OF : Board of Education Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

Inside Issue 51

Hail & Farewell 2

Honours bestowed 2

School News 3-5

+Alan’s Presidential Address 6,8

Ashton Middle School 7

HMQ 90th Celebrations 9-13

Recent courses 14-20

Art Competition 17

From the RE Adviser 21-25

Creation of the Teacher 26

Prayers for Schools 27

Director’s End Notes 28

Circulation

This termly Newsletter is sent to church school headteachers, priests with a church school in their parish, senior diocesan clergy, members of the Diocesan Board of Education, members of Diocesan Synod and other interested people.

Heads: Please let your RE Co-ordinator have this copy once you have finished. Page  2 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

HAIL AND FAREWELL Welcome to Herts Congratulations to ... Lizzy Rackham—Dagnall (Sept 16; from Senior teacher) Charlotte Tudway—Essendon Primary (Sept 16, from St Helen’s Primary, ) Shirley Arnold—St Andrew’s Primary, Stanstead Abbotts (Sept 16; from Deputy) Sarah Bridgman—Tonwell St Mary’s Primary (Sept 16; from St Helen’s Primary, Wheathampstead)

Farewell to Herts Rachel Heath—Dagnall (Aug 16; early retirement) Barbara Young—Essendon Primary (Aug 16; to Cambs LA) Rosemary Woodall— St Andrew’s Primary, Stanstead Abbotts (Aug 16; early retirement) Alan Wright—Tonwell St Mary’s Primary (Aug 16; to Norfolk)

Welcome to Beds Nancy Sheehan—Dunton & Wrestlingworth Lowers (Apr 16; from Acting)

Hope we’ve not missed anyone out! Very many thanks to the deputy years, for most of them as a wise or acting head for your sterling and insightful Vice-Chair, of work! much assistance to the Schools Team behind the scenes ... … and to Deborah Weston who … Geoffrey Williams, who in May was awarded an OBE in the was awarded the Order of Queen’s Birthday Honours for St Albans by the Bishop of services to Religious Education St Albans. This is a means of and inter– and intra-faith honouring lay people in the dialogue. During the past year Diocese who have offered faithful Deborah has led courses on and committed service over a Islam for diocesan church substantial period of time. schools. She works tirelessly for Geoffrey served on the Diocesan RE, both as a teacher and in a Board of Education for very many national capacity. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  3

 it is a place where everyone a popular place Silsoe is to live, SCHOOL NEWS shows kindness by working and it’s important that we match Silsoe Lower School— together and helping each that pace of growth by being able other to offer children new school site!  that we a place at a respect our good, local Pupils expressed their wishes school. and dreams for their new school toys, our friends and at a ceremony to mark work on “I look forward to our new the building reaching its highest returning soon to classrooms point. A topping-out ceremony see the took place in April to celebrate the Joining completed latest landmark in the children, staff school.” construction of Silsoe CofE Lower and school School’s new site. governors at Susan Purdue, the event were headteacher of Built on the former Cranfield a host of Silsoe Lower University campus off Barton invited dignitaries including School, said: “This is a very Road, Silsoe, the school is due Central Council exciting time for the school. for completion in time for the Chairman Cllr David Bowater, Visiting today, you start to 2016/17 academic year when it Central Bedfordshire’s Assistant visualise how everything is going will be able to offer 240 places, Director (School Improvements) to look and what the new an increase on the 135 available Helen Redding and Deputy facilities will look like. at its current High Street location. Diocesan Director of Education “We are very much a values- Lizzie Jeanes. Sophia, Sophie, Libby, Joshua, based school, and in their Isla, Jacob, Harry and Tayla read Cllr Bowater said: “Last time I inimitable way the children have aloud their classes’ wishes and visited this was just a muddy summed up all of our aspirations dreams for the new building. They building site where work was just and values in their wishes and included hopes that: beginning. It’s amazing how dreams which they expressed  it will be a fantastic place for quickly things have progressed today for the new site. over the course of a few months learning with fun activities, and “If we commit all of our plans and and it’s evident what an that everyone will feel safe and aspirations to God he will help us impressive building this will be. welcome too to build an outward-looking,  it is a caring, safe, calm place values-based and God-centred where we can have fun “You can see by the number of new homes being built here what school where we all strive to work hard, achieve our potential within a wonderful environment and, most importantly, learn from and care for each other.” The expansion scheme is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to provide 6,500 new school places across Central Bedfordshire over a five-year period to 2017. For more information about the New School Places programme, visit http:// www.centralbedfordshire.gov .uk/school/organisation/ programme.aspx. Page  4 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

And more congratulations, to ...

… St Paul’s Primary, Chipperfield, thought we would represent who won through to the JRock that in the performance. southern final. Headteacher Our JRock is like a club, Caroline Moore tells ... consisting of a mix of curricular A Tale of Temptation and extra-curricular activities. As well as the performance On 22 June we headed for the itself, we deliver our JRock JRock southern final in experience to the children Portsmouth with 77 pupils and an through the Christian values army of staff and parent that we teach at school: volunteers. We managed to come respect, perseverance, second out of twelve finalists, courage, friendship and co- which is the most amazing operation. They get to work achievement – we still can’t quite more closely with staff and believe it! Anybody who has ever children from different classes; been to a Rock Challenge final with all of the different staging various fundraising events such will appreciate the high standards elements that make up our as cake sales, competitions and of performances. performance, the development of teamwork skills is a major focus healthy tuck shops. We also received generous donations of JRock is the junior version of for us. We also promote positive materials from local parents and Rock Challenge, a performing arts inclusion: there are no auditions former parents, and a cheque competition which promotes and all pupils from the relevant from our local village club which healthy lifestyles and that feeling age-groups are positively of a “drug-free high”. The encouraged to participate. allowed us to purchase more resources. A fantastic group of challenge is to stage a short Virtually all pupils choose to join, parents worked on costumes, performance to a soundtrack that including those who would not hair, make-up, props and we have produced ourselves. We ordinarily volunteer to participate won the heat in our region scenery – it literally has in February, earning a taken months and months place in the final. Every of hard work and year the standard increases dedication. Sarah Smith, so we were amazed to be our Year 6 teacher and placed second and leader of JRock, said: “I presented with ten Awards am just so proud of our of Excellence, for fantastic team of children, choreography, soundtrack, parents, staff and former performance skill, pupils; I feel lucky to be entertainment, stage crew, part of such a collaborative stage use, visual community. Seeing the enhancement, costuming pride and excitement in character, inclusion and everyone's faces healthy lifestyle. afterwards made all the hard-work and effort well Our theme, “A Tale of worth it.” Temptation”, was based upon the in the performing arts. Many of fairytale “Hansel and Gretel”. We these children push themselves There certainly has been a chose this as it had a spooky with performances which take fantastic “feel-good factor” and forest section, giving great scope them beyond their comfort zone, buzz around the school since the for scenery. We then thought so developing new skills and event. The children have about how we could introduce building self-esteem. developed so many different skills along the way and, most different characters to add peer This has been a true community pressure and try to lead Hansel event, helping to bond our school importantly, have really enjoyed their experience – a incredibly and Gretel astray, after being community with hours of happy memory to be treasured inspired by films like “Into the commitment and hard work from Woods” and “Maleficent”. Children staff, pupils and parents. The forever. are always faced with having to process started last summer with Photographs courtesy of Nick Scott make difficult choices so we pupils and parents organising Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  5

