Something to reflect on.... |
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Dear colleagues
In honour of Psalm 8 verse 2 that Jesus refers in Matthew Chapter 21 verse 16 : Out of the mouths……………. I hand over my Reflection this time, directly to children from The Epiphany Primary School in Bournemouth who wrote these poems as they were creating their luggage labels for the Art Installation at Winchester Cathedral. No need for further comment – they are truly inspirational and special.
Bea, age 10:
Refugees have lost their house due to conflict, fight and war.
They’re left living on the ground without a house or a door.
Screaming and crying echoes in the night.
Left to live in tears and through fright.
Praying they don't become alone
Standing in the rubble where there once was a home.
Because of bombs they have to move.
Don’t judge someone before you walk a mile in their shoes.
Jotham, age 11:
You feel despair and danger.
Seeking asylum. Your privacy feels invaded.
You feel lost, alone because there are conflicts so you can't go back.
An existential crisis because you are questioning yourself.
Just like a battle within your mind, and you feel like you've drifted away from society because, people aren't really letting you in.
Thank you for supporting our schools as their work on our Bags of Hope develops in anticipation of the Year 6 Leavers’ Days and special services this summer.
Jeff
Director of Education |
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Book recommendation: Journey by Aaron Becker |
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In this exquisitely illustrated, wordless book, an ordinary girl draws an imaginary door on her bedroom wall, and escapes on an extraordinary journey. When danger arrives, will she be able to find her way home? |
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Bags of Hope Project-related Book Recommendation: The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson |
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‘When my parents split up, they didn’t know what to do with me….’ Mum now lives with Bill-The -Baboon and his three kids. Dad now lives with Carrie and her twins. Where does Andy live? Out of a suitcase – one week with Mum’s new family and one week with Dad’s. Andy just wants to go back home……………. |
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St Lawrence School, St Mary’s School and The Epiphany School – Luggage Labels! |
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We visited three of our Winchester Diocesan schools last week as they were decorating their luggage labels for the Year 6 Bags of Hope Art Installation at our Cathedral. These will join of the many Paddington Backpacks and Soft Toys that will be strung on a net hanging from the North Transept and seen by hundreds of visitors and worshippers until the end of August. You can view photos here and can read their comments, poetry and prayers here
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Bags of Hope: Milford on Sea Church of England Primary School |
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As part of the Bags of Hope project work, the school admin officer and a teacher’s mum knitted a bear for every class. The children named their teddy and wrote a short biography, ready to send to a child in Ukraine through the charity New Forest for Ukraine. They are also organising a teddy tombola.
Some classes even built little “homes” to keep the bears safe on the journey. The school commented ‘It’s been a lovely way for us to think about others and send a little bit of comfort, kindness, and friendship to children who need it.’
KS1 pupils read the book Lubna and Pebble, which helped them think about friendship, comfort, and finding hope in difficult situations. Inspired by the story, the children created their own special pebbles, decorating them with images and symbols of hope and love. These pebbles will be used to welcome new children to the school, offering them a small but meaningful source of comfort. They will also be available for any child who may need a moment of reassurance—something to hold onto to help them feel safe and supported.
KS2 pupils explored the Migrations: Open Hearts, Open Borders project. They discussed the experiences of people moving to new places and the importance of empathy and understanding. As part of their learning, the children designed thoughtful migration postcards, each featuring messages of hope and kindness. These postcards will become part of a growing school art gallery, celebrating diversity and the power of welcoming others. You can see the pebbles and postcards here.
Teachers say, ‘We are incredibly proud of the compassion and creativity shown by all our pupils this week. The Bags of Hope project has been a wonderful reminder of how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.’ |
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Christianity as a Global World Faith |
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Global Christianity is a big focus in SIAMS at the moment, and many schools have this as a development point after their inspection. The Church of England Education Office has created a new set of resources, CGWF, to be used alongside the Creation, Incarnation and Salvation units in Understanding Christianity. The materials also help schools engage with equity, diversity and racial justice and if you’re a school that has signed up for the Difference Course, the two resources were written by the same team and work really well together. Seven schools have trialled the resources in our two dioceses this year and now we are keen to roll out the programme more widely. We will be running two training days in July, either at Oakfield CofE Primary School in Ryde on Monday 6th July, or at Old Alresford Place on Friday 10th. There will be two follow-up half days in the Autumn and Spring terms. We’re asking RE leads and also headteachers or a member of SLT to attend, as the resources are meant to impact the whole school and be much more than just a few RE materials. Please contact Jane.Kelly@portsmouth.anglican.org for further details. |
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Picture News : David Attenborough’s 100th birthday resources |
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Ahead of Sir David Attenborough’s big 100th birthday next week, Picture News have put together a special free teaching pack. If you’d like a copy, just email help@picture-news.co.uk with the code David100. |
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‘Worship for Everyone’ release a new song for schools and churches : 'The Pilgrim Way’ |
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The song is centred around life as a pilgrimage: the concept of life as a journey of faith but also the importance of pausing and reflecting on where we've come from. The lyrics have a strong message of resilience, encouraging children to keep going and move forward on their own 'pilgrim way'. The downloadable song pack includes a sing along video, BSL & Makaton videos, lyric sheets and sheet music The Pilgrim Way - Resource Pack – Songs For School |
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Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative: Winchester Cathedral |
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All are invited to Winchester Cathedral on 16th May, 6:30pm. We’d love to see as many people there as possible, praying for the renewal of the Holy Spirit for ourselves as well as for our churches and wider diocese, and for others to come to faith in Christ. Worship will be led by young people from around our diocese, Bishop Philip will be preaching, sung worship will be wonderfully varied and ranging from the cathedral organ to Taizé, to time led by a worship band. There will also be prayer stations set up by our Education Team for creative personal prayer in the chapels. Find out more information here. |
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These will be taking place in June this term, at a number of locations across the two dioceses. Please see here for further details. This term’s meetings will include some work moderation and a discussion of the new Statement of Entitlement for RE, especially the emphasis on local context and ways to draw on your local area to enrich your RE offer. |
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Installation at Cathedrals: Guidance and Details – Bags of Hope project 2026 |
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Our annual Installations at the Cathedrals are a talking piece with international reach. Every year we hit the national press which is such a joy in sharing the message and values we are promoting. This year’s Installation will have lots of Paddington Bear Backpacks and Paddington Bear soft toys placed with specific coloured luggage labels from our pupils flowing from them. It will be an interactive Installation, with visitors able to pick up your children’s labels and click on a QR code that takes them to aspects of the project you can link. The installation will be truly interactive on another level with visitors adding luggage labels to it every day.
