RESPECT, INTEGRITY, SERVICE, EXCELLENCE Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy Company
From the Summer term at Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy
INTRODUCTION FROM OUR CSEL
As we come to the end of one academic year, it is natural that we begin to look forward to the next year (24/25). We will enter our fourth year as a multi-academy family with much optimism following the many successes achieved across our family of schools in Ofsted and CSI inspections, and with some of our schools recording their strongest ever examination results. Our family of schools will grow to 19 as we welcome St Mary’s Southam and St Patrick’s in Leamington from November 2024. We will of course also look forward to 2025 as a special year for our wider Catholic community as Pope Francis has announced that it will be a Jubilee year.
A Jubilee year is a special year which occurs every 25 years within the Church. In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee or ‘Holy Year’ was used to declare special years for forgiveness and reconciliation The first Jubilee was declared by Pope Boniface VIII on 22nd February 1300 (Feast of the Chair of St Peter), to mark the beginning of that century Our Holy Father has designated the focus of the next Jubilee year to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and asked us to join the global family of the Catholic community to pray together for the gift of the Holy Spirit to address the pain inflicted on so many in society
Pope Francis has outlined that it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war in Ukraine, Syria and the Holy Land, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis In a letter written by Pope Francis in preparation for the Jubilee Year of 2025, he said that:
“The four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, together with the Magisterium of these recent decades, will continue to provide direction and guidance to God’s holy people, so that it can press forward in its mission of bringing the joyful proclamation of the Gospel to everyone ”
At our recent Board of Directors Strategy meeting held at Trinity Catholic School on 26th June 2024, we reflected on our core focus and how we can achieve so much together through our shared vision. We discussed how the ‘hope’ that Pope Francis conveys to us reminds us of the scripture from Matthew:
“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock.” (Matthew, 7:7)
I would like to take this opportunity to extend a personal thank you to all our stakeholders parents, governors, staff and volunteers who contribute so much to our family and make up the community of which we are so proud. There is much that we can be proud of and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can enter the Jubilee Year with great hope in our hearts
“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock ” (Matthew, 7:7)
St Augustine’s Excels With Outstanding Ratings In All Areas
Saint Augustine’s Catholic High School celebrate their ‘Outstanding’ achievement
Saint Augustine’s Catholic High School in Redditch achieved an Outstanding grading in ALL areas in the April 2024 Ofsted inspection. Led by Principal Luke Payton and dedicated staff, the school's excellence reflects its commitment to continuous improvement and student success.
In the words of Ofsted, ‘Pupils are, rightly, proud to attend this excellent school. They meet its high expectations excelling academically and flourishing into well-rounded individuals.’ During the inspectors’ visit, they noticed that ‘staff have high expectations for pupils’ conduct, and pupils rise to meet them ’
is the third successive grading of an Outstanding grading from Ofsted , which is extremely rare.
St Benedict’s Celebrates Success with 'Good' Ofsted Rating
Pupils and Staff at St Benedict’s Catholic High School embrace their 'Good' Ofsted grading achievement
St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Alcester proudly announced achieving a Good grading in ALL areas following the Ofsted inspection conducted on March 12th and 13th, 2024 Under the dedicated staff team, the school has shown rapid improvement across all aspects Previously judged as Requires Improvement in the 2020 Ofsted assessment, this achievement marks a significant milestone for St Benedict’s.
OFSTED stated that, “There is a purposeful atmosphere around the school Pupils focus on their learning well The school has successfully raised expectations around pupils’ learning and behaviour. In all year groups, including the sixth form, positive relationships between staff, pupils, parents and carers help pupils to be confident and happy.”
This
Inspiring Humanity: Refugee Week at Trinity
Trinity Catholic School marks refugee week with a series of engaging events which were attended by Councillor Judith Clarke and local MP Matt Western
Refugee Week at Trinity Catholic School was a heartfelt and impactful series of events held from June 17th to 19th The school community came together to honour and support Refugee Week, engaging in a variety of activities that highlighted the significance of the occasion, led by Mrs Debbie Hayden and Miss Samirah Roberts.
