CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS PAST, PRESENT AND · PDF filechurch of england schools past, present and future celebration resource pack

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

CELEBRATION RESOURCE PACK

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Contents 4 Commendation – Revd. Derek Bastide (Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education) 5 Introduction - Mike Wilson (Diocesan Director of Education) 6 Theme Prayer 7 Message – Revd. Janina Ainsworth (General Secretary of the National Society) 8 The National Society - Past & Present 9 Ways to Celebrate - School and Parish View 10 Curriculum Links - Project Suggestions 11 Collective Worship - Changes, Past, Present and Future This booklet marks the 200th anniversary of the National Society which was founded on 16 October 1811. It has been produced by Adam Earle, Headteacher of West Hoathly Church of England Primary School. We are most grateful to him for all his hard work in collating a range of imaginative and practical ideas for schools to use, develop and reflect upon in their day to day activities in meeting the needs of their pupils. Mike Wilson November 2011

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Commendation I know of very few people who don’t enjoy a celebration although we may all have our own styles and preferences in how we celebrate. The 200th Anniversary of the founding of the National Society, established to promote education for all in a Christian context, founded on the principles of the Church of England, gives us plenty of reasons to celebrate. We can celebrate our work together, our schools and our mission in serving children, families and local communities. We can celebrate the successes of the centuries as well as the challenges we have faced and resolved. We can celebrate the opportunities that the future will bring. This resource booklet is a collection of information, ideas and examples to help in the planning and delivery of future activities inspired by this year of celebration. As Christians we share our moments of celebration with God who knows our joys and sorrows so it is entirely fitting to include, alongside various information and practical suggestions, a collection of outlines for collective worship. I would like to give my special thanks to Adam Earle for all his hard work in developing this unique resource pack. I commend the resources, information and ideas in this booklet. I do hope that you will find it useful as we celebrate together the past, present and future contributions of Church of England schools to millions of young lives since October 1811. Revd. Derek Bastide Chair of Diocesan Board of Education

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Introduction Did you know that about one million children are educated in Church of England schools and over 36,000 of them in the Diocese of Chichester? October 2011 saw the bicentenary of the foundation of the National Society For Promoting Religious Education. As the Queen said in her inaugural speech to the new General Synod in November 2010, it was the Church of England’s initiative in building schools at the beginning of the 19th century that created a momentum which led to Parliament establishing a universal right to education. The Church continues to make a major contribution to education, not least in our Diocese, and as we celebrate beyond 2011 the true impact of the “National Society For The Education Of The Poor In The Principles Of The Established Church” - now usually referred to as the National Society. The Society initially aimed to help establish a school in every parish, providing education for those who had no other opportunity. Its pioneering vision was realized through a huge programme of building, staffing and equipping schools. It is remarkable that this began almost 60 years before the State began to provide free elementary education for all. By 1870, the Society had overseen the establishment of 17,000 schools. The 1944 Education Act then created a new partnership in the funding and governance of Church and state schools that largely stands to this day. However, we now face new challenges with the reducing capacity of local authorities. They have been a valued key partner of dioceses since Archbishop William Temple and RA Butler developed the ‘dual system’ of Church/State partnership in education as embodied in the 1944 Education Act. The National Society continues to support the work of the statutory Diocesan Boards of Education and local Church schools and works closely with central government. Its initial commitment to providing inclusive and distinctive education for “the poor” based upon Christian values has never waned. This remains the Church of England’s commitment to children and families today and into the future. Today a quarter of all state schools in England are Church of England schools. Of the 440 primary schools in our Diocese, 151 are Church of England. One in twenty state secondary schools in England is C of E. In Sussex the figure is one in ten as seven of the 70 secondary schools are C of E. Nationally nearly a fifth of primary pupils and about six in every hundred secondary pupils attend Church of England schools. In our diocese 27,262 of the 106,102 primary pupils go to Church of England schools (nearly 26%) and 8,886 of the 78,476 secondary pupils (just over 11%). The Diocesan Schools Department will be holding activities during the 2011/12 school year to help schools and parishes celebrate the past, present and future contribution of Church of England schools to the lives of thousands of children, young people and their families. Our diocesan celebration service took place in Chichester Cathedral on Monday 26th September 2011. The service was led by the Bishop of Chichester assisted by the Bishops of Lewes and Horsham and attended by the Archdeacons of Chichester, Horsham and Lewes, the General Secretary of the National Society Revd. Janina Ainsworth, the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, the High Sheriffs of West Sussex and East Sussex, the Mayor of Chichester, Cabinet

The beautiful new Diocesan Banner, created by Wendy Oakeshott, to mark this celebration year.

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Members plus numerous headteachers, governors and clergy from our schools and parishes. The service was a joyous celebration of the work of the National Society and a resounding acknowledgement of the achievements and continuing commitment to service of our Church schools. A particular highlight of the service was the beautiful singing by children from Central CE Junior School, Chichester. My thanks to them for their heart-warming contribution. The service would not have been complete without the involvement of pupils. Also, during the service, the new Diocesan Schools banner was presented and blessed by the Bishop of Chichester. Other activities and plans during 2011/12 include: • twelve school leavers’ celebrations in the summer of 2011 with the theme “Jesus Christ is the

same yesterday and today and for ever”. (Hebrews 13 v 8) • participation by five school groups and members of our Board of Education in the national 200th

anniversary service at Westminster Abbey on 14 October 2011. • the possible development of a DVD in 2012 prepared by church schools across the diocese. This will

celebrate our work, our hopes and expectations for the future. It is my hope that the materials in this resource pack will enable Church of England schools to develop their own ideas and activities that will help each school community to explore and give thanks for its past, to celebrate its current provision and to plan with confidence for the future. Mike Wilson Diocesan Director of Education Adapted from an article first published in the Chichester Magazine - Spring 2011

Prayer The following prayer, first used at the school leavers’ celebrations in the Summer Term 2011 and at the conclusion of the celebration Eucharist in Chichester Cathedral on Monday 16th September, sums up our theme and focus in this anniversary year.

