Parent and Carer Newsletter

December 2023

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Welcome to the Highlands College Parent and Carer Newsletter - December 2023

Apprenticeship Awards

Congratulations to all winners of the Highlands College Apprenticeship Awards 2023! (picture above)

Our students have excelled in their apprenticeship programmes and truly deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their tireless dedication.

A sincere thank you to all the employers and mentors who have supported our learners throughout their journeys, and also a big shoutout to our generous sponsors, who have kindly provided the award winners with some incredible gifts!

Year 11 Experience Days

On Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 we welcomed 550 Y11 students from across the island to our Experience Days. These days are designed to give prospective Sixth Form students valuable insight into the course they are considering at Highlands College. We hope that all students enjoyed their time with us!

Feedback from students was positive, with 96% stating that they felt they received enough information to make a decision about their 16+ plans, and 46% stating they would apply for the course.

Teacher Strikes

The ongoing industrial dispute between teacher/lecturers’ unions and the Government of Jersey is affecting our Jersey Education system.

The National Education Union (NEU) have confirmed strike action December 12th, 13th and 14th. Whereas, the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), the main lecturers’ union in college, are in “action short of strike action”.

Lecturers and teachers received their 7.9% pay increase for 2023. This did not end the dispute about working terms and conditions. NASUWT, is now stepping up “action short of strike action” covering 15 aspects of their roles.

So far, we have been able to keep the College open and not cancelled classes. If the NASUWT vote to strike, this would force a College closure on safeguarding grounds.

NASUWT members have been instructed not to attend meetings or briefings at either end of the core day, for us before 9am and after 4pm, except where arrangements for time off in lieu has been confirmed in advance. The action will also include not taking part in open evenings, as well as college trips taking place outside normal attendance times like residential visits or off-island enrichment.

Lecturers have been determined not to adversely affect their students, but if they are union members, which they are encouraged to be to protect their rights, action will increase in impact on learning over time.

Carbon Literacy Training

A cohort of Highlands College staff took Carbon Literacy training at the end of last term, receiving their certification after an intensive workshop considering the carbon cycle, the reduction of carbon emissions on a personal and organisational level (including personal pledges), and ways to engage in the climate conversation.

Certified carbon literate staff include Sarah Maguire, Alex Salmon, Paul Bisson, Ellen Marett (all pictured), Natasha Stone, Norman Murray, Sue Diggle, Mike Nield, Donna-Marie Toudic and Sally Routier.

Little Clouds Playgroup

The JPQ Level 2 Childcare students have been working together to plan and implement the development of ‘Little Clouds Playgroup’ in partnership with Little Oaks Nursery. This learning opportunity supports units of learning focused on ‘Play and Learning’ as well as learning about working within industry.

We have valued and responded to feedback from the Childcare industry suggesting a more practical approach to prepare our students for work-based placement. The development of our ‘Skills Room’ Early Years provision will be used as a setting to host local pre-school aged children.

Parent and Carer Working Group

Our latest Parent and Carer Working Group meeting was held in the Petit Restaurant on November 30th. This informal get-together is designed to allow parents from across the College to provide face-to-face feedback on a variety of topics, and forms an important part of our approach to parental engagement.

A huge thanks to those parents that attended! If you would like to take part in our next meeting later in the year, please email paul.bisson@highlands.ac.uk.

QDP Parent Survey

This January we will be sending out our quality survey, providing all parents and carers with the chance to feed back on their experiences with the College.

This is a vital part of our quality cycle, allowing us to reflect upon what we are doing well, and areas for further development. We hope that you will take the opportunity to let us know how you feel we are doing with regards teaching and learning, communication and more.

Soroptimists

The next round of funding from Soroptimists International Jersey is due to be allocated.

Each year the ladies from Soroptimists International donate Funding to the Highlands Foundation to support female students on STEM courses (Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with the intention of removing financial barriers to young women who are entering male-dominated industries.

Previous funding has gone towards purchasing tool boxes and equipment for aspiring electricians and plumbers, while IT equipment and software has been purchased for students in DEC! and computing.

Eligible students will be made aware of this opportunity by their tutors. If you think this funding could benefit a student close to you, please email any questions over to alexander.salmon@highlands.ac.uk

Future Skills Pilot Awards

Congratulations to all those students that completed last year's pilot scheme for the Jersey International Future Skills Framework, and who have now received their digital credentials from City and Guilds and ILM (pictured: Health and Social Care students).

Future Skills has now been adopted as the College's year-long tutorial framework. Alongside their main vocational programme, students complete a structured programme including Health and Wellbeing, Digital Skills, Career Development and Sustainability/Global Citizenship.

Key Dates

December 4-8th: English and maths Mock Exams

December 19th: End of term

January 4th: Start of new term

January 10th: UCJ Information Evening

January: QDP Survey sent to parents and carers

February 23rd: Student Reports

March 4th-15th: Parents' Progress Evenings

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