Trinity recently hosted a delightful tea-time event for the local community, parents, and staff Attendees had the opportunity to explore the memorial garden and commemorative mosaic, both of which were designed and created by the schools talented students. The students gave brief talks about their projects, sharing their inspiration and creative processes
The event also featured the premiere of a studentmade film celebrating the school's diversity. Special guest Gary Fisher shared his family's refugee story and recounted his experience on the BBC Repair Shop Families featured in the BBC documentary "The Holocaust, Their Family, Me, and Us" spoke about their experiences, and Rob Rinder joined the event via a heartfelt video message
Trinity are also proud to announce that they have been named a 25th Quality Mark Beacon School. The Quality Mark review process confirms the school's excellence and evolving specialism in Holocaust education The effective teaching and learning of Holocaust history at Trinity Catholic School are positively influencing policy, curriculum, pedagogy, and practice, contributing to ongoing school improvement and the school's ethos.
As a UCL Beacon School, Trinity Catholic School offers research-informed learning experiences that yield empathetic and insightful outcomes. Students have been inspired and empowered by their knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust. In partnership with UCL, Trinity Catholic School has innovated and quickly become a true ‘Beacon’, setting a high standard for quality education.
Summer Term Digest!
A wrap-up of this summer term!
Alton Castle adventures
Year 5 pupils at St Augustine’s Primary School went on a residential to Alton Castle in June Taking part in many activities including mountain bikes, survival, low ropes and night walks fending with hot chocolate Mrs Cowell was able to join Year 5 for a beautiful mass on the Thursday before the children played bingo on their final night
GoodShepherdMass
16 children from St Marie’s and English Martyr’s Primary Schools in Rugby, went to Holy family Church in Coventry to celebrate Good Shepherd Mass on 19th June 2024. The children led some of the bidding prayers
CulturalDayCelebrations
SupportStaffRetreat
The support staff retreat was led by Sister Judith, especially designed for support staff including TAs, Caretakers, Cleaners, Office staff, kitchen staff and others, recognising the essential role that each of the support staff play in our schools and how their role fits into the mission of the Multi-academy We ran two days one at TCS and one at SBE
17th-21stJune2024
Refugee Week, the world’s largest arts and culture festival, honoured the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary Launched in the UK in 1998, this annual event coincided with World Refugee Day on June 20th. Refugee Week evolved into an international movement, featuring events across the globe.
From June 17th to 23rd, 2024, through an exciting program of events, activities, and media campaigns, Refugee Week brought together people from diverse backgrounds to connect beyond labels and foster a deeper understanding of why people are displaced and the challenges they faced when seeking safety
Our Lady of Mount Carmel also celebrated the great diversity they have within the school by dressing in the colours of their cultures. It was fantastic to see such vibrancy across school!
They took part in culture themed activities throughout the day and enjoyed a lively African Dance workshop!
There was a wonderful buzz of excitement around St Thomas More as they celebrated the cultural diversity of the school! The children were split into groups and had so much fun going around the school and learning about different countries and cultures They Particularly enjoyed mosaic picture painting together!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary individuals who have dedicated 20 or more years of service within our multi-academy
A special thank you to Helen Woodhouse, Rachel Burn, Barbara Magro, Catherine Best, Tina Sylvester, and all those who have devoted two decades or more to our community your commitment has profoundly impacted our schools and the lives of our students.
St Bede’s Awarded IQM Inclusive School Award
Celebrating Excellence in Inclusive Education: St Bede’s Catholic Middle School Receives IQM Award
At the start of the Summer term, St Bede's Catholic Middle School were awarded with an ‘IQM Inclusive School’s Award with Flagship Status’
The IQM Inclusive School Award ‘recognises the ongoing commitment by schools to provide the best education for all children irrespective of difference.’
St Bede’s was recognised as an inclusive school due to many different factors that make them as wonderful as it is and the staff and children are very proud to be a part of it.
The areas of the school that stood out during the assessment were the
Welcoming, friendly, and positive environment
Effective support’ and Outward-looking attitude
As a part of the Catholic family within Our Lady of The Magnificat Multi Academy, St Bede’s continuously reflect the values of their faith, which is consistently put into practice within everyday life at the school.
The Assessors of the award referred to St Bede’s as a ‘peaceful and very calm environment’ in which they noticed that ‘kindness, respect and pride in yourselves and our achievements and these were common themes seen throughout assessment day ’
The school’s dedication towards supporting all its pupils and emphasising equality was also recognised.
The Assessors also said, ‘there is a clear emphasis on adapted support and inclusion for all pupils, including those with additional needs (SEND) including social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).’
