HAUTLIEU SCHOOL MAGAZINE PLATINUM EDITION: SUMMER 2023

HEADLINES

Welcome to this commemorative” Platinum” edition of the magazine celebrating 70 years of Hautlieu school. This edition also represents a re-launch of our magazine, under the skilled editorship of Lynne Magowan. I am sure you will agree that Ms Magowan has done an excellent of job helping to celebrate the life of the school and the achievements of our students. We are keen to harvest your ideas though, so get in contact if you would like share suggestions on what we should include in the magazine, perhaps even thoughts on the format itself (whilst I am still a paper copy of everything traditionalist, I am, with some kicking and screaming, being dragged into the digital age, so if you think a web based format would work better then do let us know: n.falle@hautlieu.sch.je).

Thinking about Hautlieu’s seventy years I know that our mission moving forward must be to ensure a blend of innovation and preservation. As I write, I am thinking of the innovative Physics department which has been showing me how we can use virtual reality headsets to help deliver the new GCSE Astronomy course from September 2024. I am also thinking though of how our students continually strive to preserve the Hautlieu tradition of critical thinking and wanting to give to the community rather than to only take from it. I have been lucky to spend some time with the amazing Year 11 Student Council this year and watching them communicate their thoughts on social issues and how to make the school better has been truly humbling.

I would like to move these ‘Headlines’ to a close with a warm welcome to our new Year 10 students and families. You are at the start of what will be an exciting adventure for all of us. Students, just think what you can achieve over the next four years if you strive, every day to put the school motto “summa petamus” (aim for the highest) into action.

Finally, a thank you to all students, staff, and parents, past and present, for making Hautlieu the wonderful community that it is. Here’s to the next seventy years!

Nick Falle, Headteacher

Kindly sponsored by ROK LOGO

Hautlieu Magazine Masthead & Credits: Editor in Chief: Nick Falle / Editor, Copy Editor and Picture Editor: Lynne Magowan / Designer and Layout Artist: Branca Goddard at Boom / Production Consultant: Hannah Shellswell at Boom.

With special thanks to: The JEP & Jersey Heritage Archive. ROK, DELOITTE, Debra Woodward, Miriam Gouge, Jez Payne and the Site Team: Martin Toft, Lee Campbell, Mike Mckinlay and Dean Conrad. This edition is dedicated to the memory of Bob Le Sueur.

CONTENTS

2 A BRIEF HISTORY OF HAUTLIEU

A fond look back at the last 70 years of Hautlieu School

8 THERE AND BACK – A HEAD’S JOURNEY

An interview with Hautlian Nick Falle on how he went from student to staff member, and ultimately to Headteacher

11 THE APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE

A look at the school’s continuing academic collaboration with acclaimed neuroscientist Dr Guy Sutton

13 RISING SPORTS STARS

The school sports captains round up their picks of Hautlieu’s sporting stars; “ones to watch” for the future

14 ON THE AIR

A look at Hautlieu’s new venture into broadcasting and how it benefits those who take part, as well as the wider school community

16 EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS

Outlining the first year of a new cultural exchange venture which partners Hautlieu with Oregon International School

20 DEC! – AN ALTERNATIVE LESSON

Hautlieu teacher Simon Forestiero explain the workings of the Design, Engineer, Construct! course, initially run in partnership with the ROK Construction Group

22 BERLIN - KRAKOW CULTURAL VISIT

Extracts from History teacher Kris McAdam’s personal account of this successful international school trip

26 WE WILL NOT FADE AWAY

An account of an extraordinary film premiere at the 73rd Berlin Film Festival

28 MARVELLOUS MARYLENE!

Long-serving MFL teacher Marylene Hopkin reflects on her life and times at the school on the eve of her retirement

30 AYESHA’S AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Hautlieu teacher and former Deputy Head Girl Ayesha Frederick shares her experience of a remarkable teaching placement opportunity in Kenya

34 BRIGHT FUTURES

Showing how Hautlieu students past and present have benefitted from a long-running partnership with the international financial accounting firm here in Jersey

36 BEWITCHED, ENTRANCED, FASCINATED! Celebrating the achievements of the cast and crew involved in an elaborate and engaging musical adaptation of Kenneth Graham’s much-loved story

40 Goodbye MR LE SEUR

Head Teacher Nick Falle pays tribute to a beloved former Hautlieu teacher and Jersey national treasure

A BRIEF HISTORY OF HAUTLIEU SCHOOL

Hautlieu has come a long way since the original Wellington Road site opened its doors to its first 329 male students on 29th September 1952. In that year, the first UK singles chart was released, Anne Frank’s Diary was published in English and the UK gained a new queen - Jersey’s new “Duke.” 2022 was a platinum jubilee year for both Queen Elizabeth and Hautlieu. In what turned out to be a year of both celebration and commemoration, we reflect on life at Hautlieu during its first 70 years.

Originally a boys-only school, Hautlieu’s primary purpose was to provide free education for “able” 11–18-year-old students whose families could not afford to send them to one of Jersey’s fee-paying schools. It shared this broad aim with three other secondary modern schools set up around that time: Les Quennevais, Le Rocquier and Rouge Boullion - Hautlieu’s sister school for girls until the two establishments merged from 1963.

A pre-opening report in the Jersey Evening Post of 25th February 1952 described Hautlieu as, “...an amazingly fine school, which “when completed, will undoubtedly

be far ahead of anything this island has hitherto provided in the educational sphere”.

In 1953, most students hoping to study at Hautlieu were required to pass an 11+ style examination. That said, the school’s first head teacher, Charles Brown, also placed a great deal of emphasis on vocational pursuits to promote a ‘rounded education’; this resulted in the introduction of many extra-curricular activities, such as a debating society, film, art, and chess clubs. There were also many sporting activities that took place on fields behind the school, then owned by St Saviour’s Church and now the site

(Words by Lynne Magowan - adapted from “The First Fifty Years” by David Thorn and Alan Eaton. Images reproduced by kind permission of the Jersey Evening Post Archive).

1956, Queen Elizabeth with Hautlieu Head Boy

of the current building. Most remarkably, the school had its own outdoor swimming pool which hosted island-wide inter-mural competitions.

Academic success soon came to Hautlieu, with O-Level and A-Level results that rivalled those attained by comparative schools in the UK. The resulting need expand the range of subjects offered, led to the beginning of the merger between Hautlieu boys’ school and Rouge Boullion girls’ school in the same year, starting with the Sixth Form.

One female pupil had already been admitted in 1960 to take advantage of Hautlieu’s science facilities, but the full switch to a single co-educational establishment under the Hautlieu name would not be completed until 1966. Indeed, it took until 1972 for the move to a single building to be complete, with teachers and students commuting between the sites on Brighton Road and Wellington Road.

In the interim, Hautlieu’s original building needed to be refurbished and expanded to accommodate the rise in pupil numbers from 350 to 650. Improvements made between 1968 and 1972 included a new dining room, new sixth form and middle school blocks, better facilities for Art, Music, Geography and Science, and perhaps most importantly: girls’ and women’s toilets!

For ten years after the merger, Hautlieu’s girls more than met the school’s tradition of academic achievement by consistently matching and in many cases outperforming the boys in most disciplines.