Poem for Rock Challenge Lieutenant Ellis Hansel and Gretel are so grown up St Mary’s High School is located on Lt Ellis Way in . They’re ready to go on their way. Have you ever wondered who Lt Ellis was? Let’s see if they make the right choices He was the unfortunate pilot of a US B24 Liberator bomber So that their lives are more than okay. which crashed on 12 August 1944, on Maxwells Farm, just west But temptation is round every corner of what is now the A10. Despite a serious malfunction on all How strong do you think they can be? four engines, the pilot managed to steer towards open ground, Can they stand up to pressures? thus avoiding crashing on homes in the villages (sic) of Let us all wait and see. Waltham Cross and Cheshunt. Grateful residents made a collection for families of the crew. Part of this collection was A gang of wolves - they’re strangers, set aside for two memorial plaques to be made: one is in A mob who promise such fun. Cheshunt Library and the other at the US National Cemetery at Should they be trusted as friends? Madingley, Cambridge. Or perhaps t’would be better to run. Shortly after impact the plane exploded. Lt Ellis, his navigator Gretel should be so happy and one of the gunners were buried at Madingley; the remains With what she has chosen to wear, of the other crew members were flown home. But red cloaks are the new fashion So she finds her stuff hard to bear. And so Lt Ellis lives on, in the name of an increasingly busy road. Do pause for thought and remember these brave young Goldilocks choosing a crimed life, men when you next drive over that way. A vandal, a thief and so cruel, Breaking rules isn’t what they wanted But it’s tempting to join someone so cool! An evil queen lures them with poison: Recipe for preserving children It’s not something they should eat, But it’s hard to say no when it looks good, Wrapped up in an enticing treat. 1 large grassy field Hansel and Gretel are tired 6 children Is it time to give up and go back? 3 small dogs Staying at home was so easy. Keep going - you’re on the right track! flowers You’re learning as you journey onwards. narrow strip of brook with pebbles There are so many people who care. hot sun You’ll soon figure out the right thing And, of wrong choices, be very aware. deep blue sky The last test - it’s such a big one. Hansel cannot stay strong. Mix the children with the dogs and empty into field, One bite has dire consequences. stirring continuously. Luckily Gretel knows that it’s wrong! Sprinkle the field with flowers. Trapped by temptation - Maybe Gretel has a plan; Pour the brook gently over the pebbles. To free Hansel from his prison - Cover all with a deep blue sky and bake in hot sun. Let us all hope that she can! When children are well browned they may be Have they both learnt their lessons? removed. Will they really go the right way? Will be found right for setting away to cool in The signpost of life’s choices before them - What will their choice be today? bathtub. Page  6 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

THE ’ PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS to Diocesan Synod, June 2016 Last autumn a new book was set of relationships with other published which quickly became countries. a best seller. You can find it on the shelves of every airport I was saddened by the past four bookshop. It is called months of debate, which was Superforecasting: The Art and often small-minded, self-centred Science of Prediction and was and lacking in any vision of the written by two American common good. There was academics, Philip Tetlock and virtually no substantial discussion Dan Gardner. They look at the about the UK’s contribution to way that experts attempt to building a stronger and safer predict the future, such as what is world. Another regrettable aspect going to happen to the financial of the campaign, on both sides, was the use of threat and fear. I markets in the coming year. It’s independence. Both of our telling, however, that Tetlock has was disappointed that some of our European partners were largest political parties have been concluded that in a wide range of torn apart, especially the subjects “there was very little demonised. At other points in the debate, some of the world’s most Conservative Party, and there difference between the accuracy are questions for the Labour of so-called ‘experts’ and vulnerable people, such as those fleeing for their lives and begging Party and the extent to which guesses made by the man in the they are in touch with their street”. us for asylum, were used as political footballs. It was a pity traditional voters, especially in Well, that’s what we re- that frequently the discussions the north. These divisions are discovered this past week. Most simply descended to the level of likely to take generations to heal. of us went to bed on Thursday “What’s in it for us?” As I know from discussion and night believing the opinion polls’ correspondence, some of our view that there was a small But now the decision has been congregations are also divided. margin in favour of the United made and we have to move So what should we do now? Kingdom remaining in the EU. forward, whether we are elated or What does this mean for us as International money markets depressed at the result. We do so Christians? agreed and the exchange rates against a background of a divided country, with 51.9% of the voters Firstly, after a great deal of and share indexes reflected this talking, lecturing, persuading and consensus. When we awoke, who wanted to leave the EU and 48.1% of the voters who wanted hectoring, we need a period of either during the night or in the listening. The second of the two morning, we discovered that we to remain. There is a division between and the north of great commandments is “You had decided to divorce our shall love your neighbour as immediate European neighbours , and there is division between England and Scotland, yourself” and that means seeking after a forty year marriage and to understand others. This we now want to have a different with the likelihood of another referendum for Scottish (Continued on page 8)

Congratulations to schools on achieving their REQM Mark: Gold: Silver:

Pulford Lower, Leighton Buzzard St Nicholas Primary, Elstree

Roxton Lower St Nicholas Primary, Harpenden

St Andrew’s Primary, Stanstead Abbotts St Paul’s Primary, Langleybury

Tring St Andrew’s Primary, Much Hadham

St Mary’s Primary, Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  7

ASHTON MIDDLE SCHOOL CLOSES ITS GATES FOR THE LAST TIME Ashton's main building and grounds began as Grammar School, founded by Frances Ashton in 1728 and built in 1887. It officially took on its middle school name and status in 1973, becoming Ashton C of E Middle School. Ashton Middle is a church school and at the heart of the school are the Christian values on which the school was founded by Frances Ashton in 1888. Since its inception in 1973 all have striven for high standards in every aspect of school life and Ashton has always been a place where all aspects of achievement are celebrated. In its 2015 SIAMS report the school was described as follows: “Ashton is a compassionate and caring school where worship and learning are at the heart. One pupil described the school as her ‘second home’. Every person in the school community is valued as

their lives in WW1. The marching boots were donated by the 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group and have seen action in Iraq, Afghanistan and Nairobi. Pupils planted them with poppies as a symbol of peace. In August 2014 the Executive Committee of Central Bedfordshire Council made the decision to close Ashton Middle School in 2016, as part of a reorganisation of schooling in Dunstable. A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the school was held in on 4 July. The beautiful Grade II listed building will now be carefully converted into flats. a child of God, and there is exceptional support for vulnerable pupils and their families.” A particularly poignant activity during this school year has been the commemoration of former pupils killed in the First World War. As well as attending a KS3 WW1 workshop, pupils held a special remembrance Service in Dunstable Priory. Pupils, staff and parents worked together to create a WW1 Memorial Garden., taking as inspiration a school trip to the Somme, and a memorial plaque in the school library on which are the names of students at Dunstable Grammar School who lost Page  8 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

