Spring Term 2021 SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Diocesan Director of Education Deborah Smith

I have been thinking about community and what does a sense of ‘community and living well’ mean to us. The Bible is very clear, we were made for community. In Genesis chapter 1 we are told of how the first humans communed with God in the garden of Eden. The sense of being together, of sharing our lives with each other and with God is at the center of our very being.

‘The conviction that we are created and sustained by God for living together in families and communities is at the root of our dedication to educating for life together.’ (CEEO, 2016:11)

I wrote the first part of this letter following the government announcement regarding Tier 4 and further restrictions across the UK. Who knew then what the fullness of the first week of term would bring? We had already decided that this newsletter was to fo- cus on community as we recognize how important such a sense of community has been recently and continues to be. My prayers go out for all of you this week and in the weeks ahead. You have already achieved all that has been asked of you and more. We are here to support, advise and most of all listen if you want us to.

I love the idea of sharing our lives together, of ‘living well’ together. This doesn’t mean we will all always agree or that we share all the same views on a myriad of topics but it does mean we are committed to working through difficult times and any differences that become apparent. It does mean we actively support one another, we share, we hold up, we encourage, we draw upon each other when the need arises. To educate for ‘community and living well’ means we acknowledge the importance of being ‘bound together in a covenant that commits us to love God and be good neighbours to all.’ (Ibid)

When asked what was the greatest commandment Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) I have heard amazing ways that our school communities show the love of God in the ways you love each other and Follow us on your neighbours and I want to thank you all for that. It is certainly needed even more than ever at this time. Twitter @DbeManchester As we look towards all that 2021 will bring my prayer is that we each individually and collectively obey Jesus’ commandment to love God and to demonstrate this in the tangible ways we love each other. That each school will continue to be ‘a hospitable community that seeks to embody an ethos of living well together.’ (CEEO, 2016:11) And Office: 0161 8281429 that they are places where children and adults flourish, despite all that is happening in our local area, our diocese and our world. Mobile: 07854 816639

Email: [email protected] Newsletter Highlights

Annual Schools Conference 2021: Information about Peer Support Networks: New 2021 PSN sessions will our 2021 Conference including a ‘save the date’ can be continue via Zoom for both primary and secondary school found on p3. teams, please see p3. Governor Training: All information about new Governor Hellos and goodbyes: Fond farewells and new Training sessions can be found on p11. introductions can be found on p5 and p8.

Putting our faith in Education

1

EVENTUPCOMING UPDATES EVENTS

Thank you to everyone who has joined us online for the annual meetings so far. Zoom has proven to be an accessible meetings alternative and we will continue to use this form for our larger gatherings until it is safe to meet in person.

Cathedral Events Heads and Chairs Y6 Leavers Services Coffee and 2021 Chat We are very excited to announce dates for the 2021 Y6 Leavers’ Services below, with further details to follow. Meetings We anticipate that bookings will open on Monday 01 March.

Thank you for your patience at this time. Please do not Supportive coffee and chat meetings will be taking place ring or email to enquire until we have further in February 2021 for all Heads and Chairs, via Zoom. confirmation. Be reassured that we will be in touch. The Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton, will lead short reflections at each one and both the DOE, Thursday 10 June 2021 Wednesday 16 June 2021 Deborah Smith and newly appointed Deputy Director, Liam Eaglestone will be in attendance. Friday 11 June 2021 Thursday 17 June 2021 The meetings replace the usual Heads and Chairs Monday 14 June 2021 Friday 18 June 2021 meetings which previously took place throughout the Tuesday 15 June 2021 Summer and Autumn terms, in each of the 11 Local Authority areas. These meetings are informal and supportive. All are welcome to attend either meeting, so grab a brew and a Retired Headteachers biscuit. Zoom invitations and links will be sent out a week Thanksgiving Service before by Ayanda Reiss. Dates are as follows; This service was cancelled due to COVID-19. We are happy to announce that a new date is now in place for Monday 01 February 13:30-15:00 2021. Please see below for details. Tuesday 09 February 10:00-11:30 A Thanksgiving Celebration for Retired Heads, with Evensong will now take place on Wednesday 16 June 2021,17:00.

Invitations will be sent out in the Spring Term this year.

NEW Headteacher and Acting Headteacher termly DISCLAIMER induction meetings

All events are subject to change in light As part of Headteacher induction an informal meeting is taking place each term throughout this academic year for of any new updates and advisement any substantive/acting headteachers who are in their first from the government and Church of year of post. This term’s session is on Tuesday 02 March. England. Please register your interest An invitation via email will be sent out with the zoom links by Ayanda Reiss at end of February 2021, a week before in these events so that we can update the event. Reflections will be led by the Rt Revd Mark you accordingly. Davies, Bishop of Middleton.

2

DIOCESAN ANNUAL SCHOOL LEADERS CONFERENCE 2021

Stop Press: Change of date for Diocesan Annual School Leaders Conference. Save the date: Thursday 21 October 2021 Friday 30 April 2021 has now been cancelled. ‘Creation, Climate and Curriculum: In the beginning God created…’

Venue: Lion of Vienna Suite, Whites Hotel, A day to focus on our Bolton personal and collective 08:15 breakfast served, 09:00 conference start responsibilities towards creation and The Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton and the Education Team are stewardship of our looking forward to welcoming Heads, senior leaders, governors and clergy to our environment from a conference, looking forward to net zero carbon by 2030. theological and Bookings will open on Monday 01 March 2021. The cost is £100pp SLA leadership perspective. membership, or £140pp non SLA membership.

