School

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In the medieval period the Premonstratensian Order founded a priory at Blanche Lande, near Cherbourg, in the diocese of Coutances. The order established several daughter houses, including a Blanchelande in Northumberland and ‘our’ Blanchelande, in the parish of St Martin, Guernsey.
For centuries the brothers served the island with their prayers, pastoral care and teaching.
After the Reformation Blanchelande became a private estate. However, in 1902 a French order of sisters acquired the site and established a convent. Teaching was an important part of their mission. After the second world war the sisters returned to France but the convent continued in use; a community of Sisters of Mercy moved from Alderney to Guernsey and developed Blanchelande as a school. Under the guidance of Reverend Mother Ethelburga, Reverend Mother Joseph, Sister Mary Stanislaus and Sister Mary Gertrude Blanchelande College flourished for nearly forty years

During the early 1990s the Sisters of Mercy were withdrawn from Guernsey by their order in order to undertake other Catholic work elsewhere in the world. The imminent closure of the school caused great concern. At the beginning of 1992 a group of parents and friends began to raise funds to establish a charitable trust. Lady Loveridge graciously agreed to become the Patron of the College.
The Trust was established ‘to supply to the pupils educational instruction of the highest class, together with physical, moral and religious training; to the effect that the College shall be carried on as an educational charity providing education and teaching in the Roman Catholic faith and complying with requirements of the Roman Catholic Church in respect of such education and training’ (Declaration of the Trust, paragraph 3 (b)).
The late Valerie Renouf gave invaluable help and the States of Guernsey generously granted a lease on premises at Rosaire Avenue. The College opened in 1992 with 41 pupils and much to prove.
For several years Rosaire Avenue offered a welcome home. However, the College outgrew those premises and, happily, a new home was found. On 26 March 1997, in what the Principal described as a ‘providential coincidence’, the Association des Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes offered to lease Les Vauxbelets College to the Trustees of Blanchelande.

Blanchelande Girls’ College moved to Les Vauxbelets at Easter, 1999. The work begun by Charles Harkins, the first Principal of Blanchelande Girls’ College, has been continued under the leadership of his successor Mrs Lesley Le Page. The Parent-Teacher Association has given, and continues to give, invaluable support. Their efforts have helped to furnish the College with necessary extra equipment. The school has already achieved excellent examination standards.

If you are interested in becoming a benefactor, please would you contact Advocate Greenfield, College Trustee, c/o Blanchelande Girls’ College, Les Vauxbelets, Guernsey GY6 8XY