Two head teachers to change

There will be new head teachers at two States secondary schools in September. Caryl Lewis, the current head of Haute Vallee, is leaving Jersey this summer to become Principal of a new Studio School being set up in Dorset. 

 

Ms Lewis, who came to the Island in 2011 said: ‘This is certainly not something that was planned.  My heart and soul have been in Haute Vallée School and Jersey over the last three years, and I have been so proud of our students’ successes and the way the school has moved forward.

 

‘It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege working with the students, staff, parents and governors in this school.  Even though I know that this is an opportunity that I cannot pass by, it does not make my decision any easier.’

ESC Minister Deputy Patrick Ryan said: ‘Mrs Lewis is a highly regarded head teacher and I am sorry she has decided to leave Jersey. I would like to thank her for her considerable contribution to Haute Vallée school and students during her three years here. I wish her well in her new post in the UK.’

 

Lesley Toms, the head teacher of Hautlieu School for the past 18 years, will be retiring from her post at the end of the summer term.

 

Ms Toms, a former Hautlieu pupil herself, will be leaving at the end of the academic year after 39 years in the teaching profession.

 

She began her career in the UK and returned to Jersey in 1991 to take up the role of Deputy Head at Grainville Secondary School. Ms Toms then became Vice-Principal of Jersey College for Girls before moving to Hautlieu in 1996 as head teacher.

 

Ms Toms said: "I am immensely proud of what Hautlieu students and staff have achieved over many years and feel privileged to have played a role in the education of so many people. Hautlieu’s success is very much a team effort and I have been fortunate to have the support of tremendous staff, Governors and parents, all of whom have helped make this a rewarding job and one that I still enjoy very much. I would like to thank all my colleagues, past and present, for their valuable support."

 

Director of Education Mario Lundy said: "Lesley Toms has been an outstanding head teacher who has made an invaluable contribution to education in Jersey. Not only has she led a highly-regarded and successful school, she has done it with great dedication and an unwavering focus on the best interests of her students. She will be greatly missed both as a valued colleague and an inspirational head teacher. We wish her well in her retirement."

 

Since September 2012 Ms Toms has been the Interim Executive Principal of both Highlands and Hautlieu in order to promote closer collaboration between the two establishments. That role will also come to an end on 31 August 2014.