falls on Tuesday 9 May which is Liberation Day. The boys are expected to attend school for the examination which will start at 1.30pm.

Please also be aware of the Examination Contingency date of Wednesday 28 June 2023 in the event of national or significant disruption to examinations.

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

Later this term we will launch the university application process with Year 12. As part of this process we would like to invite all Year 12 parents and students to attend an information evening, which will outline the support available and key information for parents and students. Further information is available in the attached letter, along with information about the Pre-Public Examinations that Year 12 sit in the summer term.

Higher Education Information Evening Letter