We launched JCG Table Talks, a regular series of curated workshops, in February 2024. The workshops are designed to address the topics parents have identified as being most important to them, and bring parents together to discuss a variety of topics that will best enable them to support their children to flourish in all aspects of their lives.

Table Talks: building strong bonds, one conversation at a time

At Jersey College for Girls, we believe in the power of shared moments around the table, where parents come together to nurture not only their children but also the strong bonds within our community. 

This forum serves as a space where JCG parents can engage in meaningful conversations, fostering connections that go beyond the everyday challenges of raising adolescents.

If you have any questions about Table Talks, please do not hesitate to contact Simon Milner, Assistant Headteacher: Student Guidance via email [email protected]

Our next meeting will take place on Thursday 14th November from 18:00 to 19:30.

Topic: How can I maintain a strong and open relationship with my child through their adolescence?

The evening will begin with a light meal, to set the tone of relaxed and open conversation between groups of parents. We feel that eating together is an important ingredient in the success of this venture. 

From 1830, there will be fifteen minutes of input (via live video link) from Dr Charlotte Clarke MSc PGDip. Charlotte has spent her career connecting clinical practice to policy development and cultural reform. Her background is rooted in understanding mental health. Her expertise arises from being both a young person who experienced complex trauma and an adult that completed a PhD in Mental Health Science. Throughout her career she has supported adults and young people with a variety of behavioural, cognitive and psychological challenges.

At When the Adults Change, where Charlotte is Clinical Director, she works with schools, MATs and local authorities to make their communities relational. She designs powerful programmes of work that maximise positive outcomes and minimise barriers to adoption. She is passionate about helping us look beyond behaviour and encourages us to think about the longer term physical and mental benefits that occur when the adults change.

Please note that Charlotte is repeating her input from our first workshop in recognition of the very positive feedback we received from the parents who joined us last time.

The format of the event, designed to foster powerful conversations and the strengthening of community bonds, does limit us to 16 places. A small charge of £12 per person will allow us to cover the costs of the event and make the Table Talks initiative a sustainable one. 

In order to secure your place, please book via this link.

 If your child is eligible for financial assistance through Jersey Premium funding or our Bursary programme, the cost of the event can be covered through these funds. Please contact our Financial Assistance Co-ordinator, Nicola McAteer: [email protected]

Our previous workshops have covered topics such as 'How can I maintain a strong and open relationship with my child through their adolescence?' or 'What does cognitive science tell us about how young people learn most effectively?'

Testimonials

"It was a fascinating evening with comfortable open discussion from all involved. Although parents love their children dearly we all run into challenges as they grow and start their journey into adulthood. With young adults pushing boundaries and their parents trying to guide them, situations can, from time to time become difficult, especially when both parents work and the time constraints that brings. The small nuggets of gold received during the evening from both Dr Charlotte Clarke, College staff and other parents will be used in the coming months, hopefully helping to bring calmness & sanity into our home on the occasions when previously it might have become fraught with confrontation."

"It would have been lovely to have had a similar learning opportunity when our older children were younger, as it would have been incredibly helpful for us and by extension hugely beneficial for them."

"I found the discussion very interesting and informative, it was also reassuring to hear that I’m not alone,  and that we all struggle from time to time with our teenagers. I have already started to put into practice some of the strategies that Dr Clarke discussed with us on the night as she reminded us how effective simple strategies can be. I look forward to the next Table Talks discussion when it takes place."

“Great initiative. A fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge on a very important subject from an informative speaker, for parents to engage with staff in a relaxed and informal way and for parents from across different year groups to meet. A lovely feast too.” 

"The evening was relaxed, insightful & enlightening."   

"A big thank you for the opportunity to hear the fascinating presentation from Dr Cooke last week.  It was also a pleasure to be able to take part in the discussion afterwards and share ideas with other parents.  I look forward to more of these workshops and would recommend them to any JCG parent as a way to support their children's learning and development. It underlined the importance of the parental role in preparing our children to best learn and study, which I think is often undervalued - school can only do so much and it is up to us to optimise the conditions and predispositions to be able to access all the learning and opportunities that our lucky girls have on offer at JCG."