Hautlieu’s founding Headteacher, Charles Brown, retired and was succeeded by Jack Worrall in 1976. Mr Worrall presided over a period which saw all the remaining founding teachers retire by the mid-1980s. Brian Bullock then took over as Headteacher in 1988 just before the introduction of the new GCSE examinations. As a result of its academic reputation, the school had seen its 16+ numbers rise steadily until, by the early 1990s, almost 400 students occupied buildings that were designed to accommodate 120.

Lesley Toms. a former student, became Hautlieu’s first female head teacher in 1998. Her Headship marked the creation of a new school building that would be big enough to accommodate all who wanted a place. This was especially important at a time of upheaval in the examination structure: namely, the introduction of “Curriculum 2000” which split A level qualifications into an AS/A2 exam series. Shortly after this, construction on the new Oakfield site located behind the original site began in 2001.

(Clockwise from above left) 50s school swimming pool, Charlie Brown - the first headmaster 1950s, Old Folks Party from the 70s, Metalwork class from the 70s and 6th formers outside the front of the old school building in the 80s

This light, airy symbol for the new millennium opened its doors to students for the first time in April 2004. Once complete, the old building, which had served Hautlieu well for half a century, was demolished to make way for the current Oakfield sports centre and playing pitches which have recently been renovated.

The larger building allowed for the return of many vocational and creative subjects to the range offered to students, including

In what was clearly a conscious effort to move away from the elegant but staid architecture of the original 1950s’ building, the architects of the current structure offered a bold, neo-deco design that created the impression of an aeroplane in flight.

those offered under the International Baccalaureate programme.

The 2000s and beyond saw the introduction of the School Prom and large-scale cultural exchange visits by international schools such as Bayi from China and Oregon International School from the USA. But many Hautlieu traditions remained like the (in)famous “Chique (rag) Week,” lavish

whole-school Drama Productions, Sports Day, and the Senior Citizen’s Party. Whilst certain aspects of school life now would perhaps be unrecognisable to those 329 boys who joined the school in 1952, what they would recognise is a thriving community of over 100 staff and 800 independent-minded students who continue to make the school the unique place that it was when it first opened its doors 70 years ago.

SUMMA PETAMUS!

(Anti clockwise from top left) computer club 80s, two chique week images from the 80s, Amnesty International poster campaign from the 80s, King Charles opens the new building,Year 11 Prom, School Production of Aladdin, Cultural Exchange visit to Bayi in China

THERE AND BACK AGAIN. A HEAD’S JOURNEY

Hautlieu’s current Head Teacher, Nick Falle, has been involved with the school community since starting here as a student in 1990. His journey brings the story of Hautlieu itself up to date and beyond.

Tell me about the beginning, what was it like being a sixth former here back in the early ‘90s?

My defining memory of my time here in the sixth form is how shocked I was that the school was really interested in my opinions. This seemed very different to my earlier experiences of education. I was now in a place where students were encouraged to think for themselves and to question the world around them; to be politically aware, socially aware and to debate with teachers, rather than simply being told facts. That’s really when I knew that this was the school for me.

Would you say that you blossomed as a student because of being in that environment?

A good question, because on arrival I didn’t have the confidence to express my opinions or to really connect with the world around me. But what made Hautlieu special was that the relationships with teachers were very nurturing and encouraging. It seemed to me that every single teacher believed that each individual student had the potential to be informed about the world and to ask those difficult questions and we were given the time, space, and encouragement to do that. The cohort was much smaller back then. My year group was probably in the region of around 80 students. This September, we had just over 300 students in year 12.

Were there any teachers that stood out as inspirational?

All my A-level teachers were brilliant, so I was I was very lucky. I was taught by the lovely Robin Dupre and Anne Barbette in Business Studies. I was also taught History by the great Mike Sheldrake and Carol Pratt. Classes in General Studies A-level really stood out for me, taught by the legend that is Cyd Le Bail, who many former Hautlians will remember. He demanded to hear our opinions being a passive passenger in one of his lessons simply wasn’t allowed! We were not only encouraged but told that it was our responsibility to have a view on political issues such as human rights and equality. We weren’t told what to think, but we were told that we needed to think. It was also clear that the teachers were not looking for the “right answer,” they were just looking for an answer.

Getting involved in politics at both a local and national level with organisations like Amnesty International was encouraged. For instance, I remember petitioning and protesting the implementation of the underpass in Saint Helier, because of concerns about the environmental impact. Hautlieu was perhaps ahead

of its time in that there was a strong awareness of green issues. Conservation and environmental concerns were things we were (and still are) all encouraged to look at.

What was day-to-day life at the school like back then?

Only good memories really. I think it was clear at that point that Hautlieu was growing and was going to need a new school soon and it had an incredibly special atmosphere. It had a beautiful library. Another lovely thing we had was a common room – I probably spent too much time in the common room, if I’m honest. It also dawned on me, as I believe is the case now, how calm the school was. It wasn’t boisterous or competitive in a negative way. I remember being aware of how respectful students were towards one another, and that it wasn’t a school where teachers were shouting at students or students were shouting at their peers. It was as calm as I think it is now, and I think for many students, both then and now, this was a big part of the appeal of the school. This is a place where we talk to each other respectfully and strive to be free of negative attitudes or bullying or prejudice.

Why did you decide to train to become a teacher?

I was particularly inspired to take up this career by one of my History teachers, Carol Pratt, who taught me that if you give students confidence, you can really transform their lives that stayed with me. And I continue to be grateful to this day to that teacher. I thought, what an amazing privilege: being able to do a job where you can positively influence someone’s life.

What was it like coming back to Hautlieu to work as a newly qualified teacher?

So, you can imagine me as a fresh-faced 23 year old walking into a school with all my former teachers now being my colleagues, or in some cases, my boss! That took some getting used to. I was a bit nervous, and I remember walking into the staff room for the first time requiring quite an act of courage. But then it all became quite easy because my former teachers were all incredibly supportive of me as a fellow teacher. My first line manager was one of my History teachers, Mike Sheldrake, who still works with us from time to time. I will admit that it did take me about six months to stop calling him “Sir.”

Interviewer, Lynne Magowan. Images courtesy of Hautlieu School.

And then you left Hautlieu for a while?

Well, I stayed for the first two years of my career, and I knew Hautlieu was the place I wanted to be, but I was also very aware that I needed a range of other experiences. So, for a few years I went to the UK and worked in different places to “learn my craft,” before returning in 2005.

When you came back in 2005, what major changes did you notice?

The wonderful building that we’re in. But perhaps its more pertinent to talk about what hadn’t changed: the values and that belief in critical thinking and questioning the world. That is really what I see as part of my mission to this day: to retain those values.

And how does it feel to be the Headteacher?

The job is not about me. The job is always about the students and their families whom you serve, and I’m immensely proud to be in a Jersey education system that offers students and parents choice. And we are privileged to have students who have chosen to come to Hautlieu, so my role is to make sure that this was the right choice and to be a custodian of the values that we think are so important: the calmness, the questioning, the inclusivity.

What are your favourite events in the school calendar that you look forward to every year?