This will be our first paperless conference and we will be welcoming speakers based on our theme. There will also be workshops and online interactivity too. Peer Support Networks 2021

After the success of our previous Peer Support Networks in November 2020, which focussed on ‘Growing Faith’ and Dates for this term are as follows; ‘Wellbeing’ for school leaders, we are happy to announce this term’s sessions and dates. Growing Faith - facilitated by Emily Norman, CEFEL and Karen Beal, Diocesan Children’s Officer. During our last set of sessions groups enjoyed lively and interesting discussions as we looked at relevant research Tuesday 02 February, 10:30 and were challenged to think as leaders. Good news stories Tuesday 16 March, 10:30 were shared, challenges talked about and practical ideas exchanged. Tuesday 20 April, 10:30

Hannah Large, Head of School at West Didsbury CE Primary School writes ‘can I just say what a great Wellbeing - facilitated by Emily Norman, CEFEL and session the well-being zoom was on Tuesday. It was Ruth Houston, Educational Consultant. just what I needed to keep me sane...Please pass on my thanks to Emily too who was such an engaging Wednesday 03 February, 14:00 repeated Thursday 04 facilitator...The well-being made me re appreciate February, 10:30 what a great support network we have in the Diocese.” Tuesday 23 March, 14:00 repeated Wednesday 24 March, 10:30 Peer Support Networks aim to meet the needs of specific school communities, with the vision stemming from the Thursday 22 April, 14:00 repeated Friday 23 April, need to develop Called, Connected and Committed 10:30 leaders within both primary and secondary school settings. Please book a place at; Sessions can be accessed by all school leaders at any level, [email protected] from Headteacher to Middle Leader, Clergy to Governor. Even if you weren't able to make the last ones, feel free to join us this term.

3

MEET THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, WITH PETER WRIGHT AND REVD KAREN OWEN

We asked two of our lovely Revd Karen Owen is vicar at St Board of Education Mary’s Ellenbrook and members, Peter Wright and St Andrew’s Boothstown in the Revd Karen Owen, a series Worsley Team Ministry. of questions to help us get What do members of the BOE do? to know them better. They have passion for, interest in and prayerful duty towards the Christian education, values and spiritual Peter Wright is Headteacher at St development of children and young Peter’s CE Primary School, Swinton. His favourite chocolate people in our Diocese. They also support bar is a Marathon, now known as Snickers. Although he is those who are charged with the gift and responsibility of an ‘in person’ person, he does enjoy the amount of petrol providing it. money he is saving through using Zoom. How did you become a member? What do members of the BOE do? I was invited to join when I retired from teaching. We work together with the DBE to support its work and Why have you offered to serve for more than one challenge where we feel the need. The officers have a year? strong grasp of education, many with an education From a personal point of view I enjoy it and value its background, and are passionate about their provision for purpose. Working in full time ministry, it enables me to children and young people. It is very important to have keep abreast of what is happening. In truth, I think it clergy and school representations on the BOE to ensure takes a while to get used to the role and the Board itself, that ideas and strategies put in place meet the needs of our which, might I add, is truly inspirational. pupils. What is the most worthwhile piece of work you have Why have you offered to serve for more than one supported with the BOE? term? That ’s a hard one to answer! They all matter in their own I have seen the very real impact that the BOE’s work has context, time and place, if pushed though I’d probably say on the children and young people of the Manchester the Children Changing Places Project is one we are seeing Diocese and I thought that was something worth continuing unfold so powerfully. It links to all aspects of the Board’s to support. It is important to keep striving to create the work too. best environments for growth, spiritual, moral, social and academic, I firmly believe in this perspective. My dad used What personal quality and work experience has to instil in me something which Bishop Mark Davies also served you well in your role? states which is ‘wherever you go, make a difference’. I was privileged to be a teacher in CE secondary school for many years and I’m now in full time ministry with What is the most worthwhile piece of work you have commitments to one CE primary school and two supported with the BOE? community schools. I have always been keen to champion Most recently, the DBE’s pledge to become carbon neutral. and promote the centrality of the Christian ethos and I am looking forward to working on the steering group for spirituality as being at the heart of our church schools. this cause. Also to be involved in the Y6 Leavers’ Services I know and I see the difference that it makes. is so worthwhile. The impact that these services has on the children is immeasurable, you can see it on their faces and What advice would you give to people who may be hear it in their stories on the mini bus journey home. interested in serving on the BOE? Reflect on why you would want to be involved, put some What personal quality and work experience has prayer around it. The time commitment around it is not served you well in your role? extensive so it’s important to prioritise these meetings. Determination, and I aim to make a difference in what I do. I used to work under a senior member of staff in a Zoom or in person? Why? challenging area of high deprivation. The theory in this Zoom is phenomenal, it enables us to feel close and I place was, ‘get these children through to 3:30pm in a calm haven’t found an issue with it. For meetings it saves on manner and we’ve done our jobs’. This very theory taught huge amounts of fuel and travel expenses. But I do miss me the complete opposite. It taught me that we cannot people contact. justify low expectations because of background and circumstance; this in my eyes is failing our young people. Every single child has the ability to succeed and our The Board of Education meets three times per purpose is to nurture their strengths and support them in year. Meetings will take place in March, June their journeys. and October of 2021. What advice would you give to people who may be interested in serving on the BOE? Please pray for all members of the Board of Do it! It’s a really lovely group of people, from a wide Education as they discern strategy and the range of contexts, all with shared Christian values. We all direction of work for the officers of the board. have a passion for children’s learning and development within CE education. Being on the Board of Education can Pray for wisdom and clarity of thought as they truly make a real difference. seek to serve Church of England schools throughout the Diocese of Manchester.

4

LAHORE-MANCHESTER DIOCESAN LINKS

School to school links will be reviewed again in March 2021 Col Azim Ilyas, Lahore Diocesan Director of Education says, as we hope to move into a situation where Covid19 ‘Greetings in the name of the Lord! By the grace of produces less restrictions in our lives. If your school has our Lord we are well. May I take this opportunity to expressed an interest in linking with Lahore Diocese schools, extend our profound gratitude to the Diocese of Headteachers will be contacted in the early part of 2021 Manchester for the generous support to schools of with details of how links can be progressed. the Lahore Diocesan Board of Education who were Please contact [email protected] for badly effected by the Covid19 pandemic and the more information. lockdowns. These donations were a great blessing In the meantime new year Zoom calls are planned for some for the teachers and we thank your schools and Manchester and Lahore Headteachers to catch up with churches for their generosity, prayers and love, friends old and new. which were a great source of inspiration in our fight against the pandemic. A very big thank you to those who generously donated to the Schools Supporting Schools Appeal, for our In this advent season we are grateful for the love of partnered school links in the Lahore Diocese, during the God on mankind, we have hope that soon the world pandemic. Both the above appeal and the Lahore will overcome the harm caused and some normality Pandemic Harvest Appeal raised almost £16,000. The will return. final amount for the two appeals will be announced in the We wish you a very merry Christmas and a blessed Summer Schools Newsletter. New Year.’

