Ely College will celebrate World Book Day across two weeks this year so that all Year 7 & Year 8 students can take part in activities during their LIVE library lessons. Covid, remote learning and a busy week ahead of phrased returns into school isn't going to stop us from celebrating World Book Dy 2021 in style!

During previous years, we have been very lucky to welcome local author, Julian Sedgwick, into school to talk to Year 7 students about his work as a successful author. Students have found his talks inspirational and there is always such a buzz amongst them after his talk. The juggling knife show tends to cause a stir!

We are very proud and grateful for our continued links with Julian and the support he offers Ely College. This year, despite the difficult circumstances, he continues to inspire our students, although this is in a slightly different format. Julian has recorded a special message for our students and an introduction to his new book Tsunami Girl, which will be available in March.

We are very lucky to have this exclusive preview!

When we are back in school, all Year 7 students will have the opportunity for a live chat with Julian during their library lesson.

Julian’s new book; Tsunami Girl will be available from Toppings along with other books shops. Toppings is running an order and collect service and can arrange for the book to be signed by Julian. To contact Toppings; phone 01353 645005 or email ely@toppings.co.uk

World Book Day vouchers

World Book Day vouchers this year are being issued in paperless format. Please note that it is one voucher per child. Click on the link below to claim a voucher for your child:

https://www.worldbookday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/booktoken_SecondaryUK.pdf

There is also a link to a list of participating bookshops.

There is a huge range of activities on the website for families to enjoy together:

https://www.worldbookday.com/

Ely College is delighted to launch a very special award. The ‘Mark Cooney Community Spirit Award’ is a personal thank you from all of us at the College; year on year it will allow students to celebrate their peers’ important contributions to our local community.  

Earlier this week, members of the college leadership team met with Spotted in Ely’s creator and chief editor, Mark Cooney, to pass on their best wishes for his forthcoming wedding and treatment. The college team surprised Mr Cooney over the video call, informing him of the intention to establish this new award in his honour. It will be awarded each year to students who go the extra mile and do something special for their community, as Mark has done for years. 

Restrictions permitting, we hope to be able to return to Ely Cathedral in the summer to host our annual Presentation Evening. A highlight of our summer term, this fantastic event gives us the opportunity to bring together staff, students and families to celebrate the many wonderful achievements of our students.  

We have seen that the Ely community spirit is stronger than ever this year, and it is this strength that we hope to pass on to Mark as he moves forward with his treatment. 

Executive Principal, Richard Spencer, commented after their online meeting: “Mark Cooney has had such positive effect on our community through his work and management of Spotted in Ely. He has led by example, and this new award will embody the community spirit that he represents. His kindness, talent and enterprising commitment to the city sets a fine example to our young people as they become citizens of Ely.” 

“This is a small way to show our appreciation for the continued supported from the Spotted in Ely team and their commitment to showcasing the positive stories from our college, and those of our wonderful city.” 

Did you see our Festival of Arts Celebration?!? Don't miss it, follow the link here: Go to this sway!

We are so excited to finally share this with you all. As well as our Winter Wonderland winners, we're showcasing all of our festive arts! With our Year 'Bubble' choirs & fabulous performances... students said 'the show must go on'! While we can't come together for our usual Winter Showcase, it is so beautiful to share such warmth & positivity with you all at this festive time of the year.

REMEMBER: Friday (18th) is the end of term and it is Non School Uniform Day.

Regardless of donations we want ALL students to join in (festive jumpers optional), but IF YOU CAN take 5 mins to donate VIA WisePay our House Charities will see the benefits.

No cash donations will be taken in on the day.

Our Winter Wonderland inter-house competition has been going for a number of years now, but we've never had so many AND such high quality entries before! Over 500 students took part, earning their #PLEDGES & showcasing their talent. Here are the winners with their stunning pieces!