I could talk for a long time on this, but I’ll give you a couple of examples: the Senior Citizens’ Christmas party is very special because that’s about young people contributing to their community doing something special for people in Jersey who may not have a wide range of social opportunities. The fact that the students work really hard in creating a special day for our guests says a lot. Another example has to be GCSE and A-level results days, but not on account of the grades or the statistics achieved, but rather it’s about the smiles on the faces of students for their hard work and their dedication. That’s an incredibly special moment.

Moving forward, what are you excited about? What new initiatives or events are happening next with the school that you can share with us?

The remarkable thing about working in education is that our students keep changing and therefore it’s our responsibility to uphold the Hautlieu ethos, but also to adapt and change. And so, it is exciting to watch our curriculum grow and develop. We’re introducing GCSE Psychology for the first time to complement our popular A-level course. We’re unbelievably excited to be developing a GCSE Astronomy course. We’re also exploring a course in International Citizenship, as well as trialling a course that will allow students to learn using their first language and gain an academic qualification. We are also now more aware than ever of how profoundly important it is to support students and one another in coping with mental health challenges, and over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to be able to increase the size of our specialist student support team.

Finally, even though you are a busy Headteacher, you are still a classroom teacher. Why was it important to retain this role?

Oh, it’s essential. My job title is “Head Teacher.” Teaching in the classroom is the most wonderful experience. But also, I learn probably as much about the whole school from those one-hour sessions with my class each day as I do from anything else. It’s simple really; if you want to know how to improve the school, ask the students. And above everything else, the students never cease to make you laugh and give you an extra jolt of energy for your day.

THE APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE

For the past 15 years, Hautlieu Science Department has hosted masterclass lectures by eminent neuroscientist Dr. Guy Sutton. Head of Science Dan Swanwick explains why “Brain Day” has become such an important part of the school calendar.

(Words and images by Dan Swanwick).

Guy Sutton’s seminars are based on innovative research and are tailored to the learning needs of our students. His mission statement is simple: educate, enrich, and inspire at every level, from layperson to professional. His enthusiasm for neuroscience, cell biology and forensic science is infectious, and his wealth of experience in brain science and medicine have brought joy to many Hautlieu students and teachers over the years.

Dr. Sutton’s primary research interests are the genetics of neural development and brain function, together with the interactive nature of biological, genetic, and behavioural factors in disease processes. Guy has held academic positions at several universities, where he has lectured in neuroscience and genetics to a range of undergraduate and postgraduate students, including medics, biologists, and psychologists. Guy has talked about the theoretical and clinical aspects of his research on television and radio and featured in Beyond the Genome, a 2016 documentary for Reelhouse Productions.

Hautlieu’s relationship with Dr. Sutton started through a speculative email sent to all Jersey secondary schools, asking if we would be interested in a lecture being delivered to our students. We were one of the few schools to respond and were rewarded with an engaging lecture on DNA and disease. The positive student feedback led to Guy returning annually to deliver memorable seminars and

tutorials on forensic science, DNA and genetic disease, and epigenetics, as well as to be part of “Brain Day.”

During “Brain Day,” an annual highlight for our key stage 5 Biologists and Psychologists, students learn about the astounding advances in our understanding of the workings of the human brain and nervous system over the last twenty years. Together with genetics,

“ The job is not about me. The job is always about the students and their families whom you serve ”

neuroscience is currently one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of academic and clinical study. Guy points out that neuroscience is a key component of many degree courses but is an area in which many students experience problems, possibly because of the complex anatomical pathways and terminology that pervade the literature. Guy’s tutorials are designed to clearly present this complex material, addressing challenging theories and issues in neuroscience by employing a variety of stimulating formats. The sessions build from A-level and IB content on neurons through to the complexity of the brain. He then explores topics such as drugs and the brain, genes and brain development, and the working vs. the damaged brain with particular focus on

RISING SPORTS STARS

schizophrenia. The highlight is always the sheep brain dissection, which enables students to visualise brain anatomy and physiology in an interesting way. Each lecture passes so quickly, and it is lovely to see our students so enthusiastic, asking stimulating questions and receiving such interesting answers. The explanations take students’ knowledge to another level and the content is always stimulating and challenges even the most able students.

Primary school students from a range of on-island schools, notably Mont Nicolle, have also been visiting Hautlieu’s science department for over 15 years as part of “Brain Day.” The excitement, wonder and awe seen when these young scientists first enter a school laboratory is a joy to behold. Over the years, our visitors have

enjoyed a wide range of interactive activities, including: handling animals and learning about their adaptations, making honeycomb and chocolate water slides, studying microorganisms, musical flames and designing telephones, investigating friction and air resistance by building parachutes for eggs, and ‘potion science’ based around the Roald Dahl book George’s Marvellous Medicine. These interactive science experiments, led by specialist teachers, have been designed to reinforce and extend the children’s understanding of the natural, chemical, and physical world in fun and memorable ways.

We plan to invite Dr. Guy Sutton to Hautlieu for many years to come, and our next exciting development will be to offer an evening lecture to parents and students. Watch this space!

Our school

sports captains Stephanie Goncalves, Joel McKinlay, Abbie Hayes and Mya Gell present four of Hautlieu’s rising stars.

(Images courtesy of Hautlieu Sports Department).

Netball – Izzy Lofthouse (Year 10)

Over the past year, Izzy has played for Jersey Jets Under 16s, who have been competing in the UK Southwest Regional Division 1. They placed 6th overall this season. Izzy has played a significant role in the squad, travelling to England most weekends to play in at least two games. While playing for Team JETs, she has also been training with her club, Accies, and with Team Bath. After multiple trials, she has now also been selected for the Team Bath Under 15s Long Squad and has had the opportunity to train with the Salisbury Bath ADC Performance Squad, an excellent achievement. She is also a part of the Jersey Performance Academy, playing this year in a county tournament with 8 other county teams. They took 1st place! Izzy is a talented sports person who gives her all in every training session and game that she plays. It is also great to see that she is fully committed to Hautlieu sport, playing for the school netball, hockey, and rounders teams.

Swimming – Megan Hansford (Year 11)

Megan is currently one of the biggestup and-coming talents on the Jersey swimming scene. She dedicates over 8 hours to training each week, both pool and land based. Her recent achievements include being selected for the Pathway of Youth Commonwealth Games, achieving a bronze medal at the English Nationals, and gaining a large number of medals at the Hampshire Championships. More recently, she has been selected to represent Jersey in the Island Games Junior Squad for 2023. Megan’s dedication to training alongside her study and revision in the lead up to her GCSE exams has been inspiring.

Golf – Anabelle Lucas-Villar (Year 12)

Anabelle is one of the best female golfers on the Island. She recently competed in a European golf competition, playing on one of the most challenging courses against some of the best female golfers in Europe, and still performed to exceptional standards. She was also selected to represent the Junior Jersey Inter-Insular Team, which played against Guernsey. She also became Junior Island Champion and beat the Women’s record at Le Moye Golf course, which highlights her exceptional standards of performance this year. Many congratulations, Anabelle! We are looking forward to hearing about your golfing achievements next year.

