http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/ en Amy Stock amy.stock@schoolswork.co.uk Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:57:07 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/jesus-and-music/#436 This Lesson was used in KS3 (Yr7-9).  We first did the lesson two years a go in an all boys school and went down really well, and we were asked back again to repeat the lesson with another year group a year later.  The Boys really identified with Jesus being a Super Hero and sat up and took notice of Kanye West. Matt Lilley Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:57:07 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/jesus-and-music/#435 Hi Matt, this looks really interesting! What year group was this for? How did it go down? I love the idea of using art to explore faith and the life of Jesus. We’ve used some similar ideas to explore the idea of worship and why Christians worship. We used music excerpts in different styles to try and break the stereotype of what students assume Christian music worship sounds like (i.e. old church organs), and what it means to worship. Great stuff! Amy Stock Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:48:02 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/whats-the-point/#434 I don’t have too much to add, as those before have been really thoughtful and balanced in what they’ve said. What I would say though Rachel, is not to be too bound by expectations even when you’re in the midst of a programme or a particular session. I was leading a lunchtime group last week that meet on a monthly basis, and which is necessarily based around aims and objectives (I’m invited into school for quite a particular purpose). But before we even kicked off with the session I had planned, I just felt kinda prompted to move in a different direction, and shared some of what the past few weeks had been like for me (practically and spiritually), which the group of lads responded to with some really thoughtful and open sharing. Shifting the agenda (in quite a suprising way, for me) to where they were at encouraged us to have a potentially much more significant discussion, and I think the group moved deeper as a result. Of course, after the session, I talked through how things had gone with my contact in the school, and he was really happy with me following my instincts, which was also a really positive step for our ongoing working relationship. I guess what I’m saying is have your aims and obs, but don’t forget to be sensitive to where God seems to be leading, even when you least expect it! Matt van D Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:22:14 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/whats-the-point/#432 Greetings Good stuff. Only yesterday I was in a school facing a very difficult time as a pupil had killed herself and whilst ‘being there’ along with others to help / support / listen etc another lass comes upto and says she is really keen to see a christian group start up at her school. Others are interested so hopefully this will happen - maybe next term as there are also some supportive staff. For me groups that start this way - from within and driven by those already there have a life of their own. Most groups that exist around here are led by pupils, staff, outsiders (or a combination of any). Numbers aren’t important - I think it’s about those who want to meet meeting and people like us doing what we can to support - enable and encourage. I’m not directly involved in any groups as they tend to run themselves. I see my role in support / encouraging and the like and when I’m in their school I’ll pop in from time to time and the rest of the time be ‘Hanging Around’ with the other young people / staff outside of the group. I find through ‘HAM’ I have some brilliant chats - opportunities and the like with people on their territory - in their time and this can (and does) lead to other things.  The aims and the like others have shared above are helpful / useful but I don’t think we do ourselves any favours if we focus to much on just numbers. A group with 3 that want to be there / make a difference is arguably more useful than a larger group who maybe attend because?? or not really with it. Also in the schools round here that do have groups for various reasons some christians don’t / can’t be part of it. Not necesaarily a major problem..some are doing other good things / hopefully all are helped / supported in their respective local churches (not always the case I know). So I see groups two ways - great if they are there - we can help etc. Not major if a school doesn’t have one but the christians in that school are being helped in other ways with our presence and the like. Actually harder to be a christian in school at lunch etc when not in a group than in a group - although both have there place. Let’s continue to do what we can both in and out and may God continue to lead, guide and use the christians in our schools all the time with or without a group. Some schools won’t allow groups (for various interesting reasons) other schools the time available has reduced significantly over the years and to try and have it at another time (before or after) doesn’t often work. What always works is as we (and others) encourage those variety of christians in our schools to be Jesus- that is what has impact and so if there is no group..the impact is still there. Glory! I think of a lass called Anna where this happened...won’t go on now though. Have a good day / weekend. Wayne Dixon Wayne Dixon Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:40:07 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/adulthood-review/#431 Personally I feel that the results of these films to “educate” us on how things are for young people are exactly as you experienced - they attract a number young people who want to see the lurid action. I think that there is enough about this life