Please read the Guidance Leaflet that you can access here. We’ll be collecting your luggage labels week commencing 1st June, so you’ll need to have completed them and delivered them to the school closest to you on our list by June 1st. We need to create the installation before the Year 6 pupils come to the Cathedrals. You’re also invited to contribute a Paddington Soft Toy and / or Backpack that will be part of the installation and will subsequently be gifted to a displaced child or young person. We invite you to add an A4 luggage label with a photo of your school, website link, interesting information etc. if you are donating a bag and/or a Paddington Soft Toy. Details are in the leaflet. It would be great if Churches were able to support this project. Thank you. |
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AI Conference for Church School Leaders in Southern Dioceses |
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The AI Conference is to be held on Thurs 4th June in London. As we are subsidising this, and there is an external specialist sponsor, the cost, including lunch and refreshments is only £75 (+VAT). Schools will be invoiced after the event. I would encourage your school to be represented. This conference will mix thought-provoking speakers with time to reflect on wise school leadership for a generation that is growing up online. Join us to think about protecting from harm, capturing the potential and navigating the challenges presented by AI.
The keynote speakers have a national and international presence:
Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, who will be discussing Wisdom for Growing Up Online. Dame Rachel is a nationally recognised educator and advocate for improving the lives of disadvantaged children. She has completed the two largest-ever surveys of children - The Big Ask and The Big Ambition, and she has written widely about what it feels like for children and young people to grow up online today.
Sir Anthony Seldon, Educator and Historian, who will be discussing Wisdom for Educating with AI. Sir Anthony is one of Britain's leading contemporary historians, educationalists, commentators and political authors. For 20 years he was a transformative headteacher and founded the Wellington College Festival of Education. In 2023 he co-founded AI in Education, an independent, not for profit cross-sector body committed to ensuring AI benefits everyone involved in education.
Please share the booking link with your Senior Leadership Team: Wisdom in a Wired World Conference — London Diocesan Board for Schools. |
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The list of schools likely to be inspected in the next academic year (2026 – 27) has now been published on the National Society website and can be downloaded here.
These are schools that were last inspected eight years ago (2018 – 19) or five years ago (2021 – 22). The dual cycle is because the SIAMS team is still catching up following the pause to inspections during the pandemic. Please get in touch with members of the Diocesan Education Team if there is any way that we can support you with your SIAMS preparation. |
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Portsmouth Diocese is running some training on how to run a prayer space on Saturday 6th June. This is being led by the National Prayer Spaces in Schools team and will take place at St Luke’s Church Southsea from 9:30 to 11:30, and then again at Newport Parish Centre from 2:30 to 4:30. You can find more information and sign up on the Diocesan website: Diocese of Portsmouth - Events |
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The Big School Workout: Live with Joe Wicks for Mental Health Week |
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Join Joe Wicks live from a Picture News school on Thursday 14th May, 2.15-2.45pm (the afternoon post SATS) as he leads a high-energy workout for children to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. Schools across the country will be taking part together, discovering how moving our bodies can boost our mood, build resilience, and support our mental wellbeing. All you need to do is join the live session and get your pupils ready to move! Suitable for: All children in KS1 and KS2 Register here |
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Three inspiring days at Winchester Cathedral of contemporary craftsmanship, creativity, heritage skills and community, the first ever of its kind to be held in one of England’s most iconic historic spaces. *Around 100 exhibitors showing inside and outside * Daily demonstrations of crafts * Free group art and craft activities* Workshops and masterclasses * Makers’ talks and discussions Catering and picnic area within the Cathedral grounds. Why not make a day of it — explore, shop, and learn a new skill! More details : MADE Winchester Craft and Design Festival. |
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Free Global Citizenship Teaching Resources |
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Thoughtbox Education have created a set of teaching resources on topics based on Personal Journeys, Social Journeys, and Earth Journeys, which would be excellent for any schools working towards the Global Neighbours award, or wanting to empower their pupils to become agents of change. The UKS2 resources on refugees link really well to this year’s diocesan project, Bags of Hope, looking at issues such as the labels we give people, media literacy and the power of passports. Other units of work cover topics such as water, habitats, global cultures and developing awe and wonder. The Learning for Life resources can all be downloaded from the Thoughtbox website here. As their literature says, ‘Flourishing is not an add-on, it’s the point.’ |
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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/
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