To summarise the assessment the IQM noted that ‘Inclusive practices and approaches are well established ’
We are all so proud of St Bede’s for this wonderful achievement and all that they will continue to achieve in future.
Tackles and Triumphs: Inside the Annual MAC Football Tournament
The Annual MAC Football Tournament Saw Our Schools Showcasing Their Skills And Sportsmanship As They Battled For The Championship Title
The Magnificat Annual Football Tournament took place on Wednesday 19th June, bringing together schools from across the MAC for a thrilling day of competition and sportsmanship. This much-anticipated event saw St Augustine's Catholic High School triumph as the winners of the Secondary cup, while Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic First School emerged victorious in the Primary cup Congratulations to both teams for their outstanding performances and well-deserved victories!
The tournament was a celebration of athleticism and school spirit, with students and staff immersing themselves in the excitement of the matches From the first whistle to the final goal, the fields were alive with energy as schools battled it out for the winning titles The energy was electric and every school that participated displayed remarkable skill and teamwork, making it a day to remember for all involved.
As the final matches concluded and the trophies were awarded, it was clear that the Magnificat Annual Football Tournament had once again achieved its goal of bringing together the school community in a celebration of sport and unity. The joy and pride on the faces of the students, staff, and parents were testament to the tournament's success.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the schools that took part, and we celebrate the hard work and dedication that each team displayed. Your efforts have made this year's tournament an unforgettable experience.
We are already filled with anticipation for next year's tournament We can't wait to see what next years Magnificat Football Tournament will bring. Here's to more thrilling matches, exceptional sportsmanship, and the ongoing celebration of our schools’ sporting talents!
See you all next year for another fantastic tournament!
Enrichment Excitement
Multi-Academy reception classes came together for a 'teddy bears' picnic' day
On Monday, 29th April the EYFS Leads held an EYFS Enrichment Day for all Reception classes across the MAC, the second year. Schools were paired or grouped, based on their location and worked together to plan a variety of 'Teddy Bears' Picnic' themed activities. It is an opportunity for Reception children to meet other pupils from within the MAC and communicate effectively to work collaboratively.
Some of the exciting activities included: teddy bear decorations, constructing bridges for teddy to cross the river, team building games, building teddy bear dens and teddy bear toast on the campfire in Forest School.
One child said, “I loved making new friends and working together to make the tallest tower.”
D-Day Discoveries
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School shines at Studley D-Day fun day
Well done to all the children of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, in Studley, who took part in the Studley D-Day Fun Day! They delighted the audience with a medley of wartime songs, dressed in fantastic costumes. A special thank you goes to Mrs Bryan for her exceptional preparation of the children.
The children from all classes prepared a spectacular art installation and many members of the local community commented on how wonderful it was and how proud it made them feel.
A huge well done to Mrs Gould and Mrs Anderson for their leadership on this project!
Governors Gather: Mass and Network Event
Our multi-academy Governors gathered at Trinity Catholic School for the first ever Magnificat Governance Network event and a mass celebration
On Friday, June 28th, Directors and Local Governors from across our multi-academy gathered at Trinity Catholic School for our first ever Magnificat Governance Network event
Our afternoon of fellowship began with Father Patrick Mileham celebrating mass in the chapel at the school This event provided our governors with a valuable opportunity to connect face-to-face, fostering meaningful and thought-provoking discussions.
It was a pleasure to get together in person with our amazing volunteers who give so much to support our schools and our children
We look forward to seeing this now annual event flourish in the years to come!
Directors Discuss: Strategic Development Meeting
Our Magnificat Directors met at Trinity Catholic School to discuss the next steps of the multi-academies strategic development plan
On Wednesday 26th June the Board of Directors held their strategy day at Trinity Catholic School This was a day of focused strategic planning where the Executive Team and the Board of Directors worked together to shape the next stage of the multi-academy’s development plan.
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Board on shaping the strategic direction of the multi-academy Discussions were lively and focused, keeping children at the heart of our MAC’s decision making.
Alumni Spotlight: Esme Booth Rows to Olympic Glory
St Benedict’s Catholic High School ex student has made GB's Olympic rowing team
Esme Booth, a former students of St Benedict’s Catholic High School has realised her lifelong Olympic dream by securing a coveted spot in the GB rowing squad for the Paris 2024 Games this summer. Esme will compete in the women’s four, showcasing her prowess as part of Team GB’s 42-strong rowing contingent spanning 10 boats.
