Book recommendation: In Our Hands by Lucy Farfoot |
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We called it 'The Dulling'. It had been creeping in for such a long time, and had started so gradually, that most people barely even noticed. As the Dulling spread, people began to fight and isolate themselves from each other. Neighbours became enemies, friends became strangers, and soon all colour was drained from the world. When the world is plagued with isolation and cursed to live without colour' it is up to a group of determined children to grow a seed of hope that will inspire everyone to come together and build a better future. |
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Book recommendation : In Am Nefertiti by Annemarie Anang |
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When Nefertiti introduces herself to her new bandmates at school, music teacher Miss Potts claims that Nefertiti is too tricky to pronounce and says that it will be easier to call her 'Nef'. Hearing her name shortened makes Nefertiti feel small. In fact, every time the teacher calls her Nef, her body actually gets smaller until she's shrunk to the size of a thumb, and her drumsticks crash to the ground. When her shocked bandmates discover her tiny body, Nefertiti explains that for her to grow, Miss Potts needs to call her by her real name. The musicians encourage their teacher to say 'Nefertiti' with confidence, and as they all chant her name, Nefertiti finally starts to grow. Back to her usual self, Miss Potts apologises for changing Nefertiti's name and hands the drummer her drumsticks. Feeling 10-feet tall, Nefertiti finds her rhythm and the band sounds spectacular. This is a story about celebrating our names and identities and having the confidence to speak out about feelings. |
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It was a joy and privilege to be at the consecration service last week of +Kelly as our Suffragan Bishop of Basingstoke in Winchester Diocese. We welcome +Kelly and her blessing to our parishes and schools.
Read all about the day here
See Photos here |
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Black History Month 2025 : “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” |
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This year’s theme theme is a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. The theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black people be they leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth. Resources and more details here : Black History Month 2025 |
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Please watch this video exploring Heritage and Racial Justice |
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Watch this video to hear from Stephen Bennett, a member of our Racial Justice Advisory Group, who reflects on his heritage and the Church’s responsibility to engage with racial justice today. |
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Milford on Sea Church of England Primary School achieves a Double Gold award |
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Milford on Sea Church of England Primary is one of only two schools in the country to receive a Global Neighbours Gold Award for the second time and held an all school celebration to mark the remarkable achievement. Bishop Geoff visited the school to take part in the celebration and to present the certificate. You can read all about the day here. |
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Bereavement in Schools: The Simon Says Champion Education Programme |
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Many of you will remember a session we hosted some years ago with colleagues from ‘Simon Says’ when we were developing school policies and procedures around Grief & Loss. From September 2026, curriculum requirements for PSHE will include discussions about bereavement. Many staff members feel anxious and unsure about how to support a bereaved pupil in school or early years setting or how to address bereavement and loss in the curriculum. The Simon Says Champion Education Programme aims to empower staff with the confidence, knowledge, and resources necessary to offer vital support to bereaved pupils when they need it most. Further information about how Simon Says can support with this can be found here. |
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Be a Chorister at Winchester Cathedral |
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Church School Leadership Induction Day |
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The Education Team's next church school leadership induction day which will be held on Friday 7th November at Old Alresford Place. Our induction days are held for headteachers recently appointed to schools across Portsmouth and Winchester Dioceses. Those people have already received a personal invitation via email. However, the days are also open to any newly appointed Deputy Headteachers and Assistant Headeachers, who wish to have an introduction into working in a church school. Topics covered will include vision and values, collective worship, spiritual development, RE, school buildings, Siams inspections and finding governors. The day starts at 9.30am, with coffee from 9.15am. We expect to finish around 3pm. A sandwich lunch will be provided. The day is free of charge. If you wish to attend, please email sue.bowen@portsmouth.anglican.org and state any specific dietary requirements.