(Continued from page 6) about over the coming months. withdraw from the EU does not listening is especially important, Huge promises have been made mean that we need to pull back as powerful people and the during the campaign that our from our ecumenical links in media will continue to try to tell economy is going to thrive as other countries. Indeed, just last us what to think. Yet, as the never before outside the common week, the Bishop of Linköping referendum has shown, the market of the EU. We have to do was with us at the St Albans voices of large numbers of all we can to ensure that any Pilgrimage. He and his party people have not been heard. Of benefits are shared and that we expressed the hope that we course that listening does not seek to become a more equitable would remain part of the EU. mean that we have to agree with society. Well, that’s not going to happen, everything we hear. Indeed, but we can continue to build our selfish or racist voices will need Thirdly, we have to resist giving links across the Anglican to be countered. Nevertheless, into fear. When we face Communion and with our we need to listen, especially to uncertainty, there is a natural Lutheran and Roman Catholic those who are marginalised and human tendency to retreat and brothers and sisters across the voiceless and that will include put up the barricades. However, world. some of our brothers and sisters this is the very time when we Lastly, the scriptures encourage whose ethnic roots lie in other need to be open to others. It is us to pray for our leaders: “I urge parts of the world and some of here that our Living God’s Love that supplications, prayers, whom are feeling very prayer is especially relevant, as intercessions and thanksgivings threatened. we pray week by week that we may live “with generosity and joy, should be made for everyone, for Secondly, we need to work for imagination and courage.” kings and all who are in high and speak on behalf of the positions, so that we may lead a voiceless. As always, the rich Fourthly, we need to redouble quiet and peaceable life in all and the powerful will lose out our efforts to build relationships godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy least in whatever changes come with Christians in other countries. 2. 1-2). I hope that every church, Just because we are going to school and chaplaincy in the diocese will make this prayer a priority. Transform Burkina Eternal God, Light of the nations, in Christ you make all things new: Please sit down this harvest. guide our nation in the coming Transform Burkina, a small UK- days through the inspiration of based charity, is asking schools to your Spirit, that understanding “Please sit down” this harvest to may put an end to discord and all support education in Burkina Faso. bitterness. Give us grace to rebuild bonds of trust that The charity has produced free, together we may work for the simple to use harvest materials dignity and flourishing of all; which can be downloaded at through Jesus Christ our Lord. http:// www.transformburkina.org.uk/ +Alan St Albans PLease%20sit%20down%20in% 24 June 2016 20school%20final.pdf. Through this scheme the charity is aware that there are many other asking those involved to raise deserving causes. money to provide rural schools in Further information of the Burkina Faso with desks for pupils. Bishop’s Appeal can be found at Visit the charity’s website at Details of the Bishop’s Harvest http:// www.transformburkina.org for Appeal have already been sent to www.stalbans.anglican.org/faith/ more information. schools. This year's project bishop-s-annual-harvest-appeal/. focuses on bringing clean, safe Harvest Services for diocesan water to communities in Church Schools will take place in Madagascar. on Monday 3 We do encourage schools to and Tuesday 4 October and support this project but are well promise to be a joyful celebration. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  9

HOW SCHOOLS CELEBRATED THE QUEEN’S 90th BIRTHDAY

Lucas Salinger from Potten End The children Primary, who designed the also had to winning logo for the celebrations, find people was invited to join members from who had the Education been born in Office in London. each of the decades of On Friday 10 June the whole the Queen’s community of Ardeley life and, St Lawrence Primary School although the came together to pay tribute to 1920s the occasion of the Queen’s 90th proved birthday. Over 200 children, difficult, we parents, staff, governors, had people volunteers and members of the of all ages local community joined together and were on the school field in glorious able to fill in sunshine to celebrate together every other decade with the specially designed for our Early this once in a lifetime event. name of someone who was at Years children that will be the party. completed in July and “open for The party started with a prayer business” in September. for the Queen led by Father Mike The children had shown their Leverton and everyone was most creative sides by designing and Everyone had a wonderful generous in providing goodies for making birthday cards for the afternoon which concluded with the bring-and-share picnic. A Queen which were on display in the singing of the National range of activities included a the school hall and which have Anthem and the flying of kites Royal Treasure Hunt, a Queen now been sent to Buckingham decorated with the Union Flag. It Quiz for grown-ups, and a mown Palace. These had been judged was humbling sight to see so grass sculpture competition (as by Curt Adams, the Site Manager many happy, running children our groundsmen had efficiently of Newland Construction, the along with helping parents and mowed the daisies that had been company that is working with us the sky filled with the flag of the destined for the daisy crowns!). to build a brand new classroom nation. Page  10 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

On Friday 10 June, Raynsford news clip showing highlights receive a Union Jack party Church of England Academy from the Queen's 90th blower. (The teachers were not participated in a street party out Celebrations in Windsor. so impressed.) All children in the on the playground. The afternoon Assembly finished with the whole school from the pre-school began with an assembly in the school singing the National through to Year 4 took part and Hall where the children shared Anthem. the afternoon culminated in a wonderful rendition of Happy what they knew about the Queen, Then it was outside to the and we watched a photo Birthday. Everybody had a playground for our street party, superb afternoon and many presentation showing the with Union Jack-themed plates, transformation of the Queen from parents commented on how red, white and blue cups and much their children had enjoyed a baby to present day, and a everyone was delighted to

Ponsbourne St Mary’s Primary had a tea party to celebrate the Queen's birthday and invited some local residents, including a lady who was also 90 years old this year. They have received some lovely thank you letters from neighbours who enjoyed sharing stories about their experiences of the school over the years.

Karen Bingley at Clophill St Mary’s where the children heard stories Lower writes: from people who have met the Queen and celebrated her long Amazingly, in-between showers, reign over our country. We then we managed to celebrate the had our tea party. The children At St Andrew’s Primary, Queen’s birthday on 13 June and ate cheese and crackers, fruit Stanstead Abbotts, the held an afternoon tea party for the kebabs that they made themselves headteacher dressed as the children. The day began with the and then homemade, beautifully Queen (with rude remarks from children learning about the royal decorated cupcakes which were her husband about her age!). family and creating lots of queen donated by the parents. These Numerous activities took place: and royal-themed artwork. The were displayed on Union Jack cake from crown-making to celebration afternoon began with a special stands and looked very patriotic. A worship; “royal” games to staff worship in our spiritual garden great day was enjoyed by all! baby quiz; royal sing-song to National Anthem; learning the Charleston as well as the Queen’s favourite songs; and fish (or pizza) and chips out of paper using fork and fingers to tea party. St Andrew’s Church gave every child and member of staff a commemorative booklet to mark the event and to celebrate the Queen’s long service to her God and her country. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  11

Despite forecasts of torrential rain, the sun shone for St Paul’s Primary School’s (Chipperfield) celebrations of the Queen’s 90th birthday. The school hosted a cream tea in the school grounds, with the help and support of staff, parents and Year 6 pupils. Local resident and regular school volunteer, Mrs Driver, was invited to represent the people who have celebrated their 90th birthdays this year, along with the Queen. As well as enjoying the great English tradition of scones, cream and jam, the children also incorporated the Queen’s Scottish heritage by enjoying a spot of ceilidh dancing.

On Friday 20 May Roxton Lower School held a super Birthday Party for the Queen. It was organised by the school council who did a terrific job putting it all together. Everyone came to school in red, white and blue to mark the event. In the morning each class helped make cakes, sandwiches, decorations and flags and in the afternoon we were all able to enjoy the results. We had a Crown competition as well as dancing and party games on the field. It was lots of fun and we have sent photos to Her Majesty so she could see what we had been up to.

Toddington St George CE School hosted a school and community celebration for the Queen's 90th birthday. The afternoon was a great success and children enjoyed entertainment from “Smarty Arty”, team sports events, maypole dancing—and eating cake, of course!

At St Leonard's Lower, Heath & Reach, the children could come dressed as Kings or Queens for the day, or wear red, white and blue. We had a cream tea coffee morning for our parents, grandparents and the local elderly community, and the children had a picnic lunch “street party” on the playground. At the end of the day each child received a commemorative coin. Page  12 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

St Giles Primary, South Mimms celebrated the Queen's 90th birthday with a morning of Friendship Group activities consisting of traditional games such as Jacks/five stones, skipping, cat's cradle, marbles, elastic round your legs, balls against the wall, hopscotch, stick and hoop etc. We all enjoyed our picnic lunch on one long table in the playground, after we had paraded, waving our Union Jack flags, past Queen Wormley Primary School Elizabeth II herself, who was organised a DT week based on watching from the balcony! The Queen’s celebrations. All the rain held off and a good time children designed and made was had by all! We even had a plates as souvenirs for this fly past from the red arrows!... historic day; they made crowns to wear at home and school; they created bunting inspired by a book called The Queen’s Knickers and had a DT exhibition. The week culminated in an afternoon tea and party and a Monday morning service

At Ursula Taylor C of E School we celebrated the Queen’s 90th Birthday with a whole school street party organised by our Parents, Teachers and Friends Association. We all came to school in our red, white and blue clothing, made crowns and bunting and were invited for an extra special picnic with pack ups and flags. The whole school joined together to sing ‘God Save the Queen’ and Year 4 performed a rendition of ‘Rule Britannia’ We had a wonderful afternoon in the sunshine, sharing a special event together.

