While we have all been at home over the Easter bank holiday weekend, and confined to quarters, our thoughts have remained with everyone in our wider learning community.

During this period of self-isolation and social distancing, staff across The Corinium Education Trust have been finding new things to do, engaging in well-established hobbies such as gardening or baking and taking exercise. They have also been mindful of others and have taken care to support each other and, by working remotely together in teams, they have promoted the key messages.

Staff at Chesterton Primary School shared a special Easter message with their pupils and parents and their creative montage (see picture below) made it on to the local BBC News on Points West on Monday 13 April 2020 and BBC Radio Gloucestershire. Each member of staff was given a word to decorate and then photograph and these were then assembled to make the message.
 
 ‘The staff came together to share a message to the children to remind them that we are missing them and hope that they are safe and well. It was a pleasure to see that everyone was keen to be involved to reach out to our families.’ Karen Venner, Headteacher, Chesterton Primary School.

Similarly, staff at Deer Park rose to their own Easter Egg Challenge and shared a video on their school’s website and across social media to wish all members of the school’s learning community a Happy Easter. Read more...

‘It was a lovely idea and I was happy to be part of it; my son enjoyed throwing me the Easter egg - we had quite a few “outtakes”!’  ‘Only just seen this - how lovely! Really cheered me up!’  ‘Thank you – it made me smile!’

‘I am really pleased to see that the lockdown has not suppressed the spirit of collaboration which is so much a part of our ethos. I am grateful to all members of staff and fully appreciate that while taking a break, they are also still thinking about our children and young people and their needs.’ Chiquita Henson, Chief Executive, Corinium Education Trust. 

‘I would like to wish all children, parents, school staff and everyone’s extended families all the best over the break and in the coming weeks. We all miss everyone very much and hope everyone is able to stay safe and well during these difficult times.’ Carol Dougill, Executive Headteacher, Kemble and Siddington C of E Primary Schools.

Mrs Dougill also shared a link to the Axel Sheffler illustrated book that families may find useful: Coronavirus, A Book for Children.