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Congratulations Winchester Cathedral |
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The February 2025 exhibition programme ‘Whales’ has won The Association of Heritage Interpretation award this year. The AHI is highly respected within the cultural sector and Winchester is the first Cathedral to have won any of their prizes. Winchester commissioned this exhibition but it is now touring other cathedrals. |
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Interfaith Week runs from 9th to 16th November and is a great way to forge links with your local community, or to introduce your pupils to religions and worldviews that you don’t normally study in school. You can find more information on the Interfaith Week for Schools website here. There are also lots of ideas visits and visitors and other RE resources, on the RE Hubs website, a one-stop shop for all things RE related. If you would like more time to plan your Interfaith activities, then World Religion Day on 18th January is an alternative way to add value to your school’s RE offer. |
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The Difference Course is a new programme designed by the CofE National education office, to help primary schools explore and celebrate diversity using storybooks, art and child-friendly activities. The course will help children learn three key habits: curiosity, being present, and reimagining the future. Pupils and staff from St James CofE Primary Academy in Bournemouth and South Baddesley CofE Primary School helped to test out the pilot materials and recently attended a launch day at Lambeth Palace; you can see a short video with highlights of the day here. There are now training dates in November for other schools who would like to find out more about the programme; please see the Difference in Schools website here for more details. |
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Trick Box - Building Happy Life Habits |
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Trick Box is a simple, fun and effective whole school, whole journey, emotional management and personal development programme, supporting children and young people from ages 3-18 and their families. Evidence-based, inclusive and developing mental wellbeing in line with DFE guidelines, Trick Box programmes develop positive life habits helping individuals to:
Recognise and self-manage emotions; Develop effective coping mechanisms; Develop mindful awareness and relaxation; Problem solve develop perspective and create solution-thinking; Build motivation and enhance personal learning; Set and achieve positive goals; Develop communication and interpersonal relationships; Develop empathy and contribution; Recognise and build on strengths in self and others to develop character and Create long-term empowered thinking, autonomy and resilience. For more information you can visit the website here or to book a Zoom demo, you can visit here. |
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Local & Regional Resources for Black History Month |
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Applications are now open for the next cohort of the Leaders Like Us (LLU) programme |
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LLU is designed to support UKME/GMH aspiring senior leaders from across our Church of England schools and other schools. Participants do not need to work in a CofE school, but they must identify as UKME/GMH. Find out more here. This year, following further reflection, we are welcoming mentors from Headteachers from primary schools & Heads and deputy headteachers from secondary schools. We welcome mentors from all heritages and from all school contexts. The application closing date is November 21st. Participant application form is here and the Mentor Application form is here. |
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A short video resource for schools and us all on the flag of Saint George |
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Children are noticing the rise of St George’s flags & graffiti. Some feel proud. Others feel scared. Prominent Christian broadcaster and founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, as well as all the work he has championed (and lived) for decades on adoption and fostering, Krish Kandiah OBE has produced a short, helpful video for older children (and teachers). You can view the video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOg9NVCjS15/ And a reminder that resources previously shared from the CofE to support schools both in worship and curriculum activities on the heightened debate and activities surrounding immigration, can be found here. |
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Bishop Philip & other senior clergy voice concern at the use of Christian symbols at the 'Unite the Kingdom' rally |
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A group of Church of England bishops and senior clergy have joined leaders from across denominations in speaking out against any “co-opting or corrupting” of the Christian faith and symbols to exclude others. The bishops of Winchester, Manchester, Southwark, Croydon, Bradford, Woolwich and Kingston were among the signatories to a joint letter from church leaders voicing concern at the use of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, at last week’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. You can read more here. |
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SIAMS Annual Report 2024 – 2025 |
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The report from the national office is now available. It’s particularly interesting to read the executive summary, but also the recommendations and key outcomes. The report can assist schools reflecting on their overall provision, including those who have been inspected under the new Framework. My colleagues are always happy to speak with SLT and Governing Bodies about SIAMS, so please get in touch if you would like us to meet with you having read the report which you can find here. |
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Understanding Christianity Training |
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There will be an online training session on Understanding Christianity, focussing on the Incarnation (Christmas) units and how to get beyond the tinsel and glitter to the theological concepts such as Incarnation, Messiah and Jesus the Light of the World. This would be suitable to anyone who is new to teaching RE, or new to RE in a church school, or to anyone who would like a refresher. The webinar will take place on Tuesday 4th November, from 3:45pm to 5:15pm. Please contact Jane.Kelly@portsmouth.anglican.org if you would like to attend. |
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Creative for Climate Justice |
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This term’s meetings have been scheduled for November at various locations across the two dioceses. These are a great way to connect with other RE leaders and to share ideas and resources. This time we will look at the latest advice from SIAMS on the expectations for RE in CofE schools, as well as some national updates. Please see the flyer for dates and times here and let Jane.Kelly@portsmouth.anglican.org know if you would like to attend. |
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Christian Aid are inviting schools to attend a webinar to find out more about the Creative for Climate Justice project, which helps pupils engage with local decision makers and the community about key global issues.
Webinar 1 - Tuesday 2nd December at 4pm – 5pm and Webinar 2 - Wednesday 3rd December at 4pm – 5pm. Last year, pupils from South Baddesley, Brockenhurst and William Gilpin CofE Schools had their Climate Justice artwork exhibited in the Houses of Parliament. This year, the emphasis is more on local engagement. |
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Free Advent School Resources |
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Applications are now open for Farmington Scholarships 2026 – 27. These provide funding for RE leaders or Headteachers to research an area of RE or Christian Distinctiveness, based at Harris Manchester College in Oxford University. A number of heads and teachers across the two dioceses have successfully completed Farmington Scholarships in recent years. Please see the flyer here for more information. |
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The Archbishops Young Leaders Award (AYLA) has produced a set of Advent resources aimed at pupils in KS2 and KS3. These are linked to the CofE campaign The Joy of Christmas. You can sign up for the resources here. For younger children, AYLA have rewritten the story of The Grumpy Owl and The Joy of Christmas and you can order copies of the book here. |
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Diocesan Project 2025-2026 : Bags of Hope |
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Headteachers, RE Coordinators and ex-officio clergy recently received an email outlining this year’s diocesan project to assist in planning collective worship and other curriculum links. The full project booklet will be sent to schools just before October half-term, and will be included in the fortnightly Bulletin for wider use and circulation. |
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