Dear Colleagues,
This has without question been a highly challenging term for schools and for headteachers who, since the middle of March, have been planning and taking unprecedented decisions. We are hugely proud of all of our Church schools and humbled by how you have managed these challenges with determination and a keen awareness of your responsibility to your staff, children and their families.
I’d like to thank you and all of your staff all for the hard work and dedication that you’ve shown this term. I’m acutely aware that very few people were able to take a holiday at Easter or since, and so for many of us this summer offers the chance of a first proper break. I do hope that in spite of all of the planning for next year, you and your staff will find opportunity to have a good rest, recharge the batteries and have personal and family time.
The Education Team has continued to work intensively with schools throughout this term and we hope to resume visits in person during the Autumn term. You will receive information in September concerning how we plan to work with you in 2020/2021. There is however one date that that we would like you place in your diary; we will be running a Leadership Forum for all our headteachers via Zoom between 10am and 12noon on Wednesday 7th October. Details of the event will be available in September and I hope that you will join us.
This year the diocesan education office will remain open over July and August (through distributed home office working); please do not hesitate to contact on education@elydiocese.org should you need any help. Where a staff member is on leave their role will be fully covered.
On a personal note, I will be taking on the additional acting role of Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese from July 20th, but still very-much remain the DDE and in your service. I look forward to seeing you all again in September, if not before.
With Kind Regards and God Bless,
Duxford C of E Primary School has suffered from a fire at the beginning of the summer holiday period. As a Diocese of Ely Church school, we offer our sincere support to both the school and Cambridgeshire County Council at this difficult time. We especially respect, and will work with. the school, as it enables a safe place for learning for all its pupils.
A prayer for the school, the pupils, the staff, parents and governors.
Dear Lord, Our schools face a difficult time and we hold to you everyone involved at Duxford C of E Primary School. Hold them in your hands as they see the effects of fire on their school, with all the damage and loss that this brings. We ask that over this holiday period, there is real support in the creation of new spaces for the children who would have been going into that building. As the Headteacher and others plan and organise, we ask for your help to guide them and be with them in the challenges ahead.
Amen Rev’d Sue Martin
The press announcement follows below.
Council working with emergency services and partners to help school following weekend fire.Education Leaders from Cambridgeshire County Council are working with local emergency services, following a fire at Duxford Primary School over the weekend.
Police and Fire services were alerted to an incident at the school on Friday evening (31 July), and worked through the night to bring a fire under control.No-one was injured and no arrests have been made. A full investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Part of the building was destroyed, with other areas significantly damaged due to the blaze. Fire and building professionals appointed by the Council are onsite assessing the damage.The public are strongly advised to stay away from the site, as it is not yet safe. Any interference, however well-meaning, is also likely to hamper the ongoing investigation and put public safety at risk.
The immediate effect of the fire at the beloved school has already been felt by the community, with locals quick to show their support – including donating almost £15,000 so far to a JustGiving page set up by Clerk of Governors, Helen Andrews, to help the school get back on its feet.
Suzanne Blackburne- Maze, Headteacher at the school, said, “We are simply devastated by what has happened here at our school. This year has been particularly tough already, and I know my staff, our parents and our children will feel this deeply – but we are determined to work through it and to bring back the school that we love. The buildings may be different, but one thing that will always remain is the sense of community that surrounds our school.
I know I speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say we are incredibly humbled by the show of support we have received from parents, our residents and our neighbouring schools. The local community have really galvanised and in these days of great difficulty they are bringing comfort, and hope”.
Jonathan Lewis, Director of Education for Cambridgeshire County and Peterborough City Councils, said, “Our hearts go out to everyone linked to the school and the surrounding area. It is a tragic event, but we have immediately started having the necessary conversations and are putting plans in place to help the school and its early years provision recover from this situation, so it can once again provide a pivotal role in supporting local children and the local community. We will do everything we can to help the school come back stronger.”
You can find out more about the school’s JustGiving effort, and donate here.
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity, or has any information, is urged to contact Cambridgeshire Police via their web-chat <https://bit.ly/2D9KFKH> or by calling 101 quoting investigation number 35/51082/20.
Re-opening School Provision
Re-opening School Provision Information document is now available and can be downloaded as a Word Document for school use.
Act of Worship on Returning to School
On returning to school we have created a suggested Act of Worship with notes on how to do Collective Worship in this next half term.
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