Welcome from the CEO - Adrian Ball
Message from the Chair - Helen Jackson
Demat Together Carol Service
Demat Together Football Tournament
Swaffam Schools - Going for Gold
Out and About
Thriplow Expansion
News from Anthony Curton
Hilgay VIP Visit
Ermine Street Arrested!
St Luke's meet the Duke!
Bury - Bikeability and New Reception Class
Wisbech St Mary - an eventful term
Babraham and St Christopher's news
DEMAT Together Programme updates
Adrian Ball
Welcome to the Autumn edition of We Are DEMAT, our termly publication that celebrates the achievements, milestones, and vibrant community spirit across our Trust. .
As we reflect on the past term, I am filled with immense pride in the dedication, innovation, and resilience demonstrated by everyone in our Trust, from the inspiring achievements of our children to the unwavering commitment of our school staff and Central teams, it is clear that collaboration and shared purpose lie at the heart of our success.
In this issue, you will find stories that highlight the outstanding work taking place across our academies - initiatives that push the boundaries of excellence in education, exciting projects that connect us to our wider communities, and achievements that exemplify our core values. These moments remind us of the transformative power of education and the positive impact we can achieve together.
Our DEMAT Together programme continues to bring children together to benefit from exciting Trust-wide extra-curricular events. This term’s Football Tournament, attended by over 250 boys and girls from 15 schools, was deservedly won by William de Yaxley, with Mepal and Witcham’s Mason awarded the Golden Boot. Enjoy the photos and read all about it within the following pages.
The annual DEMAT Together Carol Service took place at Ely Cathedral at the start of December. Children from every school gathered to delight the congregation with their singing and took part in reading lessons. A very festive occasion, enjoyed by all!
We are thrilled to announce that DEMAT won the award for MAT of the Year award 2024 on Tuesday 3 December at the National Schools Awards 2024, held at the House of Lords, London. Over 250 education pioneers gathered to recognise, celebrate, and reward senior leaders, schools and multi-academy trusts for their dedication and hard work over the year. The judges were extremely impressed by the scale of transformation and impact, of all the work we have undertaken, on our children. Great recognition of the efforts involved from everyone in our schools and Central team!
As we look ahead, I am excited about the opportunities the next term will bring. Whether through embracing new challenges, fostering innovation, or encouraging growth as a united community, I am confident we will continue to empower every pupil and member of staff to thrive.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to making DEMAT a place where every learner can flourish. I hope you enjoy this edition and find it both inspiring and uplifting.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for a fruitful and productive new year!
Adrian Ball Chief Executive
Helen Jackson
It is a pleasure to be welcoming you to another edition of our We are DEMAT magazine.
Welcome to another edition of “We are DEMAT”! This has been a great week to be Chair of Trustees. On Monday I was reading a lesson at the DEMAT Carol Service – how inspiring to hear over 700 children singing carols with such confidence and enthusiasm!
On Tuesday I was in London to see DEMAT being awarded the National Schools Awards trophy for “MAT of the Year”. It was wonderful to see the commitment and achievements of the DEMAT community nationally recognised. This award is for everyone - staff, children, Governors, Trustees and the families who support us - everyone is a winner!
We have been delighted to welcome Jon Young, the new Diocesan Director of Education, to our Board and to hear him speak at our Headteachers’ conference. Jon has set himself the task of visiting every school in the Diocese this year so do look out for him!
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Rev Carol Avery, the Chair of Governors at Stanground St John’s. She will be sorely missed for all she brought to the life of the school. More than that, to me as a fellow Pioneer Minister, she was utterly inspiring in all that she did for those in need in her community, determined to help in ways that really counted. Do keep her husband Andrew, her family and the school in your prayers.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a relaxing holiday!
All of our schools gathered for our annual DEMAT Together Carol Service at Ely Cathedral on 2nd December
It was a joyous occasion full of joy and prayer which truly showed the collective spirit of DEMAT.
Our pupils sang their hearts out and the sound of our collective singing truly raised the roof of the catherdral. What a wonderful start to the Christmas season!
Thanks to all our lesson readers, who spoke so eloquently, and to the polished performances of Ely St Marys School Choir and United Voices who enthralled us all.
The introduction and blessing was delivered by Bishop Dagmar, and Dr Alex Hughes. Archdeacon of Cambridge, delivered a wonderful talk, which inspiried us all to remember the meaning of Christmas.
