Dear Parents and students,   Update as of 16.23 on Monday 1 June 2020 I hope you and your loved ones are well and you have enjoyed doing some lovely things this past week.  The weather certainly helps.  As the Island slowly moves out of lockdown, all of us are gradually changing our routines and expectations for the near future.  Some of us will be excited and relieved, some of us will be anxious and hesitant and some of us will feel a whole rainbow of emotions in one day.  As one newspaper columnist wrote this weekend, it’s all part of being on this dizzying coronacoaster.   What do we know?

• The Education Minister has announced that from 8 June, schools will start opening for staff and students in Years 6, 10 & 12 for some face to face learning.
• How each school manages this depends on the availability of staff and the capacity of the campus to manage the 2m social distancing.  No two schools will be the same.
• Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will continue to be taught remotely.
• This in effect means we will be running two schools, one campus and one remote, at the same time. The majority of staff will be teaching across both.
• On this Thursday, 4 June, we will publish new timetables for Years 10 & 12, a detailed guidance booklet for all parents, students and staff on the phased return and a video of how our campus has changed will also be shown on JCGtv.
• Many of your questions will be answered in this guidance booklet.  However, to give you a sense of timescale:
• Monday 8 June will be an Induction day for staff only.  Staff will come into College in teams and be guided around the campus and given time to prepare any classroom materials.
• From Tuesday 9 June to Friday 12 June, we will welcome Year 10 only.  Year 12 will continue to be taught remotely.
• On Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June, we will welcome Year 12.  Year 10 will be taking their end of year exams at home during this week.
• Students in College must not expect a normal timetable, nor that their subject teachers or classes will be the same.  No group will exceed 15 students.  Indeed, for Year 10 & 12 students, the next two weeks will be a mixture of learning at College and at home.
• No student is compelled to come into College.  If you prefer your daughter doesn’t come  to College because she has a health condition or that someone in the household is vulnerable, please do email Mrs Silvestri-Fox this week ([email protected])
• End of Year Exam Arrangements: Parents and students have been sent information on the end of year exam arrangements for Lower and Upper school.  Please go through these with your daughters.  Whilst I know our students will want to do their best, please do reassure them that the exams will be diagnostic so we can plan for when they return. The grade in their end of year report will be a culmination of the exam and the standard of work throughout the year.
• Student Business Challenge:  many congratulations to our young entrepreneurs who participated.  https://twitter.com/jcg_careers/status/1266264430465048579?s=21

And finally, as we enter this next phase, please be patient with us.  We have never done this before and we may not get everything right first time.  Safety is our priority.  While the phased reopening is gradual, different and complex, I am looking forward to hearing the College hum again if somewhat muted.   Take care, Carl Howarth Principal