St Michael’s Primary, St Albans held a British Values Week, during which the children learned all about the monarchy and how Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne. The PTA provided jelly and cakes for every child to have at a tea party on 10 June. Tables were set up on the playground at Top School and all the children were able to enjoy the party together. They even sang “Happy Birthday” to HM The Queen and HRH After the party, the children returned to their classrooms and were Prince Philip who happened to turn 95 able to watch the party being held at Buckingham Palace via a live years of age on the day of the party! link which was also viewed by children all across the Commonwealth at the same time! Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  13

At St Mary’s Primary, Rickmansworth, we had a spectacular day which started with a service at St Mary’s Church led by the Revd Snowball. We then held a celebration gathering back at school for all children and 90 members of the local community, all born between 1926-2016 for each year of the Queen’s life. We provided lunch for all our visitors, and let off 90 balloons. The Nursery children thought their balloons would reach the moon! We had afternoon cream tea provided by people from the local church for our visitors and children, and finished the day off with a royal hat and crown exhibition!

This was a fantastic community the Queen. The children were event. Children made and exceptionally well-behaved and decorated Queen’s handbags, made the visitors feel very which they added to the wonderful welcome. flower displays in church. The school provided a light lunch St Mary’s Church kindly provided for all the volunteers who gave afternoon cream tea for all the up their time to come and join in children and staff in the school, the celebration with us. It was and for all the visitors. The visitors great to get the local community joined the classes for their cream together for this, and for the tea, and the children were able to school to be able to show its ask them questions about their service back to the community. lives and what they knew about Page  14 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

RECENT COURSES

The annual Headteachers’ Conference took place at the end of April, again at Putteridge Bury. The focus this year was “Making a Difference in RE—developing concepts and best practice in Religious Education”. The morning’s keynote speaker was the Revd Mary Hawes, National Children’s Work Adviser. She spoke very enthusiastically about how children think theologically, with some real insights about stages of faith and awareness.

The act of worship took a different format, being non-Eucharistic, and more reflective, led sensitively by the Revd Ruth Pyke, a former teacher and Diocesan Children’s Work Adviser, now working closely with the three schools (two of them church schools) in her benefice. Members of the Abbey Primary School choir joined delegates, leading singing and performing a couple of delightful solo items.

The afternoon session saw practical examples from RE teachers (Antonia Sheppard from Townsend, Lucy Chapman from Sutton Lower, Ryan Parker from Alban) on how to engage pupils at all levels from early years through to GCSE. Again, these presentations were very insightful. As usual, Putteridge Bury looked after us very well. The buzz of networking headteachers was enhanced by delicious food. Being seated cabaret-style for the talks was very popular as it meant everyone could see, and provided instant discussion groups. Next year’s Headteachers’ Conference will be a little later, on 6 June 2017, because we have booked the highly recommended (and very busy!) keynote speaker David Wells. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  15

The theme of the Senior Leaders’ Bedfordshire with Conference, held on 29 June 2016, her vicar, the Revd was “Building effective Gill Smith. The third partnerships between church and presentation, after school communities” and it was lunch, was from Heidi very pleasing to be able to Otranen, welcome some members of the Headteacher of All clergy who accompanied their Saints Primary, senior school leaders to the Bishop’s Stortford. conference. It was a very All of these were successful day. Shahne Vickery, really thought- the Assistant Director of Education provoking and for the Diocese of , led excellent to listen to. the day, supported by her husband Jo, who is a team vicar in the Evaluations from the parish of Christ Church, Downend day were in the Diocese of . As usual, overwhelmingly Shahne brought with her lots of positive:- really interesting resources from Another inspiring day Imaginore. Jane Chipperton, to remind us of what Diocesan RE Adviser, also sold we already do, but to resources from RE Today. share so many good The vicar tried to explain that generally speaking tortoises didn’t need to be baptised. The day was divided into four key ideas / experiences of themes: Sharing Vision and Values things working so well in other Two leadership development in a church school, Worship, schools. I have a big “to do” list of opportunities are currently being Celebrate and Serve. In between things I want to go back and get advertised within diocesan Shahne’s presentations were three started on right away. Thank you. schools: keynote speakers from A great day. Many thanks. Going outstanding church schools in the The first is “The Diocesan Action away with loads of ideas and I have diocese who have built strong Learning Set” which involves five done some fab networking! partnerships with their local half-day visits to outstanding churches. The first presentation Next year’s theme will be church schools in the diocese with was from Julie Winwood, “Developing pupils’ awareness of a group of up to ten aspirant Headteacher of Aston St Mary’s, Christianity as a multi-cultural, church school leaders. with her vicar, the Revd Jenny global faith”, so please look out for The second is a two day Gray. The second was from Lucy the date being advertised and programme called “Learning to Chapman, Headteacher of Sutton make sure that you come along!! Lead in a Church School” which Lower School in Central involves one day in November and one in March at the diocesan office in St Albans, with an inter- Your electronic diocesan newsletter sessional task to visit a local for all diocesan news, outstanding church school and including Bishop’s Letter, events, courses, report back on this visit. clergy movements ... Further details of both these The July/August 2016 issue can be found at opportunities are available from Ruth Garman at Diocesan Office. http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/news/seeround/ Judy Ruff or subscribe at Diocesan Consultant on http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/news/signup-see-round-online/ Leadership Development and Succession Planning Page  16 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

The National RE Conference, Center Parcs, 18 June 2016

We began the conference in the people are seeking answers to style of a TeachMeet, with RE those questions, as they grow teachers and consultants offering a into independence and work out five minute input on what they felt how to live a good life. was the Purpose of RE. Since I love RE. It builds up and helps 1944, we have moved from having children grow and blossom into Religious Instruction on the well rounded young people. It is a timetable to the Religious quest for truth and meaning. It’s Education of the 1988 Education about learning who to trust, how Act. Since then, however, RE has to be the best person we can be, linked with a variety of initiatives finding guidance in times of trial including SEAL, PHSE, SMSC, or mistrust. Community Cohesion, to name just a few. So it has become important to re-define what we mean by RE Juliet Lyal, Infant teacher in our own schools. Lat Blaylock  develop a respect within and often makes the connection Is there a purpose or even point between and with it the between RE and the creative arts, of teaching RE in EYFS/KS1? understanding of how others which many schools experience Do children as young as four should be treated. when involved with Spirited Arts actually need RE? Yes! and Yes! http://www.natre.org.uk/about- It is in Early Years and KS1 when natre/projects/spirited-arts/ Starting school for a four-year old children begin to respond to introduction/. Below are some is often the child’s first encounter experiences and learn to express excerpts from the speakers at our with the behaviour, values, and communicate. Their school conference. The full script can be needs, culture, belief and views life is one of investigation, talking found on the downloadable part of (religious or non-religious) of about what they like and dislike our website: http:// people outside of their own and finding that they don’t always www.stalbans.anglican.org/ family. On many occasions it is agree with what their partner schools/password-protected- also a first encounter for the might say. area/. The password for this is parents of that four-year old. We want and encourage our stalbans. With family life comes “family children to ask questions. We Jane Chipperton traditions” - whether acceptable want them to make connections or not to others, it is often all that between their life and others.