Lord, by your presence, light up the past, that we might learn from it with thankfulness.

Light up the present, that we might live in it with love.

Light up the future, that we might prepare for it in hope.

As we watch and wait and pray, may we be always ready to walk with the Lord,

who is already and always with us. Amen.

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Historical Note - taken from the order of service for the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on 14 October 2011 Two hundred years ago Joshua Watson and other leading members of the Church of England met to found the National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church throughout England and Wales. The first meeting took place on 16th October 1811. Their aim was to build a church school in every parish and at that meeting they launched a major fundraising campaign. Parishes and clergy wanting to build a school could apply to the National Society for a grant so long as the education offered was based on the teachings of the Church of England. The founders knew that spiritual and moral education was just as important as learning a trade and believed that the worship and instruction of the Church of England was the way to develop ‘character’ in the pupils. By 1861 there were twelve thousand schools ‘in union’ with the National Society across England and Wales; not quite a school in every parish but a phenomenal achievement, all funded by donations from parishes and people. And this long before the government began to provide schools for anyone. With so many new schools being founded there was an immediate need for teachers, and the National Society itself founded teacher training colleges, as well as helping dioceses set up their own. In succeeding years the National Society took over the Sunday School Institute, developed an examination system, published teaching materials, developed the inspection training and framework, and helped train governors and headteachers. Today nearly five thousand church schools and academies educate almost one million students, and over fifteen million people in the current population have attended a church school. The National Society still works to support church schools in providing a distinctive education based on the principles of the Anglican Communion, and retains its commitment to serving the poor in some of our most disadvantaged communities across England and Wales. It works in partnership with other faith communities, with local and central government, and with a range of other organisations. In this anniversary year we are proud to celebrate this legacy today, to express in this service our gratitude to those who founded our work. We celebrate all the schools where Christian Education is offered to the children and families of our nations, and we look forward in confidence to the next two hundred years! The Reverend Janina Ainsworth Chief Education Officer for the Church of England General Secretary of the National Society

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The National Society What The National Society Does The National Society promotes and resources 4,700 Church of England and 172 Church in Wales schools, by:

• negotiating with Government and other national agencies to maintain and develop the contribution of church schools to public education in England and Wales.

• supporting and advising diocesan education teams on legal and technical, curriculum and ethos

issues. • working closely with the Church of England Board of Education to contribute a Christian

perspective to educational debate.

The NS and the Board of Education collaborate with the Catholic Education Service and the Methodist Church, along with other Christian and other faith education representatives, to ensure that the role and needs of faith communities and those they serve are represented in national debate. Brief History The National Society was founded at a meeting on 16 October 1811 attended by Joshua Watson, the Revd Henry Handley Norris (Watson’s brother-in-law), and John Bowles JP with Charles Manners – Sutton, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1805 to 1828, in the chair. Its stated aim was ‘that the National Religion should be made the foundation of National Education’. The aim of the Society was to found a Church school in every parish in England and Wales and with prodigious energy it began a national system of education establishing nearly 17,000 ‘National Schools’ supplemented by the State from 1870 onwards. The Society funded buildings, enlarging and equipping classrooms through grants to prospective founders. Five thousand Church of England and Church in Wales schools, educating almost a million children and young people today are the heirs of that proud tradition. There have been 24 General Secretaries of the Society in the 200 years of its existence so far. The Society also trained teachers for these schools, starting from its Central School in London. Later the Society founded its own colleges and gave support to colleges founded by the dioceses. They include Dr John Hall, the present Dean of Westminster, who was a central figure in the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on 29 April 2011. Joshua Watson retired from a successful business in 1814, at the age of forty-three, in order to devote all his time and energies, for the remainder of his life, to the service of the Church of England. This he continued to do until his death in 1855. To find out more about the National Society’s role today, visit its website http://www.churchofengland.org/education/national-society.aspx (now part of the Church of England Website).

A special website, to provide ideas, resources, links, information and inspiration has been set up for the 200th Anniversary of the National Society. You can check it out and sign up for “live” updates at the address below: www.natsoc200.org.uk

http://www.churchofengland.org/education/national-society.aspx

http://www.natsoc200.org.uk

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Ways To Celebrate The following suggestions are designed to provide some starting points for planning. The list is certainly not exhaustive or exclusive. We hope you find them useful. Celebration Service

Invite the community to join the school in celebrating the anniversary of the National Society with a special service, possibly held in the parish church, perhaps thinking about the work and example of Joshua Watson, his legacy and how we can all leave a legacy for the future. Former pupils and staff of the school could be invited to join the service.

