CHILDREN across the Island may have felt somewhat hard done by today as they returned to school for another year.

Despite having had their usual six weeks of summer holidays, in that time the Island has not even experienced one full week of warm summer weather. For Jersey’s three and four year olds – and their parents – today is one of the biggest days of their lives; the first of many thousands of days at school. And it was also a big day for 11-year-olds across the Island, as they embarked on the start of their secondary education. For pupils and staff at Grainville School it was the start of a celebratory year and was also a day of big changes. Phase three of the secondary school’s redevelopment has been completed and, after a number of years in temporary buildings, the school today opened a new reception and administration area, a new communication centre, 12 general classrooms, four computer rooms and new special needs facilities. Acting head teacher Dave Cahill said that the work has taken two years to complete. ‘We’ve taken possession of the new building today,’ he said. ‘We’re having a staggered entry into the building and over the next two weeks it will become fully operational. ‘It’s great timing as we are just about to start celebrations for our 25th anniversary of being on this site.’ Mr Cahill added that everyone is delighted with the work that has been done.