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Reading! Reading! Reading!

I always enjoy seeing our pupils and staff dressed up as their favourite book characters on World Book Day and this year has been no exception. Despite lockdown, pupils, staff and families have been dressing up at home and in school and reading stories together in new and exciting ways! One school shared a story with over 170 pupils during an online World Book Day breakfast while, at another school, pupils enjoyed a story and hot chocolate at bedtime. Pupils across the trust have been busy making shoebox scenes from their favourite books and taking part in sponsored reads. Our final days before we reopen our doors to all pupils have been a real celebration of reading, authors, illustrators and books!

Of course, reading isn’t only important on World Book Day and, if you’re searching for something to do this weekend, I suggest that you have a look at the World Book Day website. You’ll find a wealth of online activities, games, free audiobooks, reading suggestions and videos of favourite authors and illustrators.

Have a great weekend. I look forward to seeing you all on Monday and to hearing all about your weekend of reading!

Kate Brunt

CEO

This week, we have the news that we’ve all been waiting for! I am delighted to report that preparations for all pupils to return to school on 8^th March are well under way in our schools. There is a lot to do but there is a definite feeling of excitement in the air at the prospect of being together again! Over the past eight weeks, I have had many conversations with staff, parents, carers and pupils. Adults have spoken to me about the difficulties of juggling remote education, work and other demands and caring responsibilities as well as managing concerns for themselves and their families; pupils tell me that they just want to see their friends and teachers again! Like the sunny spring weather today, this week’s news gives us all hope for a brighter future.

Of course, as always, the safety and wellbeing of our staff, pupils and families remain our priority. In addition to our well-established measures and routines, staff will take twice-weekly tests and risk assessments will be reviewed and updated regularly to take account of new variants and changing advice.

With just over a week to go, I am thrilled to be able to say that I look forward to seeing you all very, very soon.

Have a good weekend. Stay safe and stay in touch,

Kate Brunt

CEO

As we reach the end of the first half of the spring term, I want to acknowledge the positivity and energy that exists in our schools. Yes, there have been challenges during the last six weeks but the overriding feeling across the trust remains a positive one of collaboration, commitment to ensuring that all pupils receive the best possible learning opportunities and care for the safety and wellbeing of all.

During this latest lockdown period, our pupils have continued to amaze me by their resilience, positive attitude to learning and wholehearted participation in events and activities. Since January, Rivers’ pupils have taken part in national events such as Safer Internet Day, Children’s Mental Health Week and Big Garden Birdwatch, MAT events such as Rivers’ Number Day and school and class activities such as the 100 Challenge in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore. Their enthusiastic and joyful participation has been wonderful to see – a lesson in positivity for us all!

This half-term period has also been a positive and exciting time for Rivers CofE Academy Trust as we continue to work towards welcoming Cherry Orchard Primary School into our family of schools on 1^st April.

Stay positive and have a restful and safe half-term break,