Reunion Open Day Organise a school open day to celebrate the present life and work of the school. Invite members of the local community, especially those who attended the school themselves. You could advertise the event more widely and maybe try and track down the oldest surviving former pupil. The children could give a presentation of their work and activities and find out, from visitors, how the school has changed since they attended. Suitably edited sections of school logbooks over the years could also be displayed. Hopes & Prayers Board

Taking the theme “Past, Present & Future”, set up a hopes and prayers display with historical and current photographs of the school. Ask the children, staff and other members of the community to contribute prayers of thanksgiving (perhaps for the past) and to express prayerful hopes for the future of the school and its work within the community.

Education Sunday This falls on Sunday 5th February in 2012. Resources are published online, each year, to help in preparation for this and can be found on the Churches Together in England website. By arrangement with school’s local parish church make a contribution to the main worship service in the church on that Sunday. Children or staff could attend and participate with readings, singing or a small display, in the church, celebrating the life and work of the school and highlighting aspects of that work for which the parishioners may like to offer prayer. Things In Common - School Links

A collaborative “concert” or “project” could be arranged with other local Church of England schools. Bringing children together to celebrate what they have in common as pupils in church schools is a wonderful opportunity for all involved, friendships may grow and a wider understanding developed of how schools are linked via the National Society. The project could be a fund raising event to collect money to donate to the work of church schools

abroad.

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Hangings, Banners, Murals & Gardens Creating a visual celebration of this important anniversary is a creative and engaging idea. A hanging, banner or mural for the school (or possibly for the parish church) is a great way to get many children and adults involved, contributing elements for to whole. Planting a new area of garden or a tree would also be an admirable way to celebrate.

For a great many additional ideas including competitions, balloon races, Victorian days and commemorative gardens visit the www.natsoc200.org.uk website.

Curriculum Ideas Teachers are used to being creative and exercising incredible imaginative in recognising learning opportunities in every context. Teachers are also very busy people so anything that can help an idea on the way is usually welcome. The following brief curriculum project outlines are intended to spark a few ideas. Timeline - Victorians and Onwards No history project would really be complete without a timeline and, perhaps, no timeline completed without the Victorians. If you’re planning a topic on this theme then why not draw in aspects of the history and work of the National Society and how your own school fits into this flow or history. We owe a great deal to the Victorians, not least to those who founded the National Society itself at St John’s, Hackney in October 1811. Creating a timeline which focuses on the last two hundred years, including key events, especially the founding and development of the school, is a fantastic focus for learning and enquiry. Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes - Past, Present & Future

Education and learning have changed and developed in a variety of ways over the years. Why not find out just how, looking back at the early days of church schools and comparing them with the present. But why stop there? What will school be like in the future? This gives a great opportunity for research, comparative study and creative thinking which could result in a presentation, drama, display and even film making to express ideas.

Leaving A Legacy When we consider the work of the National Society and its founders, especially Joshua Watson, it gives us a moment to stop and think about how much their work and effort has contributed to our lives today. We have a lot to thank the people of the past for but what would we like the people of the future to gain from our lives and work? Motivation

Our beliefs play a significant part in our choices and decisions. What motivated people like Joshua Watson was a strong belief in God and the value of all as children of God. It is important that we each consider our motivation and our answers to significant questions in life. Why not make this a theme for religious education and PHSE, exploring our beliefs and those of others and how they motivate people in making life choices and in their approach to others. This is also a great opportunity to promote

some of the Christian Values (as outlined on www.christianvalues4schools.org.uk website), in keeping with the stated aims of the National Society.

http://www.natsoc200.org.uk

http://www.christianvalues4schools.org.uk

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Collective Worship Introduction Effective Collective Worship is an essential part of the day to day work of all church schools and it is entirely right for our celebrations of the theme “Past, Present and Future” (With the underpinning Bible text Hebrews 13 v 8 - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”) to include guidance on worship. We have provided twelve worship outlines, to be used over a period of four weeks, particularly suited to whole school worship in primary school although they could readily be adapted for use with older students. Each act of worship follows a similar structure and includes familiar elements such as a greeting, introduction (visual or active where possible), a Bible reading, expansion of the main theme, opportunities for reflection and response including physical action and prayers. Suitable songs and music for listening have been recommended in each set. The Themes (Weekly & Daily)

Week One - Changes

Day 1 Growing & Changing

Day 2 Promises! Promises!

Day 3 I am always with you!

Week Two - Past (Yesterday)

Day 1 Starting Out

Day 2 Learning from the Past

Day 3 Firm Foundations

Week Three - Present (Today)

Day 1 This Is The Day

Day 2 You Learn Something New Every Day

Day 3 New Every Morning

Week Four - Future (Forever)

Day 1 Who Knows What Tomorrow Brings?

Day 2 A Guide for the Journey

Day 3 In His Hands

N.B. The PowerPoint slides mentioned in some of the worship outlines will be made available shortly via the school department section of the diocesan website.

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Week One - Changes Theme: Growing & Changing

This act of worship reflects on how we change in life, getting older, growing taller. Some changes are good and some less so but in all these changes we have an unchanging God on whom we can rely.

Listening “Changes” - David Bowie

Songs “The journey of life” - BBC Come & Praise 45 “One more step along the world I go” - BBC Come & Praise 47 “Lord of all hopefulness” - BBC Come & Praise 52

Resources • A piece of rock (make sure it is sound and that there is no risk of pieces falling off!) • A visual timer (30 seconds to 1 minute duration) e.g. a sand timer • A series of pictures of worship leader from young to present with various evident changes

(Alternatively use the images on accompanying PowerPoint)

Bible Reading Hebrews 13 v 8

Greeting V: God is good R: all the time. V: All the time R: God is good.

