Welcome to the Michaelmas edition of our R.I.S.E magazine which allows us the opportunity to reflect on our continued growth and many successes as a multi academy company
I thank all staff in our schools and in our central and executive teams for your hard work and commitment to doing your very best for the children and young people in our schools
It is because of you, with the ongoing support of your governing bodies, that we are able to deliver high quality educational experiences and opportunities to our pupils and students, rooted in and guided by our faith
It is wonderful to look through our magazine and see so many happy faces and examples of our charitable work and liturgical celebrations.
On behalf of the Board of Directors I wish you all a joyful and blessed Christmas and a very happy and healthy new year
This Christmas and new year ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13 )
Thank you,
Yvonne Brennan Chair of the Board of Directors
ADVENT PRAYER
Light up our lives
Christ, come into our world of darkness
Light up our lives with your coming.
Fulfil all our longings with the joy of your birth
Strengthen our resolve to work for change in our world
And to share the hope of your birth that each Advent brings Amen
Honoring New Beginnings as Our Family of Schools Grows
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Warm Welcome to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School — Our Newest Member of the Multi-Academy Family!
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery in Southam has officially joined the Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy Company, marking a significant milestone for the school, the academy, and the wider community
This partnership ensures that St Mary’s will retain its cherished values and unique approach to education, while gaining strength from the shared vision and collective support of the multi-academy company. By joining the other schools within Our Lady of the Magnificat, St Mary’s embraces a future enriched by collaboration and mutual success, rooted in the principles of Catholic education.
As a member of our wider family of schools, St Mary’s will gain enhanced support, new resources, and exciting opportunities to work closely with other schools in the academy.
Reflecting on this important step, Mrs. Chabourne, Headteacher of St Mary’s, shared her enthusiasm for the future:
“St Mary's has been waiting for a while to join the Our Lady of the Magnificat Academy, and I know that the staff and governors are all excited to finally be part of a wider family of Catholic schools There is a lot of hope and enthusiasm for our future collaborations and it is an exciting time to be starting as Headteacher at the school Staff are keen to embrace this opportunity to work together and I am also looking forward to getting to know our new Our Lady of the Magnificat colleagues and working with them over the coming months and years”
Her words reflect the collective excitement of our entire Magnificat community, as we look forward to the new possibilities that this partnership will bring
Tom Leverage, CEO of the Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy Trust, expressed his delight in welcoming St Mary’s to the fold:
“We are overjoyed to welcome St Mary’s Catholic Primary School into the Magnificat family This partnership marks a significant step in our shared mission to provide exceptional Catholic education We look forward to supporting St Mary’s in achieving even greater success and strengthening collaboration across our network of schools ”
As St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery begins this exciting new chapter, the school and the entire Our Lady of the Magnificat community are optimistic about the future. By working together and sharing resources, the multi-academy is confident that St Mary’s will continue to flourish, offering an exceptional education for all its students while remaining a vital part of the Southam community.
Together, our schools are united in their mission to provide nurturing environments where children can grow spiritually, academically, and socially. We look forward to celebrating many successes together and to the continued strength of our shared Catholic educational mission.
Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries and Decades of Success
Earlier this term, Fifty and Sixty years of education and excellence were celebrated across St Augustine’s Catholic High School and St Benedict’s Catholic High School
At the start of the Autumn term, both St Benedict’s Catholic High School and St Augustine’s Catholic High School proudly celebrated significant milestones Sixty years of St Benedict’s and Fifty years of St Augustine’s
With St Augustine’s holding a celebration at the end of September and St Benedict’s at the start of October, both secondary schools celebrated their anniversaries, engaging in special Masses led by His Grace, Bernard Longley, the Archbishop of Birmingham They reflected on the same core values of faith, service, and education, making their celebrations a testament to their longstanding commitment to shaping future generations.
At St Benedict’s, the Mass took place in a transformed sports hall, beautifully decorated to resemble the school’s chapel, featuring artwork inspired by its stained-glass windows and student-created paintings of saints. Archbishop Longley led the service, emphasising the importance of community and the foundations of faith that have sustained the school for six decades
Similarly, St Augustine’s held its celebration with a beautiful Mass attended by staff and students and the wider Magnificat community, honouring the school’s Fifty years of success and reflecting on its contributions to the local community Both Masses included hymns sung by school choirs, with meaningful prayers and Bible readings, adding a spiritual depth to the celebrations
After the Mass at St Benedict’s, the school held a unique time capsule ceremony, where students contributed handwritten poems, artwork, and memories Six trees were also planted, each symbolising a decade of the school’s legacy These trees were blessed by the Archbishop as a lasting tribute to the school’s impact
Mrs. Paddock, Headteacher of St Benedict’s, shared, “The Sixtieth anniversary celebration marks a pivotal moment in our school’s history We are grateful to the Archbishop for leading us in this special Mass, and we are excited to continue our legacy of excellence alongside St Augustine’s
As St Benedict’s and St Augustine’s look to the future, both schools remain united in their commitments to their mission to educate, inspire, and serve their communities, grounded in faith and values that will guide them for many years to come
Autumn Term Digest
A wrap-up of this Autumn term!
