Planting for "wellbeing field" begins

Sunday 10 March 2024

The planting of hedgerows and trees has begun at what will become a "wellbeing field" for Jersey College for Girls and Jersey College Prep pupils.

This field has been a decade in the works, with plans first drawn up in February 2014.

Islanders living in the area had expressed concerns over the years that fencing off the field to safeguard students would limit public access to a path from the Longueville area to Mont Millais.

The path in question is used by pupils at other schools to walk to school.

The 'change of use' from agricultural field to educational space was eventually approved by the Planning Department last year.

The aim is for the field to be used by the primary and secondary schools for recreation, outdoor learning, informal games and ecological study to benefit students' "wellbeing and mental health".

Students from both schools were involved in planting the hedgerow that will surround the field, together with charity Trees for Life.

Pictured: Pupils tested their green fingers as they planted hundreds of trees in their new field.

Students from Jersey College Prep's Eco Team planted the first tree.

Older prep school students and Year 7 students from JCG were involved in planting a total of 360 trees – including hawthorn, blackthorn, elder, hazel, field maple, holly and wild cherry.

The schools are planning for the fields to be ready after Easter.

Year 6 pupil Sylvie said: “I found the tree planting a really enjoyable experience. 

"It was so nice knowing that the whip I had planted could be part of something bigger."

She added: "Everyone from Jersey Trees for Life were so kind, helpful and understanding.

"The trees will make the field so beautiful and will act as a great home for Jersey's wildlife. 

"I can’t wait for the hawthorns to grow and bloom for many years to come."