Introduction • Place the rock where it can be clearly seen by all present. • Explain that you are want them to watch the rock very closely for a short period of time

and take careful note of any changes. Assure them that the rock will change and that they must watch carefully.

• Using the time mark the beginning and end of the period and then ask for suggestions as to how it changed. Hopefully there will be a few suggestions.

• The rock has of course changed, like the rest of us, if has got older! • As the rock ages it doesn’t change much although ultimately even a rock can erode and

crumble away.

Development • As we get older we change - ask the children to suggest some examples of how we change, things we can do now, but not when we were younger etc.

• Use the images (either your own or the ones on the accompanying PowerPoint) to discuss how we change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

• Describe also events and decisions on the way, how we change our minds, our opinions etc.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen to the passage as you or a child read the text. Ask them to consider what this tells us about Jesus and why this is reassuring.

Follow-up • Explain that the Bible tells us that Jesus is unchanging, i.e. he is reliable because what he said, what he promised, the love he showed yesterday will be the same today and can be trusted for the future.

• No matter what we face in life, changes for better or worse, we can be sure that Jesus is a reliable friend who will not change, will not let us down and will support us through it all.

Reflection • Spend a few moments thinking about changes that you have faced in life e.g. new school, new class, moving house.

Prayer Use this or similar: Faithful and unchanging God, thank you for our lives as we grow and change. Help us to make good choices and to remember that whatever we face, we do not do so alone but with you at our side. Amen.

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Week One - Changes Theme: Promises! Promises!

There are many promises in the Bible (over 3000 in fact). If God is unchanging these are equally valid today as they were when first given and recorded.


Songs “God has promised” - BBC Come & Praise 31 “Give me oil in my lamp” - BBC Come & Praise 43 “Give us hope, Lord ” - BBC Come & Praise 87

Resources • Three pieces of paper with Bible promises recorded on them, rolled into scrolls and placed in a “feely” bag

• Pictures of a rainbow and a promise box (see PowerPoint)

Bible Reading Genesis 9 v 13 - 16


Introduction • If you are so inclined begin by singing (enthusiastically) the song “I can sing a rainbow”. • Show the picture of the rainbow and ask what it is, perhaps how it is formed and what it

might symbolise.

Development • Tell the story of Noah in a simple form e.g. The Beginner’s Bible or Lion Story Bible (Ensure that the version used mentions God and the rainbow promise at the end!)

• Explain that the rainbow is a symbol, a reminder of one of the first promises that God ever made as recorded in the Bible.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen to the passage as you or a child read the text.

Follow-up • Explain that there are more than 3000 promises made by God to his people. • During the First World War many men gave their girlfriends little boxes, called promise

boxes, inside which were tiny scrolls. On each scroll was one of the promises that can be found in the Bible. Whilst their boyfriends were away fighting, each day they would take a scroll out and read the promise which would reassure them of God’s love. (Picture on PowerPoint to support).

• God never breaks his promises; they are as valid today as they were when they were first given.

Reflection • Use the feely bag with the three scrolls inside. Ask a child to draw one out and read it aloud. Invite the children to think about it and what difference this could make to them today.

Õ Matthew 28 v 20 “… surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Õ Isaiah 41 v 10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am

your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you…” Õ Matthew 11 v 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will

give you rest.”

Prayer Use this or similar: Faithful God, we thank you for your many promises on which we can rely. Help us to keep our promises and be trustworthy toward others. Amen.

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Week One - Changes Theme: I am always with you!

Knowing God is always with us should perhaps influence what we think, do and say. Is this a case of Big Brother or a friend to rely on and who will not let us down?


Songs “God knows me” CP15 “He’s got the whole world in his hands” CP19 “Lord of all hopefulness” CP52

Resources • Optional - Video of CCTV footage (examples can be downloaded from Youtube - N.B. In many West Sussex schools Youtube is not accessible so the video will need to be downloaded at home.)

• Pictures of a CCTV Camera, a Sparrow and a Penny (See PowerPoint).

Bible Reading Matthew 28 v 20 & Matthew 10 v 29-31


Introduction • Read the text from Matthew 28 v 20 and explain that today we are thinking about what difference it might make to us if God is with us always.

• If using, show the video footage and then ask how the pictures were obtained - CCTV camera, i.e. a special security camera to record what goes on the building society.

• Show the picture of a security camera and explain what it is for and that we are often filmed by such cameras as there are so many around today - it’s a bit like being in “Big Brother”. Others can see what we are doing all the time.

Development • If we installed CCTV cameras all around the school, how would that change the way you behaved - knowing that someone was watching you all the time!

• When God says he is always with us, is that like he’s watching us all the time? • Ask for two friends to help you. Ask one to answer questions about the other starting

with easy things like - What is your friend’s name? – moving on to virtually impossible ones like - How many hairs has your friend got on his/her head?

• Of course we don’t know our friends that well but we know more about them than a stranger because they are our friend.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen to the second passage as you or a child read the text.

Follow-up • Show the picture of the sparrow and the penny. • Explain that God is not like a security guard who watches us to make sure we are being

well behaved. • God is like a special friend, who knows us better than we know ourselves; he loves to be

with us and share our lives, the good and the not so good points. Although he likes it when we do the right thing he doesn’t give up on us when we do things wrong.