Football – Miguel Carvalho (Year 13)

Miguel has performed exceptionally well this season, with most of his achievements coming as a player for the Jersey Bulls FC First Team. He began the season with St Pauls, but then took the opportunity to move to the Bulls, where he scored a hat-trick on his debut – his best performance of the season. Miguel has also captained the Jersey Bulls Under-18s Team to a semi-final, which they are yet to play. He is hoping to become the first captain to lift a trophy for the Bulls. For the Jersey Island team, Miguel was selected for the semi-final of the Murrati Vase tournament in Alderney, which was his first ever selection for the Senior Murrati Team. He is now hoping to be selected for the final against Guernsey. To complete his season, Miguel trialled for the Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-18s Squad, and grasped that opportunity by scoring a screamer on his debut. What a brilliant season!

The station was established to provide a platform for students to broadcast live, developing their communication skills and enabling them to express themselves creatively. Hautlieu Radio currently offers more than 20 hours of live original content each school week, drawing upon the input of more than 30 students. Content is also provided by members of staff; by parents broadcasting live programmes with their children who are studying at Hautlieu; and by other interested academic parties, such as the Jersey Institute for Continuing Academic Studies (JICAS), which broadcasts every Thursday.

The weekly schedule can be found on the Hautlieu Radio web page at www.hautlieucreative.co.uk/radio

It starts with the On Time Show, broadcast from 8am to 9am each Monday, and ends with the The Joe Clarke Show from 4pm to 6pm on Fridays. Many of the talk shows, such The Joe Clarke Show are available as podcasts and can be found on the Hautlieu Radio Spotify Channel, on Soundcloud, and on Deezer.

News, updates, ideas and information are exchanged on the Hautlieu Radio Twitter page, and parents, friends, colleagues, and anyone else interested in the station, can send in requests or even talk live.

Since we started broadcasting, we have had thousands of listeners from

all over the world, including: the UK, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, America, Madagascar and Canada. Indeed, one listener – the renowned CBC Montreal reporter and presenter, Kate McKenna, picked up on a show by our own Kate McKenna in Year 13 and the subsequent communication between the two broadcasters with the same name went viral – with 10,000 retweets and 3,000 likes!

Hautlieu Radio was set up, and is and managed by, Dr Michael (Mike) McKinlay and is available to all Hautlieu staff, students and parents. It generally includes a range of talk-plus-music based programming, with the addition of other subject-specific programmes, such as the extremely popular Time Machine (History), Space and Time (Science) and The Psychology Show. The station has become an integral part of the Hautlieu community, providing a voice for students and staff alike – which is one of the ideas that has always underpinned this new creative venture. As Dr McKinlay, explains, “I wanted to take advantage of the opportunities offered by new digital technology to create an accessible space where the school community could use their voice creatively to connect and to

“I wanted to take advantage of the opportunities offered by new digital technology to create an accessible space where the school community could use their voice creatively to connect and to communicate”.

Dr Michael

communicate. Ultimately, we would like to provide a full schedule of programmes that represent the interests, aspirations and ideas that bind us all together.”

Since starting, the station has been recognised and supported by local media organisations, with input coming from Channel 103, BBC Jersey, and the JEP, as well as the Bailiwick. In 2022, just a few months after the station went on air for the first time, Year 13 student Julia Bochenska was nominated for the prestigious Arqiva Technical Excellence in Radio Production Award from the BBC, at its Young Audio Awards, an excellent starting point for young broadcasters, presenters and journalists who are thinking about taking up a career in the creative industries.

Now, after two academic years of broadcasting, Hautlieu Radio is part of the Hautlieu community. It was the cornerstone of our Remembrance Day schedule, providing an all-day broadcast, produced and presented by Esme Deer and Harry Elston from the Time Machine show, featuring a range of staff and students. The station also featured significantly in the visit to the school by Education Minister, Inna Gardiner, who was engaged and

challenged by students in a live on-air interview. She was impressed with the “very professional” approach of its young presenters and the set-up and quality of its production.

Dr McKinlay adds, however, that “we can’t do it without continued contributions from our community.” To that end, Hautlieu students and staff are encouraged to find out more and to get involved. Who knows? You could end up with your own radio show very soon!

If you’d like to get involved in Hautlieu Radio then contact Dr Mckinlay @ m.mckinlay@hautlieu.sch.je

Hautlieu Radio is a school-based community radio station that has been broadcasting daily since its founding early in 2022.

McKinlay

Jula Bochenska

The Head Teacher and Education Minister Inna Gardiner being interviewed by students

EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS

At Hautlieu School, we have always placed immense importance on fostering cultural exchange and personal growth in our students. In line with this goal, we recently launched the Jersey exchange programme in partnership with the Oregon International School (OIS.) This initiative involves Hautlieu students spending four weeks with American host families and attending classes alongside their American peers. In turn, American students have the opportunity to spend the same four weeks at Hautlieu School and experience life in Jersey. The programme has already proven immensely beneficial to our students, who participated in the inaugural year of 2022. Hautlieu Editor Lynne Magowan had the privilege of speaking with Jamie Barton, Assistant Principal at OIS and the founder of the programme, to gain insights into the advantages of such international school exchanges. Images courtesy of Lee Campbell and Kris McKadam.

I started by asking Jamie about her teaching background and to explain to me how she got involved in setting up the Jersey/Oregon exchange opportunity.

“I currently hold the position of associate principal at Oregon International School which is part of the Baker school district here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Prior to this, I spent 20 years teaching high school history.

Over the years, I have also led around 15 or 16 international trips for students. Given my experience and expertise, I was approached by the school to organise the first trip for Oregon International School. Although I work for the institution, I had not planned

to accompany the students. However, the school suggested that I lead the trip and set everything up. I agreed and worked with Hautlieu Assistant Principal Lee Campbell to make all necessary arrangements.

“I’ve previously worked with a different school and have had the opportunity to take students to six out of the seven continents. Our destinations have included Australia, New Zealand, Morocco and Egypt, among others. However, with this experience, we were more selective in choosing sister schools for a more permanent educational exchange.”

To this end, Hautlieu School seemed alike, an excellent fit for us in terms of its size, curriculum, and educational approach.

I then asked how the initial visits had gone for both the American and Jersey students.

“I work with a colleague in Oregon who oversees the inbound programs and ensures that kids from Jersey who are going to Oregon are well taken care of and have a wonderful time. I heard that they recently visited Walmart over the weekend and had a blast. It’s not uncommon for Europeans to be fascinated with Walmart due to its massive size and wide range of products. It’s a unique concept for some, but it’s definitely a one-stop-shop for everything you could possibly need! Joking aside, the students from Jersey had the opportunity to explore an unfamiliar cultural and geographical landscape in this part of the Pacific Northwest. This vast and untamed region is incredibly different from their everyday lives with its towering mountains, and lush forests populated by grizzly bears.

Left to Right: Charlotte Bowers, Oregon International School Chaperone, Mandy Campbell, Head of IB at Hautlieu and Jamie Barton

Hautlieu School’s Jersey Exchange Programme with Oregon International School.

The region is a natural paradise, which also features a rich cultural tapestry of diverse influences from the indigenous tribes that have lived here for centuries to the waves of immigrants who now call it home. The diversity of the region is evident in everything from the cuisine to the music, and the art and literature created here. And yes, your students really took the opportunity to immerse themselves in it when they could.

