SPRING TERM 2016 DERBY DIOCESE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Call to the Light As a student I earned a crust as a motorbike instructor at weekends and factory worker during the holidays. The culture of “the lads” was quite eye opening. One winter morning I turned up at the factory and accidentally reversed my bike exhaust into an old car. To be fair, the car was so full of damage and rust I was not sure I had actually done any new damage, the real harm had been done to my pride. And so it started, the self-‐jusDficaDon for not doing the right thing. Honesty got the beGer of my dark side, so I leH a note to the considerable disbelief of my colleagues. At the end of the day the car had gone. It was only then that I found out my colleagues had removed my note and turned away a disgruntled owner who had knocked on the manager’s door. Should I have thanked them for their kindness?
This Christmas we have remembered the coming/advent of the Light of the World. Jesus, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) This ChrisDan frame of darkness and light pervades much of our culture. Yes, I did see Star Wars.
The Dark Side of the Force is all about temptaDon; it is “quicker, easier, more seducDve,” than the light, according to Yoda at least. It tempts our basic insDncts and self-‐interests, “Give into your hate,” implores the Emperor tesDng the resolve of Luke Skywalker. In the latest iteraDon, “The Force Awakens” Ren prays before the symbolic mask of Darth Vader, “Forgive me, I feel it again. The call to the Light.”
TemptaDon oHen comes more subtly and fuzzily than experienced by Star Wars characters. But it’s never too late to find the Light, to find a beGer way forward. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) but even Darth Vader, as corrupt as he was, turned to the light in the end.
My post advent prayer; that we would walk with our Lord and differenDate light from darkness. “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
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DERBY CATHEDRAL New curriculum Magpie Ideas page 3
NUTS AND BOLTS Dates for diary New appointments Inset
page 4
DERBY DIOCESE CHURCH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
RESOURCES RE Teacher’s Guide Spring’s Easter Project RE and British Values
page 4
INSPIRATION Kolkata school links Magpie ideas page 2
WE SEEK TO OFFER OUR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS
The Springs Easter Project leads pupils
through a series of dance workshops that
help them engage with the Easter story.
Children will learn and create movement in response to the story. They can explore their own spirituality as the workshops link Jesus' relationship with his disciples to Jesus' presence today. The workshops culminate in a performance of the Easter story by the pupils, which can be shown to school and parents alike.
‘...a pleasure to observe… The
retelling of the Easter story
was poignant and helped the
children reflect on the
emotions of the different
characters...awe inspiring’
Sue Thackray, Head Teacher St Peter’s Tandridge, The Easter Project 2015
Springs Dance Company
Easter Project
SPRINGS DANCE COMPANY specialises in RE through dance and helps young people learn
about and learn from the Christian faith.
SPRING TERM 2016 DERBY DIOCESE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Kolkata School Links The Autumn term saw the start of what we hope to be supportive, enriching and long-lasting links with schools in the diocese of Kolkata. It started with a group of 7 head teachers from church schools in Kolkata coming to visit this diocese and spending time in seven of our schools. Then at the end of October the visit was reciprocated with a group of us going to visit the schools in Kolkata. These schools ranged from well funded, prestigious schools to those serving some of
the poorest children in the slums of Kolkata. While we were there it became evident that we could really make a difference to children’s lives there as well as h e l p d e v e l o p t h e g l o b a l awareness of our pupils. We are hatching plans to:
*arrange a return visit of the initial group of teachers to develop the relationships between the schools
*provide some CPD for our Indian colleagues using peer mentoring, model teaching and out of school course
*establish new links between more schools in the two dioceses
*focus on fund raising to help improve or replace 15 school buildings which are under the care of Kolkata Cathedral Relief Services
F u r t h e r d e t a i l s w i l l b e forthcoming as they develop but we hope you feel able to be part of this diocesan link. While we were there we were able to travel to Darjeeling and visit one of the two schools that has benefited from the money raised in 2011
as part of our ‘Bring 200’ challenge. They were able to build a kindergarten block and so can now educate girls from the age of 3 right through to 18. So to all those of you who helped raise the money, thank you.
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Magpie Ideas As we visit schools we pick up all sorts of creative ideas and here are just a few of them;
During their Friendship Week (a pos i t ive re-naming of Anti Bullying), each pupil at Clifton VC Primary was encouraged to note when one of their p e e r s w a s s h o w i n g friendship to themselves or others.
St Anne’s VC Primary, Baslow enabled their KS1 art club to lead the way in making an eye-catching display showing how we can all work together to make the world a better place for everyone one.
SPRING TERM 2016 DERBY DIOCESE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Derby Cathedral - New Curriculum Ready As the new year begins I’d like to take this opportunity to r e m i n d s c h o o l s o f t h e wonderful learning resource we have in Derby Cathedral. N e w l y r e f u r b i s h e d t h i s beaut i fu l enl ightenment building offers so much to
enhance children’s spiritual development, as well as supporting work on British values and many other curriculum areas. New learning packages have been written by myself and the Canon Missioner to link directly with the new RE syllabus as well as many other workshops. Schools are invited to use the Cathedral as a space for collective worship working alongside the Cathedral clergy to make a special event / celebration as part of their visit. If you would like to find out more I am happy to come to school and talk with staff. Lead staff meetings or plan visits. I am also happy to lead collective worship and teach about the Cathedral in school and, as a music specialist, I am able to include music/singing for those schools that would appreciate additional help. A Cathedral Education leaflet has already been sent to schools and my contact details are on there and also the Cathedral website.The Cathedral is ready to support schools in many different ways. Get in touch and let’s work together to make a great visit for the children.