The Lahore Link Group would like to thank all who have Col. Azim contributed and responded so generously to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Lahore, during the pandemic.

If any of our schools, churches or individuals would like a certificate of thanks please contact; [email protected]

A VERY WARM WELCOME TO LIAM AND AYANDA

Welcome to our new Deputy A warm hello to our new Schools Director of Education, Liam Administrator, Ayanda Reiss. Eaglestone Ayanda has journeyed far and wide “I’m really looking forward to working to join our team, venturing all the with the Education Department, way from the reception desk at particularly the opportunity to get to Church House Manchester. You may know my new colleagues and the recognise her friendly face challenges and opportunities that lie welcoming you into Church House. ahead. It is a real privilege to work in “I am looking forward to working closely with colleagues a role that is all about serving and supporting all the and friends in the Education Department. I look forward to amazing ‘front line’ work that occurs in our schools, the challenges ahead and getting the opportunity to work in especially our school leaders who have faced a year like new environments such as schools and churches. never before with such grace and determination. I love the prospect of working with children and young My first full time job was in youth work, and I’ve always people as I enjoy how innovative, creative and fun they are. remained involved in working with children and young Children teach us so much and they also keep me feeling people ever since then. My favourite thing about working youthful. with children and work people is the ways in which they inspire us grown ups, their enthusiasm for life and desire I too am not a great fan of new years resolutions, because I to learn is infectious. can’t stick to them, but I do look forward to a new year in a new role.” I’m not a great fan of new years resolutions , but I will be making a conscious effort to be more active in 2021 and try and make more time for reading too”.

5

CHILDRENS WORK ManchesterCWO Diocese of Manchester From Children’s Officer, Karen Beal Children and Family Resources Creativity in a virtual Younger Leaders world

During the Autumn term, we have produced weekly Collective Worship outlines which included a filmed talk accompanied by the Worship 2 Go resource. These are ordinarily designed to be used in the home, but they have also been used in schools and churches. Thank you for all the positive and helpful feedback so far, I am happy to say that these resources will continue to be distributed throughout the Spring term. Please let me know if you are not on the mailing list to receive these resources by emailing me at; [email protected]

In the wider Diocese, we have continued to support children’s ministry and have witnessed some wonderful examples of creativity as we’ve ventured online in 2020, children’s ministry has not stopped. There have been recordings of junior church, toddler groups and weekly children’s groups. A superb example of this has come from St Mary and St Chad’s, Moston and their Dive In resource with Revd Phil and Michael the puppet. Please visit their On 10 November 2020, Manchester Diocese was Facebook page for more information and to watch the pair in represented by two Primary schools, New Church St action; St Chad’s and St Mary’s Moston. We have also Nicholas and St Peter’s CE, Ashton Under Lyne at the seen great examples of churches staying connected to their first CE National Younger Leader Group for Primary local schools. This has been of particular value to parents, Schools. This is a new initiative from the Archbishop of especially those with children under five. York designed to develop younger leaders, giving them more of a voice in shaping the Church of England’s If you want to stay up to date with resources you can follow future. The pupils involved, Ava and Isabella (pictured me on Facebook and Twitter, Social Media handles are in the above), enjoyed meeting like minded young people and headings box at the top of this page. discussing new ideas. It was quite a challenge to do this over Zoom, but it’s encouraging to hear that they felt

that they needed more time to chat.

Conversations were had about super heroes and what News Highlights they want their churches to ‘look like’ in the future. Welcoming, community, families and care for the environment were all key attributes that they would each Each month the Diocese of Manchester will be like to build on in their own churches. exploring prayer each with a different theme , shaped by a three-folded invitation to Pray, The pupils from the two schools have also had the Act and Be. Opportunities are ahead for all opportunity to meet via Zoom in small groups to chat ages to take part and you will find videos and about how what they have discussed might be shared resources on all of our social media platforms. across the Diocese, with our school and church families.

Everyone is looking forward to the next session and Mrs We enjoyed meeting some of you Thistlethwaite said that the sessions so far have made at our Primary Age Wellbeing her feel ‘warm and fuzzy’, because some of the ideas Webinars. It’s really helpful to shared were ‘just spot on’. have open and honest conversations about what Thank you to Destiny, Jack, Ava and Isabella for willing churches and schools are doing to to be so involved in this fantastic initiative. support wellbeing in this age group. The schools will be tweeting throughout the year, as A massive thank you to Amy Younger Leaders continues. Feel free to follow them Sixsmith for pulling all of this @stpetersashton and @headstnicholas. together, we miss her already.

Christmas Card Competition 2020 We had more entries than ever for our Christmas Card Competition and our winner for 2020 was Emilia Hall from St Peter’s CE School, Ashton Under Lyne. We have some honourable mentions also, to Declan and Ruby from Canon Burrows, also in Ashton Under Lyne.

We can’t wait to see what you all come up with next Christmas.

6

YOUTH WORK SusieMapledoram Diocese of Manchester Youth From Youth Officer, Canon Susie Mapledoram Work Resources It ’s good to talk

Around the beginning of lockdown some of the Northern Diocesan Youth Officers talked about how we could effec- tively resource those working with young people during this time and as a result of those conversations we created a conversation. Well, quite a few to be honest. Every week for the first few months of lockdown we were joined by guests to talk about a whole host of subjects in- cluding Black Lives Matter, online youth work, mental well- being and schools work. These are all still available on the Live Youth Work Conversations Facebook page.

Over the next few months we are reducing the conversations and working on regular reflections for those working with young people which will continue to be available via the Facebook page.