Reflection • If you are working with a smaller group you could give each a penny to hold during the prayer and reflection otherwise ask the children to look at the sparrow and penny picture.

• Spend a few moments thinking about one of your special friends, how you enjoy spending time with them, how you feel when they are happy or when they are upset. God loves us that much and wants to be our friend.

Prayer Use this or similar: Ever present God, we thank you for our friends and all those we love. Help us to love others as you love us and to remember that you are a friend on whom we can rely. Amen.

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Week Two - Past (Yesterday) Theme: Starting Out

Everything (apart from God of course) has a starting point, a beginning. We reflect on beginnings including the work of Joshua Watson in founding the National Society.

Listening “The Way We Were” - Barbara Streisand

Songs “Spirit of God, as strong as the wind” - BBC Come & Praise 63 “Give us hope, Lord” - BBC Come & Praise 87 “I am planting my feet” - BBC Come & Praise 103

Resources • A relay baton (or “homemade” Olympic Torch) • A finishing tape or chequered flag • Pictures of a race beginning and Joshua Watson (See PowerPoint)

Bible Reading Hebrews 12 v 1

Greeting V: Praise the name of the Lord; R: ascribe greatness to our God. V: Lord, open our lips R: and we shall praise your name.

Introduction • Arrange for a number of children to take part in a relay race around the worship area, each handing the baton to the next on the way and the final child passing through the tape or being “flagged down” as they finish.

Development • Whilst holding up the baton, ask the children what is different between a relay race and an ordinary running race (or similarly discuss the journey of the Olympic Torch) i.e. not just one person, passing from one to the next. The one who finishes the race is not the same person who started it.

• Some things in life can be like a relay race, we take part in something which we didn’t begin and which we may not see the end of but we all play an important part in the journey and without us the race may come to an end.


Follow-up • In 2011/12 we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the National Society, an organisation set up by a group of Christians in Hackney, north London who wanted to provide schools and education for children who would not otherwise be able to afford it.

• They were led by a man called Joshua Watson (show picture) who was keen to provide good Christian education and helped established the work of the National Society in setting up schools, most of which are still serving their communities today by providing high quality education for thousands of children.

• We are part of that journey that Joshua Watson and others, started. We can be glad that our school is here today thanks to him and all those inspired since 1811by his vision of education for all children.

Reflection • Keeping the picture of Joshua Watson on display, spend some moments thinking about our school and what we enjoy, what we learn, the people here today and perhaps those before (You may even have some pictures of them to share).

Prayer Use this or similar: God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, we thank you for all those who worked to enable our school to be here today. Help us to play our part in keeping this a special place to live, love and learn. Amen.

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Week Two - Past (Yesterday) Theme: Learning from the Past

We have much to thank the people of the past for. It is important to learn from the good and the bad so we can do what is right and avoid mistakes.


Songs “Jesus, good above all other” - BBC Come & Praise 23 “Praise Him, praise Him” - BBC Come & Praise 40 “When a knight won his spurs” - BBC Come & Praise 50

Resources • Picture of Edison’s first telephone (See PowerPoint) • Paper cup and string telephone

Bible Reading Psalm 78 v 1 - 4


Introduction • Begin by asking for a number of volunteers (say 8) to play “Chinese Whispers” - Tell the first one a simple message and then find out the message at the end which should, hopefully have changed significantly.

• Explain that it was rather unsuccessful - what went wrong, if we try again what should we do differently? Take suggestions and try them, hopefully with increasing success.

• In the end use cup phone to send the message direct from one end of the line to the other.

Development • Each time we sent the message we got better at it because we learned from our mistakes and improved what we did.

• Our lives are the way they are today because people in the past persevered and made great discoveries but they didn’t just leave things there. They shared their ideas and knowledge and passed them on to the next generation so they could use them and continue to improve them.

• Sometimes they made mistakes but they didn’t give up they kept working and learning so they had useful things to pass on and make the world a better place.


Follow-up • Our Bible reading today reminds us how we must take note of what people in the past have taught us and learn from this in our daily lives today.

• People like Joshua Watson wanted to provide children with the chance to learn, just like your teachers today, passing on skills and ideas so that you can learn and understand.

• Imagine what the world would be like today if people like Joshua Watson hadn’t bothered or great inventors had given up and not tried to improve on the things they had discovered. Imagine if we ignored everything from the past and decided instead to start again with nothing - no cars, no buildings, no computers, no shops, no Playstations or X Boxes.

Reflection • Display the picture of Edison’s telephone. Ask the children what it is. Explain that it is the first working telephone. Phones have come a long way since then because people have learned from the past and work to make things better and better.

Prayer Use this or similar: God of all time and all places, we thank you for all the people who have worked hard in the past to invent, discover and build so our lives today can be so good. Help us to learn from their example and work hard to make the world a better place today and in the future. Amen.

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Week Two - Past (Yesterday) Theme: Firm Foundations

When you build a new house you spend the first few days digging down to establish the foundations before you can begin to build the walls. Likewise our lives require firm foundations - and are founded on the efforts of the past.


Songs “Don’t build your house on the sandy land” - Various “(My) God is so big” - Various “Faithful One, so unchanging” - Songs of Fellowship

Resources • A Jenga set or similar (giant playground type if available) • Picture of building foundations (See PowerPoint)

Bible Reading 1 Corinthians 3 v 10 & 11


Introduction • Invite a child to play “Jenga” with you. Play until the tower collapses, if necessary play badly and especially undermining the tower by taking from the base.