a four-year old will know. In our RE we want our young Discovering that other children The Purpose of RE children to be able to have a don’t share this can be a shock quality of conversation about Sarah Payne, Middle school and confusing, often challenging religion and belief—we don’t put teacher for both child and their parent. a limit on what our children can achieve. RE can provide pupils with a The point of RE in EYFS and depth of understanding of beliefs, KS1 RE is to enable our children practices, identities and values to explore and know “what all this which will help them to make is” about: for them and for others Andy Lewis, Roman Catholic reasoned and informed and to begin on that journey of teacher learning about religion and belief. judgements about religious and RE may be a catalyst for non-religious groups and issues. We have the wonderful and community cohesion; good RE It is an indispensable part of a privileged task of “opening up the leads to greater understanding of complete education because of world” to these young children so other religions and therefore to the influence of religions and that they can greater respect for those of other beliefs on individuals, culture, faiths. It may be an outcome, but behaviour and national life. Most  begin to learn about and it should not be an aim. Being religions and beliefs offer understand what religion and respectful of difference and answers to life’s deepest belief means to themselves expressing difference in a way questions. And most young and to others. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  17 which is sensitive to the rights of Kathryn Wright, RE Consultant I here, is morality important, does others, is not a skill which is happiness exist …. I think we see exclusive to RE. The purpose of RE is to enable this in some schools, but it is not children to hold an informed rigorous or challenging, it often Catholics have a distinctive vision conversation about religion and descends into what pupils think. of education, but we are not belief. This aspect is perhaps seen alone in our passion for more often in secondary schools. educating. The wider world of RE It is about securing religious in 2016 poses both challenges literacy. The sociological/anthropological and opportunities. Catholic RE This means children and young is about the lived reality of beliefs teachers are engaging now more people should engage with: in the 21st Century. Issues of than ever. We may not agree, but plurality and diversity are there is common ground.  the theological explored. This aspect is perhaps seen more in primary schools,  the philosophical/ethical but is often actually about the Ed Pawson, Secondary RE  the social/anthropological lived reality of religion, but the Consultant The theological means children RE needs to help children to engage with the big concepts of Congratulations to … develop self-knowledge, with religion and belief such as God. dialogue at its heart. RE should Issues of authority and diversity … Elliott Swinburne from Yr 8 at beware of getting caught up with in terms of interpretation of truth Edward Peake Middle School defining itself by the “core or doctrine are grappled and who won the Diocesan Schools Art knowledge” teachers are wrestled with. The reason why Competition in May, which was on expected to impart, giving the people do the things they do is at the theme of Compassion. Elliott impression that learning is only the heart of this. It is about was awarded a certificate and his about stuff that's out there. meaning and understanding. I prize by David Morton, the Learning is growing, and think we rarely see this in Diocesan Director of Education at understanding others has to start schools. an assembly at school. with the readiness to be open to The philosophical/ethical is about change in your own mind. Highly Commended were pieces of questions of meaning, purpose art submitted by: and truth. Issues such as why am Yasmyn Gooding in Yr 9 at All Saints Academy Dunstable Millie Boxall in Yr 6 at St Michael’s Primary School, Bishop’s Stortford Hannah Smith in Yr 3 at the Thomas Coram School, and Kacey Perry in Reception at St Nicholas Primary School, Elstree All winners received vouchers for www.jacksonsart.com. Many thanks to pupils and schools for their participation in this competition. The winning entry is shown on the left. Page  18 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

“construct” of religion or a it primary or secondary, faith or necessity for many multi-cultural “textbook” or “chocolate box” secular school. Over 50 teachers schools. This was followed by approach. There is no travelled to Center Parcs in views on the purpose of RE from engagement with plurality within Bedfordshire to spend a day panel members. or between expressions of belief. being bothered. Delegates then attended If the purpose of RE is to be The conference opened with seminars of their choice, of which fulfilled, ie for children and young Dilwyn Hunt making the point that there were many and I would like people to hold an informed if RE is not on the timetable then to have been able to attend more conversation about religion and the children are missing out on (but gives me an excuse to return belief, then all three aspects are the chance to engage in current next year!). essential. affairs, to develop an enquiring mind, to develop “autonomous After lunch Andy Lewis and Juliet ································· thinking” and to learn what it Lyal spoke to us about TeachMeets and Social Media. #RE-AmIBothered? Well it means to be human. By this means RE can lead to What can I say? It was very appears that many are very interesting but I am sad to say I passionate about RE taking community cohesion, perhaps with Brexit now on the horizon—a still feel like Neanderthal man centre stage in the curriculum, be when it comes to Twitter/ Facebook and any other means of electronic communication. My ambition is to persuade one of my children to drag me into the modern world so I can (sensibly) join in #RECHATUK. The day was an opportunity to make contacts, chat with others who share the same passion and explore good practice. I am looking forward to next year, and—who knows—I might even have conquered social media. It just remains to say a huge thank you to everyone who so obviously put in so much time and effort to ensure the day was interesting and challenging. For me, it was a Saturday well spent. Lizzie Spalding, Wenlock VA CofE Junior School ································· On Saturday 18 June—yes, a SATURDAY!—I went along to Woburn Centre Parcs to attend the #REAmIBothered conference. Having taught RE in school for a number of years and attended a quite a few training sessions over the years, I was keen to see what else I could pick up and take back to the classroom with me. The use of # also had piqued my interest as I enjoy using technology and one of my other “hats” at school is computing. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  19

The keynote speaker and panel This also gave me an opportunity so after lunch I missed part of the were certainly very impressive to look at some of the literature Teachmeets and Social Media, but and from this I knew I was in for a which was there to purchase as again this provided me with really most inspiring day. Just a few key well as connect with others useful information on linking up points I picked from this were that offering workshops and events with other affiliated groups such RE is about initiating young people such as Suhma Sahajpal and Nina as NATRE, or just with other into the meaning of life and into Leigh. I am certainly hoping to use teachers of RE in a less formal questions about the truth and their services in the future, school way, which very often focus on worth of religious and non- finances permitting! pedagogy, practical ideas and religious beliefs, views and solutions. Also these can provide practices. It is about encouraging I have to confess that I had not great sharing opportunities as to them to ask questions, about using read my programme properly and it to help formulate their own beliefs, behaviour, values and views and, most importantly, to appreciate and value the views and beliefs of others. This resonated with me as I often have children say to me “Why do we learn about Islam, Judaism, Sikhism etc? I am a Christian”. Unless we learn to appreciate and appraise the beliefs of others, how can we create a more tolerant and peaceful world? That RE is about exploring and understanding what it means to be human was a clear message that I personally have taken away with me. The seminars I attended each gave me plenty to think about and implement within my own teaching. Islam led by Dilwyn Hunt was the first one and the session seemed to fly by. I personally had not realised how much emphasis I should be placing on certain aspects of this faith, particularly with regard to my teaching in KS1. We also had quite an in-depth discussion on some of the difficulties of teaching without using imagery (ie drawing) and role play whilst still respecting the faith. Dilwyn gave some very useful ideas about using visualisation as a means of delivering lessons. Unbelievably, by this time, it was lunchtime and that was delicious! Page  20 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

