Latest news with #RobWard
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Memorandum signed to extend Portuguese in schools
A new memorandum of understanding has been signed that extends the provision of Portuguese lessons in Jersey schools. Portuguese ambassador to the UK Nuno Brito signed the document on his first official visit to Jersey earlier this month. He signed it on behalf of the Instituto Camões and it extends the lessons for another five years. On a visit to Le Rocquier School with Deputy Rob Ward, the minister for education and lifelong learning, Mr Brito spoke to pupils about the benefits of developing language skills, the States of Jersey said. More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey The ambassador's visit "recognised Jersey's deep-rooted Portuguese heritage and reaffirmed cross-border engagement that seeks to improve the lives of Islanders", the States said. Alongside cultural visits to Jersey Archives, Jersey War Tunnels and Mont Orgueil Castle, Mr Brito also had a community lunch at the Town Hall. "This renewed agreement with Instituto Camões adds strength to our support for Portuguese language education in Jersey," Ward said. "The scheme provides an opportunity for our youth to connect further with Portuguese heritage and culture and I thank the Instituto Camões for their continued role in facilitating it." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Project to celebrate Portuguese impact on Jersey Portuguese Spring Festival 'for everybody' New Portuguese cultural and sports hub opens States of Jersey
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Agreement signed over Portuguese in Jersey schools
A new memorandum of understanding has been signed that extends the provision of Portuguese lessons in Jersey ambassador to the UK Nuno Brito signed the document on his first official visit to Jersey earlier this signed it on behalf of the Instituto Camões and it extends the lessons for another five a visit to Le Rocquier School with Deputy Rob Ward, the minister for education and lifelong learning, Mr Brito spoke to pupils about the benefits of developing language skills, the States of Jersey said. The ambassador's visit "recognised Jersey's deep-rooted Portuguese heritage and reaffirmed cross-border engagement that seeks to improve the lives of Islanders", the States cultural visits to Jersey Archives, Jersey War Tunnels and Mont Orgueil Castle, Mr Brito also had a community lunch at the Town Hall."This renewed agreement with Instituto Camões adds strength to our support for Portuguese language education in Jersey," Ward said. "The scheme provides an opportunity for our youth to connect further with Portuguese heritage and culture and I thank the Instituto Camões for their continued role in facilitating it."
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Mobile phones to be banned in Jersey schools from September
The Government of Jersey will not allow mobile phone use at its schools and colleges from the start of September, parents have been ban would include break and lunch times and would apply to all students up to the end of Key Stage 4, said Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Deputy Rob Ward. In a letter to parents outlining the policies, he said: "Please strongly consider your decision to buy a smartphone or giving an old smartphone to your child."We need to work as a community to educate our young people as to the importance of being safe online." Ward outlined in the letter any breach of school policies where a student actively evaded policy to use a phone would be dealt with according to school behaviour access was discovered of inappropriate sites and content, there would be no hesitation to involve police if it were of a "severe nature", he said devices accessing the internet on the school network would have safe access via safeguarding guidance to parents in the letter included: Ensure there is control over smartphone use and what it is being used for can be accessedIf parents decide to send their child to school with a smartphone, frequently remind them it should be switched off and not carried around schoolIf a smartphone is found in use during the school day, the school is asked to take it from the student and keep it as per policy 'Not one answer' Ward added: "The challenges we face with online safety and appropriate use of future technology will not go away."There is not one answer to solve all of the complications that arise from it."There will be island-wide talks during the week beginning 15 September focused on navigating life online, according to the addition there will be dedicated sessions for parents and guardians, delivered both in person and live streamed on the 16 and 17 September.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Deputies asked to back plans for temporary youth facility
Land earmarked for a new primary school in Jersey could be temporarily used for youth facilities including a skatepark and climbing wall if a proposal is backed by David Warr lodged the proposal for "meanwhile" use of the Gas Place site while plans to use it to build a new primary school are said it was "extraordinary" that due to other sites closing the 5,000 local children would not have a place for indoor activities by the end of about plans to build a school on the site, Deputy Rob Ward, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, said "I think it's just time to get on with it." 'It angers me' In his proposal, Warr highlighted the closure of youth facilities at Fort Regent for three years, Tamba Park, Amaizin Maze and the town Skate Park. "By the end of 2025 there will be absolutely no free in-door provision in St Helier for 5,000 children."It's quite extraordinary and it angers me to think that this is being allowed to happen."An in-door skate facility combined with other activities such as a climbing wall, a tarmac pump track on Gas Place wasteland could be used by skaters, bikers and wheelchairs plus it's on the doorstep of most of the island's secondary schools." 'Waste of resources' Warr said: "The health and wellbeing of our teenage population which is already problematic post COVID, is being compromised... it affects all of us."Not using this brownfield site now whilst further plans are developed is an incredible waste of resources. "We must do all we can to prevent poor health and wellbeing outcomes rather than waiting three years for them to surface. Surely that is a major policy choice."He added: "I believe that it will be possible to raise sufficient funds through a combination of charitable donations, sponsorship and goodwill." Constable Simon Crowcroft has called for the decision to build a school on the site to be reconsidered due to decreasing birth rates and a lack of open spaces in St for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, said the plans for the school would already be in place if it was not for "constant delay". "We've been through the discussions before," he said."The assembly has voted repeatedly to support the school."What we do have to understand is that the new school will be a replacement for what are buildings that we really don't want out children to be educated in, with a lack of space and green space."I think it's just time to get on with it."The earliest date Warr's proposal could be debated is 8 July.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Maintenance grants to open to students studying online
Young people in Jersey who study degrees online will be eligible for the same financial support as students who go to university in person from September, the government has signed an amendment allowing students studying through distance learning to be eligible for maintenance grants and a higher tuition remain means-tested and dependant on household income but students could apply for grants up to £9,138 for living costs and up to £9,535 towards tuition fees. The minister for education and lifelong learning, Deputy Rob Ward, said the changes would allow more young people in Jersey to study in higher education. Maintenance grants were not previously available to distance learners while the maximum tuition grant would increase from £7,400 to £9, distance learners, grants would be adjusted depending on the intensity of their courses. While the grants will only be available for degree courses regulated in the British change followed similar increases to the household income thresholds from the government. 'Level the playing field' "These changes will ensure young people studying for their degrees off-campus are entitled to the same maintenance and tuition grants as their campus-based peers," said Ward."This will level the playing field and further open higher education as a viable path for more young people in Jersey to pursue. He added: This further contributes towards our strategic priority to increase the provision of lifelong learning and skills development."