Esme, now 25, discovered her passion for rowing during her primary school years, embarking on a journey that has led to her Olympic debut in Paris. She expressed gratitude and excitement, stating, “It’s always been my dream to make it to the Olympic Games. It feels surreal to have got here and be selected, given the women’s team is amazing across the board It is an incredible thing to be a part of.”
The Magnificat Sixth Form Launch
St Augustine’s And St Benedict’s Catholic High school launched the Magnificat Sixth Form
St Augustine’s Catholic High School and St Benedict’s Catholic High School held a ‘launch’ day across both campuses, to introduce their new collaborative Sixth Form initiative
Students took part in educational activities throughout the day and had the opportunity to meet the principals, headteachers and other students The day was full of energy and enthusiasm and we can’t wait to introduce the new students in the new term!
Students and staff met and discussed future options. There was a wonderful atmosphere, with both sets of students mixing freely and staff realising that this was an important step in the future of the academy Students received freebies like coffee mugs and lots of other exciting goodies
Summerfest Fun at Our Lady and St Teresas
Our Lady and St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School hosted a fun-filled summer day!
On Saturday 22nd June, a festival to rival Glastonbury took place at Our Lady and St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, Cubbington. The main stage was set and hosted performances from pupils, the parish band, Spa-keleles and Top the Rocks St John’s Ambulance offered First Aid demonstrations for the children and allowed them the opportunity to sit in the ambulance (the sirens were a particular highlight!)
Across the field there was a tombola, facepainting and crafts galore. The inflatables and ice cream van were the icing on the cake. They were joined by Miss Roberts from Trinity Catholic School who, along with Mrs Ridges, were able to tell our children all about the transition to their partner secondary school.
The committed PTA and a number of local businesses supported with prizes for the raffle The day was a roaring success and bought school, parish and the local community together in glorious sunshine!
Inspection Results
St. Peter’s Catholic First School celebrates 'Good' Catholic School Inspection Grade
St Peter’s Catholic First School, in Bromsgrove, are delighted to announce that following an inspection by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate, they have been graded as 'good' overall with ‘outstanding’ for Catholic Life and Mission!
The inspectors remarked that, "St Peter’s is a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment The mission of ‘Love God and love one another’ is very much at the heart of every activity involving leaders, governors, staff, pupils, and parents " They also highlighted that our amazing pupils "are happy, confident, and secure at school and clearly relish the experience of being at St Peter’s" - which truly reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire school community
A huge thank you to all of our staff, children, parents, and governors for their continued support and commitment
St. Peter's Shines with 'Good' CSI
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InYRtodaywelistenedtothestoryof PentecostandlearnedabouttheHoly Spirit Wemadekitestoexplorehow thewindcanmakethingshappeneven thoughwecan’tseeit!Wethen celebratedthechurch’sbirthdayby singingandeatingyummycake @MagnificatMac@BhamDES
@St Benedict’s Catholic High School
SOCIAL SNAPSHOT
FiveofourYear12swerefortunateto beselectedtomeetSophie,Duchess ofEdinburghlastFriday Thiswasin recognitionforalltheworktheyhave donewithLEAFeducationandthe RoyalWarrantoverthepastsix months Ourstudentshavebeenona seriesoftripstolearnaboutthe‘field tobowl’ storyandtogethandson withlambing,testingsoil,tastingice creamamongmanyother experiences
Weareveryproudofourpupilswhoreceived theSacramentofFirstHolyCommunionthis morning Thankyoutotheirfamilies, membersofourParishandbothMrs Hastie andMrs Breslinwhohaveworkedsohardto helpthechildrenprepareforthisspecial celebration �� �� ⛪
Thismorning, wejoinedtogetherasa wholeschooltohonourourgracious MotherMaryinourannualMay Procession AswearrivedatChurch, ourMiniVinnieshadthespecialroleof crowningOurLadyaseachclass placedabouquetofflowerstohonour her.
@St Peters Catholic First School
Year1hadanamazingtimeatAll ThingsWild,learningallaboutanimals aspartofourAfricatopic Wesawso manyanimalsandlearnedallabout lemursfromthezookeepers!Wealso gottoseethedinosaursandusedour phonicstoreadtheirnames,someof whichwerequitetricky!
@StMariesCatholic PrimarySchoolAndNursery
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@StGregsStrat
@olcalcester