in the news media which is then reflected in films and documentaries but I have not come across enough (or any) solution-focussed programmes for those caught up in and affected by this lifestyle. Maybe as Christians we need to put that in a movie or documentary as an alternative. Nicky Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:34:18 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/cheap-fast-fashion/#430 Really interesting and honest thoughts there Louise, thanks. I am reminded of some retreat days I did last year with year 8s, and our topic was ‘freedom’. We looked at the exploitation of children particularly in the Ivory Coast and exploring the way cocoa beans were harvested there. As well as activities all around freedom in the children’s own lives and in our world, there was a challenge for us throughout those days to think deeply about the choices we make when considering what we spend our money on, and the implications of those choices. I have to say though, over a year on I’m not sure the message of those days has sunk in deep enough into the way I live my life and what I choose to spend my money on. I’ve just come out of a meeting with some other local youth workers and we chatted for a bit about this very thing, and about what has to be affected before we see change in our outward behaviour (and indeed with the young people we’re working with), and it comes back to it being a ‘heart’ thing. Until we are impacted at the core of who we are, then we have no real motivation or reason to change our behaviour. I think we live in a society where it’s very easy to ‘switch off’ when thinking about our global responsibilities and yet, (and I say this next sentence to myself) if we believe that Jesus showed us what it is to reach out to the poor and demonstrated a way of life that we should follow, then surely, in the words of Brian McLaren, ‘Everything Must Change’… Amy Stock Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:55:09 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/cheap-fast-fashion/#429 i watched this, my main thought was: has this affected me? You know, sadly i’m not sure it has. Right now i think right i won’t go there again but i wonder in a few months time will i remember. it would be interesting to use this thought with the Bible’s words on the poor- does it effect our heart? when we’re so detatched watching the news about this world, how does it/does it not effect us? secondly what is our response as Christians to this? Louise Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:49:34 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/resourcetoolkit/entry/the-lemon-challenge/#428 This is good but comparing someone to a lemon in certain geographical area could have certain connotations.  For Example, if you call some one a lemon in the Birmingham area, it suggests that they are a lesbian.  I’ve seen this activity been done in an all girls school and went completely wrong. Matt Lilley Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:13:23 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/whats-the-point/#427 It is exciting isn’t it when we get a sense of God at work in a particular school and join in.  So often we ‘ask God to bless what we’re doing, rather than do what God is blessing’ (to quote Rick Warren). Amy, you are right when you say that the Christian young people will be the biggest influence in their school.  Supporting them becomes a key role of the schoolsworker.  Helping them to take a lead in, and have ownership of, any lunchtime clubs / groups is a great way to support them and encourage them in this God-given task. As to the aims for a particular session, it very much depends on what the young people see as important.  After all, if they do not own it and see God’s hand on it, attendance will always be an issue.  Whenever I do training with young people who want to run, or who are running a group, we always spend a lot of time on ‘Why run a group’ and ‘Who is it for’.  If this is established and clear from the start, it avoids potential disappointment and disillusionment.  For example if they know that the purpose of the group is to be a place where their friends can find out about Christianity, they will understand why their needs for support and fellowship are not being met through the meetings themselves. How you measure success?  Again it depends on what the aims are.  In a nutshell, no matter what the clubs is for, surely we are looking to produce ‘fruit that will last’ (John 15:16-17 ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.’ (NIV) Geoff Brown Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:08:03 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/why/#426 I think I ended up sharing some of my thoughts on this in a post along the same lines here Amy Stock Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:17:57 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/whats-the-point/#425 Hi Rachel, good questions! I’ve recently returned to doing lunchtime groups after a couple years of not doing them. I had got to the point a couple years back where I just wanted to be out there in the corridors, in the lunch hall, in the playground, being available for students/staff, to have that flexible time that you just don’t have if you’re running clubs every lunchtime. However I’ve now reached that place where I’m really wanting to build a bit deeper with some of the conversations that have been happening, and provide a space where students can come and meet others who can join in the conversation too. I’m going through a process at the moment of figuring out exactly what that lunchtime group is going to look like in September, which is why Im starting it now and working with a small group of young people to develop a format to launch properly next term. There’s one thing I have decided, and that is that I’m not the one with the answer right now to how this is going