Culture day at St Marie’s
St Marie’s Catholic Primary School’s Culture Day celebrated global diversity, with students exploring Africa, Oceania, France, and South America. Activities included learning about traditions, creating art inspired by famous artists, and appreciating the beauty of different cultures and landscapes around the world
St Thomas More Catholic First School welcomed Pre-Construct Archaeology for an exciting hands-on session, where students explored artefacts ranging from ancient pottery to a real dinosaur tooth Both students and teachers were eager to examine the objects and ask insightful questions, making the experience both engaging and educational
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The children at St Peter's Catholic First School School took part in a range of activities to celebrate Anti-Bullying Week, focusing on the importance of kindness, respect, and inclusivity The students engaged in meaningful discussions, creative projects, and team-building exercises, all aimed at spreading positive messages.
The Mini Vinnies group at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School partnered with the parish St Vincent de Paul (SVP) group this December on two meaningful projects The children used a reverse advent calendar to collect items for the SVP to distribute to those in need, and they also sold hot chocolate after school each Friday to raise funds for Christmas hampers for housebound and needy parish members.
Year 1 pupils at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Studley had an exciting visit from the firefighters of Alcester The firefighters took the time to educate the children on the importance of fire safety and how to respond in an emergency The children were thrilled to try on the fire uniforms and had the special opportunity to wave off the fire engine. It was an engaging and educational experience that brought fire safety to life for the young learners
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Members of the Gardening Club at Our Lady’s recently completed making their own jam The children had a fun and rewarding time growing the fruit, picking it, and turning it into delicious homemade jam Throughout the process, they gained valuable hands-on experience with nature’s gifts, learning about the stages of cultivation and food production.
Year Five at St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School entered school disguised as Vikings for an immersive Viking Experience Day The children made use of their pre-made Viking shields as they explored the history of Viking battles and daily life They enjoyed participating in role play, bringing history to life, and also had fun decoding and creating their own historic riddles.
St Thomas More Catholic First School Shines in Ofsted Inspection
St Thomas More Catholic First School is proud to have been recognised by Ofsted for its exceptional Early Years provision and Personal Development
St Thomas More Catholic First School in Redditch, a member of the Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy Company, is thrilled to announce a highly positive Ofsted inspection report following a recent inspection
The school received an ‘Outstanding’ grade for both Personal Development and Early Years Provision, demonstrating its commitment to providing enriching experiences and a strong educational foundation for its youngest learners Additionally, St Thomas More achieved ‘Good’ ratings in Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, and Leadership and Management
The Ofsted report highlights St Thomas More as a “welcoming and inclusive” environment where “pupils flourish ” Inspectors noted that students are “proud to attend” the school, with a culture of respect and collaboration that encourages positive behaviour and fosters a calm, focused atmosphere
Reflecting the pride of the parent community, one parent shared: “A huge congratulations to the St Thomas More Team for the outstanding achievement in the school inspection I have been a part of the school since 2020, and I can easily recognise what a wonderful journey the school has had over the years Thank you for putting your heart and soul into it for our children I know they are safe under your wings when I go to sleep after a night shift as a family, we are so proud to be a part of such an amazing school community ”
The Early Years Provision was particularly praised for its exemplary approach The report highlights that children in their first years at the school ‘get off to a flying start.’ This success is driven by a well-planned curriculum that helps children adapt quickly to school life, developing essential skills and independence in a nurturing and stimulating environment. Additionally, the school’s robust phonics program ensures that reading is a central focus, allowing pupils to develop strong literacy skills that will support them throughout their education.
