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.
Secondary
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STREAM schools workers conference
‘STREAM’ Friday 28 May London City Mission HQ 175 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2AH. 10.30am-3.30pm. Near London Bridge Underground station. Networking Christians in Education in London & South East. With Bible Ministry from Steve Clifford (General Director of Evangelical Alliance), Music in Schools with John Hardwick, Simon Thomas, Mark & Helen Johnson and Langham Arts. Come and be inspired to use music in your schools work wether or not you consider yourself a musician. Cost £10.00 More details .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 020 8778 3181
Wayne Dixon
Pray for schools
Pray For Schools 10-31 May “Raising the profile of prayer for schools in churches and communities.” Being organised by Youth For Christ, Care, Scripture Union, New Generation and Churches Together in England Details info@prayforschools.org http://www.prayforschools.org
Wayne Dixon
Ode to Assembly
The pupils file in, class by class, to fill up the space in the hall.
When teachers and students are all in their place, you can end up feeling quite small.
The year-head begins with announcements of things and then says: ‘Today we’ve a guest’,
The clock-watching starts, it’s over to you, Ten minutes to give it your best…..
SWAP Conference
Coming up in February 2010, on the 17th - 19th, Life Church in Burnley will be hosting the PAIS GB Swap Conference. Swap is a national schools worker conference and is open to all youth and schools workers with input this year from Paul Gibbs and Brad Hawkes.
Things Happening Under the Surface
What an honour it is for those of us who get to visit schools to take part in assemblies, RE lessons and the like, who knows what things are happening in the lives of the young people we meet? Who knows how God might use these moments to encourage, help and inspire young lives? Maybe you get tired of doing the work and seeing little visible results, maybe you need some encouragement? Keep going! The secret struggles and hidden trauma that lies beneath the surface of young lives in classrooms and assembly halls throughout the land needs to be addressed by Christ’s followers with messages of hope and love, whether we know that’s what’s taking place or not.
Education Sunday
Did you know Education Sunday is this coming weekend? For information on what it is, who it is promoted by and what you can do to recognise it, click this link. There are a whole host of resources, including prayer station ideas, assembly plans, sermon notes and presentations to download. The theme this year is ‘called to serve’.
Education Sunday is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone involved in the world of education.
24-7 Prayer-in YOUR school
So it’s Thursday morning and once again I unlock the prayer room at Cathedral school Wakefield bleary-eyed. I have a tidy up, mop up sand and water that has spilt and restick the post-it notes on the map that have fallen off. As I do so I read some of the heartfelt and honest prayers that students have posted…
National Storytelling Week Appeal - Parables needed
The 10th Annual National Storytelling Week is nearly upon us, and is worth bearing in mind…
30th January – 6th February 2010
A decade in celebration of storytelling! Once a upon a time an idea was proposed for a week to highlight the art of storytelling - not just for the young but for all ages who share the creations of thought and the creativity of imagination.
Leaders of tomorrow? Leaders of Today!
When reaching, teaching, training and building relations with young people, we often see them as a generation of leaders for tomorrow. This is obviously right, yet I think we may sometimes lean with all of our perspective slanting towards tomorrow at the cost of today; we shouldn’t under-estimate young people in terms of their leadership now, in the present. I think there is much to be learnt from a young dreamer, unbound and unrestricted by the cynicism that tends to creep in over time….
Love your local school
Love your local school is an event happening in Reading on Thursday 4 March. See below for more information. It’s hoped to be repeated in other locations in the future.
http://www.baptist.org.uk/training_events/downloads/love-your-localschool.pdf
Best wishes
Wayne Dixon