Tampere Youth Camp, Finland Wed 28 July - Wed 4 August 2021

TAMPERE This brilliant camp in the glorious setting of Tampere in Finland, is a great opportunity to explore more of your faith, prepare for confirmation, create new friendships, see some of the countryside and have a huge amount of fun. For more information please contact [email protected]

Diocesan Schools Taizé Pilgrimage Fri 2 July - Sat 10 July 2021 We will be heading to Taizé in the south of France to join the community of TAIZE brothers there for six days. We get into the rhythm of life which includes worship, group work, meeting new people and building new friendships. TAIZE The pilgrimage is for those in Y10 and above. For more information please contact [email protected]

Faith at Home resources Authorised Lay Ministry Training

The Church of England has been busy We are offering a series of training evenings starting mid producing resources for church, home April 2021 for those involved in working with young and school across the year. We have people. This forms the Youth Elective of the Authorised benefitted from these resources in our Lay Ministers Course, but all are welcome to come and secondary schools which have been used take part in any or all of the sessions that will run until in Collective Worship, tutorial reflections and online the end of June. reflections emailed to staff and student. In 2021 there Subjects include; online youth work, developing a team, will continue to be published resources for both primary adolescent development, young people and leadership and secondary schools, these sessions will look at how we and young people and faith development. If you are can flourish together. interested please drop me an email; Check out the web page for more details; [email protected] https://tinyurl.com/ycq8gzlj At the moment these are likely to happen online, but we are hoping to plan some visits to schools and youth groups in the summer.

7

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING Resources

Goodbye Place2Be Return to School: Assembly ideas and group activities for both to Amy primary and secondary schools

Many of you will have Place2Be has put together a series of met Amy Sixsmith, resources focused on community our Mental Wellbeing recovery, to help headteachers and Youth Worker, and school staff start to bring their benefitted from her schools back together following knowledge, training recent challenging times. and support in mental wellbeing in our work with Mentally Healthy Schools children and young people in our schools Returning to School Toolkit and parishes. A collection of useful resources in this toolkit, all focused on making sure We loved having her as part of the Education team for the return to classrooms in the nearly three years but she has now left the Diocese and autumn is a mentally healthy one. begun a new, exciting role as a Education Mental Health Practitioner for the NHS. This is a brilliant role and will mean that Amy will have the opportunity to continue to work in schools with young people. Anna Freud We are so enormously grateful for all she is and has brought to this role, her passion for good training, the 7 Ways to Support Children and right information and good conversation around mental Young People Who are Worried wellbeing, and for her energy, hard work, warmth and Clinicians at the Anna Freud Centre brilliant sense of humour. She is already really missed but have developed seven ways that we she leaves a big legacy and we will continue to ensure consider to be best practice in that we provide all we can in support, information and responding to children and young training in mental wellbeing for our schools and parishes. people’s fears.

Coronavirus Supporting Pupil Training and Mental Health & Wellbeing This guidance aims to help school Resources leaders and their staff, in all phases of education, supporting children and In light of Amy’s departure we are not able to offer any of young people with their mental the MHFA courses (half day, one day and two day) at health and well-being in light of the present, however come beginning of March we will be impact of the coronavirus pandemic. able to offer the two day course, and shortly after that the half day and one day. We will keep you updated with this and publish dates as soon as possible. See Me

We will continue to produce a special mental wellbeing On Edge Pack newsletter for schools on a termly basis with up to date information on training, policy and resources. If you On Edge is a resource pack for don’t receive this already and would like to be put on the teachers and other practitioners mailing list, please do get in touch with us at; working with young people. It is [email protected] comprised of four lesson plans designed to give pupils a rounded view of self-harm and the support available.

Young Minds

Parents Helpline

If you or anyone you know is worried about a child or young person, contact the Parents Helpline for free, confidential advice via the phone, email or webchat.

8

CHILDREN CHANGING PLACES PROJECT

Wow, what a year! News from our Chaplaincy The last time that we all gathered together for worship, Assistants was at our Market Place event, held at Bolton Parish Church, in February. We came together to celebrate the The opportunities that the chaplaincy team for the Love of God and to share ideas and resources for develop- project have had over the past nine months have ing the Christian ethos of our schools. Although so much been incredible. They have worked with schools and has changed in our world since then, we stand firm on the parishes to think outside the box bringing fresh, message of the Bible and our prayer for all our children, creative and reassuring activities to the children young people, and all who serve them, remains the same: and young people of Bolton.

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, Connor, Emma and Libby, have continued to pursue the may have the power, together with all of the Lord’s holy purposes of their role throughout this year by giving people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is pastoral care to both pupil and staff, setting up new youth the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses groups and generally being a warm, friendly and knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all reassuring presence within their schools and parishes the fullness of God” they work in. They have all worked in line with government and school guidelines, keeping everyone Ephesians 3:17-18 involved safe and have been truly servant hearted in their missional work.

They have covered playground duty in rainy Bolton, so that staff can go and enjoy a hot cup of tea and take a few deep breaths.

Emma has been busy setting up a youth group alongside clergy at St Andrew’s Over Hulton. The group went online for a short while so that the group could still meet, laugh and have fun.

They have each committed themselves and their time to working for the happiness and care of others. What a perfect picture of God at work in these places.

Primary School News Wiggle on tour!

Whilst toddler groups have paused in their physicality, Steph and other team members have been taking Wiggle and friends out and about to visit our schools.

Along with the help of supportive team mates and school staff, Steph has been able to bring Wiggle and some of his Jo and Alison our Deanery Children and Family Workers friends into school for bubble Wiggle Worship. The have also worked tirelessly to help schools bring a bit of children have absolutely loved this time together, the normality back. They've been supporting with Wiggle stories and the fun, with teachers and schools staff joining Worship, creating videos and resources for online in where they can. Collective Worship, and have found new ways to engage in faith based activities, including using the playground Steph has complied with all safety guidance and has let her heart lead her to lifting other hearts up. space. They have brought joy to class bubbles and are building Wiggle has also crept onto our TV screens and can now be deep relationships with both staff and clergy during this enjoyed from the sofa. time of much needed support.

In the midst of the chaos they've helped school staff to bring a sense of calm and are so thankful for all that they do and all that all people working in schools to support our children and young people do.