St Thomas More’s wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs also received special commendation, with Ofsted emphasising their role in developing students’ talents, strengths, and wellbeing. These programmes, which are accessible to all students, are key in helping pupils develop character, resilience, and a sense of responsibility, guiding them to become well-rounded individuals.
dings, saying, “We are delighted with the recognition for the st few years, we have implemented many changes that reflect e! I am deeply grateful to the children, staff, parents, and the Whether they’ve been with us from the start or joined along the ore is an amazing place to be a child, and we are excited about
Supporting Young People with the Launch of Everyone Needs a Mentor
With support from Clutterbuck Coaching and Mentoring International, the Everyone Needs a Mentor programme launched this term at St Bede’s
St Bede’s Catholic Middle School is proud to announce that it has been selected as the first school worldwide to fully pilot an innovative youth mentoring programme developed by acclaimed coaching and mentoring expert Professor David Clutterbuck
The initiative, known as ‘Everyone Needs a Mentor: Young Person Edition,’ offers a unique opportunity for students to cultivate and develop essential life skills that will both enhance their academic performance and prepare them for future success
Running throughout the academic year, the programme targets Year 5 and Year 7 students, engaging them in weekly sessions designed to empower them with the tools to mentor their peers effectively. Through a combination of one-on-one mentoring, group activities, and practical exercises, students will learn to develop crucial skills such as building trust, effective communication, and providing constructive feedback skills that are vital for leadership and personal growth.
Deputy Headteacher Mr Shires expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We believe this mentoring programme perfectly aligns with our school’s mission to foster the development of our students By participating in the programme, our pupils will gain invaluable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives We are deeply grateful to Clutterbuck Coaching and Mentoring International for selecting our school for this initiative ”
Professor Clutterbuck, co-founder of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) and author of over 80 books on coaching, mentoring and leadership, aims for this programme to equip young people worldwide with mentoring skills that will benefit them both personally and professionally “Our goal is to enable future generations to make better decisions than those before them. This programme is a practical step towards creating five million school-age coaches and mentors around the world in the next five years ” Professor Clutterbuck explained
Students who successfully complete the programme will receive an ENAM (Everyone Needs A Mentor) certificate, recognising their achievement in mastering these crucial skills Additionally, staff members will have the opportunity to earn EMCC Global EIA (European Individual Accreditation) practitioner accreditation to enhance their own development, which will further empower both students and staff to reach their highest potential.
St Bede’s Catholic Middle School is excited to begin this new chapter and is confident that the mentoring programme will have a lasting impact, helping students grow into well-rounded individuals capable of thriving in any environment.
Remembrance Reflections
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TreetopTuesdayTriumphs
Treetop Tuesdays are always the best day of the week for St Thomas more. In honour of remembrance day, the children created fires, toasted marshmallows, made poppies, and planted them They worked together using tools, walked along the barefoot trail, and experimented with different balances Once again, the children's resilience, behavior, and attitude were a credit to them
UnityinRollingWorship
Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School welcomed parents, carers, and parishioners for Rolling Worship to commemorate Remembrance Day It was a truly special moment, with everyone coming together as one big family in Christ to reflect and pay their respects. The sense of unity and remembrance was felt throughout, making it a powerful and meaningful experience.
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Trinity Catholic School gathered in a spirit of reflection to honor fallen heroes, observing a two-minute silence and sharing prayers together Special thanks go to the talented Art Department for their beautiful poppy creation, which added a meaningful touch to the day.
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On Remembrance Day, all of the pupils at St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School gathered in the morning to mark the occasion together. The children listened to the Gospel and reflected on how each of them could be a symbol of hope in the world, much like the poppy For the Go Forth, Miss Cole, handed out pieces of red ribbon for everyone to tie onto the Remembrance tree in the Prayer Garden.
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Some of the pupils at St Mary’s in Henley also proudly joined the Henley Remembrance Day parade, representing their school with pride, and later attended Mass to share prayers of reflection alongside the congregation Their involvement showed a deep sense of respect and community, making the day even more special for everyone involved
Throughout remembrance day, pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Henley took part in a heartfelt Remembrance Retreat. From quiet collaborative reflection to hands-on prayer based activities, the day was all about pausing to remember and give thanks Whether writing messages of gratitude or creating thoughtful artwork, the children showed incredible respect and maturity.
At St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Studley, Mrs. Cowell led a heartfelt Remembrance assembly, bringing the whole school together for a time of reflection Everyone took part in observing the two-minute silence to honor the fallen, while the older children read out the roll call of honour for local soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice
The house captains also raised the Union flag outside the school, adding a special touch to the occasion It was a powerful moment that reminded everyone of the importance of remembering those who gave so much for their community
Trinity Catholic School Brings Christmas Cheer with Wreath-Making
Trinity Catholic School kicked off the festive season by inviting local primary schools to flaunt their creativity with wreath-making workshops
Throughout November, Trinity Catholic School had the pleasure of welcoming pupils from local primary schools to join in their Advent wreath-making workshops. The students were guided through the process of creating their own individual Advent wreaths, as well as crafting one for their respective schools. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to engage in the spirit of Advent and share the joy of the season with their communities.
