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Jersey Lunar New Year Festival, 22 Jan-5 Feb
Do you know your Chinese zodiac?
Are you a generous Tiger or an outgoing rooster?
Perhaps you're a loyal pig or a prudent dog?
However, if you're a humorous rabbit, this year belongs to you as 2023 is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit!
In celebration, the Jersey Lunar New Year festival is being launched in the Central Market this Sunday 22 January.
The festival which will promote Asian culture, promises to be colourful and fun
On Sunday from 12 noon until 4pm, you can enjoy a traditional dragon, lion and Cambodian dance, an Asian food festival and a student choir.
Throughout the festival, which runs until 5 February, there will be food markets with music and entertainment.
Several schools will be offering lessons on Chinese language and culture and Asian art.
Jersey Library is organising talks, workshops and a photographic exhibition.
Here is a full list of all the public events, some of which require tickets.
Around 2,000 Jersey residents come from Asia where Lunar New Year is celebrated.
Join them and millions of people around the world in celebration.
Reading Habits for 2023
The New Year is always a fresh start to get into a regular reading routine.
The National Literacy Trust, UK has some useful tips and reading suggestions on new ways to read together as a family.
This is part of the Better Health Start For Life campaign.
It encourages parents and carers to adopt positive behaviours to boost their children’s communication, language and literacy development.
The book suggestions include, for example, a ‘I Can Do’ book which could be a book you make together about what your child can do in January 2023.
Watch this video for ideas.
A new year often makes us think about milestones.
There are books on milestones by age five and for different ages.
You can use your child’s love of books to inspire them to think about their health responsibly.
Here are some titles for children from babies all the way up to age 11.
They cover subjects in health and wellness including food, exercise, and looking after our teeth.
Plus a wide range of books and activities on various themes for all age groups of children and young people.
Happy exploring and reading!
Winter Illness-Guidance for Parents
There has been a rise in seasonal illnesses in Jersey.
This includes scarlet fever, COVID-19, and flu.
The Government of Jersey's Public Health Directorate has a list of useful guidelines for parents to prevent and minimise the spread of illnesses. These include:
- Staying home if you're feeling unwell and getting a PCR test
- Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and Flu
- Keeping the air fresh by opening windows
Director of Public Health, Prof Peter Bradley has a message.
We wish you and your family good health and cheerful spirits this winter.
Keeping safe near water
Jersey generally experiences a temperate climate that is milder than that of the UK or Europe.
Having said this, as a family, you may remember times when there have been seriously cold winters.
We know that we do not have canals and lakes, but we are surrounded by water and we do have wetlands, reservoirs and pools.
In case you and your child are not used to such an environment, it may be useful to have a conversation about safety ‘just in case’ the weather changes.
This will be also be useful if you go on holiday to a place where you experience icy or wet conditions.
Pease find more guidance in the link below:
The Dangers of Frozen Water
https://www.rlss.org.uk/News/the-dangers-of-frozen-water
Jersey Youth Service opening times
Jersey Youth Service sessions have started again on Mondays and Saturdays.
Seniors sessions, year 9 plus run Mondays 6-8.30pm at Grands Vaux youth centre.
Juniors sessions, year 5-8 run Saturdays 10am-12pm at Le Squez youth centre.
Old and new members are warmly welcome.
For more information contact Jo at
Phone: 07797758287
This link will help you to find out more about Jersey Youth Service and how to help your child become a member.
Youth Wellbeing Drop-In
The Government of Jersey is offering a drop-in support service for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Children, young people, parents and carers can drop in for a free, informal, confidential chat with a mental health practitioner or counsellor
every Saturday, 10am - 6pm
at The Link, Eagle House
La Colomberie, St Helier
Jersey JE2 4QB
For a list of other services related to children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, please visit our Emotional wellbeing page.
Book of the Month: "Harry saves the Ocean"
This important and delightful book tells the story of Harry who goes with his family on a beach-side holiday.
There, he meets a whale who is in trouble.
The whale tells Harry about the growing problem of plastic pollution and Harry decides to do something about it.
Read and listen to this lovely book "Harry saves the Ocean" to find out what Harry does.
Have you seen plastic on our Jersey beaches? Do you know the terrible damage they can do to sea-life?
Have you ever been involved in a beach clean-up activity? Have you sorted out what's bio-degradable and what's not and what can be re-cycled?
Here are some more books on the subject.
And if you're inspired to join in the campaign, check out the the Kids against Plastic and the wonderful work they do.
The Société Jersiaise Photo Club
The Société Jersiaise Photo Club comes to primary schools in Jersey.
Children take amazing pictures. Most things excite their curiosity, and they love capturing images with a click.
So if your child has an active imagination and is interested in photography, the Société Jersiaise has introduced a Photo Club for 8-11 year old pupils across the island.
The Société Jersiaise will work with a different primary school every half-term.
Children will work with themes such as identity, culture, community and they will learn the importance of archives. They will also look at
how they can express themselves through photographs and other visual media
A group of ten talented pupils from St Lawrence Primary School successfully completed the first ever Société Jersiaise Photo Club project.
As the project progresses, images from all children taking part will be shown in an annual exhibition at the Jersey Museum every August.
Here are the wonderful images produced from the very first Photo Club at St Lawrence Primary School.
Map of Wonders exhibition
Children in Jersey's primary schools learnt about the island's history, diversity and folklore in a fun and creative way.
The Map of Wonders project which focused on wellbeing was a partnership between CYPES, ArtHouse Jersey and Jersey Heritage.
Children worked on art and design projects, supported by local artists and seven films featuring The Story Beast aka John Henry Falle.
You can find more information about the exhibition and workshops at Eventbrite.
Map of Wonders: Family Storytelling sessions
The Map of Wonders: Fantastical Beasts Art Workshop
The Map of Wonders: Ocean Explore Art Workshop
RIOT! - Family Storytelling Sessions Tickets
The Map of Wonders: Weaving a Seascape Art Workshop
Children eat for free or less
Eating out in Jersey can be very expensive when you have children.
Here are a couple of offers that might help you to find something a little more reasonable.
Jersey Pearl Cafe - child eats free with two adult main courses
Air Mex West - 10% off every Taco Tuesday
Dip 'n Dine at the Merton Hotel - under two's go free
Bella Italia - children eat for £1 with an adult main
Jersey Olio Community - a Facebook community connecting people and local shops so surplus food can be shared for free. Requires a 14+ years Facebook account.
Olio app - a free app to help share surplus food and prevent waste.
Under-18s bus pass for £20
Liberty Bus launched the Avanchi18 bus pass scheme on 21 March 2022.
The new smart cards will allow your child unlimited travel on the bus for the cost of £20 per year. All cards will expire on your child's birthday.
You can find out more about the scheme from Liberty Bus.
Toddler play sessions
Jersey Sport are organising free indoor Toddler Play sessions, suitable for walking toddlers, to those aged 5 years old. Siblings and parents or carers can join in. The sessions are designed to provide fun, active play opportunities for families, encouraging the benefits of moving more through play.
Find out more at Move More Jersey Toddler Play.
School term dates and holidays
Find out more about the school term dates and holidays for 2022 and 2023.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
We'll keep you up to date about school closures, exams and educational provision for critical workers:
Latest coronavirus information from the Government
YES website: information, advice and help for young people under 25