For our (American) students, the focus was not only on formal education, but also on experiential learning, such as pushing boundaries and exploring Jersey’s amazing coastline. In my opinion, this is where experiential education plays a vital role in shaping confidence. Young people mostly learn by pushing boundaries and exploring. Baker City is a small rural town – a bit like living in Jersey, but instead of being surrounded by sea you’re surrounded by forest and wilderness – so for some of them, getting in the sea proved to be a challenge, and one or two were terrified of getting swept away. However, they soon learned that it is all about trusting yourself and being aware of the surroundings. By staying in safe spots and avoiding riptides, you can enjoy the sea without fear.

We have also observed our students becoming more confident because of going on to visit places in the UK, like London especially, since public transportation is not readily available for kids in our small hometown of Baker City.

As a result, they have had to learn to navigate their way around, which has proven to be an excellent opportunity for growth and learning. This experience has equipped them with valuable life skills that will benefit them moving forward in their lives.

I went on to ask Jamie about the difference between the American and Jersey educational system and how this exchange programme might benefit students studying on them.

When we talk about US high schools, we have two options: IB [International Baccalaureate] or AP[Advanced Placement] and both are equally good for getting university credits. However, Baker High School does not offer IB, but that doesn’t mean AP is any less challenging or rigorous. It’s important to note that “college” and “university” are used interchangeably in this context.

As a part of my job, I have the opportunity to bring in students from all corners of Oregon to study abroad. We are exploring the possibility of collaborating with an International Baccalaureate school or sending IB students. Our aim is to identify a way to involve our AP students who have a stronger inclination towards IB courses in special projects in the future.

For instance, they could work together on a biodiversity project, researching and studying it in both locations. Even if they aren’t there at the same time, they could still collaborate remotely.

There are numerous avenues for growth and development in this regard.

Finally, I asked Jamie what her and her students enduring memory of Jersey would be, and she returned to the concept of the sea.

It has been an exhilarating and enlightening experience for many students who have not had the chance to interact with the sea before. This experience has proven to be an excellent opportunity for personal growth and valuable life skills development. In short, this fulfilling and enriching experience has left a positive impact on everyone involved and we can’t wait to come back!

FORGING A NEW PARTNERSHIP

On April 26th 2022, a signing ceremony took place at the Baker School District 5J’s District Office in Baker City, Oregon, where representatives of the Government of Jersey and Hautlieu School joined representatives of Oregon International School to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that solidifies their sister-school relationship.

In addition to signing the formal MOU, representatives signed a Certificate of Appreciation and Partnership that read, in part:

“This certificate commemorates the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the students and educators of Baker School District 5J and their new sister-school partners at Hautlieu School of St. Saviour, on the Isle of Jersey. The undersigned stand committed to a long-lasting collaboration between our schools; one underpinned by our common commitment to the academic success of all students as they prepare to take leadership roles in an ever-connected global community.”

“This trip has inspired me to pursue a career as an environmental lawyer with a long-term aim of returning to the US to practice in the future to help preserve this beautiful wilderness.”

João Gomes, Year 13

DEC! - AN ALTERNATIVE LESSON

The Design, Engineer, Construct! (DEC!) programme has been developed in partnership with Children, Young People, Education and Skills and Skills Jersey. It is one of several initiatives to introduce more STEMfocused learning activities to the school curriculum.

Island-wide Co-ordinator of DEC! and teacher at Hautlieu School Simon Forestiero explains how the programme works.

“I originally trained as an architect at the Manchester School of Architecture and, after teaching Design & Technology at schools in the UK and Dubai, I feel like I have come full circle having moved to Jersey in 2021 to take on the new challenge of delivering and raising the profile of the DEC! programme on Island”.

“The Rok group of companies has been an fantastic supporter and industry partner of the DEC course.”

Level 2 and 3 qualifications are currently offered at the school, with intermediate Level 2 being a recognised equivalent to GCSE and advanced Level 3 being A-Level standard.

Lessons are based around providing a real-life context for teaching science, technology, engineering and maths (known as STEM subjects) by designing, engineering and (virtually) constructing a building on a real selected site.

Through the DEC! qualification, students will have the opportunity to gain experience both in class and out on site, observing the full range of professional careers now available in the modern built-environment industries.

One of the key elements of the course is that some of the lessons are site-based and others are led by industry leaders with the students’ teachers in class. This gives a great opportunity for students to develop a real understanding of what their future careers may entail; they gain first-hand industry support with their studies and designs, in addition to meeting potential future employers in the process.

Richard De Gruchy, Director of ROK, has regular contact with the students, in the classroom along with the site visits. “He says: DEC!

is a unique pathway, it shows you why you are learning formulas in Maths, why you are doing physics and how you can bring together these subjects to create something that we all need.”

Seeing the incredible progress and outcomes delivered by the young people in both the Level 2 and Level 3 programmes since starting the course here has been overwhelmingly impressive”. Students are facing challenges head-on, and they manage to produce excellent portfolio work of a very high standard”.

This course sets young people up with strong foundations of skills and knowledge in the related industries. In fact, so much so that DEC! has become recognised for its excellence by industry professionals across the Island, who are excited to see this pipeline of young talent enter the built-environment sector, helping to fill the skills gap that exists here in Jersey.

What is the best part of studying DEC!?

It’s definitely the hands-on experience of working with professionals in the built environment; being able to gain information from people who have been doing these jobs for years really helps me and hopefully others to achieve the best from this course. Unlike other courses, it’s all about getting first-hand experience of the job, rather than sitting in a lesson with a textbook for an hour.

Describe a typical lesson

We get an introduction to the unit and section we will be doing, then we learn what it’s all about. After this will be able to work independently to make sure the work is done to the best standard. This higher level of freedom really helps me to go at my own pace and helps me to move forward in my career. We often have industry professionals come in and introduce subjects. This often takes up the whole lesson and really grows our understanding of what we need to do.

How has it affected your career options?

At the start of my A-levels, I didn’t know what I wanted to do after education, but DEC! has shown me the exciting parts of the construction cycle: the architectural, the engineering and the planning elements. It’s designed to cover all of it, to give students a greater view of career options. Studying DEC! has really helped me decide what I want to do and how to achieve it.

What is your ambition for the future?

I am hoping to do an architecture degree course at university. Building on my knowledge from DEC! and extracurricular activities has really helped me decide that it is what I want to do in the future.

Is there anything you would say to someone considering studying DEC!?

If you have a career interest in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Planning or anything related to the construction industry, then studying DEC! is going to really help you achieve those goals.

“Having the chance to go to a live building site and understand the types of roles that are available in the industry has really made a huge difference in the perception of working in construction.”

Richard De Gruchy Director, ROK

Simon Foresterio

Harry Elston is one of Hautlieu’s Year13 students who is currently studying Level 3 DEC! programme. He has applied to Cardiff University to study Architecture this Autumn, after he completes the course.

BERLIN - KRAKOW CULTURAL VISIT

21ST TO 27TH FEBRUARY 2023

This February, after the long period of strict COVID-19 travel restrictions, 39 Hautlieu students of History, Film and Art, from both the A-level and IB programmes, were excited to participate in an international trip to Germany and Poland. Encompassing a packed itinerary in both Berlin and Kraków, the visit proved to be a winning combination of culture, history, and enjoyable activities, which kept participants engaged and entertained during their six-day stay. Excerpts from trip leader and Head of History, Kris McAdam’s diary detail visits to iconic sites in both cities, as well as a range of stimulating educational and cultural experiences.

