11 February 2015
Les Quennevais students have won an international competition designed to showcase 'extraordinary work' by schools.
The winning projects included a musical instrument made from driftwood and scallop shells, a poem comparing education to a trip to Mars, and an anti-pollution beach geology project.
The winning work, some by Year 7 students who had just started at Les Quennevais, beat competition from schools around the world, including the US and Australia as well as exceptional schools in the UK.
Seven projects were entered by teacher Peter Jones, who is head of Key Stage 3, into a competition organised by the Innovation Unit, an internationally-renowned independent body that works with governments around the world.
Projects which surpassed expectations
The work submitted by Les Quennevais was singled out by a group of judges who are teachers from the world renowned High Tech High in San Diego. Cara Littlefield, their lead teaching coach, said “The work was chosen because of the extraordinary care and attention given to it. It was work that made you say ‘wow, I can’t believe this was done by a student of this age’. It made you question how students can be capable of such work and that the students really surpassed their own expectations and redefined their own limitations, but not only does it do all that, it really goes to the next level of analysing real world issues such as pollution which gives an authentic need for what they are doing.”
Mr Jones said “Our students are constantly creating beautiful work that inspires us all and I am delighted they have got such prodigious recognition. The judges come from one of the most awe-inspiring schools on the planet, so for them to give such positive comments about what we are doing is incredibly rewarding.”
As a result of winning the competition, Les Quennevais receives a free day of training worth several thousand pounds to help plan inspirational learning opportunities. Mr Jones will also be sharing the Les Quennevais students’ exceptional work with head teachers and specialist teachers from across the UK and he will explain the processes that led to the creation of these pieces.
Head teacher Sarah Hague added “I am completely bowled that our students have won this competition. Having the opportunity to work with other great teachers is beyond exciting for our staff and students.”
Director of Education Justin Donovan added “The work by these students was some of the first I saw when I came to the Island and what an impression it made. It’s bright, imaginative and shows we have talented students in our schools and staff who are committed to promoting their achievements in exciting ways.”
gov.je