Diocese of York RE News Welcome to the sixth edition of RE News. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. We would love to hear about what is going on in your school and welcome any feedback about the newsletters. If you have any ideas for future editions of RE News or you would like your school to feature, please contact either Olivia Seymour [email protected] or Celia Roberts [email protected] Our Feature School: Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Hull Year 7 reflection week To help celebrate the Archbishop’s birthday we wanted to do something special with our Year Seven students. We decided to create our own reflection week. Our reflection week consisted of four days out of the Academy with a wide variety of activities led by different members of our RE team. The main objective of the week was to allow them to reflect on their religious community and their role within it. Our Academy is made up of five Houses each named after Abbeys and Priories within the Diocese. We took the entire year group to visit Abbey for them to experience the awe, age and sheer beauty of it. It was also an opportunity for them to grasp firsthand the size of the Diocese. Each group was given a different starting point in the town to allow them to experience the area and not just each other. Our visit to Whitby Abbey was much more powerful than we had expected as for some of our students it was the furthest way they had been from where they lived. To see their faces brighten up and comment on how amazing they thought the place to be, to what we as a team tend to take for granted with our own families, provided us with the opportunity to reflect ourselves. The other three days enabled us, our students and our Academy Chaplain to visit more key sites within our diocese. York Minster was chosen as an obvious link with the Archbishop. We also managed to link in the current topic within the schemes of work ‘Places of Worship’ by taking advantage of the Education Centre at the Minster. ‘The Minster as a place of worship’ sessions and tours were extremely useful and really allowed them to appreciate the building itself. For the majority of students this was the first time they had entered a place of worship. The guided tours were a great opportunity for them to ask questions which we wouldn’t have been able to answer as easily. The day really added to their sense of belonging to the diocese and their understanding of the importance of being named after such a figure as Sentamu. The local church was that of our Chaplain. Here they could see where his parish is based, this is a stark contrast with the Minster as it is not just a place of worship but a also a community centre used for a variety of reasons. The focus of the day was how the students felt towards those not as privileged as themselves. It allowed them to reflect on what they take for granted and the positives that they have in their lives, to question why What’s inside? people’s opportunities and circumstances are different and what if anything they think they could and should do about it. The day created a very positive attitude to helping others Primary feature 2 and set a few groups off actually implanting plans to do some charity work for less Church School Links developed countries. 3-4 Spiritual Development feature 5 continued overleaf Network Groups 6

SIAS briefing Barnabas RE Training (The Bible in RE) Training and Events update 15th September 2010 1-3.30pm 13th October 2010 Diocesan House, York Bishopthorpe Palace, York Autumn 2010 Minsitry through Schools Foundation Governor Training (Christian Governors serving community schools) 12th October 2010 6.30-8pm 12th October 2010 6.30-8pm Diocesan House, York Diocesan House, York For more details please contact our administrator Anita Ranyell at [email protected] or go to www.dioceseofyork.org.uk Choosing the Hull Kingston Rovers ground for the remaining event was because of the high regard and passion the vast majority of the students have for the local team. It is hard not to be brought up a rugby fan living in Hull and even if it is for the other team, Hull FC, the grounds are a sacred place to many. Stirring up these feelings and linking them to religious faith worked well. The activities here were based on church community and the importance of the different roles/positions people have within it. This included a focus on St. Paul’s teaching of the Church being the body of Christ. They also explored the important role Church of Academies have within the Church. As a team we were very pleased with the week’s events and the quality of reflection it created for the students. It was personalised to our students and hopefully created everlasting memories for themes. The experience was very tiring for staff but well worth it and we have already agreed to be doing it all again next year! Kelly Bowen RE Team Leader Primary RE Focus

Forest of Galtres (Anglican Methodist) Primary School Spirited Arts At the beginning of this year children and teachers in all year groups began to explore questions in RE through selecting a theme from the NATRE 2010 ‘Art in Heaven’ Spirited Arts competition. They spent time discussing themes throughout the term for example year 2 worked on ‘Celebrating Life, Celebrating Love’. They looked at the work of Bonnie Ferrill Roman, an artist who works to produce natural sculpture and created their own pieces from various materials which symbolised their lives, loves and their relationship with God in the natural environment – a complete natural progression. The children all wrote about their sculptures and set them around the school grounds in special, significantly spiritual places; the friendship area, in daffodils to represent new life. Year 3 children looked at the story of Noah and the Ark but delved into hopes and fear both our own and those of others around the world in areas of conflict, creating inspiring pieces of art that included colours of the rainbow representing hope to all Christians. Year 5, having visited a mosque, continued to think about sacred buildings and what is needed for a connection to be made in a spiritual space. This included art on what Mohammed took to the cave to make that connection comparing it to a local mosque in 2010.

