Green arrow with change ahead text

Transition message for parents of Year 6 pupils 

 

When a child moves from primary to secondary school, it can be a worrying time for both the child and their families. The coronavirus has led to a greater level of anxiety due to the uncertainty it has caused. 

Schools have been working hard to ensure that the transition process is as smooth as possible for your child to help reduce anxiety. This includes following current health and safety advice to make sure your child feels safe and secure. 

Due to the extra health and safety needs, the visits to secondary schools will take place on different days this year in most schools. 

The information below shows the visits to secondary schools that will take place on the 2 and 3 July. Your child's school will contact you with more details. 

If you or your child have any questions, then please contact your child's primary school.

School visit timetable

 

 

Treasure map

Design your own map 

  

The Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society is running a competition for children and young people.  

The society is asking for entrants to plan and design a map of Jersey that includes words, pictures or symbols to show why Jersey is special to them.  

The maps of Jersey, by local artist Lauren Radley, are useful to look at for ideas. 

Completed maps must be sent in one of the following ways: 

  • photographed by parents (or young people over the age of 14) and uploaded to the Cultivate Club Facebook page, with the hashtag #cultivatespecialjersey
  • emailed to Jess McGovern at Royal Jersey. 

Entrants will be added to a weekly prize draw that takes place each Friday, starting Friday 26 June.  

The competition will run for the next few weeks. 

The society is also celebrating the launch of the Cultivate Club through its Facebook page. The aim is to help young people, families and schools by sharing resources that support the Jersey curriculum. 

Infographics about school

All children return to school 

  

The Education Minister has announced that all students will start to return to school from Monday 22 June.  

Schools are likely to take a staggered approach to the return, and will inform parents and students of their individual plans this week.  

Click on the links below for more information: 

Children return to school

A new normal in Jersey schools

 

A blossom tree

Jersey Children’s Day 2020 

Children and young people in Jersey are being encouraged to make their mark for Jersey’s first Children's Day.  

A new project is being launched by the Citizen’s Panel, set up following the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, to commemorate the first Children’s Day on 3 July and to celebrate childhood. 

This year’s theme will involve a blossom tree symbol to represent strong roots, a positive loving home environment, good education and food; all of which will allow a child to thrive. 

Children and young people can become involved by writing poetry, making a model, a piece of art, a poster or any other idea around the theme of a blossom tree. 

Work will be displayed from the week of the 29 June. More details on this will be shared nearer the time. Children and young people can choose to display their work from their windows at home should they wish. 

The day will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on our future generation, highlighting the positive outcomes of: 

  • kindness  
  • compassion 
  • friendship 
  • collaboration 

Some ideas to inspire you

Children’s stories 

Yash Gupta 

Greta Thunberg 

Five teens who changed the world 

Jyoti cycles to help her dad 

Books 

The Book of Hopes           

Videos 

The Great Realisation 

 

Boy walking to school

Returning to school 

Rebuilding relationships 

Children and young people are resilient. They have had to endure several changes to their lives due to COVID-19, many of which are still ongoing. Changes to daily school routines have taken place, with many having to stay at home during this time or adjust to a different environment. Their learning experiences will have varied and the support they may have received for their wellbeing and mental health may also have been different in each case.  

During the closure, children have worried about losing face-to-face contact with their friends and teachers. It may take some time for individuals to readjust to going back into school and to rebuild their relationships.  

The Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills commit to improving the wellbeing of children and young people. There’s a general acknowledgement that to learn effectively, children need to be well settled back into their school. 

Reconnecting with children and young people 

Schools are developing their own plans in relation to the return of children and young people.

This may include videos of the premises to show young people what their classrooms may look like in response to the new health and safety requirements. Messages will welcome them back to school. Teachers know that reconnecting with their pupils at the earliest opportunity will help them to move forward.  

Support and training will be given to staff in schools so they can support pupils if they experience any anxiety or difficulties. Other agencies across the Island will work closely with the staff in schools. Children and young people will need time to explore their environment and adapt to new routines and expectations. 

Helping children adjust 

When pupils come back to school, teachers will be able to talk to them about things they have previously shared. There will be a lot of smiles and a warm welcome. Teachers and other staff have missed pupils during the lockdown and accessing each other remotely has not been quite the same for them.  

As each day passes, the staff and pupils will work through any issues together. 

How parents can help

Talk through things that children have heard

  • children and young people listen to conversations, they listen to the news, even when they appear not to. Take care to ensure they take breaks from listening to or reading the news. Too much exposure may cause more worries 
  • talk calmly with them about anything they raise and use reliable sources to ensure they get factual information

Be accepting of any queries and questions

  • this will be supportive and build confidence. Comfort and reassurance will help to reduce any anxieties they may have. Let them know it’s normal to be concerned with what is happening 
  • don’t worry too much if the questions are repeated, children will do this when they are concerned about something 
  • be patient and remember that it is alright to let them know you may not have all the answers 

Promote health, hygiene and relaxation 

  • remind your child about the importance of healthy eating, sleep and physical exercise because this will help to keep them well
  • encourage them to use relaxation techniques if they are anxious, quiet music or controlled breathing may help
  • remind them about the importance of handwashing and ensure they know how to do this effectively
  • help them to talk through any worries they may have

 

Skipton Forget-me-knots

Skipton Forget-Me-Knots 

ArtHouse Jersey are working with schools on a large community project. 

Children and young people can take part in a workshop to make paper flowers. Adults running the sessions will help them to express their creativity and emotions. 

The project was created by art therapist and teacher Jacque Rutter, and is supported by local artists. 

The thousands of flowers will come together in an exhibition which the general public will be able to see. The finished work will tell the story of COVID-19 from the perspective of young people in Jersey.  

The project brings together in partnership: 

  • ArtHouse Jersey 
  • Department of Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES)  
  • Youthful Minds  
  • MIND  
  • Mencap 
  • Jersey Youth Service