• What tips or strategies do the children have to ensure that the tower stays up longer and does not fall so easily?

• If you take the blocks from the bottom it makes the tower unstable very quickly.

Development • Using the following script (or another version if you prefer), tell the story of the builders: Narrator Once there were two builders: Mr Wiseman. (Builder 1 bows.) Builder 1 Good morning! Narrator And Mr Bodgit of Bodgit & Scarper Limited. (Builder 2 waves.) Builder 2 Howdy! Narrator Mr Wiseman was just as his name suggests - a very wise man. Builder 1 Thank you, how kind. Narrator Mr Bogdit was a bit of cowboy! Builder 2 Yee-ha! Narrator Each of the builders decided to build himself a new home. Mr Wiseman set

about drawing up the plans for his ideal home. (Builder 1 unrolls a plan.) Narrator Mr Bodgit started digging. (Builder 2 digs.) Narrator Mr Wiseman, search and selected a suitable site for his new home. (Builder 1

searches and selects.) Narrator Mr Bodgit started to build. (Builder 2 starts hammering and sawing.) Narrator Mr Wiseman hired the appropriate equipment and started to drill into the solid

bedrock. (Builder 1 drills etc.) Narrator With a few final nail and a bit of roofing felt Mr Bodgit put the finishing touches

to his new home. (Builder 2’s home is complete.) Narrator Mr Wiseman work slowly but surely. Block by block, brick by brick. (Builder 1

continues to build.) Narrator Mr Bodgit made himself a cup of tea and settled down to read the paper. (Builder

2 does so.) Narrator Mr Wiseman checked the level of his work and made sure that everything was

accurate. (Builder 1 does so.) Narrator Mr Bodgit phoned his friends and invited them all round for a party. (Builder 2’s

friends arrive and the party begins.) Narrator Mr Wiseman worked long and hard until, one day, he placed the final tile on the

roof and his home was complete. (Builder 1’s house is erected.)

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Narrator Mr Wiseman finished just in time, as the rain began to fall. Just a bit of drizzle at first… (Builder 1 cheerfully goes inside to shelter. Builder 2 does the same.)

Narrator Then it began to fall more heavily. Mr Wiseman settled down to watch the television. (Builder 1 does so.)

Narrator Mr Bodgit found a bucket to catch the water that was dripping through the roof. (Builder 2 does so.)

Narrator The rain grew heavier and heavier and the flood waters began to rise. The rain beat down on the two new houses, day and night. Mr Wiseman’s home kept him warm and safe and dry. (Builder 1 sighs and enjoys his home.)

Narrator Mr Bodgit’s home… fell down! (Builder 2’s home does so.) Builder 2 Aargh! Narrator So remember. If you’re building a house make sure the foundations are firm.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen to the passage as you or a child read the text. What does the passage say about a foundation on which to build?

Follow-up • Millions of people around the world choose to build their lives on the example and teaching of Jesus as we find it in the Bible - they see him as a reliable, firm foundation, a friend on whom they can rely at any time. Many of the choices they make in life are guided by the words of Jesus.

• Joshua Watson was a Christian. He wasn’t a priest or a minister but he was a keen member of the Church of England. He was a wine merchant described by the then Bishop of Oxford as “the best layman in England.” That means the best member of the church who wasn’t a priest.

• Joshua based his life on the firm foundation of Jesus and it was for that very reason he gave up so much of his time and energy to set up the National Society and help establish schools. He was also the central figure in the building of new churches in Victorian England to serve the rapidly expanding populations of cities and towns. Our school and many local churches today are based on that firm foundation.

Reflection • Keeping the picture of the foundation building on the screen ask the children to spend some quiet time thinking about what is important to them, what they are building on in their lives.

Prayer Use this or similar: Creator God, we thank you that we can rely on you and trust that you will not let us down. Help us to choose firm foundations on which to build our lives so that when difficult times come we will be secure. Amen.

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Week Three - Present (Today) Theme: This is the day

What will you achieve today? We cannot change the past and cannot be 100% certain of the future but we can make a positive difference today. We consider how to make the most of every moment.

Listening “Carpe Diem” - Maurice Jarre

Songs “This is the day” - Various “Thank you, Lord for this new day” - BBC Come & Praise 32 “Give us hope, Lord” - BBC Come & Praise 87

Resources • A stop watch • A calculator (a large one if possible) • Flip chart (or similar) and pen

Bible Reading Ecclesiastes 3:1

Greeting V: This is the day that the Lord has made. R: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Introduction • Sit down in front of the children and, holding up the stop watch, sigh very deeply and switch it on.

• Sit and stare at the watch for about thirty seconds, then purposefully stop the watch and sigh again saying “That was a complete waste of time! Thirty whole seconds gone for ever.”

• Ask the children what you could have used the time for rather than wasting it.

Development • Read the following: We cannot alter yesterday, and tomorrow’s too far afar, but we can change each moment by what we do, think or say.

• Every second counts. Once they are gone, they are gone. • This doesn’t mean we should be rushing around like lunatics all the time, trying to fill

every single moment with business. There is a time and a place for everything, including resting, relaxing and chilling out.