to work. For a while God has been building an excitement in me for this particular school, and there is a local youthworker who also does some work in the school and we meet to pray and have both sensed God building something in us. watch this space I guess! An exciting development in the last few weeks has been a staff prayer group that has begun one morning before school (after a request from one of the staff!), and also a suggestion from one of the students that we start a prayer group for them! I think an important distinction there for me, coming back to your question Rachel, is that the aim for this second lunchtime group will be a space for Christian students (and it’s ok to make it specific) who love God and want to see Him known in the school. There are a couple students I was chatting to today who are really up for this, and I just want to encourage them to go for it. For them too take lead of this group and even if it’s just the two of them, to walk beside them as they start this adventure! And I think that is probably a big key in thinking about the question of ‘why are no young people coming?’ or ‘what;s the purpose of a club?’....it has to come from them, from what God is showing for that specific school or group of students. And importantly, to have students willing to stand up and take a lead. They are the ones who will ultimately be the biggest influence in their school. Ok, there were my rambling thoughts, and didn’t even get onto how you measure success!! Amy Stock Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:14:15 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/adulthood-review/#424 Nice review there Tom - interesting feedback on the young audience too. I liked both Kidulthood and Adulthood and think that they make a decent snapshot of modern life for many who have to struggle with these issues, even if it is amped up with a plot which injects excitement to the mix (it is a film not a documentary after all!?). Where else is there to go though - surely they won’t be making a 3rd film (even though it would be fun to see Sam settle down and get a job, raise a family, find God? The mind boggles… They could even call it ‘Middle-aged-lifehood’ but it doesn’t have the same ring to it...) Matt Adcock Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:21:58 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/fixing-broken-britain/#423 this is interesting - i didn’t watch it though. i used to work with young offenders, particularly females. most of their crimes were commited when drunk or stoned. My best friend works for probabtion and has recently had to deal with a young person who just has no idea or remorse for what he did. we are in interesting times- how do we as churches support this? Louise Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:48:41 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/fathers-day-assembly/#422 It sounds awesome, how amazingly constructive, lets hope those young people always hold on to looking for the positive in their parents. It’s a valuable lesson you were able to enjoy with them....well done, although last assembly? Sounds like you’ll be missed too! Lillie Jenkins Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:55:19 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/saving-private-ryan1/#421 This is amazing! I love films and so running a program with films and young people sounds even better. I was looking around the site and it really does sell itself. By joining up you’re then offered a full induction session with a FILMCLUB representative offering step by step instructions in how to set up a club. And then to help get interest in the project the publicity is already done for you, with FILMCLUB posters, postcards and membership cards all set to be sent out. Sounds like too good an opportunity to miss! Tom Wade Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:26:01 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/multi-sensory-wheel-with-ipods/#420 That’s it!  Thank you so much Amy-I thought it looked really interesting. Kate Erith Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:19:04 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/puma-adidas-friendship-assembly/#419 powerpoint is now up on the Resource Toolkit Amy Stock Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:00:17 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/multi-sensory-wheel-with-ipods/#418 Hi Kate, Yes you’re right there is a resource that matches your description! It’s called Breathe, designed by Jenny Baker, and the original idea was to be a labyrinth style experience, but better suited for the classroom. It is a huge mat (10 by 10 ft), with 4 different themes (split into 12 sections - i.e. 3 sections per theme) - with meditations on what young people think and believe about themselves, others, the planet, and God. it offers a Christian viewpoint, but the emphasis is on young people being able to form their own responses to the questions and activities provided for them. We did a podcast featuring Breathe back in April, and you can also read more about it on the Dare2Engage website here. Amy Stock Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:16:56 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/resourcetoolkit/entry/free-photos/#417 That’s so cool having a site with free images! Flickr are also full of fantastic images - but it’s always nice to let the original artist know you’re using them too :) nicki Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:51:55 +0100 http://schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/assemblets/#416 Was just browsing over the website - its awesome by the way - and came across this post. I read it ages ago, but after the FAB stories with significance training day I attended in Manchester on Sat this story is even more exciting to me now! Tom Wade Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:24:30 +0100