Each school within The Corinium Education Trust marked advent and the festive season with a range of events which have brought their school communities together. Pupils have engaged in party games, competitions, carol singing and performances and enjoyed excellent Christmas dinners! Working with their teachers, pupils have planned and prepared entertainment for each other and those in the wider community.

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At Chesterton Primary School pupils reflected on the meaning of Christmas through their traditional nativity plays which were performed to packed audiences and children from Busy Bees Nursery and Reception were delighted to welcome a seasonal visitor on Monday 17 December!

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Pupils at Siddington C of E Primary School took part in an annual Christingle Service in the local Church. This helped them understand the significance of the Christmas story and the Holy Trinity. Pupils, also from Siddington, took the joy of Christmas into The Evergreen Club where they sang carols, talked to residents and listened to stories of Christmas past and present: ‘It brought back such memories for us’ and ‘The children sang and played so well’.

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The English Faculty at Cirencester Deer Park School were delighted when pupils from Kemble and Siddington C of E Primary School joined those in Year 8 for a performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ by theatre company, Ginificent. Pupils at Kemble Primary School entertained each other with magic tricks, sketches and dancing and singing on Wednesday 19 December. Carol Dougill, Executive Headteacher, reported, ‘We all had a wonderful time.’

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Pupils at Deer Park celebrated Christmas in the Parish Church with their annual Carol Service on Tuesday 11 December and showed great citizenship and generosity in the donations they made to the local food bank on the school’s Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 20 December. Furthermore the school’s Pastoral team encouraged audience participation in a seasonal quiz in which pupils had to determine the most popular Christmas songs, films games and foods!

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Members of The Corinium Education Trust’s Leadership Group are looking forward bringing the whole community together for a special MAT-wide celebration of Christmas in 2019.

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We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.

‘A useful and productive meeting’

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In response to an invitation from Chiquita Henson, Chief Executive, leaders from five local multi-academy trusts in Gloucestershire, attended the first local MAT CEO and FD network group meeting at Cirencester Deer Park School on Thursday 13 December 2018. While keen to attend SW regional network meetings, all present welcomed the opportunity to meet more locally to reflect on the development of multi-academy trusts and share experiences. 

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‘This group is going to be extremely helpful to me.’ Lyn Dance, Milestone Special School.

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At this inaugural meeting, local MAT leaders discussed a range of topics and reflected on common issues. There was a readiness to meet again and the group confirmed the local network should focus on sharing information and experience and collaboration. It was a seen as an opportunity to create capacity and support each other.

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Members of the local MAT CEO and FD network benefitted from the range of experience within the group. It includes established CEOs and CEO designates.

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‘As a new Chief Executive I was keen to learn from other MAT leaders and I was delighted when other CEOs responded so positively to my initial suggestion of a local network within Gloucestershire. As an outward facing school leader I have always valued the opportunity to contribute to wider system leadership and our first conversation was extremely helpful. There was a willingness to work together and support each other.’ Chiquita Henson, CEO, The Corinium Education Trust.