As part of the school's commitment to spreading festive cheer, Advent wreaths were also carefully prepared and distributed to local care homes, helping to bring warmth and light to their holiday celebrations. It was a heartwarming experience for all involved, fostering a sense of unity and goodwill during the Advent season.
St. Mary’s Takes the Spotlight with HSBC Smart Money Recognition
St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Receives HSBC Smart Money Award for their Outstanding Money Management and Financial Literacy Teaching
In October, St. Mary's in Studley was awarded the HSBC Smart Money Award 2024. The award recognised the excellent collaborative work between St Mary's and HSBC bank in educating students about the world of finance Mrs Moss, on behalf of the entire school, received a stunning glass trophy from Mrs Howes during a special assembly It was a wonderful recognition of everyone’s hard work and dedication – a fantastic achievement for all involved
The HSBC Smart Money Award is a special recognition for schools that do an amazing job teaching students about money and finance It celebrates the partnership between schools and HSBC bank to help students learn important skills like budgeting, saving, and understanding how money works in the real world The award highlights schools that make financial education fun and practical, giving students valuable knowledge they can use throughout their lives
Magnificat Sixth Formers take on St Basils’ Big Sleepout
Students from the Magnificat Sixth Form brave the cold to raise funds for youth homelessness
On the evening of 29th November, over 500 participants, including students and staff from Magnificat Sixth Form, gathered at Millennium Point in Birmingham for this year’s Big Sleepout
The event, which aimed to raise both awareness and funds for youth homelessness, saw the group of Sixth Formers sleep under the open sky in cardboard boxes a small yet meaningful way to understand the challenges faced by young people living without a home.
The Big Sleepout began at 6pm, where participants received their cardboard boxes to sleep in, with the option to bring extra materials to make their shelters. A prize was awarded for the most imaginative shelter, judged on the night. As part of the event’s festive atmosphere, attendees enjoyed entertainment from an Indian Drum & Dance group, live music from the West Midlands Fire Service brass band, and a warm meal of vegan curry, cakes, teas, and coffee.
The event is a key fundraiser for St. Basil’s, the organisation dedicated to supporting young people aged 16-25 who are at risk of homelessness For Magnificat Sixth Form students, this event was an opportunity to not only raise essential funds for youth homelessness programs but to experience firsthand the vulnerability that many young people face
Throughout the evening, the participants were reminded of the real-life struggles of those without a home, as they slept in the heart of Birmingham city centre The funds raised from the event help provide emergency accommodation, life skills training, mental health support, and other essential services that assist young people in rebuilding their lives
Each £9 raised during the event helps provide a night of security for a young person in need, and with over 600 young people supported every night by St. Basil's, the impact is significant. This year, Magnificat students raised approximately £2500 in funds, making a real difference in the lives of those facing homelessness.
The night concluded with a toast in the morning, marking the end of a challenging yet powerful experience. By participating in the Big Sleepout, the students of Magnificat Sixth Form showed immense empathy, solidarity, and commitment to social justice. Their efforts not only raised funds but also deepened their understanding of the importance of community support in tackling the crisis of youth homelessness
Through their participation, the students embodied the principles of the Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the Common Good and Solidarity, working toward a community where everyone can flourish, and standing up for those without a voice Their collective actions serve as a powerful reminder that, together, we can help create a brighter future for young people in need
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London Landmarks and Learning
day in London full of fun, learning opportunities, and memories for Our Lady’s and St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School pupils
With excitement, Our Lady’s Year Six pupils arrived at school a little earlier than usual on a dark Wednesday morning, ready for their BIG adventure They climbed on board the coach and made a quick pit-stop in Stratford, to collect 30 of their friends: the Year Six class at St Gregory's As a group, the children travelled down to London, ready for a day full of activities
The first activity was a River Cruise The children enjoyed sailing down the River Thames and admiring many of the famous London landmarks For some of the children, it was the first time they'd ever seen them in person!
After eating lunch in Victoria Tower Gardens, the children had an interesting afternoon in the Houses of Parliament Local MP, Manuela Parteghella, came and spoke to the children, and engaged in a workshop with them all inside the Palace of Westminster A magnificent day was had by both schools!
UK Parliament Week at Our Lady and St Teresa’s
Our Lady and St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School Students Experience the Power of Voting and Leadership During UK Parliament Week
For the second year, pupils at Our Lady and St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School participated in UK Parliament week in November. During the week the children participated in a range of activities learning, deepening their understanding of fundamental British values through their exploration of democracy and rule of law.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the week was the election of the Pup canvasing and pupil voice culminated in the hall being turned into a polli that they wanted to run the school for a day After a close-run contest, school on Friday 22nd November