9

GOD AND THE BIG BANG

Online CPD Courses: Secondary RE Teachers and Leaders(£60)

The God and the Big Bang team have put together a series KS4: First Cause Argument and The Big Bang Theory of one hour CPD courses, which are delivered using Zoom. They are interactive, informative and equip teachers in KS4: Evolution, Creation and Genesis tackling tricky areas of the curriculum where science and We are more than happy to look at dates convenient for faith collide. you. All courses include a resource pack to aid learning; Please contact:; [email protected] Primary Teachers (£50)

Lower KS2: Rocks and Fossils - what is there to learn INSET Sessions about God? God and the Big Bang are offering INSET sessions for Monday 18 Jan, 11:00 and Monday 22 Feb, 14:00 primary schools, on either a half or full day basis. Tailored to meet the needs of your staff and designed with your Upper KS2: Evolution and Genesis - Sources of school in mind, our INSET courses encourage whole school knowledge for Creation communities to think about how to engage with questions of science and faith. The sessions are interactive, giving Monday 18 Jan, 16:00 and Tuesday 23 Feb, 14:00 staff the opportunity to share their experiences, concerns Upper KS2: Planets and Purpose - what is there to and ideas about tackling big questions in the classroom. discover about God in the Solar System? Our courses can be delivered both on Zoom or in person. Monday 25 Jan, 16:00 and Monday 2 Mar, 14:00 Workshop Days

Senior Leadership: Headteachers as Christian GATBB also run interactive workshop days with students in leaders in the areas of science and faith Years 5-13 providing the opportunity to discover, Tuesday 19 Jan, 16:00 and Tuesday 3 Mar, 16:00 discuss and debate the compatibility of science and faith. We are now taking bookings for Spring/Summer 2021. Please contact; [email protected] The workshops have been risk assessed to be fully COVID-19 secure and can be made flexible to meet each school’s needs.

RE SPRING TERM UPDATE

‘We will continue to do our bit for as long as Holocaust Memorial Day we can, secure in the knowledge that others will continue to light a candle long after us.’ 27 January 2021 Gena Turgel, survivor of the Holocaust Gena Turgel, survivor of the Holocaust (1923-2018) Genevieve Carnell, member of the outreach team for Holocaust Memorial Day Trust writes: ‘Holocaust Memorial You can contact Genevieve directly at; Day 2021 is likely to be very different to previous years due [email protected] to the impact of Covid-19. This year’s theme is ‘Be the light in the darkness’ - a particularly poignant one given the impact of Covid-19. Although communities across the UK RE Hubs are, the need to mark HMD locally has never been greater, with recent months seeing a rise in identity-based hostility RE Hubs will be taking place this term, you can as well as conspiracy theories. The Holocaust Memorial Day access RE Hub leader addresses on p17 of this Trust have produced free to download HMD Togeth- newsletter. er resources created for HMD 2021 are designed to be held in person, virtually, or blended activities to give schools maximum flexibility. HMDT also continues to provide our usual range of free to RE Advisors download resources on our website, such as the HMD prayer, assembly script and presentation, lesson plans Primary RE Advisor Maureen Hogarth; and activities for different subject areas, tutor time [email protected] activities and life stories of people who experienced the Holocaust or genocide. All resources are designed to be Secondary RE Advisor Rachel Braithwaite; accessible for all ability groups, and we have SEN specific [email protected] resources too. Please do watch our impact film, of five HMD activities from last year to see what the schools in your diocese could be part of.’

10

GOVERNANCE UPDATE

Recovery Conversations Training Opportunities The National Diocesan Governor Group are advising Chairs of Governors to have a specific ‘recovery conversation’ about Covid19 with Headteachers. Leadership wellbeing is Church School Governance vital at this time of pandemic. Chairs might enquire about support Headteachers might be receiving in the form of: Conference 2021 • Peer to Peer Network support – is your Our inaugural Diocesan Governors conference is to take place in the Summer term. Headteacher aware of these groups? • Individual phone calls received offering support Date: Wed 30 June 2021 • Designated well-being time? Venue: Church House, Manchester • The wellbeing of staff and Governors may Time: 09:30-13:00 benefit from the Introduction to Christian Meditation by Chris Wittington; Bookings can be made at; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htrvo4dTrK0 [email protected]

Places are limited so please book early. The cost is £30pp if in SLA, £50pp if not in SLA. Please discuss payment with Thinking Governance Express your school before booking a place. The conference will include a reflection by the Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of TGE is specially adapted for the Covid19 context schools are Middleton, a Keynote speaker and a choice of workshops for facing. The programme contains two modules to take the governors to attend. governing body quickly from developing a new, strategic plan for the school, through to development and delivery of a radically different plan. Training for New and http://thinkinggovernance.org/thinking-governance-express Aspiring Chairs of Governors in Church Schools Recruiting for greater diversity for your school’s Governing Body Date: Tues 2 Feb 2021 Venue: Via Zoom The National Black Governors Network can help. Contact Sharon Warrington for advice. Time: 18:00-20:00 https://www.nbgn.co.uk/ If you are interested please contact; [email protected]

SIAMS Training for National School Governance Governors Step up for more effective clerking . Our DfE funded professional development programme offers specialist Date: Tues 19 Jan 2021 knowledge and skills development for high-quality Venue: Via Zoom clerking. Time: 18:00-20:00 Sign up; https://www.nga.org.uk/Home.aspx The session will give an overview of the 2018 SIAMS schedule as well as discuss the governors’ role in preparing for and contributing to a successful inspection. It is available for all governors to attend but in particular ALL SIAMS/OFSTED Foundation (Diocesan/PCC appointed) should attend. UPDATE SIAMS Training for Schools Date: Tues 26 Jan 2021 ‘Following the announcement by the government on 3 December 2020 that Ofsted graded inspections will remain Venue: Via Zoom suspended until the summer term we can confirm that Time: 16:00 SIAMS Inspections will not resume until summer term of 2021 at the earliest. We will be working with the Bookings for both SIAMS events can be made at; Department for Education and the other section 48 [email protected] providers to consider the most effective and supportive way of resuming SIAMS inspection.’