Viv Lawrence (Education Officer, Derby Cathedral)
Just a Thought - Language Matters! There has been a culling of words concerning nature from the Oxford Junior Dictionary. The following words are no longer deemed relevant to a modern-day childhood: acorn, adder, ash, beech, bluebell, buttercup, catkin, cowslip, cygnet, dandelion, fern, hazel, heather, heron, ivy, kingfisher, lark, mistletoe, nectar, newt, otter pasture and willow (Macfarlane, R., 2015, Landmarks). In their place are words such as attachment, block-graph, blog, broadband, bullet-point, celebrity, chatroom, voice mail. If children no longer have the language to describe and name the natural world maybe they will lose a sense of the wonder and value of it. So, bring back nature tables and walks, use stunning images to start off collective worship, and even spelling lists could help us to notice what we’ve got before it’s gone!
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A member of the church helped pupils at Loscoe VC Primary develop their understanding of the Trinity. On a Saturday morning she met with the pupils who make up the Collective Worship Club, along with their parents. Together they made this impressive display that wil l be used in both school and church to explore what Christians
Hartshorne VC Primary always holds collective worsh ip ou ts ide on a Friday straight after lunch, regardless of the weather. They use the space to explore the Christian understanding of God as Trinity in creative ways. The staff enjoy the chance to do fun things (dressing up seems to be a feature!) and pupi ls love the opportuni ty to be outside altogether along with the lunchtime staff who give their award which is focussed on that term’s value.
photo by Della Astle
SPRING TERM 2016 DERBY DIOCESE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Resources Religious Education and British Values This book of guidance has been written and edited by the RE Today Advisory Team to help schools and teachers of RE to understand and respond to the requirements to promote British Values in schools. Inside you will find up-to-the-minute guidance, a review of the inspection requirements, suggestions for policy
and curriculum development and some tried-and-tested RE lesson ideas that explore tolerance, respect, democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty. £15 from http://shop.retoday.org.uk
The Springs Easter Project leads pupils through a series of dance workshops that help them engage with the Easter story.Most often it is delivered over six workshop sessions followed by a performance day. However, it can be adapted to suit the school. Contact [email protected] or 07775 628 442
Religious Education: The Teacher's Guide explores the landscape of RE in the UK, setting the context for the teacher and leader of RE. It focuses on the essential information needed by teachers of RE, and offers a wealth of practical strategies for effective subject leadership, from active learning and assessment through to visits, visitors and British values. Brief guides to
religions and world-views support teachers' subject knowledge as well as suggesting ideas for the classroom. £25 http://shop.retoday.org.uk
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Dates for Diaries 2016-17Head Teacher Meeting25 Feb 201617 June 20169.30 am -3.30pm
Head Teacher School Improvement Briefings7 Mar 201628 June 20168.30 am- 12 noonAll the above at Willerlsey Castle, Cromford except 25 Feb
Collective Worship Coordinator’s Meetings 2016 4 Feb - Hallmark Hotel, Derby5 Feb - Chatsworth House
RE Coordinator Training 2016 9.30 am-3.30 pm18 May Hallmark Hotel, Derby19 May Chatsworth House
Ongoing Church School Governors’ Training 8 Mar Derby Church House10 Mar St Anne’s VC, Baslow14 Mar St Luke’s VC, Glossop7-8.30pm
2017 Church Schools’ Conference 30 Nov 2017The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick
RE Coordinator’s Training Please note that the dates have changed. The training is no longer on the 14th and 15th April but is now on the 18th May in Derby and 19th May at Chatsworth.
RE Film Competition on the Lord’s Prayer with a day of Footprints Theatre Company in school as the prize. See small flier included with this mailing or go to our website http://derby.anglican.org/education/schools/religious-education-re/
For the list of INSET available please go to http://derby.anglican.org/education/schools/inset/
Welcome to New Head Teachers Joseph Green -Mugginton VC Primary
Kerry Marsh - Newbold CE Primary (now substantive head)
Suzanne Forster - St Giles CE Primary (now substantive head)
The Springs Easter Project leads pupils
through a series of dance workshops that
help them engage with the Easter story.
Children will learn and create movement in response to the story. They can explore their own spirituality as the workshops link Jesus' relationship with his disciples to Jesus' presence today. The workshops culminate in a performance of the Easter story by the pupils, which can be shown to school and parents alike.
‘...a pleasure to observe… The
retelling of the Easter story
was poignant and helped the
children reflect on the
emotions of the different
characters...awe inspiring’
Sue Thackray, Head Teacher St Peter’s Tandridge, The Easter Project 2015
Springs Dance Company
Easter Project
SPRINGS DANCE COMPANY specialises in RE through dance and helps young people learn
about and learn from the Christian faith.