From this competition there was an overall winner chosen and a winner from each of the Houses. 6 designs were also chosen to be produced as the official Ely College Christmas cards. Over 50 other entries were awarded “Highly commendable” certificates as the standards were so high making choosing winners very difficult.

Mark Woods, CMAT’s CEO, has been growing his own feral Lockdown beard since 20th March 2020; no shaving, no trimming, no fancy manscaping – just the real deal as it comes.

Initially Mark swore he would not touch his beard until all students were back in school full-time, however, seeing what a natural beauty the said beard has blossomed into, he thought he would give you the choice as to what he does next.

Two campaigns were set-up:

1) Shave (also known as ‘Ban the Beard’): Mark will give his beard a good trim or remove it completely (to the relief of his family!) and at least return to looking as near respectable as he has ever managed.

2) Leave (also known as ‘Santa’): Mark pledges to turn into CMAT’s (or other associated organisations) very own Santa Claus: no shaving until the school breaks up for Christmas, a full white dye-job and some Covid-safe ‘hohohoing’.

The deadline for making your decision was the 30th September. Some terrified staff, parents and friends voiced their concerns about Mark’s lack of grooming and pushed the ‘Ban the Beard’ campaign. Alas, and unfortunately for some, the idea of Santa Claus seemed to be the frontrunner, raising over £1,000 for Sue Ryder, Thorpe Hall Hospice.

Although the initial conditions were that, unless the £5,000 target was hit, Mark would decide on the outcome of his increasingly feral beard, however, Mark and his co-organisers have since decided that he will keep his beard anyway (and much to the annoyance of his family!).

Mark and the team would like to thank everyone for their generous donations in support of such a superb cause as Sue Ryder, a charity with a special place in the hearts of all those at CMAT and their associates’ hearts.

Please continue with your generous donations! All monies raised will support the outstanding work of Sue Ryder, Thorpe Hall Hospice in memory of our dear friend Martin Bacon, who benefited from their care and who always enjoyed a silly plan.

Mark had this this say as the term ended: "As a parent and a trust CEO, I have often been, I imagine, part of a relatively small group of people who have seen this pandemic from both sides. I have been party to the careful, lengthy deliberations of leadership staff about running track and trace within schools and in attempting to find the fine balance between keeping the school open and the children in school, whilst also trying to ensure that transmission is prevented. Staff are regularly having to make difficult decisions about symptoms, tests and self-isolation, whilst also recognising the stresses and strains placed on colleagues. In addition to contacting parents to explain difficult decisions and exploring contacts beyond seating plans, parents are receiving test information outside of school hours with schools responding, putting plans into action and then sharing it with families. School leaders have to go through this routine time and again. And then, from the parents’ perspective, receiving a phone call or letter from the school which impacts upon their own family life and responsibilities. We are also very acutely aware of the strain that has been placed on so many families for a whole variety of reasons.

And all this before we even start to consider the impact on teaching and learning and the expectation to manage students in school and at home within a constantly changing set of circumstances.  

This has been an extraordinary drain on staff in schools and all students within schools. All I will say, is ‘Thank you’ to the staff for all of their commitment, resilience and hard work. And ‘Thank you’ for your ongoing support and patience through this period. I sincerely hope that by the time we reach our next newsletter in the Spring, we will all be feeling that we are starting to make real strides forward in our recovery.

The normal work of trust does carry on, and we want to celebrate the fact that Northstowe Secondary School finally became a full part of the CMAT family in Sept and the Bluecoat School Stamford, should join the trust on 1st January. Our work with The Harbour School and the Greater Peterborough University Technical College is ongoing."

Last week was Gratitude Week at Ely College and Bishop Laney!

It has been a difficult year for everyone and in an effort to lift spirits and promote positivity in college, we thought it would be a lovely idea for us all to say THANK YOU more often and recognise the support we each receive day to day.

Little thank you cards were filled in by all staff and students and as you can see, we now have a huge box of gratitude to share (all covid safe and quarantined)! Thank you for taking part and making Gratitude Week such a success.