(Derek Holloway, National CE School Character and SIAMS Development Manager)

11

DIOCESAN MISSION COMMUNITIES UPDATE

In October 2020, the Diocese of Manchester published How will this impact schools? a briefing document on the proposals for Mission We expect all parish churches to maintain their Communities. The document explores the opportunity for relationship with their schools, so this should not affect any groups of parishes within the new deanery structure ongoing work or future planning. (from 1 June 2021, Manchester Diocese will be moving from 20 to 7 deaneries) to come together to form Mission There will also be no enforced change to the governor election Communities to support each other in achieving our vision process or admissions arrangements of the school. for the Diocese of Manchester, which is be ‘a worshipping, growing and transforming Christian presence at the heart What opportunities could there be for schools? of every community. The document shares our inspiring With churches working together and sharing skills, there will vision for the future of local ministry and you are warmly be opportunities for schools to deepen their relationship with invited to imagine what this proposal could look like in your their local church with new, engaging activities. communities as well as for your schools. At the beginning of 2021, there will be an opportunity for The document proposes that each of these Mission head teachers to explore the proposals and give feedback to Communities will be led by an ordained minister who will the Diocese. Here you will be invited to discuss the following work with a diverse team of other stipendiary and focal questions: leaders, lay leaders, readers and self-supporting ordained ministers from across the Mission Community; coming • What inspires you about the proposed vision for together from a variety of expressions and traditions of Mission Communities set out in this document? church to support one another – be it by sharing models of ministry, administrative responsibility, and other resources. • Do you have any concerns about the key All will be accountable to each other, as well as their local principles set out on pages 12-13 for Mission congregations, and will work together to encourage and Communities, and if so, what are they? support our church members in deepening and sharing • Thinking about what this would mean for your their faith. community/school, what do you see as the opportunities and challenges of the proposed approach?

We want these proposals to be widely discussed and debated over the coming months so that a broad spectrum of people from across the diocese are involved in shaping our vision, and supported in engaging enthusiastically with what this will mean for their church communities. If you wish to respond more immediately, you are welcome to email us at [email protected]. All feedback will be reviewed and collated for Bishop’s Council in May 2021.

12

BUILDINGS UPDATE

Total Property Management

DBE Services Total Property Management 4 Schools Services began 21 years ago to provide schools, and now academies, with a first class one stop service for all their compliance, servicing, reactive maintenance and capital needs.

It was founded on three principles which are at its heart today.

Uniqueness: To acknowledge whilst schools have many similarities every school is unique and to develop a bespoke service for that school. For too long schools had been made to jump through hoops just so that everybody was the same.

Flexibility: To ask the question “why are we doing something, and do we really need to do it” coupled with “why can’t we use local contractors who we know and like”? With TPM you discuss what you need to do, what you might want to do, and what you really don’t need to waste money on. Whilst they have a list of contactors that can do anything a school/academy may ever want if you want to use a local contractor not only can you use them, TPM will check them out and tell you how they compare on price and service to similar contactors.

Transparency: It is totally transparent. You know the cost of everything down to the last penny and there are no mark-ups or add-ons for reactive or planned work - what the contractor charges is what you pay.

From its small beginnings it now looks after 350 schools/academies across the north of England of which 45 are in this Diocese. It is available to all schools/academies not just Church of England schools.

Schools and academies use it because it is first class service, which will save you money and give you people who you can talk to any time about anything related to your school or academy. It is so focussed on service it does not have any contractual notice period if they fail to deliver and you are unhappy, you can leave anytime – needless say with an offer like that they make sure the service is so good people don’t leave. Some schools have been with the service for 20 years.

There is also an added bonus, if DBE Services make a surplus from working with schools in the diocese it comes back to the Diocesan Board of Education for us to use to support you.

You have nothing to lose to find out if they can save money and get a more cost effective service than you receive from your present provider. Just contact Peter or Nicole on 01254 958850 or email [email protected] You can read more www.tpm4.com

‘TPM take the hard work out of property management! They offer a high quality, efficient and wide range of services including the management and organisation of regular and legislative servicing and reactive maintenance at a highly competitive rate. They are always exceptionally quick to respond to requests for reactive maintenance work and their staff are knowledgeable, helpful and extremely friendly. I would find it difficult to believe that there is a better total property management service available and would wholeheartedly recommend them without reservation.’

Diane Compton, Business Manager at St Margaret’s CE Primary School, Hollinwood, Oldham

Management of the School Estate (buildings and land) is undertaken as part of DBE’s commitment to schools. VA schools can bid annually for capital funding from the Schools Condition Allowance. This needs to be done in consultation with each school’s assigned Buildings Consultant and in line with the school Condition Survey identified needs. MDBE sets the following priorities when deciding on successful projects;

• Schools must be safe

• Schools must be dry

• Schools must be warm Governing Boards are required to fund 10% of any capital works so MUST ensure such funding is available prior to submission of any bids. For advice regarding school estate management please contact: Liam Eaglestone, Deputy Director of Education [email protected] 07384254262 OR Leona Brooks, Buildings Administrator [email protected] 07436139530.

13

STORIES FROM OUR SCHOOLS

MILNROW PARISH, DRESSING UP, SHOE BOXES AND POPPIES CARE FOR CREATION AT ST MICHAEL’S CE IN BOLTON

The pupils and staff of Milnrow Parish have been super busy The ongoing COVID 19 pandemic has given pupils and staff this Autumn term. The School time to reflect on and respond to looking after God’s Council made the decision to creation. It has been a great time of healing for the Earth’s raise money for Children In natural environments and St Michael’s have really Need by having a ‘Wacky Investigated what they can be doing to sustain and Clothes Day’. Everybody in the maintain our wonderful creation. Both church and school school had to get creative and have worked on this important issue. dress up in something weird or wonderful. Everyone made a great effort and some special Pudsey biscuits were made for At the start of 2020 a School Earth Group was formed by a the school to enjoy. In total the school raised £532 for the group of children who were eager to learn about, appreciate charity. and care for God’s wonderful world. A successful grant application to Bolton Green Umbrella enabled the group to The School Ethos Council organised the Operation Christ- buy garden items, tools and plants and work soon got mas Child Shoebox Appeal in December 2020 where a total underway to create a floral display at the front of school. of 50 boxes of treats and toys were donated. Such a special The Earth Group have sadly not met since March 2020 but opportunity to give to children who are less fortunate and this hasn’t stopped the seeds growing and work to promote for the children of Milnrow Parish to put their own personal care for the world has continued. touches on the boxes. The Earth Group helped Bolton Conservation Trust to clear debris and rubbish from our school wildlife pond. The children have spent more time outdoors and have used both the school and church grounds to learn more about nature. Dens were built and twigs were collected, what a joyful and enthusiastic experience for all involved.

