It was wonderful to commission eight new headteachers from primary schools across the diocese, and to welcome the new Diocesan Director of Education Katie Fitzsimmons at Choral Evensong in Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday 28th September 2023.
The headteachers, Jemma Murray – Stoborough CE VA Primary School, Becky McManus – St Martin’s CE Primary School, Katy Astle – St George’s CE Primary School, Louise Scrivens – Marden Vale, Dan Crossman – Marlborough St Mary’s, Lucy Hill – St Nicholas’ CE VA Primary School, Robert Cottrel – Chapmanslade Primary School, and Harriet Phillips – Collingbourne CE Primary School, were first welcomed by Bishop Stephen at South Canonry. Over tea and cake, they shared with the Bishop and the Director of Education stories of encouragement and challenge, before taking the short walk to the Cathedral for Choral Evensong.
In the service, Bishop Stephen prayed for the new headteachers, blessing them and commissioning them for the work they are called to do. He also welcomed Katie Fitzsimmons, the new Diocesan Director of Education, to the diocese and prayed for her as she begins her new role. Katie started her role at the beginning of September and will be commissioned at Diocesan Synod in October.