DAY 1. TUESDAY: JERSEY – LONDON –BERLIN

We began our trip with an early hop to Heathrow, followed by an afternoon flight to the German capital city of Berlin. A short trip from the airport to our hotel afforded students a glimpse of this unique and wonderful place just as the city’s artificial lights were taking over from the setting sun. The evening took us out to the IMAX cinema next to the famous Mercedes Benz arena, currently hosting shows and events from the Berlinale – the Berlin International Film Festival. We saw the latest Marvel film before taking a stroll along the East Side Gallery – a surviving section of the Berlin wall that is now the longest open-air gallery in the world. It’s difficult not to feel the weight of history combined with modernity in this impressive artistic space.

DAY 2. WEDNESDAY: BERLIN

Today began with a walking tour of Berlin, during which our German guides squeezed in numerous sites and tales of the historic city centre. Then the IB Film students visited the Film Museum in the Sony Centre, while others were given a guided tour of the Topography of Terror Museum, before passing by Checkpoint Charlie and on to the Jewish Museum. Free time followed in the trendy and glittering Potsdamer Platz before our return to the hotel. The IB Film students spent the evening at the science centre, Urania, the venue for the first of their two Berlinale screenings. This was topped off with an engaging Q&A session.

DAY 3. THURSDAY: BERLIN

Another action-packed day began with an ascent of Berlin’s famous TV Tower, which rewarded us with stunning views of the city. We then visited the weird and wonderful Bodyworlds museum, engaged in discussions about a sustainable future at the eclectic Futurium, and strolled the length of the educational Berlin Wall Memorial. A visit to the Museum for Communication (incorporating a talk on the power of media), the screening of a series of short films at the Berlinale and some down time in the bustling Alexander Platz completed a fine day.

DAY 4. FRIDAY: BERLIN

Today we braved the bitter chill of Berlin in February to explore the diverse street art scattered across the city. Our German guides explained the fascinating background to the styles and movements whose art works afford the tourist endless opportunities for quirky photographs. More art followed with a guided tour in a more formal setting: the C/O Art Museum, a private exhibition space for photography and visual media. The collection here was themed around tensions in society and future thinking, with works heavily influenced by the American colour photography evangelist, William Eggleston. The gallery is located in Amerika Haus, next to the Zoologischer Garten, where we enjoyed some free time before a group dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe – and then preparations for the overnight trip to Kraków...

DAY 5. SATURDAY: BERLIN – KRAKÓW

The ‘red-eye’ coach from Berlin got us to Kraków by 6.30am. A stark contrast to the German capital, this picturesque Polish city impressed us from the outset. A tour of the old town along with Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral enhanced our aesthetic appreciation, and enabled us to capture endless postcard images of this delightful place. A trip through the Jewish district brought harrowing insights into Kraków’s Second World War history, which were further enhanced by an interactive tour of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (familiar to many from Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film, Schindler’s List). A quick trip for some to Market Square for late afternoon shopping was followed by an early night for all. Sunday promised to be another harrowing day.

DAY 7. MONDAY: KRAKÓW – LONDON

DAY 6. SUNDAY: AUSCHWITZ / KRAKÓW

This morning we took an early bus out to what had been the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps: Auschwitz. The heavy snow seemed fitting, as it set the scene for students and staff to appreciate some of the harsh conditions faced by so many during World War II. Nothing, of course, could stand in for the incomprehensible, heinous atrocities endured by the victims of this place. Staff were proud of Hautlieu students’ respectful observance and meaningful questions and comments to our tour guides. We followed the camp with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which included a 135m descent to a 3.5km maze full of wonders. And this was just the tourist trail; nothing to the 327m depth and 245km route that the miners had to face when the facility was in operation as a mine. Our last full day in Poland concluded with a Polish culture and folklore evening comprising local cuisine, music and dancing. We ate, danced, laughed and added more wonderful memories to our visit to Kraków.

JERSEY

At the end of a packed and tiring, but ultimately fun and fulfilling, week, all that remained was the journey back home to our island – and the promise of a good night’s sleep! This has been an enjoyable, educational and unforgettable trip.

WE WILL NOT FADE AWAY

During their visit to the 73rd Berlin Film Festival, a group International Baccalaureate Film students were thrilled to bump into the cast and director of the documentary, My ne Zgasnemo (We Will Not Fade Away, Alisa Kovalenko, 2023). The impromptu encounter happened at a McDonald’s, where the students were able to chat with the young stars of the film that they had viewed the previous night. At the emotionally charged premiere screening at the science centre, Urania, it had received a rapturous 5-minute standing ovation from the Berlinale audience.

The documentary follows the lives of a community of teenagers living in the troubled Donbas region of Ukraine from early 2019 through to the beginning of the invasion by Russian forces in February 2022. The film highlights the difficulties faced by this generation of teenagers, who, despite challenging circumstances, manage before the war to escape briefly from reality with an expedition to the

Himalayas. For many, the dream of going to university or starting an apprenticeship is shattered when some of them have to flee their homes and seek asylum in Western Europe at the outset of the war. Other cast members – who are of similar ages to our key stage 5 students – are drafted into the Ukrainian defence forces such as the army, police, or fire service. In fact, the post-screening Q&A session included particularly tragic revelation when the young director, Alisa Kovalenko, shared that she had “lost contact” with several of the participants in the wake of the fierce fighting that followed Russia’s occupation of Ukraine. I can think of no better expression of IB’s ideal of “fostering a spirit of internationalism” in practice.

Ultimately, the Hautlieu students found both this chance encounter and the screening to be among of the most memorable moments of their trip to Berlin, with many saying that this highly moving experience will stay with them for a very long time.

Lynne Magowan recalls inspiring encounters between film students and the young stars of the Ukrainian war documentary, My ne Zgasnemo.

MARVELLOUS MARYLENE!

always loved talking to people and teaching my language in a foreign country, couldn’t have been a better job.”

When much-loved MFL assistant Marylene Hopkin announced that she was finally going to retire earlier this year, many of her current colleagues and students were astounded to learn that she had been a fixture at the school for so long. Hautlieu Magazine editor Lynne Magowan talks to the “second-longest” serving member of the languages team about an incredible 5-decade long career.

(Main image by Jamie Cole).

What is your background and what inspired you to get into teaching?

After completing my baccalaureate in France, I decided to train as a primary teacher. But I didn’t do much teaching in the French system as soon after this, I married my husband Anthony who is from Wales, and we moved to Jersey where he got a job as a Maths teacher in the late 70s. It was here that I started teaching part time at a primary school but also part time at Hautlieu in 1982. Eventually I left primary teaching altogether to concentrate on languages teaching-at Secondary School level and I never looked back. I’ve always loved talking to people and teaching my language in a foreign country couldn’t have been a better job, (giggling) because where else are you going to get paid for chatting in your own language?!

When did you first start at Hautlieu and what was the school like back then?

I think it was around 1982 under headteacher Jack Worrall. Since that time, I’ve worked under 3 more headteachers and many different heads of faculty and department heads.

