Primary pupils have enjoyed an inter-school hockey competition backed by the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Some 10 schools took part in the Primary MegaMAT Games first hockey competition on the 3G pitches at Furness College’s Channelside campus.

The team of Year 4 pupils from Holy Family triumphed 4-1 against runners-up Victoria Academy in a fast-paced final.

Chetwynde and St Pius shared third place as their closely fought game ended 1-1. The matches were umpired by 12 Barrow Sixth Form students who are completing their higher sports leader programme at the Rating Lane campus.

The Primary MegaMAT games is a full calendar of multi-sports competitions including hockey, netball, swimming and a host of other sports. It is organised by Chetwynde, which joined the Furness College-led SCMAT in September last year.

Points are accumulated for each of the events coming up with a winner declared in the summer.

Organiser Katy Costa, who is the Head of Key Stage 2 at Chetwynde, said it had been a fantastic morning of sport in the fresh air.

“I have been so impressed by all the pupils’ energy and fair play,” she said. “It is the first time many of these have played in a competitive hockey tournament so it’s a great experience, especially to be able to play in such amazing facilities.”

Other teams competing included St Paul’s, St George’s, Vickerstown, South Walney, Newbarns and St James’ schools.

Winners were presented with their medals by Kathryn Kittley, who is the director of marketing and communications at the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

“It has been an exciting morning of hockey on the pitches at Furness College and fantastic to see so many smiling children in mixed teams giving their all and enjoying sport,” she said.

“Katy is a great role model for all these pupils as she has just become an England hockey champion after representing the North West and shows what can be achieved.”

Education experts have given the green light for a popular primary school in Barrow to join the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

The Department for Education has approved Ormsgill School and Nursery’s application to convert to an academy and join the SCMAT.

The 200-pupil school will become a new member of the Furness College-led Trust in September alongside Vickerstown School. They join Chetwynde School, which was the founding member of the Trust when it launched last year.

Ormsgill School Headteacher Mick Cull said he was extremely pleased to receive the email that the Secretary of State backed the plan.

“We feel strongly that this is the right move for us. We get to keep everything that’s wonderful about our school and gain all the benefits of working closely with other forward-thinking schools. Joining such an innovative MAT will enable us to take the learning experience we offer to the next level,” he said.

“We’ve had excellent support from the SCMAT to date both through the application and consultation processes and we are already seeing the benefits of being part of a wider organisation and all the expertise that brings.

“I am looking forward to the new academic term and working in partnership with the other member schools to continue to improve education across our whole community.”

Governors unanimously approved the decision to join SCMAT, which went through public consultation and was backed by staff and parents.

SCMAT Executive Head Teacher and CEO Professor Andrew Wren said there had been strong interest from schools across Furness and further afield in joining the Trust.

“When we started out, we had no idea that at the start of the second year we would have grown to three schools. We’ve been bowled over by the keen interest from schools and governors and their passion to make a difference to education by working together through the SCMAT.

“It’s fantastic to have such great schools on board within the first 12 months as a sound educational base for our Trust and those that align so well with our ethos. We look forward to working together to improve opportunities in education for the young people in the area.”

A courageous Chetwynde pupil has marked a decade of being cancer free by shaving his hair off for charity.

Alex Blake, who is in Year 11, took to the stage in assembly to surprise other senior students by getting the clippers out and received a standing ovation for his efforts.

The pupil underwent successful treatment for a brain tumour when he was five and wanted to raise much-needed funds for other families who are facing cancer battles.

Jill Robinson, Assistant Headteacher Teaching and Learning at Chetwynde School, said: “Every once in a while, you witness something courageous and inspiring – and that is what the senior students experienced in assembly. I am in awe of Alex and the face he did it in front of his peers and family, who also attended.

“I think you will agree that this all took guts, and it goes without saying we are all deeply proud of Alex.”

Alex’s mum, Lisa Blake, who is a teaching assistant at the Rating Lane school, gave the students an overview of Alex’s journey and why providing funds for families is so important before his head was shaved on stage.

Other students then spontaneously rose to give Alex a standing ovation with a few tears of pride among his family, friends and teachers.

Alex has now raised over £1,000 through a Go-Fund-Me page for the Team Reece Children’s Brain Tumour and Cancer Charity.

To donate, go to

https://gofund.me/3f5d5b5a