Reception children looked at Bible stories and talked about where is God? They produced some beautiful pieces of art exploring their ideas.

Spirited Arts has been an exciting way to use RE to encourage the children in our school to ask and explore the big questions that RE poses with creativity and imagination. We have all enjoyed some great teaching, learning and working together on an exciting whole school project. Rachel Oates RE Co-ordinator

Find out more about spirited Arts and opportunities to use it in the RE classroom at http://natre.org.uk/spiritedarts/ index.php Church School Links

West Heslerton CE (VC) Primary School Involving the community in exploring our local churches

West Heslerton CE Primary School, near Malton has 4 churches in its catchment area. We have 50 children on role, organised into 2 classes. This provides small groups and ample opportunity to explore a range of churches. It also means a lot of hard work on our part to be involved in church life in a way that is fair to each church and congregation! Read on for details of our most recent projects…… Create a Treasure Hunt for St Andrew’s Church, East Heslerton.

The children of keeper wood started this project by walking to church along the ‘Priests’ Trod’, the path used in the past by clergy to access each village church. Classteacher Sheryl Woodward took the whole class round the church. They looked at the finer details in the windows and other art work and were given factual information about the church. The children then explored the church yard to find the oldest and newest graves. They found families of graves and discussed the ages of some of the adults and children buried there. The children then devised ideas on paper and took photos of items they thought would make into interesting questions.

Back in class, each pair of children typed up their question and added a photo if needed. The children also worked in small groups to create story sacks based on bible stories for younger children who may be attending the quiz at East Heslerton church. Keeper Wood children invited parents, all children from the school and the community to a celebratory event. A Community lunch was held in school before we walked the Priests Trod to East Heslerton church. Many guests had a go at the quiz. Badger Wood children (aged 4 to 7) revealed each quiz answer by popping balloons and finding the answer hidden inside. Those people attending were invited to buy goods from the Fairtrade Stall that school had organised. Copies of the quiz are kept for visitors to enjoy. St. Andrew’s Church, East Heslerton is a closed church and not always used for services yet can be visited by borrowing the key locally.

Create a Guided Tour of All Saints’ Church, West Heslerton.

The children of Keeper Wood Class began this project by investigating a range of guided tours. Classteacher and Headteacher Rachel Wells set the challenge of naming and identifying church features at the church. Children also looked at the details in the windows and other artefacts. Each child chose a different area of the church to research and tell others about. We organised each piece of information into a sensible order. Pupils gave directions between each of the areas of interest and measured the distance between these. They then digitally recorded their tour with details and edited it to leave ample space for visitors to walk from one feature to the next. The launch of the tour took place in church. Parents, Governors and Villagers were welcomed to hear our ‘live’ tour by pupils. Each visitor was given a raffle ticket as a thank you for attending and lucky winners won Fairtrade items. We were able to present a recorded tour on MP3 player with headphones to Revd. Duke, along with clear instructions for use and a comments book. All of the above is now in West Heslerton All Saints Church should visitors wish to experience the high tech tour! Rachel Wells HeadTeacher Church School Links

Paull Church Heritage Trail with support from Paull Primary School

St Andrew Church built in 1355, stands quietly on the banks of the River just out side the rural village of Paull. In 2009 major restoration work was carried out and a toilet and kitchen was added which serve the new Riverside Pop In Cafe within the church. This was a mammoth task, restoring and improving the church was not easy. However after monumental efforts of local fundraising and generous grants all the work finished in January 2010. The church also identified the need to support local visitor attractions, , the local riding school, people watching the ferries and shipping leaving Hull, visitors to the newly created wetlands and nature reserve at the east side of the church and people walking their dogs, this is how the Riverside Pop In Cafe was created.

There are significant historical points of interest in the church and village and so the church also decided, with support from the school, to produce the Paull Heritage Trail. The trail starts and finishes at the church and takes approx 1 hr to complete (with an alternative route through the local wetland area being a little longer at 2 hours)

Staffed by volunteers, we open from March to October 2-4 pm on Saturday, Sundays and Bank holiday Mondays (mid week openings can be arranged by prior arrangement - ring 01964 626115 or visit the website: www.standrewpaull.org.uk for details), please come along and see us.