Finally the school remembered all lost in war and conflict on It is encouraging to see more and more of our pupils November 11 2020. The class made a wreath and a minutes becoming trailblazers in the cause for helping our planet in silence also took place. its fight for survival. What an exciting future God’s world has if our children and young people are in charge of its maintenance. ARMISTICE DAY AT ASHTON PAROCHIAL CE SCHOOL

Ashton Parochial CE Primary School took part in Armistice Day by walking over to the local war memorial to lay the Parochial wreath and poppies.

Children in Y5 and Y1 drew the memorial and Y3 and Y1 We love to hear your stories, news and had a special visit from our updates so please continue to email Laura well known caretaker Mr Tebay at the Education Department; Dundavan. He is a war veteran and gathered the [email protected] children round to talk about Each termly newsletter has a dedicated theme, his experiences. this newsletters theme is ’community’. We hope you enjoy reading various stories about how schools have worked together in their communities. How they have cared for creation, donated to local food banks and remembered the fallen on Remembrance Day. Our Summer term theme for the newsletter will focus on showcasing wisdom, knowledge and skills, more information on the p19.

14

A LOCKDOWN SECONDARY POSADA STORY SCHOOLS

After two weeks of isolation in Nazareth, a COVID test each Simon Braithwaite, Headteacher at Bury Church CE High in Jerusalem and a quick reminder of the rules just outside School, sent in some news about how the pupils and staff Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph began their alternative have responded remarkably to the return to school, after journey to Ashton Under Lyne. There they celebrated what was a very strange Summer. Simon reflected on the Advent and the run up to Christmas with some of the bible verse, Romans 12:12 which simply says, teachers from Ashton Parochial CE Primary School. Let’s “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be take a look at what they got up to. constant in prayer.” To reassure everybody, Mary and Joseph isolated for 48 He wrote that the return to school in September 2020 gave hours in each house before moving onto the next. him tremendous hope because everyone was able to gather as a community once more. His hope was founded on the certainty that the school can continue to excel despite the Self care after the long journey with ever changing situation caused by COVID 19. Mrs Sells at her Pamper Party. He is proud of the student body and their resilience. The Senior Student Body wrote to the local Bury MP to ask for some clarity around fairness in examinations and their determined voices were heard and responded to. They got the opportunity to meet with the MP to discuss this issue further and asked such probing and skilful questions. They were reassured that their education was in good hands.

The school also continued their work supporting the local communities during the Harvest period. Donations were given to Urban Outreach and the schools Head Girl and Boy, plus senior prefects helped to load the van. This school as well as other schools in the Manchester Diocese help to provide for local, vulnerable families.

Christmas Carols on Tameside Radio with Ms Finlay.

By the Y5 alter.

Mrs Murray’s Birthday tea.

Gift wrapping and making friends

15

Global Neighbours Bronze Award for Hey Accreditation Scheme with Zion

So many of our schools are already involved in this From caring for the environment and collecting litter in fantastic initiative, but for those of you who aren’t the area around the school, to donating food for local and are considering it, please read the following people, pupils and staff at Hey with Zion CE Primary information. School have been working hard to take their places as global citizens. The Global Neighbours Accreditation Scheme is verified with the Church of England Education Office and consists The school received their Bronze Award status in Christian of three levels, bronze, silver and gold. Aid’s Global Neighbours Scheme in 2020 and what a year to achieve it. To achieve accreditation, schools will demonstrate the fulfilment of the following criteria; Eve Baxendale who is the Global Neighbours lead in the school said this, “ We are thrilled to be recognised for the • school leadership work we’ve done as a whole school community to help raise awareness of the extreme inequalities across our • teaching and learning globe and perhaps more importantly the steps we can take to address these. The pupils learn about global • collective worship and spiritual development issues regularly and are passionate about the wider environment as well as their own, they encourage us to • Pupil participation in active global citizenship recycle and reduce our output of single use plastics. Our Early Years have grown a wild garden which has • Community engagement attracted bees and other pollinators throughout the year.

Schools benefit from the Global Neighbours Scheme We are developing a link with a school in Gambia to help because it provides a framework that enables thought and further the understanding of how both schools of pupils action around global citizenship in an educational setting. live in their parts of the world. There are ideas for curriculum and collective worship and activities that allow you to weave global perspectives into Pupils have also been learning about adversity and the your individual curriculum provision. hardships that people face on a daily basis. This has impacted them greatly, so much so that they have written The scheme’s aim is to increase pupil’s understanding of to our local MP, raising issues that concern them such as the root causes of poverty and injustice and makes way the lack of amenities for children and isolation issues for pupils to become agents of change, empowered by the surrounding our elderly, with particular interest in the cause they are fighting for. effect the closure of local post offices has had on them.” It also seeks to advance the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils and strengthen the Caroline Weir, Education Coordinator at Christian Aid said, ‘promotion of fundamental British values’. It provokes “ It is wonderful to see how pupils and staff at Hey with critical thinking and helps to build links with the local Zion have taken this to heart and are seeking to tackle community. injustice.” The scheme is distinctively Christian, however it seeks to Well done Hey with Zion! increase knowledge and understanding of how people of all faiths and no faiths at all want to change the world to one where all can live freely and without poverty.

In addition it will help schools fulfil the Church of England vision for education that is ‘deeply Christian, serving the common good.’ It also supports some of the SIAMS requirements for character development.

You can either visit the Christian Aid: Global Neighbours website by clicking on this link: https://tinyurl.com/y4ldxq7h

Alternatively you can get in touch with Maureen Hogarth, our Primary Schools RE Advisor for more information; [email protected]

16

RE HUB LEADER CONTACT DETAILS

BOLTON SALFORD & TRAFFORD Hub Leader: Matthew Harding Hub Leader: David Burns St Peter’s, Smithills Dean, BL1 6LA St Luke’s, Weaste, M5 5JH [email protected],uk [email protected]

STOCKPORT BURY & BLACKBURN & DARWEN Hub Leader: Annette Pigott Hub Leader: Claire Clark St Thomas’, Heaton Chapel, SK4 4QG St Mary’s, Hawkshaw BL8 4JL [email protected] [email protected]

TAMESIDE LANCASHIRE Hub Leader: Frankie Thompson Hub Leader: Rebekah Fielding Canon Burrows, Ashton-u-Lyne, OL7 9ND St Paul’s, Rawtenstall, BB4 8HT [email protected] [email protected]

WIGAN MANCHESTER There is a vacancy for a Hub Leader for the Wigan Hub. If you are interested in leading this vibrant Hub Leader: Maureen Hogarth group of RE Leaders, please email Maureen Hogarth at: [email protected] [email protected]

OLDHAM Hub Leader: Sue Callaghan Christ Church, Denshaw, OL3 5RY [email protected]

Hub Leader: Mary Butt, Groundbreakers [email protected]

ROCHDALE Hub Leader: Melanie Barratt St Michael’s, Bamford, OL10 4BB [email protected]

Hub Leader: Joanne Brown St Mary’s, Balderstone, OL11 2HB [email protected]

17

YOUNG LEADERS AWARD

In what has been and continues to be a challenging time for all, we have been asking ourselves, how can we help young people to have courage, confidence and compassion; to reflect on the world around them and their place within it and to experience ‘life in all its fullness’?

The Archbishop of York Youth Trust experienced some amazing stories of young people being equipped this way before and through lockdown, as part of the Young Leaders Award (YLA). Having learnt about leadership and character, pupils take part in social action projects considering how they can ‘be the change you want to see” in their communities. The YLA is about empowering young people to have a voice and feel equipped to take action and make a difference to their own lives and the lives of others.

Year 6 pupils from St John with St Michael CE Primary school took part in the YLA last year and, pre lockdown, spent 2 hours each week for 4 weeks making soup to be distributed to the homeless through a Rochdale homeless charity, as part of their community social action project.

The YLA is a fully resourced leadership and character education programme that complements the CE Vision for Education, enabling young people to flourish. Designed to be delivered by teaching staff within the classroom. It particularly supports SIAMS Strands 3 and 4, focusing on courageous advocacy and community.

To find out more, email; [email protected]

SCIENCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP

Good news! The Science Learning Partnership has begun and it would be fantastic to have more schools on board with us in 2021. We’ve already had a great sign up from schools in 2020, so this will be a great opportunity if you choose to sign up, to network and collaborate with others in the community.

The Science Learning Network offers high quality CPD each half term and the opportunity to meet, collaborate and work in partnership with science leaders, school leaders in Greater Manchester, STEM ambassadors and STEM Uk. Feedback has shown in previous years that these opportunities have positively impacted teaching and learning and has made an impact on the increase of pupil attainment. Science subject leaders and senior leaders come away from these networking events feeling confident and empowered to lead Science successfully.

If you are interested in signing up please visit the Greater Manchester Science Learning Partnership Twitter page; https://twitter.com/gm_science_lp?lang=en. We will also be distributing more information on the SLP throughout this term, so watch this space.

18

KEY DATES CONTACTS

January Deborah Smith Diocesan Director of Education 18 GATBB Primary Online CPD 11:00/16:00 0161 828 1429/07854816639 19 GATBB Primary Online CPD 16:00 [email protected]

19 Governors SIAMS Training 18:00 Liam Eaglestone Deputy Director of Education 25 GATBB Primary Online CPD 16:00 07384254262 26 Schools SIAMS Training 16:00 [email protected]

27 Holocaust Memorial Day Karen Beal Children’s Officer 01618281433/07967657587 February [email protected] 01 Heads and Chairs Coffee and Chat 13:30 Susie Mapledoram 02 Peer Support Network: Growing Faith 10:30 Youth Officer 01618281435/07967657587 02 Training for new and aspiring Chairs of [email protected] Governors 18:00

03 Peer Support Network: Well-being 14:00 Ruth Gent Senior Administrator 04 Peer Support Network: Well-being 10:30 - 01618281408/07917671174 repeat of 03/02/21 [email protected] 09 Heads and Chairs Coffee and Chat 10:00 Laura Tebay 22 GATBB Primary Online CPD 14:00 Children Changing Places Project Support Worker and External Communications Administrator 23 GATBB Primary Online CPD 14:00 01618281460/07776993301 [email protected]

March Leona Brooks 02 New and Acting Headteachers Induction Buildings Administrative Assistant 01618281406/07436139530 02 GATBB Primary Online CPD 14:00 [email protected]

03 GATBB Primary Online CPD 16:00 Vaneeta Patel 16 Peer Support Network: Growing Faith 10:30 Financial Administrative Assistant 01618281438 23 Peer Support Network: Well-being 14:00 [email protected] 24 Peer Support Network: Well-being 10:30 - repeat of 23/03/21 Ayanda Reiss Schools Administrative Assistant 01618281460/07917699496 April [email protected]

20 Peer Support Network: Growing Faith 10:30 Enquires

22 Peer Support Network: Well-being 14:00 Applications for building project 23 Peer Support Network: Wellbeing 10:30 - [email protected] repeat of 22/04/21 General administration enquiries [email protected]

Our Summer 2021 newsletter will focus on showcasing Wisdom, Knowledge and Skills

‘Good schools foster confidence, delight and discipline in seeking wisdom, knowledge, truth, understanding, know-how and the skills needed to shape life well. They nurture academic habits and skills, emotional intelligence and creativity across the whole range of school subjects including areas such as music, drama and the arts, information and other technologies, sustainable development, sport, and what one needs to understand and practice in order to be a good person, citizen, parent, employee, team or group member, or leader.’ (CEEO, 2016:7)

Please share examples of how you support pupil’s development as noted above to [email protected] by Monday 15 March 2021 for inclusion in the Summer newsletter.

19