Follow-up • Even the Bible agrees with that idea - there is a time for everything. • But sometimes we waste time and opportunities, we don’t use our time wisely, we make

excuses and twiddle around doing anything but what we should be doing. • Imagine if I wasted 30 seconds every day of my life… • On the flip chart demonstrate the following calculation:

1. If I live for 70 years, that would be 70 x 365 days (approx) = 25,550 days 2. 30 seconds wasted each day, for 25,550 days = 30 x 25,550 = 7,665,500 secs 3. 7,665,500 seconds = 12,775 minutes = 212.92 hours = 8.87 days

• Just wasting 30 seconds a day means I would have wasted more than a week of my life doing nothing.

• Let’s remember that although we can’t change the past and the future may be uncertain, we can make a difference right here and right now.

Reflection • Let’s use the next few seconds wisely, thinking about how we can use the time we have today, what good things we could do, how we could make a difference.

Prayer Use this or similar: God of each moment, be with us every step of the way as we journey through each day. Help us to use our time wisely and well for the good of others as well as ourselves. Amen.

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Week Three - Present (Today) Theme: You Learn Something New Every Day

Schools are, of course, all about learning and the National Society was established to promote just that, especially in promoting religious education. We reflect on today’s learning opportunities.


Songs “It’s a new day, there’s hope” (Geoffrey Gardener) Various “Give me oil in my lamp” - BBC Come & Praise 43 “This is the day” Various

Resources • Juggling balls or a yoyo • Words of the Lord’s Prayer in French (PowerPoint) or Lord’s Prayer in Sign Language

video (search and download from Youtube)

Bible Reading John 14:6


Introduction • Begin to attempt either juggling or using a yoyo, making a bit of a meal of it and not really succeeding.

• Explain how you are determined to master this new skill - that it is important that, however old we are, we keep on learning.

• Say - “You learn something new every day!” Learning is part of life. • Ask a child to give you advice on how to improve your skill, by demonstrating and

coaching you.

Development • We can learn something new about God each day.

Bible Reading • Read the Bible passage.

Follow-up • Explain that Jesus came to show people the way, to reveal truth and to bring life. • We hear about Jesus and God all the time but Christians believe that even if we spent

every minute or every day thinking, reading and learning about God, we would not have enough time in our lives to learn everything.

• Set the challenge of learning the Lord’s Prayer in a new way - either use the words in

French or in Sign Language. You might like to continue this later.

Reflection • What will you learn today? What will help you to learn?

Prayer Use this or similar: Lord help us to listen, to think and to learn so that we can grow and understand more each day. Pray, sign etc. the Lord’s Prayer to conclude.

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Week Three - Present (Today) Theme: New Every Morning

The problem with most things is they wear out, run dry or are used up. The car needs refuelling, the gadget needs new batteries but God’s love is inexhaustible, there’s a fresh supply each day.


Songs “Love will never come to an end” - BBC Come & Praise 99 “God is love” - BBC Come & Praise 36 “Jesus’ love is very wonderful” H. W. Rattle - Various

Resources • An empty biscuit tin. • A water bottle. • A mobile phone. • Image of a Petrol Can (PowerPoint)

Bible Reading Lamentations 3 v 22 - 24


Introduction • Behave as if you have just returned from jogging or completed some heavy exercise - out of breath and over-heated. Explain that you are “exhausted” and take a seat to rest and cool off.

• You need a drink of water - so take the bottle and swig it, realising that it is empty, turn it upside down and shake it.

• Need a snack - open the biscuit tin enthusiastically, chatting with the children as you do so about favourite biscuits. Put your hand in and then realise and show that the tin is empty.

• Take out your phone in order to ring up a friend. Realise that the battery is run out.

Development • They say, “All good things come to an end!” and “Nothing lasts for ever!” • You may refill the bottle or the biscuit tin, you may have a rest and recover, you may

charge the phone or even fill the car up with petrol (show image) but these things don’t last for ever they regularly need replacing, refilling or recharging.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen to the passage as you or a child read the text. Ask them to consider if this passage agrees with what you have just said, or disagrees.

Follow-up • The passage (in the Good News Bible) tells us that God’s love is unfailing, it never lets us down, it is always there for us. It is fresh and new each day.

• Christians believe that God’s love is more than big enough for everyone and that it will never run out - his love will last for ever.

Reflection • Think about how you feel when things run out and we are let down - maybe you were in a car when it ran out of petrol or your game system needed recharging?

Prayer Use this or similar: Loving Lord, we thank you that your love is more than enough for all people, in all places and at all times and that it will never run dry. Help us to share your love with others. Amen.

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Week Four - Future (Forever) Theme: Who Knows What Tomorrow Brings

We can make plans for the future but we cannot be certain that things will turn out the way we had hoped. We need to trust in God to guide us, one step at a time.

Listening “Up where we belong” - Joe Cocker

Songs “A million stars are in the sky” Karen Porter - Kidsource 10 “The Journey of life” - BBC Come & Praise 45 “He’ll be there” - Out of the Ark (Included in 2011 Leavers’ Service Compilation)

Resources • An envelope containing a piece of paper with the words “The one which scores the most goals.”

Bible Reading Luke 12 v 16 - 20 - The Parable of the Rich Fool

Greeting V: The grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you R: and also with you.

Introduction • Show off the envelope and say that it contains some very valuable information. Tell the children that it holds a piece of paper which says which team will win the next world (or FA) cup final.