Our grateful thanks to Ely Catherdral staff for all they did to ensure a wonderful service was enjoyed bu all of us and to the DEMAT Central team for their very hard work on the day.
Over 150 children from 15 of our schools took part in a football tournament at the beginning of term.
This was another first for DEMAT! Held on a bright sunny day at Ramsey Colts FD Club, it was well attended and enjoyed by all players and their supporters.
Mixed teams from Elm, Oakington, Milton, Duchy of Lancaster, Babraham, Ermine Street, Stilton, William De Yaxley, Mepal and Witcham and The Norman schools took part in a fast paced day of 7-a-side matches. Like the World Cup we started with group stages and gradually built up to the afternoon final between William de Yaxley and St Botolph's. Winners, William de Yaxley , proudly paraded their trophy to spectators.which they keep for a year. It will be engraved with their school name after being returned for the next tournament.
DEMAT's Event Coordinator said ,"We had a joyful day watching our teams enjoy our day of Football. On and off the pitch the sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship was a real highlight of the day. All the teams who took part were a credit to their teachers and the happy smiling faces of all who took part summed up the atmosphere of the day ".
We look forward to seeing even more schools participating in next year's tournament!
A big thank you to all the teachers, parents and supporters who attended and to our Central team volunteers for giving up their time to help
for contributing towards such a wonderful day of sport.
Swaffam Prior and Swaffam Bulbeck both achieve gold standard in sport!
The two schools are delighted to announce that they have been recognised for their hard work developing the sporting prowess of their pupils by achieving Gold in the School Games Mark
To celebrate, a Health and Fitness Week was held. This included a range of more unusual sports and a sponsored hike which raised over £2k! The children were treated to a range of visitors and talks from sports related practitioners including physiotherapists.
Headteacher Helen Bartley said "We are very proud of our schools, This is a very high acolade indeed! Special mention to teacher Katie Bellwood, PE Lead, who has done a fantastic job over the past year to engage children (and staff) in fitness and sport".
Congratulations to both schools!
An exciting new building has been completed at Thriplow School. Seven years in the making it was finally opened in the summer and is now in full use
The building was offficially opened on 24 October. Attended by staff, pupils, parents, governors and members of the community, it was the culmination of the ‘Cornerstone Project’.
The ‘Cornerstone’ building offers a new classroom, a STEM room, staff room and space for a library. The project began seven years ago, when the PTA committed to raising money to build a new, much-needed classroom for the school, as well as developing existing rooms within the school.
Since 2017, the community has worked tirelessly to fundraise through a huge variety of events such as dinners, balls, an "auction of promises", a ‘buy a brick’ campaign and so many others. The project was also supported by the Daffodil Trust in Thriplow, providing much needed temporary space for the school in the interim planning stages.
The school is extremely grateful to Mark Richer, a local businessman with a passion for seeing children thrive in their educational setting. Mark’s incredibly generous donation meant that building could start in the summer of 2023. The school was delighted to invite Mark to cut the ribbon, officially declaring the building open.
Lauren Wiles, who teaches in year 3 at Anthony Curton, has recently gained a Level 4 qualification in Leadership and Management in P.E. in Primary Schools.
Lauren has worked incredibly hard over the last year to regain the high status for PE in the school. She has revamped the P.E. curriculum as well as initiating P.E. leaders and has also organised inter-school and intra-school activities and competitions for our children. There is a reinvigorated enthusiasm around P.E. and sport within school which is a joy to see within our children.
Martin Radmore, CEO of Vision Ed, who led the course said, "Lauren, well done and my sincere congratulations to you on completing this national qualification course. This Headteacher sign-off form is one of the most detailed and positive ones I have seen, which tells me everything I need to know. You are doing an amazing job. I loved reading the first box.
"Lauren has worked hard during this course to regain the high priority within school that P.E. previously had. She has worked with senior leaders to ensure that P.E. is integrated into whole school aims and action plans and has also spent time with other school staff ensuring that they are using assessment well in P.E. You have worked hard, often in 'complicated' environments where ideas and practice haven't always been easy to change. You have remained positive and focussed. It has been a pleasure working with you and seeing the quality of your thinking and work. Well done!".
Anthony Curton has a lovely green space of land across the road from the school.
The Walpole Parish Foundation and Recreational Trust Community offered all our school children the chance to be a part of history by planting saplings, which in years to come will form a peaceful place called Walpole Wood.