I remember when I first saw the old Hautlieu building and thinking that it was quite stern-looking, to me the architecture looked very British. But as soon as you walked through the door it was very welcoming, everyone was really nice. And I don’t think that its changed that much. Hautlieu still has that very distinctive sense of community and students when they leave are still proud to tell people that they went here.

Which notable pupils have you taught over the years at the school and what were they like as students?

I used to teach the current headteacher Mr Falle, he was really quiet and... Miss Jackson (blushes), err... she was a bit, louder. Three of my keenest students also became teachers , namely Ms Ramsden and Miss Williams who are now in the languages department and Mr McSherry Head of Geography, who has retained his life-long love of language-learning. They all knew me as “Marylene”. I remember once taking a young lad in for a speaking test into a room in the old building and to settle his nerves, I asked him what he wanted to do when he left school. When he solemnly replied “footballer” I nodded and smiled thinking to myself “yeah right!” His name was Graeme Le Saux (shrugs).

What things have changed most about Hautlieu over the years?

Not as much as you might think, the new building felt much nicer to teach in and we used to have a Home Economics department which meant that lunches were excellent. And school trips were fun, there were more of them and there were less restrictions. Going to France is so important for students learning French and I have fond memories of taking students to Paris with my old head of department Ian Jayes.

What things have changed most about teaching French over the years?

The curriculum is very different now with much more focus on learning about French culture itself. So we watch and discuss French Films and investigate aspects of the French political system and its history, all of which I’ve really enjoyed teaching.

The biggest change has been the way that technology is now used routinely in the classroom. When it comes to all things IT, I’m afraid that I’m a bit of a dinosaur! That’s why the brilliant MFL staff and technicians at the school deserve a special mention for really supporting me through those changes.

What will you miss most about Hautlieu and how are you going to fill your days?

The people, all of the people, from the students to my teaching colleagues, to the support staff, the secretaries and the site team. Camaraderie! Everyone is so warm, so welcoming, so special. My time now will be spent travelling with my husband but I’m sure along the way I’ll hear “Hey Marylene!” as I inevitably bump into some of thousands of ex-Hautlians that I’ve taught and worked with over the last 40 years.

Thank you Marylene for your many years of service and dedication to Hautlieu School. We wish you best of luck for the future. Bon Voyage!

“I’ve

(From the left) Graeme Le Saux Emma Williams and Stuart McSherry

AYESHA’S AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Hautlieu teacher Ayesha Frederick gives her account of working in a Kenyan school as part of a unique volunteering opportunity.

(Words and pictures by Ayesha Frederick)

Ijoined Hautlieu as a Teacher of Geography and Film in September 2022. Before that, I had been Deputy Head Girl and a student here from 2011 to 2015. While finishing my A-levels, I was unaware that I would head down the route of teaching five years later; however, what I did know was that I would always aim for adventure and seek to help others.

When I was given the chance of a volunteering teaching partnership between the charity African Adventures and the University of Southampton, I knew I had to grasp the opportunity. With support from Hautlieu School and the Hautlieu Trust, I was able to go on the journey of a lifetime: spending two weeks teaching in, and exploring, Kenya.

I joined a group of trainee and recently qualified teachers, heading north-west of Nairobi to the city of Nakuru. Between us, we would be working at 3 different institutions in the city: Ungana Academy and The Walk Centre primary schools, as well as Mercy Njeri Secondary School – where I would be based with a small team of geographers and scientists. We learned about the curriculum, which is like our own, and the school structure, which is very different to our own. Students have ten 40-minute lessons a day, running from 8am to 4pm, with additional study time before and after school. Our lessons were taught in English, but the students were more than happy to try to teach us some Swahili in return. My favourite phrase became “sawa,” which means “okay,” but is often extended to “sawa sawa,” to mean “all okay” or “no worries”.

The students we worked with at Mercy Njeri were a joy to teach; they were willing to learn, even though our style of teaching was very new to them. They seemed overjoyed to spend time with us, which led to some very emotional “goodbyes” on our last day. I don’t think I have laughed so much in a week teaching as I did with these students – even when we were utterly trounced at volleyball by the student teams.

Being able to teach at Mercy Njeri has not only improved my confidence in my own skills as a teacher but has helped me to realise how much power education can have. Education is the key for these children, and it will help them to move beyond their circumstances. At Mercy Njeri school, The Walk Centre and Ungana Academy these children have support and an education that might otherwise have been unavailable to them. Without their schools and the support of African Adventures these children would not have the opportunity to have an education. Moreover, many of their families cannot afford clothes or food, which is also provided by these institutions.

“Being able to teach at Mercy Njeri has not only improved my confidence in my own skills as a teacher, but has helped me to realise how much power education can have”.

After teaching at Mercy Njeri, we went to The Walk Centre for a day, spending time with the children there and taking the chance to meet some of their families. The children at The Walk Centre and Ungana Academy primary schools live in and around the slums and landfill sites of Nakuru. Here entire families fit into one room or live in tarpaulin houses on rubbish dump sites. Nevertheless, they welcomed us into their homes and communities and greeted us with smiles, love and warmth. We received this openness throughout our time in Kenya, and it helped to remind me that above all else, no matter what you have, life is nothing without kindness.

Our trip ended with a childhood dream come true: a trip to the Maasai Mara –the national game reserve. Finally able to test out my slightly rusty photography skills with a two-day safari, I was blown away by the utter beauty of the landscape and wildlife that Kenya has to offer. We also spent a morning with some of the Maasai people, who greeted us with song and dance, welcomed us into their homes, and showed us a snippet of their way of life.

The work that African Adventures does is incredibly inspiring and gives local children a chance to change their circumstances. We saw first-hand the

amazing work that the charity does in Nakuru and beyond, and our group will be continuing its fundraising efforts now that we have returned. I hope to visit Kenya many more times, but I leave you here with my final lesson:

At The Walk Centre I had two young girls hold each of my hands and not let go. One girl didn’t even speak, she merely smiled and was just happy to hold my hand and give me a hug.

These children have next to nothing, and school and education is their safe

haven. They simply relished the chance to be seen and to spend time with those of us who had travelled so far to meet them. This is the moment in my trip that will stay with me the longest and will be my constant reminder of the value of what we do as educators and learners, and how such small actions can make a world of difference. You can find out more about the work of The Africa Adventures foundation at: www.african-adventures.co.uk

(From the left) Ayesha with students, Meeting The Walk Centre students, Ungana Academy and The Slums and landfill in Nakuru

“One girl didn’t even speak, she merely smiled and was just happy to hold my hand and give me a hug”.

BRIGHT FUTURES

International financial services company

Jordan Stott

Age 25 / Former A-level student / Manager, Audit and Assurance

I started working at Deloitte in 2015 on the BrightStart programme. When the idea to provide soft skills training and to sponsor the IBCP was pitched to me in 2018, I really wanted to get involved and help more Hautlieu students gain the skills and experience they need for employment, rather than to feel university was the only route. We want to highlight the idea that opportunities to work for the largest professional services network in the world, and one of the Big Four accounting firms, are possible right here in Jersey straight from school.

