NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2016

BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOLS TEAM

H A R V E S T at St Albans Cathedral

On 3rd & 4th October over 2100 rendition of ‘Give me oil in my lamp’ pupils from 63 schools participated and featured different contributions in three Harvest services in the from schools across the diocese, magnificent surroundings of St making each service unique. We Albans Cathedral. This was the are grateful to all who participated first time many of the children in the three services, the cathedral, had been inside this beautiful and David Fraser for coordinating the historic building. Some schools rehearsals, Tony Crosby from St also took the opportunity to Mary’s High School, Cheshunt combine the experience with a visit who organised the church school to the education centre workshops, combined choir and the musicians run by the cathedral. Due to the in the band. During the Tuesday wonderful weather, several schools services the Bishop of Bedford had were also able to picnic in the the help of four cathedral orchard. of the children The services, led by Bishop from different Stephen Venner on schools and Monday some onions and by the to explain his Bishop of analogy and Bedford on description Tuesday, of Harvest started with providing great a dynamic enjoyment for all.

St Michael’s Woolmer Green Primary On Tuesday 4th of October Elm Class (Year 4) attended the Harvest Festival Service at St. Alban’s Abbey. The class had practised hard and were word and pitch perfect for the range of hymns to be shared by the congregation. Pupils from the school (Ella Brooks and Emma West) said that they really enjoyed the songs How Great Thou Art and the rhythm of Harvest Samba. They were impressed by the soloists and thought that having a live band made it even better! The children were struck by the beauty of the Abbey and the different choirs who performed and made them feel calm in a wonderful setting. Miss Prentice, Deputy Headteacher at St. Michael’s Primary. St Mary’s Primary in Rickmansworth A year 4 pupil had a great time; ‘It was really fun listening to the band and all the other schools sing. My favourite song to sing was the Harvest Samba and I hope we can sing it again in the future. I enjoyed listening to the Bishop speak, and the Cathedral was so big and beautiful! It was nice to celebrate Harvest there.’ SCHOOLS TEAM NEWS Farewell to Eileen Bigg Understanding Christianity Training, Jane Chipperton Eileen Bigg, Schools Team Secretary, PA to the Following a decade of HMI concerns about the quality of Director of Education and editor of this newsletter teaching and learning in religious retired in October and here in the schools team we education nationally and a C of E were sad to see her go. Many of you had worked report on the standard of RE in directly or indirectly with Eileen and she writes this church schools, Understanding message to you..... Christianity was produced by Dear Friends RE Today in consultation with Thank you so much for your kind words in cards, many teachers, advisers and e-mails, on the phone and in person as I came to theologians and launched at the end of over 15 years in the Schools Team, and Lambeth Palace in May 2016. It is a conceptual, for your contributions to my leaving presents. My enquiry based approach which encourages schools leaving do at Holywell Lodge included a presentation to think theologically. St. Albans Diocese, began the from schools, colleagues and Board members of programme for schools on September 1st. Church a Fitbit, guide books to the and community schools have chosen different routes London Loop and Capital Ring when planning training which has been through walks, and a most generous whole days or after school sessions. In consultation cheque. I am still thinking with heads and with initial training being supported how to spend the money - how by a trust fund, many schools chose to bring all their best to remember you all - but staff to the training, resulting in 500 staff from64 the Fitbit has been put to good schools attending training in September alone. Over use. We hope to start on the 125 schools have signed up for training this year, with circular walks round London the expectation that all church schools and several soon. I wish you all the very community schools in the diocese will be using the best as our schools blaze a resources by the end of July. Feedback from schools trail into the future. has been extremely positive, with some schools Focus on Governance already showing evidence of deeper engagement Belinda Copson with biblical text. Coming soon: new guidance and forms for the appointment of foundation Headteachers and Chair of Governors governors, which we hope will Briefing help with the queries that can Lizzie Jeanes arise in what can seem rather The briefing in September saw over 180 Heads, complex processes. In the Chairs of Governors and other meantime, do keep us informed interstellar stakeholders join the of any forthcoming DBE or Diocesan Education team’s three PCC-appointed foundation briefings around the Diocese. We governor vacancies, particularly were fortunate enough to have if you would like advice on appointments processes the most up to date information and/or recruitment. Also a reminder that several about the educational landscape of the courses in our training offer are suitable for from the DfE from Joe Farrell. governors – perhaps there is one that’s just right for Key information is now available your current needs. For enquiries on governance on the website. Please remember to comment on the matters, contact Belinda Copson, School Support Green Paper as it was emphasised that this is still a Officer, Governance or Vicki Barrière General work in progress so your feedback is vital. S c h o o l s A d m i n i s t r a t o r / D i r e c t o r ’ s PA .

