10th January 2025
Christmas Message from Revd April Gold
The end of term is finally here!
Thank you for all your hard work during this long term. I hope that in bringing joy to children, families, and staff in the last couple of weeks, you have also re-experienced some of the joy and excitement of Christmas.
Last week, I participated in the Christmas Experience with two primary schools. We recreated Mary’s house to imagine how she must have felt when Gabriel visited her. We reflected on her initial shock at seeing an angel, her concern and worry about bearing an unplanned child, the sadness of letting go of her hopes for her life, and the eventual joy when she realized her baby would be the long-awaited saviour of the world.
At the heart of Christmas is an overwhelmed young girl who wonders why she has been chosen and feels unprepared for the role. But God had already created a community to support Mary through Joseph, Elizabeth, and Zechariah. When Mary sought Elizabeth’s counsel, her anxiety turned to hope, and she said:
I love how God knows what we need and plans for it. Sometimes we have to seek out our people, but when we look, they are there, waiting to listen, pray, or just ‘be’ with us. These communities help us return to our ‘why’ when times are tough.
I have been fortunate to spend time with schools this term. I promised myself at the beginning of the year that, no matter how busy things got, I would make time each week to be with you and the young people you care for, to remind myself of my ‘why.’ Thank you to those who have hosted me and involved me in Harvests, Church Services, and Concerts; in opening new classrooms or buildings, or attending special events. I have equally enjoyed just spending time with some of you over coffee, hearing your joys and concerns, and sharing what can sometimes feel like a lonely and heavy burden. It is a life giving habit so you would like me to visit for an event, send me an invitation, or if you just want a chat and a coffee, get in touch.
With best wishes and prayers for a restful and joyous Christmas.
Revd April Gold
Gift from the DBE to Headteachers
If you’ve not already received it, do look out in your school post for a gift from the DBE to Headteachers. It’s to say thank you for all that you do for your church school communities and something for you to have just for yourself over the Christmas break.
School News
Congratulations to Blue Coat CofE School in Coventry who have been named in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide as being among the best schools in the region.
The annual rankings provide a source for parents to compare schools before deciding on the right choice for their children and shows parents the performances of schools in specific locations, under local authorities, or nationally while also assessing academic results and Ofsted inspections.
The Sunday Times splits the whole of the UK into 12 regions and Blue Coat was ranked 9th in the Birmingham and West Midlands region and the only Coventry school to appear in the listings for Coventry Comprehensive Education where they were ranked 305th in the UK. Across all schools, including indpendent schools, they were ranked 632nd in the UK.
For the full Headlines newsletter contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org