MOVING the opening of Guernsey’s new schools forward is the best Christmas present possible and came completely out of the blue, says St Sampson’s High head teacher Hazel Tetlaw. Education revealed yesterday that pupils will start at the new St Sampson’s High and Le Murier schools in September - more than two terms ahead of schedule.
‘It’s absolutely terrific and it’s the best Christmas present we could have had. The advantages are huge and it’s come as an absolute and pleasurable surprise,’ said Miss Tetlaw.
‘It’s a mark of how much the States values education that this investment has been put in - this is investing in the island’s future.’
‘The original plans stated that we would open in September 2008, but once there was a delay in the project starting it never seemed that was possible,’ she said.
The head believes any concerns about traffic management and safety near the new site at Les Nicolles can be largely resolved well before the opening and work is ongoing on the issues involved.
‘Wherever you build a new school in Guernsey, traffic management is going to be a problem. A lot of work has gone into alleviating some of the problems and you are not going to remove them all entirely,’ she admitted.
‘The priority will always be that the youngsters are kept as safe as possible.’
She is aware that Education, Environment and pedestrian safety campaign group Steps are working together to ensure the best planning decisions are made. One of the biggest beneficiaries of the new opening date will be the youngsters themselves - particularly those currently in Year 6 because the initial plan was that they would be based at St Peter Port School.
It will come as a relief to parents of Year 6 pupils at Capelles, Vale and Amherst schools.
‘But now we will all be together in the new school from September - they will be part of it from the beginning - it’s wonderful news,’ said Miss Tetlaw.
She also believes it is excellent news for Year 10 pupils, who would have otherwise been forced to move into the new school just four weeks before taking their GCSEs, which would have proved disruptive.
‘There are no disadvantages of an early move except we have a lot of extra work to do to prepare for it. Another advantage is that moving during a summer holiday is far easier and there is time for the move to take place.’
Arrangements will be made to ensure the moving time does not encroach on teachers’ and staff holidays.
‘It’s always voluntary how much work people do in their holidays but my colleagues always put in a lot of work during that time,’ stressed Miss Tetlaw.
St Sampson’s has already been preparing for the move. It is believed the possible starting date for the physical move will be next Easter. Pupils learnt about the news at a special school assembly on Wednesday.
‘The students are very excited and the staff are delighted. There is a real buzz around the school,’ she said.
‘We are extremely grateful for the hard work which the main contractor RG Falla and the Education Department have put in to make this possible.’
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