NEW HEADS ...... We are delighted to welcome new Headteacher, Mrs Sharon Brown, to Barkway First in Royston. We wish Sharon every success. OUR SCHOOLS NEWS

WENLOCK 50TH ANNIVERSARY Pupil to play for Team GB On the 18th October 2016, Wenlock pupils Robert Collins, a pupil of All Saints Academy to be a celebrated the official 50th anniversary of the member of the Team Great Britain squad announced opening of the school. The day began with a for the World Transplant plethora of visitors to the school – headteacher Games 2017.The team, Mrs Williams welcomed Bishop Richard of Bedford, which will be the largest ever, the Mayor of Luton and other members of the local will travel to Malaga, Spain community to tour Wenlock as it is today. The day in June next year. Robert was topped off by the simultaneous release of Collins (aged 13) from over 350 blue balloons – one for each child and Dunstable and a pupil at All adult in attendance that day. Each was tied with a saints Academy in Dunstable label, asking the finder to contact the school with its is part of the team. Robert eventual location. Although a few were lost to the had a kidney transplant overbearing trees surrounding the school grounds, in 2009. Robert says ‘My the first recipient emailed less than three hours later transplant changed my life, to let the school know a balloon had made it all the before I had my transplant way to a veterinary clinic in Norfolk. I was always poorly and couldn’t eat properly but now I am fit and excited by the opportunity of representing my country. Since my transplant I have always been to the British Transplant Games with The Great Ormond Street Hospital Renal Team where I have competed in a number of events and won a range of medals. I have been the gold medal holder in badminton for the past five years and I am working hard at training to give myself the best chance.To donate or to find out more, go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RobertCollinsWTG Cockernhoe Remembrance Service DATES FOR YOUR DIARY A fantastic turn out of children and parents at the COURSES FOR 2017 first service of its kind at DATE COURSE FOR WHOM Cockernhoe Primary. On 24th Jan Christian Concepts 3: Primary & a damp dull evening Rev. 2017 Creation Middle RE Nick Grew lead the service Teachers & through readings and co-ordinators forming of the cross. 1-4th March Retreat in Senior Leaders 2017 Canterbury NEWS IN BRIEF...... Welcome to our new look Newsletter including 9th March StrengthsFinder: Governors & interesting and up to the minute articles and 2017 skills & strengths for Headteachers effective governor information. We hope you have a few spare teams minutes to enjoy reading it. 13th March Admissions Appeals; Governors NEW STAFF ...... 2017 presenting the schools My name is Laura Brooks-Payne. I will be case, an evening responsible for this newsletter. Please get in touch course if you have articles of interest you would like us to consider for the next issue. 01727 818171 For more information on all available courses for [email protected] the coming year; We also welcome Vicki Barrière, recently moved www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools/courses from North Yorkshire, who has joined the team To book a course, please contact: as PA to David Morton and General Schools Administrator. Vicki looks forward to getting to Ruth Garman 01727 818168 know the area and the diocesan schools family. [email protected] 01727 818170 [email protected] Our Newest School

St John’s Primary School in Watford is the Diocese’s school to see Mary installed and the school blessed. newest school, bringing the total number of church The children and their families have been amazing schools in The Diocese of St.Albans to 136. St Johns as we settle into our school rhythms and patterns. opened its doors to Reception Class in September Our first Harvest Festival was led by the children as and we wish them a great success. they shared their Harvest prayers, poems, songs and art work with their families. Father David has Helen Langeveld, Headteacher, writes; with grateful been a prominent member of the school staff and the thanks to the whole of St John’s community we were children have already expressed their enjoyment of able to open on time with a welcoming school and Collective Worship and they very much look forward engaging learning environment. It was a momentous to Father David’s visits. Our journey continues with occasion as thirty green jumpers walked through the the first meetings to plan our permanent site for 2018. doors for the very first time and a historic moment The staff are all working hard to ensure children was created.We were delighted that Bishop Alan led flourish. Within this rich parish community we look a special Evensong to celebrate the opening of the forward to the children becoming an integral part of school and that the full congregation paraded around their community and also serving it in many different the corner from the church to the ways in the future.

Distinctively Christian ● Community Focussed ● Serving the Common Good Schools Team, Diocese of St. Albans, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE 01727 818170 [email protected] www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools