On Tuesday evening, we welcomed nearly 50 parents to the Great Hall for our third safeguarding seminar of the year, where Mr Griffin, Mr Falle & Mr Crossley outlined some of the main risks that our young people face, how the College works to keep our boys safe and upskill the parents so they are aware of what to look out for. Next week, we will be able to signpost parents to updated links and resources on the Safeguarding page of our website, that will further educate parents and provide families with some tools for having conversations about these issues.

You may have noticed that the College is lit up green this week for the NSPCC, who are encouraging all adults across the British Isles to complete a free 10-minute digital training, designed to empower every adult to know what to do if a child needs help, and where to go if they need support themselves.

1. House Music

It is that time of year again when the College Houses go head-to-head in the House Music competition - this is a real highlight of the musical calendar taking place over two evenings - Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 February. Please follow the link to book your ticket at one or both of these spectacular evenings of entertainment.

House Music 2023

If you would like the College to order your son a pizza tea, please click on the link below and return the slip with either a cheque for £10, £10 in cash, or confirmation that you have paid £10 via BACS by Monday 6^th February.

House Music Pizza Order Form

2. Ralph Vaughan Williams Strings Ensemble, Saturday 25 March

Following the success of projects like our concert with the Harmony Men and the inter-school GCSE Music Conference, the Music Department of Victoria College is looking forward to hosting the ‘RVW Strings Project’ on the Saturday 25 March. This will be an exciting collaboration between various island schools, the Jersey Academy of Music and experienced musicians of the JSO, endorsed by the Creative Island Partnership & Jersey Music Association. Students of string instruments around the island will have the opportunity to rehearse the ‘Concerto Grosso’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams and perform it in the beautiful setting of our Great Hall.   

Ralph Vaughan Williams Strings Ensemble

Watch this space for more information.

3. Bandtastic, Wednesday 29 March

Come to hear the Victoria College Concert Band, La Ronde Concert Band and the JMS Concert Band playing a rich variety of pieces on their own and together, in a jamboree of music. Highlights will include music from film and stage: Mamma Mia, Star Wars, Dam Busters. Tickets available from Wednesday 8 March. Watch this space for more information.

Bandtastic

Victoria College will once again be taking part in the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation February Challenge, which tasks people with walking, jogging and/or running the distance from Jersey to Southampton Hospital - 164miles.

Students in years 7-11 will be taking part in games lessons, covering the distance as a cohort and learning a little bit about what the Foundation does for local families. Many of our Sixth Form students are participating in teams of 2-6, and we also have staff who are taking part either in teams or individually.

The Foundation provides financial and emotional support to families with children receiving care abroad, for example by covering the costs of flights and accommodation for family members. To find out more about the Foundation, visit their website - https://gracecrocker.org.je/.

As part of the challenge we will be trying to raise money to support the Foundation further. If you would like to sponsor Victoria College's efforts, you can do so here - https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/team/14317.

Victoria College has recently launched ArtEquals, a new art initiative which will give our students the opportunity to create their own artwork & have it exhibited alongside local professional Jersey artists.

The resulting exhibition and auction in June, will kick-start the fundraising campaign for The Victoria College Wellbeing Garden and allow the students the opportunity to keep up to 50% of their sale proceeds.

If any parents would like to get involved, either donating artwork for the auction, creating your own artwork to exhibit, volunteering at the event or even helping secure corporate sponsorship, please reach out to Emily Sweeny via e.sweeny@vcj.sch.je

Full details about how to get involved can be found on our dedicated webpage here: ArtEquals

We have an exciting design challenge that will run over the next half-term. If students are interested in taking part, they are requested to use the link below to download the design template for the tortoise or see Ms Kane in the library for a printed copy.

Named entries must be handed to your Head of House by Friday 31 March for judging. The winning design from each House will then be painted by the designer (alongside a supportive decorating team) onto a tortoise sculpture in April. The best finished tortoise design will then be judged across the five Houses. Each House tortoise will be featured in the 'shop window trail' organised by Durrell later this year. For more information, please see your Head of House or Ms Kane.

Tortoise Takeover House Competition

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 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. 

Following mocks and as students plan their revision for their forthcoming examinations we would like to regularly update you with supporting events and materials.

Elevate Education will shortly be hosting a free webinar for parents on Tuesday 7 February.

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school:

Tuesday 7 February, 6:00pm 
How to Help Improve Your Child's Memory

Click here to register for free

In this webinar Elevate will be showing parents:

• How memory actually works (and how it has nothing to do with brain capacity)
• The most effective environments to assist in memorisation
• 3 techniques you can implement overnight to improve revision

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

Last 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