Co-Curricular
ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Elizabeth College is a busy community of learners who enjoy an exceptional variety of arts, drama, music, sport and volunteering at the core of a vast co-curricular programme. Our students develop interests that stay with them for life, as well as learning the skills that will make them stand out in a fast-changing world.
We recognise the value of these activities as an intrinsic part of our students’ development, enabling them to develop and apply interests and aptitudes from and beyond the classroom. From the start of their time at Elizabeth College, we encourage our students to try everything so that they can discover their talents and passions, wherever they may lie.
Beginning right at the start of their time in the Junior School, children are able to enjoy a variety of experiences by joining in the co-curricular activities offered by the staff. As students move up through the school the programme becomes more extensive and students are encouraged to stretch themselves and try new things.
The quality and range of activities enables all students to find their niche as well as making new friends. The variety and number of activities on offer continues to grow and is a significant feature in what makes an Elizabeth College education so special.
CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME
KEY INITIATIVES
ELIZABETHAN AWARDS
The Elizabethan Awards are a new and exciting development in our extra-curricular offering.
Launched in 2019 the initiative has been an unprecedented success, with the first cohort of students achieving their Bronze and Silver levels in Trinity 2020.
The awards are designed to encourage students to take part in our extensive activities offering, and be recognised for their contribution. The awards cover key areas including:
- Physical
- Skills
- Service
- Creative
- Cultural
- Reading
Designed to encompass three levels: Bronze – Year 7; Silver – Year 8; and Gold – Year 9. Each element takes approximately a year to complete. While the awards have the same core strands, each level requires slightly longer commitment. Silver awards ask that you show a level of excellence in at least one strand. The Gold award additionally asks students to set themselves a significant personal challenge to achieve at the start of the award to be agreed with their Head of Year.
It is testament to the success of the new scheme that so many students proudly wear their Elizabethan Award lapel on their blazer.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
The Upper School follows an alternative timetable on Friday afternoons that is designed to allow students to access activities focused on practical and active learning.
Students are more often than not outside of the classroom environment, in different groups and often with a mix of year groups. The new timetable has re-energised our students and is time they, and the staff, really look forward to.
Activities typically include: Photography, Table Top Tribe (Strategy and Role Play games), Futsal, Art Sculptures, Eco-Warriors, Podcasting, Vintage Vinyl, Bellringing, Survival Skills, Chess, Jewellery Making, The History Boys (island exploration and hidden history of Guernsey), Film Club, Ukele, Bass Guitar, Fife and Drum Band, International Culture and Cuisine and Roving Reporters.
The programme for each year group includes:
- Year 7/8: Over 20 different options are available. Students select a choice of five, before being allocated a final three to take part in for the year. Each option block lasts for ten weeks. Plenty of time to get a real taste for something new and see if it something they would like to do more of in the future.
- Year 9: Enjoy a rotation of activities designed to introduce them to some of the options available to them in years 10-13. The rotations can include: CCF (Army, Navy, RAF), First Aid, Navigation DofE, Coding and Outdoor Pursuits.
- Year 10/11: Can opt for CCF Basic/Advanced Course in Army, Navy or RAF, Sports Leadership, or Eco/Conservation skills.
- Year 12/13: CCF Leadership, Sports Leadership, Eco/Conservation skills, DofE assistance for Bronze groups, Elizabethan Award Leaders.
INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY WEEK
Each year the last week of the Trinity term is Investigation and Discovery week. Normal lessons cease and students are given the opportunity in different areas either to learn new skills or improve on skills they already have.
Options are usually College based in the morning and run by College staff – many are creative, musical or mentally challenging in nature. In the afternoon activities are in different locations around the island and are more physically inclined.
Each student is asked to read through the options booklet sent out just after Easter and then to select, in order of preference, four activities from the morning choices and four from the afternoon choices.
An Open Evening is held on the Thursday, where students explain the activities they have been involved in to visiting parents and friends. The Drama and Music groups put on a performance to showcase what they have learnt during the week.
Depending on the year group typical examples of activities include:
- Year 9: Duke of Edinburgh qualifying trips and activities.
- Year 10: CCF annual camps or assist with the sports leadership programme.
- Year 12: Prefect training/ bespoke sixth form programme.
- Year 11/13: CCF cadets may have the option to attend camp as NCOs.
AWARDS AND COLOURS
CCF
The Combined Cadet Force has been a great source of pride to the College since it was founded in 1902. Membership is optional and open to all students in Year 10 and above. After initial training, cadets serve in the Army Signals, RAF or Navy Sections. The CCF offers students a chance to develop leadership skills, engage in a variety of challenging pursuits and enjoy a special sense of team spirit and camaraderie. The CCF forms the official Guard of Honour at many States functions.
All cadets complete field craft and self-reliance exercises and may use these for their DoE Award if they are registered. Students learn to fire the full bore rifles and classify using the small bore rifles in the indoor range. The best shooters attend Bisley in July and other competitions during the year. All cadets can attend Adventure Training, local expeditions (including to Jersey), march and shoot competitions and orienteering in the UK. The most Senior Cadets have the opportunity of exchange trips with Canadian Cadets.
The Royal Navy Section runs activities afloat, including rowing, sailing and power boating using the College’s power boats and the Sail Training Trust facilities. Students should gain RYA Level 2 or higher awards and also get the opportunity to attend sailing competitions in the UK. The Royal Air Force section train for their Part One and Two exams and use the RAF Volunteer Gliding schools and RAF bases in the UK for air experience. Cadets also get the chance to attend RAF central camps where air experience can be gained on powered trainers such as the Bulldog. The Army Section continues with field craft exercises and also complete VHF/UHF radio work.
Cadets are encouraged and supported in gaining DoE Awards, SJA First Aid Awards and RLSS Bronze Medallion.
DofE Awards
Elizabeth College staff are committed to providing students in years 10 to 13 with access to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is a voluntary non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities. It is designed to support the personal and social development of young people, regardless of gender, background or ability. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time. Furthermore, many organisations such as employers and universities value the Award and what it says about the person who has achieved it.
There are three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. For each one, pupils need to complete activities in four different sections, Volunteering, Skills, Physical and Expeditions. The College is currently running the Bronze and Gold schemes. At Gold level, you also take part in a residential project.
Year 9 students start the Bronze award expedition training during Investigation and Discovery week. They can start the other sections on their 14th birthday and the Gold scheme on their 16th birthday. Elizabeth College runs several expeditions a year for Gold participants. On successful completion, students are presented with a badge and certificate and at Gold level are invited to a presentation ceremony at one of the Royal Palaces.