Arts celebration for shining Holy Cross; SchoolOfTheWeek HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC PRIMARY, SUTTON COLDFIELD.

Byline: Tony Collins

HOLY Cross Catholic Primary in Sutton Coldfield is continuing to excel.

The school, in Laburnum Drive, Walmley, is on 'top form' as the best performing primary in Birmingham having achieved a 100 per cent pass rate at both levels four five in all three essential subjects of English, maths and science in last year's SATs.

Head teacher Jackie Deasy, who joined Holy Cross almost three years ago, is delighted with the school's success.

She said: "This has been achieved through hard work by the children, alongside a dedicated and determined staff team." Holy Cross helped mark its outstanding classroom test results with a creative arts evening held at the school last week, at which pupils' talents and skills were celebrated alongside friends and family.

Children and their teachers performed on a range of musical instruments including cello, guitar, woodwind, violin, keyboard and piano, while pupils enjoyed Irish dancing, the Jive by the KDDK Dance Club and disco dancing.

The event also included some poignant poetry about the experiences of World War 1, written and recited by children in Year Six, and numbers from the school band, led by local composer Stuart Jones.

Jackie added: "It was a spectacular evening that will be remembered by our children, their families and staff for many years to come!" The school head said the children's well-being and happiness was at the heart of Holy Cross, particularly at playtimes. To help achieve this, the school has ensured its children are trained and skilled. And, to support this, Holy Cross has had pupils in Key Stage Two trained as peer mentors this term, alongside some Key Stage One children who are now trained 'buddies'.

"She added: "I believe that we all need these life skills as we go through life, and peer mentoring and buddy training support the children to be more confident and as independent as possible." The school enjoyed further success with pupils Katy Murrall, Kurt Hill and Miles Shelley all winning prizes in the Europe-wide Dreams at HeArt competition.

Holy Cross is staging a Fun Day on July 11 from 1pm to 4pm, to be opened by local MP Andrew Mitchell..

CAPTION(S):

Big draw: Artists Kurt Hill, Miles Shelley and Katie Murrall Check it out: Cowgirls Olivia Johnston and Chelsea McCunnie. Take a bow: Musicians Brant Shaw, Francesca Owen, Brogan Dempsey, Sam Hartley, Joseph Hewston. High kicking: Irish dancers Katie Coates, Claire O'Donnell, Emily Keen and Shauna Keeley.