Riston CE (VC) Primary School supporting the local church

The tables were turned at Riston Church of England Primary School, when the children told their head teacher to be quiet! Theresa Chambers, Head of Riston Church of England Primary School,had a day of silence on Friday 16th July to raise money for St Margaret’s Church, Long Riston.

Mrs Chambers said, “As a church school, this is our way of helping the church. The children regularly visit St Margaret’s, and the Vicar, Canon Chris Simmons, told us that the inside of the church needed decorating, but the congregation couldn’t afford to do so at the moment. The children instantly wanted to help out, and came up with the idea of a sponsored silence – for me!”

The Revd Canon Chris Simmons was interviewed before the event and said, “As Mrs Chambers is never short of words, I’m sure this sponsored silence will be a challenge! It’s very kind of the children to want to help the church in this way, and we appreciate everyone who sponsors Mrs Chambers. I’m sure she’ll be shouting for joy when she sees how much she’s raised – as long as it’s after her day of silence is over.”

We are pleased to report that the sponsored silence was a fantastic success and raised £385.50 Spiritual Development

Thornton-le-Dale CE (VC) Primary School Orison Prayer Space Day

Rev Paul Mothersdale attended our collective worship workshops day last term. The following article from Thornton Dale Primary School explains how the day inspired them to do something different, as HeadTeacher Lorna Karetnyk writes...... We had some concerns in school that the children thought that prayers were said only in collective worship time in the school hall or in church. Prayer Spaces delivered by Orison was a way of addressing this.

The school hall was prepared the day before in secrecy with willing helpers from our band of church volunteers who also supported the children on the day. The hall was transformed using gazebos and tents into a world of awe and wonder. It certainly had the 'wow' factor.

The children were grouped in House Groups which meant that older children could assist the younger ones which worked really well. They were all sworn to secrecy after their visit which lasted about an hour. Hugo Anson prepared the children for each of the themes in the spaces which featured a Sorry Zone with effervescent tablets and etcha-sketch boards, a World Zone with globes and pictures of real people from different countries, a large sheet of paper on the floor to use for - If you could ask God one question what would it be?, a Thought Zone with a bubble tube and electro-magnetic ball with post-it notes for writing/ drawing prayers

The activities were though provoking, fun and challenged the children to think about different ways of praying and that we can pray anywhere. It was a very inclusive activity as children were able to access the resources in any way they chose to do so. Words cannot describe the effect on both children and adults - I hope some of the pictures give a better idea of the experience. Throughout the day activities were run in classes and outside - children experienced prayer through music and drama by writing and performing songs, art activities such as decorative word for prayer and children's initials covered in foil to reflect their image, windmills were made with prayers written on for the garden, prayers were hung in trees and each house group sent up one helium balloon, a large collage of happy faces was also produced. We will be developing the day during the first week back in September and beyond where we are looking at identity and spiritual and moral development.

Lorna Karetnyk HeadTeacher Network Groups

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Below are details of our group meetings National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, 1020 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6LB this term T: 0121 472 4242 | E: [email protected] | W: www.natre.org.uk

Dates for future network meetings: New Group Secondary RE and chaplaincy network - (contact Olivia Seymour for further information) Autumn date to be confirmed 11-13th February 2011 - opportunity for retreat on

Escrick and York network - Wednesday 3rd November 2010 (contact Celia Roberts for further information)

South Kilvington network - Wednesday 29th September 2010 (contact Celia Roberts for further information)

Egton network - Visit to Sikh Gurdwara - date to be confirmed (contact Olivia Seymour for further information)

all meetings are from 4-5.30pm unless otherwise stated In order to book a place at any of the above meetings please contact Anita Ranyell our administrator, but if you have a query regarding a particular network meeting please contact the adviser responsible for that meeting in brackets above.

Canon Dr Ann Lees: Diocesan Director of Education Viv Todd: Assistant Diocesan Director of Education Simon Quartermaine: School Buildings Officer Anita Ranyell: Team Administrator & PA to the Diocesan Director of Education Celia Roberts: Education Adviser Olivia Seymour: Education Adviser Diocesan Board of Dr Bob Duerden: Education Consultant Education Who’s Who? email: [email protected] phone: 01904 699511 fax: 01904 699510