The formal part of the day began EDUCATION SUNDAY with a warm welcome from Judy For well over 100 years there also for everyone who works, Ruff, and then followed a keynote has been an annual volunteers and prays for speech from Dilwyn Hunt. Dilwyn recognition of Education education in all its forms, a day captivated us with how he Sunday in England and Wales to celebrate and affirm service portrayed RE as intrinsically as a national day of prayer and in education, and to bless those valuable, because it is meant to celebration for everyone in the who work hard to bless others. be challenging but respectful, to world of education. open minds and to nurture an This year’s theme, devised by honest willingness to take on For some years it has been an ecumenical steering group challenging questions that evoke celebrated on the ninth Sunday representing different Christian enlightenment and self- before Easter; after extensive denominations and improvement, but not to consultation, however, in 2016 organisations, is All are evangelise our young people. it has been moved to coincide welcome. with the start of the school The keynote speech was year. It will be celebrated on Resources will be available followed with a short talk from 11 September - a day not only shortly at www.ctre.org.uk. each member of the panel with for teachers and students, but their viewpoint of RE. This was done with military precision since every panel member was allowed what worked and what didn’t personally, and a brilliant way to five minutes each, and Jane was work. end the day. timing them! A vast amount of information was covered in a Understanding Christianity with Heading home – I felt that the day short space of time to include Fiona Moss left me very much had flown by and, despite having identity, depth of understanding looking forward to September and “sacrificed” a Saturday, I had much and transformational beliefs, attending the courses for this new to think about with regards to questions of meaning, critical scheme of work and developing teaching RE and how I can adapt views that may be different from pupils’ understanding of my lesson to ensure that children a pupil’s parents, to pupils Christianity through exploring are challenged to think deeply, to becoming religiously literate. core theological concepts in develop understanding and There was much to stimulate our addition to how their learning tolerance of the beliefs of thoughts, and that was even from Christianity can be applied to everyone, but equally to begin to before we attended our chosen their own experience of the world. find out who they are and what seminars where speakers The challenge of matching a they believe on a personal, engaged their audience through concept with a picture was spiritual level. mini-lectures. interesting and certainly made us The seminars ranged from RE in think. I always enjoy sessions Jane Wallis, Raynsford EYFS to GCSE level, from which are interactive and where I Academy, Henlow “Active Learning” to the actually have to do some thinking, ·································· controversial “Assessment”, from as I believe this helps me to think “Understanding Christianity” to about the best way to approach Center Parcs was easy to find Islam—and the list goes on. things with the children. from the M1. There were helpful people at security and also on The day was truly remarkable, Active RE led by Sarah Payne was arrival at “The Venue” for with some attendees finishing the the final seminar and this was registration. We ate a delicious day with a refreshing swim and a certainly very active with loads of lunch in a banquet-style room, welcome meal. I hope there will ideas for engaging children in an with waitresses who looked after be another super stimulating day enthusiastic way rather than their guests with quiet efficiency. in 2017. sitting still. I have taken many It was remarkable to see so ideas away from this and the A-Z many people, many fellow My “finds” for the day? “The of ideas for getting the children colleagues, on a Saturday to Teacher’s Guide” for RE and my involved in taking part, discuss “RE—am I bothered?” very first children’s edition of “My experiencing for themselves and Clearly, we all were, and that is First Qu’ran”. thinking about how they why we were happy to give up Lynne James, St Augustine’s personally can engage in RE will our Saturday to discuss RE away Academy, Dunstable be much used in the future. It was from the pressures and a perfect seminar for me, distractions of work and family. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  21

FROM THE RE ADVISER Understanding along with essential background information for those who would Christianity like to feel a little more confident Understanding Christianity, a in their subject knowledge when new approach to teaching teaching about Christianity in RE. Christianity in RE, was launched Lots of teachers have tried it out at Lambeth Palace in May and is – and feedback has been good. being introduced to schools from We are very keen for all schools September 2016. Some schools to come on training and see for have chosen to attend a whole themselves!” school training day and others Primary teacher, Kate Penfold- will hold a number of twilights. If Attride, who attended the launch your school has not yet signed said of the resource: “I’m really rich resource for the classroom, up, please contact me. excited to hear about and comes with plenty of ideas Understanding Christianity and for how to use it. You can see a The resource was written by the little more about this on the RE Today advisory team, in its great potential for transforming the teaching of Understanding Christianity collaboration with more than 30 website: expert teachers and academics, Christianity, in church and community schools.” www.understandingchristianity.or and has been trialled in over 50 g.uk schools. It comprises a set of A secondary teacher from Kings comprehensive materials, linked Norton Girls’ School, whose The Resource Pack includes: to training, offering a clear and pupils took part in the trial, was  a Teacher's Handbook coherent approach to teaching enthusiastic about how they had  29 full units of work, from and learning about Christianity in an impact on her students: ”I Foundation Stage 2 through to RE for pupils aged really loved Year 9 4-14. teaching with this  introductory booklets for each Stephen Pett, RE resource, and the phase Today Adviser and students loved  more than 150 photocopiable Editor of the learning. The resource sheets Understanding pedagogy is well  the “Big Frieze” illustration by Christianity thought through, Emma Yarlett materials said: with detailed  the “Big Frieze” guide book, “This is a guidance for setting the concepts within a substantial teachers, and it is wider biblical context resource to support brilliantly Understanding Christianity teachers in the resourced. It is Accredited Official Resources are classroom. It is based around a ambitious and sets high available to teachers and coherent selection of core standards for all learners. I know advisers to support the teaching concepts explored in a spiral I would love to teach students in in Understanding Christianity. curriculum. The materials give a KS3 who have received this kind Schools can be given the new approach to RE, with a of grounding in KS1-2.” resources by signing up for a focus on texts, the impact of One of the most striking parts of training course. these in the lives of Christians this resource is the exceptional Understanding Christianity was today, and on the connections artwork by Emma Yarlett. Emma between pupils’ learning and commissioned by the Church of created a frieze, depicting seven England Education Office with their wider experience in RE and of the core concepts explored in beyond. A rich variety of teaching the support of Culham the Understanding Christianity St Gabriel’s, the Sir Halley and learning strategies, tasks materials, and giving a view of and resources are supplied, Stewart Trust and the Jerusalem the “big story” of the Bible. It is a Trust. Page  22 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

Teach:RE at modules are formally written assignment, you assessed with a pass, might choose the module St Leonard’s merit or distinction level enquiring into religions awarded. At the end of and beliefs to deepen At St Leonard’s Lower School in the course you receive a knowledge and Heath and Reach, RE has always certificate, which doesn’t understanding of a had a high profile, gaining a “good” seem much, but the chosen faith or faiths. assessment at our last Church benefits are far more than just a School inspection. This time last piece of paper! Staff have thoroughly enjoyed the year we were keen to move course to date and there is a forward with our RE Quality Mark Here at St Leonard’s we have refreshed enthusiasm for the Assessment but reached a found the course particularly teaching of RE within the school. stumbling block as we did not helpful for finding excellent The impact of the training is have any specialist teachers of RE resources and advice for use in RE already clear through the quality in the school, and this is one of the teaching. The subject leadership of teaching and learning and the key criteria of RE Quality Mark module is great for preparation for children’s attitudes to RE. On top and the Statement of Entitlement SIAMS assessment or for going of all of that it is great value CPD for RE. forward with the RE Quality Mark. for just £150 per person. The final assessment was to Perhaps you are a small school like produce a PowerPoint Staff at St Leonard’s would be us, or even a larger school, that has presentation on how RE happy to answer any questions a good reputation for RE teaching contributes to SMSC in your about the course. Please do but has no staff specialism in this school. Other modules include the contact the school if you would area? Have you investigated planning of schemes of work like to know any more. Culham St Gabriel’s Teach:RE (Banquets). Some of these are distance learning course? Details of the course can be found available to view at http:// by at http://www.teachre.co.uk. At St Leonard’s three of our www.reonline.org.uk/learning/ members of teaching staff are We are very proud that the work Sarah Vincent, Headteacher, taking the Teach:RE course over of one of our teachers is due to be St Leonard’s Lower, Heath & the course of a year, and are over published shortly here. However, Reach half way through! The Teach:RE if you prefer a more formal course can also be completed fast track (in three months) or super fast track (in one month). At SEEKING TO BOOK A St Leonard’s we would BISHOP FOR A SPECIAL recommend the year if you have a EVENT AT YOUR SCHOOL? teaching commitment! PLEASE PLEASE please give The course starts with a short plenty of notice as bishops’ subject audit. This is followed by diaries are very full. Either module one which consists of approach the bishops’ offices direct or contact three shorter tasks: Why RE Eileen Bigg. matters, research into two different faiths and Exploring pedagogy in RE. This module is not formally assessed but feedback is given. Following this you must complete two more modules of your choice. A course tutor will be assigned and is there to guide you through the process and help you to make a choice from a number of available modules. Approximately four months are allocated for each module which take approximately 15-20 hours to complete. These Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  23

