Victoria College history

A group of girls from the school visited the German embassy in 1937 to meet Field Marshal Werner von Blomberg, Hitler’s first War Minister and the dictator’s pointed choice of representative at the coronation of King George VI.

Having briefly fled Bexhill during the Munich Crisis in September 1938, the girls returned to a town grimly preparing for war with Germany.

Yet as late as April 1939 the school was still making a special effort to celebrate Hitler’s birthday in Bexhill.

Only minimal damage had been done to the buildings, with the hall windows partially painted black, and by 1943 the school had restored the building to its original state.

British food-parcels arrived early in 1945, relieving some of the hardship suffered by islanders, and eventually on 8 May 1945 the headmaster relayed news of Victory in Europe and all 175 boys were dismissed to join the celebrations.

By 1952, the school was in a state fit to celebrate its centenary, which was marked by a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The Normal School, itself an institution with a long and honourable history, joined Victoria College in 1956 as its Faculty of Education.

In 1961 the College, still in affiliation with U.B.C. awarded its first bachelor's degrees.

The school's 125 year anniversary was commemorated by Jersey Post with an issue of special stamps on 29 September 1977.

The University incorporated the Wellington College of Education as the Faculty of Education on 1 January 2005.