Five Bath and North East Somerset primary schools have joined together for a virtual celebration this Easter. The Church of England schools in Bath, Cameley, Farmborough, Marksbury and Radstock have filmed their own version of ‘Sign Your Cross’ by Nick & Becky Drake to share with family and friends.
The five schools: Cameley CEVC Primary and Nursery School in Temple Cloud, Farmborough CofE VC Primary School, Marksbury CofE Primary School, St Mary’s CofE Primary School & Nursery in Writhlington, and Weston All Saints CE Primary School, Bath, are all part of The Partnership Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust of 17 schools in B&NES and Somerset. They are all part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
With rising transport costs, and the rural location of some of the schools, it was proving difficult for all five to meet together and share an Easter service. The head teachers, and the Trust’s Director of School Improvement, Vicky Dupras, came up with the idea of sharing a virtual celebration instead, following the success of a similar initiative last Christmas.
Vicky says:“One of the benefits of being a Multi-Academy Trust is that we can share ideas and resources. Although the five church schools couldn’t celebrate in person, by learning and filming ‘Sign Your Cross’ they can be united by song this Easter.”
Matthew Norcott, Head Teacher of Weston All Saints Primary School in Bath commented, “As Church schools, we are always looking for ways to engage with other settings that share our Christian character and, while the practicalities and costs of travel can sometimes make this difficult, opportunities to interact virtually provide us with an amazing opportunity to contribute to something special. We were delighted to have the opportunity to learn and perform a new song for Easter and are hugely proud to share this latest recording!”
Effie-Mae from Year 4 at St Mary’s CofE School in Writhlington, says, “I think singing together as a whole school feels like a big family in one room. I feel excited and happy when I’m singing: It makes me feel good. The Easter song fits well with our Christian Values. Learning sign language really helps explain the words in the song!’