COURSES—future

13 September 2016 Media Training 9.30am—12.30pm; To help school leaders learn how to handle the Holywell Lodge, St Albans 1pm—4pm media following an incident at school AL1 1HE 21 September 2016 Headteachers’ Briefing (Bedfordshire) 9am—1pm A half-day update on current developments in The Forest Centre, Marston education Moretaine MK43 0PR 26 September 2016 Cathedral Evensong 4.50pm—8pm Evensong, followed by a tour of the tower, and a Cathedral & Abbey Church of meal at Lussmanns St Albans

29 September 2016 Identity, Faith & Belief 9.15am—3.30pm A day for KS2&3 teachers on how to extend Holywell Lodge, St Albans pupils’ ability to explore questions about faith and AL1 1HE belief 8 October 2016 Being a School Governor—your role and 9.30am—2.30pm responsibilities The Forest Centre, Marston An induction course for new governors—also a Moretaine MK43 0PR refresher for serving governors 8 October 2016 Parishes & Schools The Rufus Centre, Flitwick 9.15am—3.30pm For clergy and Readers supporting schools MK45 1AH 10 October 2016 New Heads’ Day 9.30am-3.30pm An informative yet relaxed day on the special Holywell Lodge, St Albans circumstances of church schools and the legal AL1 1HE implications 12 October 2016 Being a School Governor—your role and 9.30am—2.30pm responsibilities Jordan’s Mill, An induction course for new governors—also a SG18 9JX refresher for serving governors 17 October 2016 School Improvement through SIAMS 9.15am—3.30pm A day for senior leaders and governors to explore Holywell Lodge, St Albans what being a church school contributes to school AL1 1HE improvement Further details of all our courses can be found on our website at http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools/courses/ To book a place, please contact Ruth Garman: 01727 818168; [email protected]

ADVICE Stand tall and proud Drink plenty of water FROM A TREE: Feel the wind and the sun Remember your roots Be content with your natural beauty Enjoy the view Page  24 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

Other Courses: of karma; the caste system; Global Learning and SMSC reincarnation; and a Hindu take on Hinduism Workshops for abortion and euthanasia. Please The Global Learning Programme (GLP) is a government-funded Schools visit the website to find out more: programme that supports a http:// Avesha Presentations offer a national network of 4500 schools www.hinduismquestionandanswe variety of resources on Hinduism, who are engaged in deepening r.com/ serving schools and educators all young people's understanding of over England, Wales, and global issues at KS2&3. See Scotland. They work with http://glp.globaldimension.org.uk/ Foundation Stage, Primary, Teach RE course page/11038 for more information. Secondary, SEN, University The TeachRE course continues Religious Studies students, A number of the schools involved to develop and meet the needs of trainee teachers, and other with the programme have found all teachers of RE. Please look professionals. They also run that global learning has helped out for new versions of the CPD courses and INSET them to develop their SMSC course to be launched. There is sessions, specialising in dynamic, provision – particularly their a new TeachRE LITE version for reflective workshops for teachers approach to “British values” – use by those who work in primary and students of all ages, and this has been noted by initial teacher training and with experiential at all levels, with Ofsted: Your recent introduction NQTs, and also a module-only more academic content included of “global learning” is enriching option of the course serving where appropriate. The half- or pupils’ understanding of the secondary teachers who want to full-day workshops are run by co- diverse world they live in and the develop their subject knowledge founder of ISKCON Educational core values that underpin being a to teach the new GCSE and A Services Indriyesha Das and his good citizen. Ofsted report for level courses. Find out more at wife Krishna, who provide a Kirkoswald C of E School, 2016 www.teachre.co.uk. nationwide service. Also, a recent Ofsted Inspection

For more information on Update notes that, as the GLP workshop content and fees, visit RE Conference maps onto the four Ofsted core www.hinduismworkshops.co.uk. judgements and to SMSC, “Words Beyond Words: Inspiring schools on the programme To make a booking, contact Religious Literacy” conference should be able to set out how the [email protected] or which is the first ever joint event GLP is contributing to their [email protected] between NATRE, AULRE and provision and outcomes for Tel/Fax: 01923 351 209, Mob: AREIAC on 8-9 October 2016. pupils. 07940 963 014 Details can be found via the The training and resources NATRE website www.natre.org.uk. available through the GLP are Hindu Council UK: Questions Sponsored by Culham St Gabriel’s, free for state-funded schools. In and answers on Hinduism the weekend is designed to bring order to help make NATRE together the wider RE community members aware of what is The Hindu Council has set up a from classroom teachers to available, they are offering a free website that deals with question inspectors, ITTs to renowned taster session on global and answers on Hinduism, academics as well as everyone in learning and SMSC covering topics such as why there between! development for your NATRE are many gods in Hinduism; a group. As well as explaining mature understanding of the law what the GLP is about and how schools can benefit from it, the session would also share And it’s goodbye from me … practical activities and ideas to help schools take a global This will be the last Schools Newsletter in this format. After 15 years approach to SMSC development in the job, I will be taking early retirement in October, immediately and “British values”. after the Harvest services. Many thanks to all with whom I’ve worked over the years—many only via e-mail or phone. It has been a real treat If you would like to arrange for when I have met you and visited your schools. one of the GLP staff to come and run this session with your group, We will let you know in September who has been appointed in my place. please contact Isobel Mitchell Eileen Bigg, Schools Secretary (National Leader (South East)) at Pearson UK on 07715 044071. Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  25

The RE Commission and if so what A high-profile independent the Commission has been established entitle- with a remit to make wide-ranging ment recommendations to overhaul should religious education, reviewing the be legal, education and policy The 14 frameworks for religious Com- education in all primary schools, missioners, secondary schools and further all experts education colleges in England. The in their work will cover four tasks: different  to consider the nature, fields, purposes, and scope of religious bring education together a  Juliet Lyal, teacher at  to identify the enabling factors wealth of experience from Cunningham Hill Infant School, that currently promote high teaching, school leadership, St Albans (and one of our SIAMS quality RE, and the barriers that academia, journalism and law, inspectors) currently limit it each chosen for their particular  to identify what changes are experience after extensive The wide-ranging, inclusive needed to ensure the highest consultation on the range of process of gathering evidence will quality provision of RE expertise necessary for the start in autumn 2016 and last for  to ensure that Commission. Some of them may two years, with a final report recommendations focus on already be known to you: expected in mid-2018. realistic and specific proposals  The Very Revd Dr John Hall, The Very Revd Dr John Hall aimed at both immediate and Dean of Westminster (Chair), commented: “Religion is a long-term implementation in former Chief Education Officer powerful force for good in our the context of continuing for the Church of England world, and the perversion of it a educational reform  Samira Ahmed, journalist and powerful force for evil. If our To do this, the Commissioners will broadcaster of a range of society and our world are to investigate: culture and religious benefit from the good and to avoid  the quality of teaching and programme and documentaries the evil, it is vital that children learning in RE across television and radio develop religious literacy and  the legal and structural (who chaired last year’s Sixth come to understand religious arrangements Form Conference in St Albans perceptions and motivations. They  the public and professional Cathedral) need to learn about their own profile of the subject  Alan Brine, Ofsted National religious or non-religious beliefs  teacher recruitment, Initial Advisor for RE from 2007 to and practices and attitudes and Teacher Education and 2014 (with whom Jane has learn to respect those of their Continuous Professional worked closely) fellow human beings. So Religious Development  Dame Helen Hyde, Head of Education is an important, but  the range of school settings in Grammar School for often underrated, part of the which RE should be required Girls between 1987 and 2016, school curriculum. I look forward  the age range for which RE Commissioner on the National to exploring with my fellow should be required Holocaust Commission and commissioners the changes that  the right to withdraw (parents chair of its education work will allow RE to play its proper or carers, pupils and teachers) stream part in the formation of young  whether or not there should be  Emma Knights, Chief Executive people who will contribute to the a common entitlement in RE, Officer, National Governors’ sum of human happiness.” Association Page  26 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