Oliwia Nastaly Age 19 / BrightStart student / Former Hautlieu IBCP student

Former Hautlieu students Jordan Stott and Shelly Abreu, who now lead the DeloitteHautlieu partnership, and BrightStart apprentice Oliwia Nastaly, share their stories. The team at Deloitte have been proud to support Hautlieu students aged 16 to 18 since 2018 with career opportunities, mentoring and soft-skills development masterclasses, all of which are part of their continued commitment to investing in local emerging and future talent.

Hautlieu School is one of Deloitte’s “5 Million Futures” (5MF) partner schools – part of its social impact strategy. This initiative aims to help five million people get to where they want to be through access to education and employment. 5MF is part of Deloitte’s Global WorldClass commitment to empower 100 million people by 2030. Since the start of the partnership, Deliotte has donated 85 laptops and over £8,000 to help Hautlieu students with their studies and become more digitally skilled. In addition to this, the company donated a further £7,000 this academic year 2022-23.

As part of its ongoing partnership with Hautlieu School, Deliotte is pleased to offer students a variety of experience and career development opportunities including:

• International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP). This programme, like the IBDP (diploma programme), is an alternative to A-levels for those aged 16 to 18. It provides students with a mixture of both academic and real-world vocational learning;

• Paid work experience for up to 6 weeks each summer for years 12 and 13;

• The BrightStart Apprenticeship programme, a 4-year fast-track scheme to qualification, for school leavers.

Since 2018, 13 students, have joined Deloitte from Hautlieu. Their time as members of the Hautlieu community positions them perfectly to work in partnership with Deloitte and the school. It also provides a fantastic opportunity for them to give back to schools to support students within the local community.

Shelly Abreu Age 22 / Former IBDP student / Assistant Manager, Audit and Assurance

Deloitte has many years of experience sponsoring and supporting students from Hautlieu School to gain the skills, qualifications, and employment opportunities to succeed in their careers. To find out more about the various opportunities on offer to Hautlieu students at Deloitte reach out to ukjerseyrecruitment@deloitte.co.uk or visit

I joined Deloitte in 2018, after studying the IBDP, and very quickly got involved with the IBCP sponsorship. As part of the programme, we have led several careerrelated sessions such as CV masterclasses, interview skills sessions and more, alongside our paid work experience over the summer. All with the aim of enabling students to become self-confident, skilled, and career-ready learners, while gaining transferable lifelong skills in critical thinking and communication.

I also joined the BrightStart Apprenticeship programme in Audit and Assurance in 2022. This has given me the opportunity to complete an accounting qualification with the option of a BSc in Applied Accounting, while working at the same time for the next 3-4 years. I’m also able to gain experience in the industry, obtain a professional qualification, and travel to Deloitte offices worldwide to broaden my professional network.

To date, this apprenticeship has enabled me to gain 3 more years in the industry ahead of my peers who went to university, and to start a professional qualification that will benefit me for the rest of my career in finance.

I chose the apprenticeship pathway because I originally wanted to go to university to study Economics and Business; however, when I saw the BrightStart Apprenticeship programme at Deloitte I was intrigued. The opportunity to ‘earn as you learn,’ gaining valuable work experience while getting my ACCA qualification and degree was going to allow me to work anywhere within the finance sector. Even though I’ve only been at Deloitte for 8 weeks, I know that I will never regret making this decision. This programme will give you a head start in your career as well as guide you on the right path to success.

I have joined the Wellbeing team where I help others by planning activities to improve colleagues’ mental health. Deloitte has a very inclusive culture; it’s a wonderful place to find global opportunities and work in different countries. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I enjoy the staff socials and it’s great to work for a global company who were recently named #7 on the #WorldsBestWorkplaces Fortune and Great Place to Work 2022 list.

I would strongly recommend anyone interested in a career in the accounting/finance sector to consider this apprenticeship, Deloitte will provide you with an enriching experience.

BEWITCHED, ENTRANCED, FASCINATED!

Hautlieu’s magical take on Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows heralds a triumphant return to school drama productions.

Hautlieu school drama productions resumed this year after a 3-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This production of The Wind in the Willows, adapted by Alan Bennett was staged by a company of 18 students from Years 10 to 12, a further six musicians, and a student production crew of about a dozen.

The audience was taken on a magical journey along the Riverbank and deep into the Wildwood with the help of Mr Toad, Ratty, Badger, Moley, and their friends.

The immersive staging, soundscape, and riverbank floor projections, along with the exquisite display of shadow puppetry, was directed by Head of Drama, Emma O’Prey with Drama teacher Mark Jones heading up the puppetry division.

The set pieces – including a rowing boat, a gypsy caravan, a vintage racing car, a steam train, canal barge and Ratty and Badger’s pop-up-book homes – were beautifully crafted by the Hautlieu site team and painted by the Art department.

The exciting adventure included Toad’s escape from jail to retake Toad Hall from the scheming Weasels, culminating in an impressive food fight and brawl.

We spoke to members of the cast, Amelie, Ella and Maria who said that they “really enjoyed getting to know people better and make new friends”, there was “a strong community feeling” in the production team and that everyone was “really supportive of each other”.

They said they would highly recommend taking part in a school production as it “helps you build confidence and learn new skills” and that they would definitely aim to take part in the next school production.

The show received a euphoric reception from audiences on all three performance nights including a schools’ matinee for local primary children.

“I really enjoyed getting to know people better and make new friends.”

The cast and crew, 18 students

Ratty, Albert, Toad and Mole go camping

Pictures by Mark Jones, Stacey Harvey and Wiktoria Markiewicz (YR 12).

(Top) Nic Nic Rolland calls the tech cues (Right)

Rabbits: Maria Strugariu and Anne-Marie Cann

(From the left) Riverbankers group and Caretaker Jez in a cameo role as the jailer

(Top) Moley (Gracie Meadows) is set upon by Chief Weasel (Karson Cassin) and his gang (ft. Adam Benson)

GOODBYE MR LE SUEUR

In memoriam: Bob Le Sueur October 3rd 1920 to November 5th 2022. In the year which saw Hautlieu School celebrate its 70th anniversary, we sadly said farewell to a beloved ex-teacher and true Jersey “national treasure”.

(Words by Nick Falle. Images reproduced courtesy of the Jersey Evening Post and Hautlieu Photography Department Archive).

Robert (Bob) Le Sueur died last November aged 102. Among his many lifetime achievements, Bob was made an MBE in 2013 for his services to the community and was also decorated by the then Soviet Union for his courage in helping Russian prisoners during the Nazi occupation of the island in World War Two.

Bob initially ran an insurance business in St Helier during the war but went on to teach English and Modern Languages at Hautlieu for many years. He was well known and well loved by several generations of former staff and students alike.

His most recent community-spirited endeavour was a 5,000 steps charity challenge in his garden to raise money to support Ukrainians fleeing the war.

Bob explained that he felt a dreadful sadness and deep empathy for those trying to survive under the miserable conditions experienced during occupation and wanted to do something to help. A final act of human kindness in a remarkable life filled with selfless devotion to the well being of others.

Mr Le Sueur was and continues to be, a perfect role model for Hautlians past present and future. We will miss him very much.

You can read more about the amazing life of Bob Le Sueur in the biography published shortly before his death entitled: “Growing Up Fast: An ordinary man’s extraordinary life in occupied Jersey” available for download on Amazon Kindle.