Something to reflect on.... |
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Dear colleagues
Meet Hodge – this majestic, smooth-moving feline, casually weaved his way among young, old and those in-between – and at one point curled up on a cosy bench. Nothing special you might think?
However, this was at Southwark Cathedral in London! Concurrently, the Archbishop-of-Canterbury-elect, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullaly consecrated +Kelly, our new suffragan bishop. Hodge initially settled next to +Rhiannon and subsequetly on the Dean of Southwark Cathedral’s stall! |
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Last month Pet Services & Pet Blessings happened in churches across our two dioceses. I have enjoyed the photos, stories and experiences from those who worshipped along with their furry or scaly, big and small friends. There’s actually an Anglican organisation that aims to make Christians and others aware of the need to care for the whole of creation. In particular, the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (www.aswa.org.uk)are concerned with the abuse of animals. Intensive farming, the food chain, experimentation, diseases associated with animals, the ill treatment of pets and the killing of animals for pleasure all raise ethical questions. ASWA notes that animal issues are theological issues and should be on churches’ agenda. This coming Sunday the annual service to remember animals that serve in war takes place in London at the Animals War Memorial. |
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God’s Word to us in the Bible is full of references to animals. In schools where there are Reading Dogs and Therapy dogs, children and adults experience God’s creation in multiple blessed ways each day. Children who care for hamsters, budgies, goldfish – or giant snails, lizards or rabbits, at home or at school, learn the joy and responsibilities of shared – responsibility for creation; plus the reality of death, grief and loss in an immediate and relatable way. Indeed, schools with Therapy/Reading dogs also find that discussions about grief and loss are assisted when the dog is part of that situation.
So, today, if a cat, dog, bird or whatever animal crosses your path, why not use that moment to reflect quietly, or discuss with someone the valued part that animals have in God’s Created World; the world which we share and care for and with them. All created. All unique.
Thank you for your work, service and presence in our communities of young, old, and those in between – including pets and animals.
Best wishes
Jeff
Jeff Williams
Director of Education |
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Book recommendation: The Oak Inside the Acorn by Max Lucardo |
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Little Acorn was afraid. ‘Just be the tree God made you to be’ said Mother Oak. Every person is tasked with learning why they were created and the unique gifts that make them special. The story highlights the adventure of a little acorn becoming a big, strong oak tree. Readers will cheer-on the growing tree when he can't grow oranges like the orange tree or flowers like the rose bush. Children will read with wonder as the tree grows empty branches, and later, a very special purpose is revealed. |
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Book recommendation: Michael Rosen’s Sad Book by Michael Rosen and Quentin Blake |
A heartbreakingly honest account of a father's grief for his son from the illustrious pairing of two former Children's Laureates. Very occasionally the term non-fiction has to stretch itself to accommodate a book that fits into no category at all. Michael Rosen's Sad Book is such a book. It chronicles Michael's grief at the death of his son Eddie from meningitis at the age of 19. A moving combination of sincerity and simplicity, it acknowledges that sadness is not always avoidable or reasonable and perfects the art of making complicated feelings plain. It’s a book that can be read and discussed about anything that makes us sad – not just bereavement. |
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Speak Up or Stay Silent is a flexible Religious Education resource supporting 'faith in action' questions explored in many syllabi. With units of work and engaging activities, it helps pupils explore Christian views on injustice and reflect on how faith and belief shape lives and communities. It is comprised of Units of Work for Early Years up to Key Stage 3, resource sheets, a pupil research leaflet, a photo pack containing 21 images with case studies and reflective questions, a world map and sorting activity. Available to download here. To order a free printed copy, please email christianaid@mosaic-fs.co.uk
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St John’s School, Gosport secures Royal Horticultural Society grant for £10,000 |
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This funding led to the transformation of the school grounds into a welcoming and vibrant natural space. All the plants that purchased are perennial, are bee and butterfly friendly, and were chosen by the Gardening Club, which is overseen by Amanda Wray, the teacher who led the project. Together with a minibeast pond the area has welcomed in a variety of minibeasts, butterflies and even a lizard! The funds also meant a basic irrigation system could be purchased, guaranteeing the beautiful plants are watered regularly through the holidays. 5 Living Walls were installed becoming a beautiful focal point in the school playground and for the wider community. The children are now more engaged with the outdoors—exploring, learning, and developing a love for the environment that we hope will last a lifetime. Recognising the achievements, the school received 6 Gold certificates from ‘Gosport in Bloom’ and the illustrious award of Best Overall School! |
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Free Live-streamed Chanukah Event |
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The Sanctuary Foundation, who work extensively with refugee families, is inviting schools to a free, online nativity event on December 10th, with Gemma Hunt from CBeebies and a group of Sudanese refugee children from Kenya. You can find out more information and reserve a place for your school here. Children are being encouraged to dress up as a character in the Nativity story, so they can join in with the interactive retelling of the Christmas events. |
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The Jewish Museum is inviting primary schools to take part in a Chanukah broadcast on 9th December. This would be a great opportunity for any classes learning about festivals of light in their RE lessons this term. The event will include storytelling and a live candle lighting, and you can find more details and book a place here. |
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Celebrate Christingle with The Children's Society |
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Christingle is a heartwarming celebration that unites families and communities to share the light of Jesus and bring hope to those in need. This year one million people will participate in a Christingle event, and your school could be hosting one in a special school and parish worship or incorporated into your carol service. Resources are available here. Speakers from The Children's Society are also able to attend your event to talk about their work and how you can make a difference. You can contact Jonathan de Sausmarez (Winchester) here or Ian Coombs (Portsmouth) here for further information. |
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What would you tell world leaders? - Live event from COP30 |
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Picture News are hosting an event suitable for KS1 and KS2 classes on a Live COP30 Webinar from Brazil on Tuesday 11th November, 2-2.30pm. World leaders are meeting in Brazil to help save our planet - what would you like to tell them? Discover what COP30 is all about, why climate action is important, and how your ideas can help shape the future. Get ready to think big and ask questions! You can join by registering 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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Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Taster Sessions |
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Portsmouth Cathedral are holding Choir taster sessions for its internationally famous boys' and girls' choirs next month. You can access information on the music programme here and sign up to join the taster sessions here or by emailing music@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk |
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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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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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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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Copyright © 2025 Diocese of Winchester, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this message because you are: a Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, RE Lead, Chair, Foundation or Ex Officio Governor, Children and Youth Worker, or have requested to join our mailing list in the Diocese of Winchester or the Diocese of Portsmouth.
Our resources and further information are available at:
https://winchester.anglican.org/education-schools/resources-for-schools/
https://www.portsmouth.anglican.org/education/resources/ |
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