Root & branch

Continuing her series emphasising the ‘arboreal’ qualities of Islanders, Philippa Evans-Bevan interviewed Amelie Le Blancq, Head Girl of the Jersey College for Girls, on the impact of environmental concerns on school life

Amelie Le Blancq is an inspiring sapling: just 18 years old but of third generation Jersey rootstock.

She comes from a family with farming traditions and a maternal line with strong skills and dedication to the nursing and teaching professions

Amelie speaks with great pride and affection about the two Vibert ladies - her mother and grandmother - who have clearly inspired and enriched ideal growing conditions for her.

Caroline, Amelie’s grandmother, was a District Nurse and Amelie’s mother, Sophie, studied and attained a degree in Youth Studies and took up teaching in special educational needs and mental health issues.

Education and Caring are also at the heart of Amelie’s approach to the sustainability initiatives she has facilitated as Head Girl at Jersey College for Girls (JCG). In particular is her enthusiasm and encouragement of JCG Voice, which is one of the numerous ways in which the voices of the students can be clearly heard.

Amelie tells how the students see things with a unique perspective: ‘They have fantastic ideas about how we all can improve our College and the world around us,’ It’s amazing how many significant contributions to the decision-making, development sustainability and direction of the school and wider community are the inspiration of the girls. ‘As Head Girl, I am so proud to have been able to support and encourage our amazing “eco house captains” from the top to the bottom of the school encompassing the prep school,’ explained Amelie. ‘This has been really effective at monitoring how environmentally responsible we are, how we can improve for positive impact and especially reduce waste. Everyone is on board and so we all play a part in improving our whole school sustainability and moving JCG towards a greener future. She continued: ‘At JCG we love recycling and we have a great eco house fashion initiative which revives and creates new fashion from shoes and clothes that would otherwise be thrown away.

‘The ongoing sustainability project by two of our younger students focusing on re-usable masks is of particular merit, and as a college we have transitioned to less and fully recycled and recyclable brochures that use ecoinks. We are constantly re-evaluating how we can be better and do better for the environment.’

“I am very happy that my time as Head Girl has given me the chance to play a role in developing great strides in improving sustainability for the benefit of future pupils and the world we live in

Amelie will soon be leaving Jersey College for Girls where in her early school years she tells me she received wonderful support as she struggled with dyslexia. She has blossomed with the encouragement of kind and professional teachers including Simon Milner, who taught her English, and Natalie Hopkins, who ignited her passion for religious studies. Family, friends and teachers have all helped Amelie grow into a confident and focussed young woman who is leaving an enhanced legacy of sustainable awareness and outcomes at JCG. She has brought the same competitive spirit to issues of sustainability that she has played out on the cricket pitches of Jersey where she represented the Island.

‘Being Head Girl of JCG has been a great honour,’ said Amelie. ‘I have met great friends and many people who have inspired me. I am very happy that my time as Head Girl has given me the chance to play a role in developing great strides in improving sustainability for the benefit of future pupils and the world we live in.’

Amelie is aiming for Exeter University to study for a degree in Philosophy and Theology,

She added: ‘In an ideal world I would love to return to teach at JCG.’ “ The ongoing

sustainability project by two of our younger students focusing on re-usable masks is of particular merit, and as a college we have transitioned to less and fully recycled and recyclable brochures that use eco-inks. We are constantly re-evaluating how we can be better and do better for the environment

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