Children cherished the event and really enjoyed the process of planting their saplings. They are fully invested in watching them grow up,at the same time as they do. A lovely legacy for the future!
at Hilgay Riverside Academy were thrilled and inspired to meet Invictus athlete Rich Potter
Pupils at Hilgay Riverside, near Downham Market, were treated to an inspiring day as they welcomed Rich Potter, an Invictus Games athlete and former Army serviceman, for a special event aimed at promoting fitness and determination. The day included sponsored fitness circuits, where students had the chance to exercise alongside Rich, raising money for both the school and Great Britain Athletes.
The event, supported by family and friends, was a
Rich Potter, who lost his left leg due to an injury sustained during his military career, shared his personal story of perseverance. After serving in the Army, he turned his focus to the Invictus Games, a global event that celebrates the strength and determination of wounded and injured servicemen and women. His journey from injury to competing on the world stage offered the students a powerful message: never give up, no matter the challenges.
During his talk, Rich emphasized the importance of aiming high, always striving for the best, and overcoming obstacles. His story touched both the students and staff, reminding everyone that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to reach for the stars
Sarah Turner, Headteacher at Hilgay Riverside, praised the event, stating, “Rich’s visit not only motivated our pupils to embrace fitness
Ermine Street Church Academy has been fortunate to host a visit from Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Public Order Team.
The visit started off with an assembly where the children learned all about the different jobs the police do. They looked at the Public Order equipment such as riot shields and batons and tthe Police brought a Hazmat suit and helmets for children to try on!
A flyover from a drone outside was used to demonstrate how the Police train with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue using the drone for locating people and incidents. Children got to see footage through the remote control and saw some great overhead shots of a very excited playground!
After a tour of their van and boat, the Police talked about what their equipment was used for. Some children tried on personal floatation devices and even got to wear high-vis Police vests.
The children had lots of questions which were answered by PC Mel Foster and her colleagues. Some of the students who had previously been wary of the Police now feel reassured that they are there to help us and some even want to join the Police Force when they grow up.
On 5 November, Hedgehog Class from St Luke's met HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Wandlebury Country Park. As guests of Cambridge Past, Present, and Future, the children were invited to celebrate the park's Seventieth Anniversary
As part of the proceedings, they were asked to make, and present, a work of art to the Duke. They produced a beautiful picture of their fingerprints, representing the autumnal colours of the surrounding trees.
When presenting the artwork, the children informed His Royal Highness about the school vision statement ‘Through God’s love, we are the rich soil where roots grow and seeds flourish. Luke 8:4-15’ and how this related to their picture
The children, and staff, were delighted when the Duke spent time with them discussing their favourite subjects; there was a resounding cheer from the onlookers when the children said they enjoyed maths!
After meeting the Duke of Edinburgh, the children watched him cutting a cake, and got to enjoy some with lunch.
Headteacher, Beccy Ireland-Curtis, said ‘'I am extremely proud of the children. They maturely responded to the occasion and demonstrated the St Luke's Way and the DEMAT values throughout the day. They met many local dignitaries and spoke eloquently to both the Duke and extended members of his entourage. It is not every day you get to meet Royalty, and I am sure this is something the children will remember for many years to come’’
In the first week of November, 28 children from Bury school took part in their level 3 for Bikeabiliity
On this 4-day course, the children were taught how to safely cycle on the roads of Bury and Ramsey. Instructors, Sam and Matt, were very impressed by how well the children listened to the instructions given and were full of praise for the determination they showed in completing all aspects of the course.
The children in Reception class have settled well into their first term. They love using the balance bikes, cars and scooters every week and sharing our climbing frame wall
Lots of recipes have been created in the sand, water, and mud kitchen. As part of their learning around the story of The Three Little Pigs, they’ve had fun building and dressing up as little pigs or wolves.
They’re also writing their names and learning their phonics every day, which includes role playing as a teacher and teaching each other their phonics.
Everyone enjoys singing and learning new songs together and seeing siblings and friends as they all sing and pray together now that they are joining the wider school for Collective Worship.
The children have also really enjoyed getting to know their Year 6 buddies who help them around school. It has a been a great first few weeks! We look forward to seeing them grow and working with families over the coming months and years
Exciting events at Wisbech St Mary
It’s been a jam packed term of special events for Wisbech St Mary school!