• Why would this information be valuable? Anyone like to guess what it says? • Offer to share the information… after some persuasion… open the envelope and say

“The team that will win the next World (or FA) Cup Final will be…” then hold up and read “the one that scores the most goals.”

• Not quite what you might have been expecting but we cannot tell what will happen in the future.

Development • Ask “What were you doing in class just before you came into worship - what were you learning about?”

• What did you do yesterday? • Last Saturday? • What are you going to do after worship? • What will happen next Wednesday? • We cannot be 100% certain about what will happen in the future.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen to the passage as you or a child read the text. Explain that it is a story Jesus told, a parable, designed to teach us several things - what does it tell us about the future?

Follow-up • The rich fool thought that his future was secure, he put his trust in things, in money and wealth and then he died before he could enjoy them.

• We know that material things don’t last forever and that we can’t take them with us at the end of our lives.

• Christians believe, and the Bible records, that God has promised always to be with his people - no matter what they face, no matter how good or bad life may be. He will not let us down.

• We don’t know what the future holds but we can rely on God who is unchanging.

Reflection • Read the following key text: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” What difference should that make to how we feel about the future?

Prayer Use this or similar: Unchanging God, no matter what the future may hold help your children to trust in you more and more each day and to follow you, one step at a time. Amen.

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Week Four - Future (Forever) Theme: A Guide for the Journey - Looking Ahead

Despite uncertainties it is important for us to make plans. In this act of worship we consider how God’s Word (the Bible) and the things we learn today will help us prepare and deal with tomorrow.


Songs “One more step along the world I go” - BBC Come & Praise 47 “Lord of the dance” - BBC Come & Praise 22 “We are climbing Jesus’ ladder” - BBC Come & Praise 49

Resources • A Bible • A Map • A SAT NAV Device (or Image on PowerPoint)

Bible Reading Psalm 119 v 105


Introduction • If you have a SAT NAV device hold it up, if not show the picture. • Ask who has one in their car? What does it do, how does it work? • Read the following in the style of a SAT NAV:

o At the end of the road turn left. Turn left. o Ahead, keep right. Keep right. o After 300 yards cross the roundabout, second exit. Cross the roundabout,

second exit. o After 200 yards turn right. Turn right. o You have reached your destination.

• We often rely on our SAT NAVs to get us where we want to go. Sometimes they get it wrong. They tell us “You have reached your destination!” when we clearly have not.

Development • Of course, if you’re going on a journey it’s important that you know where you are going, that you have a plan.

• As we journey through life we need to be looking ahead, not wishing away today thinking about tomorrow but to take and use all we learn to help us on the way.

• Hold up the map - we need guidance so we can reach our destination - before SAT NAVs were invented we used good old fashioned maps. We would plan our route and then, as we journeyed along, check how well we were getting on and use the map if we were not certain how to proceed.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen to the passage as you or a child read the text. How is the Bible like a map?

Follow-up • The person who wrote that Psalm, probably King David, described God’s word, the Bible, as being like a guiding lamp which lit up each step on his journey.

• Christians believe that the words of the Bible can help us in life as we journey on. They won’t necessarily tell us every answer but they can reassure us, encourage us, give us confidence and show us how best to live.

Reflection • Think about going on a journey. All the things we see as we travel along.

Prayer Use this or similar: God, our Guide, thank you that, as we journey through life, with all our dreams and ambitions, that you are with us all the way. Help us to listen and to learn and to understand, especially when we hear your Word. Amen.

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Week Four - Future (Forever) Theme: In His Hands

A “reflection circle” act of worship (which may need to be used with smaller groups in large schools) giving an opportunity to consider our hopes for the future and placing these in God’s hands.


Songs “He’s got the whole world in his hand” - BBC Come & Praise 19 A recording of some very gentle, reflective music would be useful for the concluding prayer.

Resources • A large card with the words “I hope…” written on it. • Artefacts of various types • Large cut-out of hands

Bible Reading Jeremiah 29: 11


Introduction • As the children enter get them to sit in a circle (one or two rows). When the entry music is faded wait in silence for a few moments then light the central candle and read out the following (or arrange for a child to do so):

I hope that today will be a good day, and that together we will smile and laugh. I hope that this week will be a good week, and that together we will learn something new. I hope that this month will be a good month, and that together we will love and serve. I hope that this year will be a good year, and that together we will make the world better. • Hold up the card with “I hope…” and ask children to think about how they might

complete the statement - would it be a hope for themselves or for others? • Ask what hope means and gather some responses. Hope is expecting good for the future

- believing that, no matter how good or bad things are right now, that things will be better. It isn’t empty wishing though. Many place their hope in God. They rely on God’s promises for a better, brighter future.

Development • What do you hope to do, to achieve for the future? • What hopes do you have for the world and all its people? • Ask children to reflect on these questions and come up with some suggestions - reinforce

that hoping is not wishing.

Bible Reading • Ask children to listen as the Bible passage is read by a child.

Follow-up • Christians believe that these words mean that we can rely on God and that he wants the very best for us.

Reflection • Hand round the artefacts (or pieces of paper) ask each child to take one, in silence. • Ask each child to hold the paper or object and think about their hopes for the future.

Prayer Invite the children, as gentle music is played, if they wish, to place their paper or object in the large cut out hands, as a silent prayer, placing their hopes for the future in God’s hands. When all have done so, read out the following prayer for blessing: May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Documents

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS PAST, PRESENT AND · PDF filechurch of england schools past, present and future celebration resource pack