This looks a really amazing piece of work - where do we get the details of how Jason used it? (not buying Youthwork enough, me) I think the idea of identity (in all the RE syllabuses of course) is a great one - working with this concept, faith becomes relevant to everyone, and 11-16s are spending their daily time thinking and acting out their answers to ‘who am I?’ questions. Jesus asked: ‘who do other people say that I am?’
In the run up to half term we ran a prayer room in one of the high schools I regularly work in in Leeds. We ran lessons for RE looking at prayer and spirituality and I was constantly overwelmed by the depth pupils were willing to share in front of a class of peers. Both staff and students commented on how much pupils had to deal with, having read their shared prayers. Their desire, a desperation even, for someone to be listening. I used the resources I found on schoolswork.co.uk with those in the 24-7 pack, which made the bringing together of activites much easier. God was in it all otherwise it just wouldn’t have happened, and I look forward to hearing the stories of answered prayer as I return to school this term. If you’re thinking of running a room, push some doors, talk to some people, visit a running prayer room in school, these guys at schoolswork and 24-7 are great support and there might even be someone doing the same local to you too!
What a great poem - James has summed up the feeling i know so well as somebody who has spent years doing Christian assemblies in both primary and secondary school…
“Well Done James”
Please don’t let your ink become dry as i am sure there are many more great odes in you that need to be put onto paper.
Rev Richard Pidgley
Discovery Church - Swindon
i work in a primary school as a TA, often there is conflict.
so my comment would be one aimed at children taking responsibility for their own actions-because it’s always someone elses fault.
“what could you do different towards someone that might prevent a falling out?”
“what good, kind or nice thing have you done today that has helped someone else?”
I never got a valentines card when I went to school. It didn’t bother me. I say its just harmless fun.
great encouragement in christian schools work. just shows how effective we can be without realising it !!!!
Sounds great. Nice one!
Amy your short course on assemblies was brilliant! My fav was the Russian doll assembly, its such a good idea
Thanks for letting us know Becky, sounds like a significant week for the school and makes all the prep you put in worthwhile! Look forward to hearing what happens from here!
I used this brilliant resource last year in the end of term services for several different year groups. I was able to use all of the resources (slightly adapted) and they provided a powerful and engaging framework for sharing the message of Easter. Thank you so much for producing this resource and the excellent value it represents. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone else.
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Do you Hear Me?`
Hope you had a great half term!! Last week I spent four days in a school delivering a new programme we’ve developed as a trust and youth team called 2Way. It was a chance for year 8’s to explore their identity through signs, activities and telling us what they think
wordle
How education kills creativity
If you haven’t seen Sir Ken Robinson talk about creativity and education, then you are truly missing something. This is a fantastic talk given at the TED conference some years back. I’m a big fan of TED and find there’s an incredible range of topics covered which are both inspiring and often also give me ideas for content. Sir Ken has also written an excellent book ‘Out of our minds’ on creativity and education which I highly recommend. Both address the need to capture young people’s excitement and interest in learning. If you take lessons or assemblies as a schools worker, you might find it helpful.
Discussion starters
Loved this post over at Youthblog today. In need of discussion starters for your groups? Ian’s got some top tips. Taken from Jacob & Brian at Rethinking youth ministry. Great stuff guys, thanks!
Help! Infants Christingle assembly!
Help! I have to do an assembly about Christingle for an infants school. They will have already made a Christingle each in their classroom before the assembly, where their teacher will explain what all the different parts mean, and i am struggling to come up with further ideas for the assembly? Any ideas??? Please help!
New year holidays from Scripture Union
New year holidays from Scripture Union for teenagers. A great way to end 2008 and start 2009
SCHOOLS NEWS Oct/3
Your weekly round up of news from the world of education. Here are some of the headlines from the last week that caught my eye…
Spirited Poetry
Creative engagement with spirituality. This is what Spirited Poetry is all about. What a fantastic opportunity, to engage children and young people with thinking about themselves and about God and about their deep questions through giving them the opportunity to creatively express themselves. Spirited Poetry is run by NATRE (National Association of Teachers of Religious Education). Find out more and how you can get involved…
The Christmas Story - church-school links
9 weeks today is Christmas day and for the last 14 years I’ve been involved with a local church - schools initiative that we have seen develop both locally here in Slough and in around another 25 locations from Altringham to Woodley and Glasgow to Gravesend. As I reflect it’s probably the most significant thing I’ve been involved with as a schools worker….spending most of my time in secondary schools just this week as I’ve met some year 7’s and older pupils – they have recounted their positive experience of a visit to church to learn about Christmas (or Easter) or both. They remember the rap – the mince pies – the nutty professor – the bubble gum and the fluff – the story of ‘the miracle birth’ and it leaves a lasting impression. That’s been my experience and I want to share the experience with you and open up the opportunity for finding out more…
Developing Partnerships between Church and School
A new book in the SU Top Tips series just published on Developing Partnerships between Church and School. Lots of practical advice about how to make those partnerships work as well as inspirational stories.