In November the School Council organized a fun-filled day packed with exciting games and activities that engaged all the children. From creative arts and crafts stations to energetic sports competitions, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The event not only provided a day of joy and entertainment but also instilled a sense of community and charity among the students. Thanks to the hard work of the school Council they raised an incredible £400 for Children in Need.
Fireworks raise thousands!
The annual firework display at Wisbech St Mary was nothing short of amazing this year! Organized by the fantastic PTFA, the event dazzled attendees with a breath-taking array of fireworks that lit up the night sky.
The community came together in full force, creating an unforgettable evening filled with joy and excitement. The event raised an incredible £14,900! Which will directly benefit the school and pupils
Headteacher Janie Lynch said “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and supported our annual firework display. Your presence and generosity have made this event a tremendous success".
Another exciting event with a fireworks theme was the dazzling Non-Uniform Day, and it was nothing short of spectacular!
The event was a vibrant celebration, with children coming dressed as fireworks, showcasing their creativity in bright and sparkly outfits.
To participate, each child brought in a donation for the bottle stall, contributing to our fundraising efforts for the upcoming village firework display.
Many congratulations to you all for all your amazing fundraising efforts!
The whole school from Babraham joined with members of the community at the War Memorial in the village on Armistice Day on 11 November.
Year 6 pupils read the names of the fallen and the youngest child laid a wreath.
They stood in silence for two minutes and listened with heads bowed to the beautiful sound of a single bugler.
The vicar then led them all in prayer as they remembered those affected by war and conflict.
The children behaved impeccably and understood the importance of the event.
The newly formed St Christopher's Collective Worship Council have met on multiple occasions throughout this term to complete several important tasks on behalf of the school.
In addition to helping to plan and deliver our recent Harvest Festival celebration, our worship council representatives have also taken part in a working group alongside Phil Knowles from the Diocese of St Edmundsbury, our SIAMS governor Alison Earl, and our governors to help share their ideas to answer the question, ‘What makes St Christopher’s Primary School special?’.
Their answers, alongside the ideas of all the staff and the wider school community will go towards the writing of our own school Christian ‘vision’.
Beth and Caiylen, our Year 6 Worship Council representatives, oversaw a school-wide competition which saw each class designing and decorating their own prayer box. Judged by our school governors, Ducklings Class (Early Years) and Larks Class (Year 3) were chosen as the winners!
Well done to all of the Collective Worship Councillors, you’ve made a wonderful start in your new roles!
Our events programme continues to expand and its is a joy to see the benefit our children are getting from this project.
The term got off to a great styart with our inaugural football tournament. We had 18 of our schools taking part in this fast paced and exciting day. With mixed teams we played out matches like a world cup tournament with our teams being cheered on by staff and supporters. Our grateful thanks to all the teachers who brought their teams to take part and to the DEMAT Central team who gave up their time to help the event run so smoothly Congratulations to our tournament winners, William De Yaxley.
We also launched out Pledge for Nature project in October which is part of the Celebration of Knowledge programme.
Schools have been treated to a series of fun lectures from Ajay Tegala from The National Trust who has been delving into the natural world at Wicken Fen National Nature reserve. There are a total of six lectures and you are able to view the whole series at a time that suites your school timetable.
So far we have been treated to the life of dragonflies, and delved into the hisory of this historic national nature reserve. We will be learning about cuckoos, peat preservation and much more in future lectures and we would urge you to take part as it is an important insight into nature and how children can help to shapetheir futures.
Our Annual Carol Service at Ely Cathedral was a resounding sucess and it was wonderful to see representatives and pupils from all of our schools come together to celebrate the meaning of Christmas at such a joyful occasion.
Thank you to all the pupils and teachers for attending and raising the roof with their beautiful singing, creating a heartwarming start to the festive period.
Thanks to the choir at Ely St Mary's school for leading the singing, to all the staff at Ely Cathedral for their help, to Bishop Dagmar for leading the service, to the readers from our schools and the Central team for all their organisation.
Next year is already looking very exciting!
The annual art exhibition will again be taking place at st Mary's Church in Ely, so its time to start collating all your best artwork ready for next year.
Last year we had over 260 pieces of work exhibited and it would be lovely to see even more schools featured so we can shout loudly about the talented artists within the Trust..
As always, please do not hesitate to contact the DEMAT Together team should you have any suggestions for events, We really do welcome them!
Have a wonderful Festive break and we wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year..
With very best wishes
Sally and Sandy