The Creation of the Teacher The angel looked incredulous. "Not only think," said the Lord, "Three pairs of eyes - on a "but reason and compromise." Lord God was creating standard model?" teachers. It was his sixth day The angel came closer to have a of overtime and he knew that The Lord nodded His head. better look at the model and this was a tremendous "One pair can see a student for ran his finger over the responsibility for teachers what he is and not what others teacher's cheek. would touch the lives of so have labelled him as. Another "Well, Lord," said the angel, many impressionable young pair of eyes is in the back of your job looks fine but there is children. the teacher's head to see what a leak. I told you that you were should not be seen, but what An angel appeared to him and putting too much into this must be known. The eyes in the said, "You are taking a long time model. You cannot imagine the front are only to look at the to figure this one out." stress that will be placed upon child as he/she acts out in the teacher." "Yes," said the Lord, "but have order to reflect "I understand you read the specs on this and I still believe in you", The Lord moved in closer and order?" without so much as saying a lifted the drop of moisture  must stand above all word to the child." from the teacher's cheek. It shone and glistened in the light. students, yet be on their "Lord," said the angel, "this is a level very large project and I think "It is not a leak," he said, "It is  must be able to do 180 you should work on it a tear." things not connected with tomorrow". the subject being taught "A tear? What is that?" asked  must run on coffee and "I can't," said the Lord, "for I the angel. "What is a tear for?" have come very close to leftovers The Lord replied with great creating something much like  must communicate vital thought, "It is for the joy and myself. I have one that comes knowledge to all students pride of seeing a child to work when he/she is sick, daily and be right most of accomplish even the smallest teaches a class of children that the time task. It is for the loneliness of do not want to learn, has a  must have more time for children who have a hard time special place in his/her heart others than for herself/ to fit in and it is for compassion for children who are not his/ himself for the feelings of their her own, understands the  must have a smile that can parents. It comes from the pain struggles of those who have endure through pay cuts, of not being able to reach some difficulty, never takes the problematic children, and children and the disappointment students for granted." worried parents those children feel in  must go on teaching when The angel looked closely at the themselves. It comes often parents question every move model the Lord was creating. when a teacher has been with a and others are not class for a year and must say "It is too soft-hearted," said supportive good-bye to those students and the angel.  must have six pairs of hands get ready to welcome a new "Six pair of hands, "said the "Yes," said the Lord, "but also class." tough. You cannot imagine what angel. "That's impossible". "My," said the angel. "The tear this teacher can endure or do, thing is a great idea. You are a "Well," said the Lord, "it is not if necessary". the hands that are the problem. genius!!" "Can this teacher think?" asked It is the three pairs of eyes The Lord looked sombre. "I the angel. that are presenting the most didn't put it there." difficulty!" Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016 Page  27

PRAYERS FOR SCHOOLS  Thomas Coram, Berkhamsted  Great Gaddesden Primary

Let us hold the schools of  Primary specific deaneries in our  Long Marston Primary prayers.  Northchurch St Mary’s In this issue, we pray for the Primary church schools in:  Potten End Primary & Shefford Deanery  Bishop Wood Junior, Tring Deanery  Clifton All Saints Academy  Tring  Aston St Mary’s Primary  Clophill St Mary’s Lower  St Bartholomew’s Primary,  Graveley Primary  Greenfield & Pulloxhill Wigginton  Stevenage St Nicholas Academy Primary Biggleswade Deanery  Raynsford Academy, Henlow  St Andrew’s Lower, Watford Deanery  Henlow Academy Biggleswade  St Paul’s Primary,  Meppershall Academy  Edward Peake Lower, Langleybury  Silsoe Lower Biggleswade /Hatfield Deanery  St Mary’s Academy, Stotfold  John Donne Lower, Blunham  Codicote Primary  Caldecote Lower Barnet Deanery  All Saints Primary,  Dunton Lower  St Mary’s Primary, Datchworth  East Barnet Alban Academy,  St John’s Primary, Digswell Great Barford  St Nicholas Primary, Elstree  Countess Anne School,  Northill Lower  St Giles Primary, Hatfield  South Mimms Roxton Lower  St John’s Primary, Lemsford   St Andrew’s Primary, St Swithun’s Lower, Sandy  North Mymms St Mary’s  Sutton Lower Primary  Deanery Wrestlingworth Lower  Tewin Cowper Primary

 Welwyn St Mary’s Primary  St James’ Lower, Biddenham  St Michael’s Woolmer Green  Cranfield Academy Give support to all staff, pupils, Primary  Holywell Academy, Cranfield parents and governors, particularly during changes fast  Renhold Lower Wheathampstead Deanery approaching. Guide them in all  St Nicholas Primary, Berkhamsted Deanery that they do. Give them the comfort of knowing that they Harpenden  Aldbury Primary are safe in your arms. And  St Helen’s Primary,  Victoria Infant & Nursery, bless them as they are Wheathampstead Berkhamsted refreshed and restored during the summer holidays. Page  28 Schools Newsletter: Summer 2016

Diocesan Office, Holywell Lodge 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE Tel: 01727 818170 Fax: 01727 844469 E-mail: [email protected] www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools

A rock in uncertain times Education is increasingly outcomes-driven. We are the recent Diocesan Synod which is reproduced in measured, assessed, measured and assessed once this Newsletter [see pp 6&8]. again. Who we are and what we achieve is The Board of Education's vision for Church Schools in increasingly determined by a narrow set of outcomes. the articulates that our schools This process of constantly being measured against live God's love by being Distinctively Christian, outcomes that regularly change creates a creative Community-Focussed and by Serving the Common tension between “who we are” and Good. Our schools seek to be “what we do”. Director’s End Notes inclusive, Christian communities, As those committed to working in orientated towards the person of and running church schools infused with Christian Jesus Christ, who offer hospitality and welcome to all Values and Virtues, we clearly communicate to our and actively seek to live out Christian values such as children and young people that who they are is far love, reconciliation, justice, peace and joy. This is truly more than what they achieve, important though that is, prophetic and a message of hope that can be lived that the formation of character involves the whole out in the lives of the 28,500 children and young person - body, soul, mind and spirit. As I write, the people in diocesan schools. country is coming to terms with the vote to leave the As school leaders, governors, teachers and support EU. The debate has been passionate on both sides staff, we will move forward together. It is a and vigorous argument continues. We are living in a characteristic of education, as one term finishes time of unparalleled change. another starts; there is no going back. We go forward As the debate rages, many families across the diocese with a clear vision for the children and young people are deeply unsettled by the uncertainty that the result in our care—that they will experience true community has caused and the potential impact it will have on and know what it means to be included, to be valued, their lives. There has been much talk of separation, to be loved irrespective of their race, their creed, their division, of intolerance and injustice. In times of sexuality or their heritage. challenge, of change, even crisis, the Church has in Thank you for your passionate commitment to the the past spoken prophetically for the common good children and young people you serve. Enjoy your and is doing so again, speaking against separation, summer break and I look forward to working with you intolerance, injustice and exclusion and I commend to in the new academic year. you the Bishop of St Albans' presidential address to

Your Schools Team: Contact us at:

David Morton Diocesan Director of Education 01727 818172 [email protected]

Lizzie Jeanes Deputy Director of Education 07538 419582 [email protected]

Charlotte Johnson Deputy Director of Education 07711 070552 [email protected]

Jane Chipperton RE Adviser 07776 142741 [email protected]

Belinda Copson School Support Officer 07950 366466 [email protected]

Bob Garrard Admissions Adviser 07895 176572 [email protected]

Eileen Bigg Schools Secretary [& Editor] 01727 818170 [email protected]

Ruth Garman General Schools Administrator 01727 818168 [email protected]