Weekly Newsletter

1st of July 2026

Something to reflect on....

Dear colleagues

I recently visited Tate Modern and viewed the Tracey Emin exhibition ‘A Second Life’. It traces 40 years of her groundbreaking career, bringing together her most iconic work (the unmade bed, and more) as well as work never previously seen.

Joining the painting, sculpture, textiles, video and letters, in each room Tracey Emin has installed a neon tube light with a different quote. I stopped short in the room featuring the large neon quote ‘Meet me in Haven – I will wait for you’. This juxtaposed minutes before seeing bronzes, and then photos of Emin’s body post-surgery. I wasn’t expecting such a range of work and emotional zig-zagging.

So, an opportunity for your own reflection. If you walked into a room and saw the neon light below - What Might you think? How might you feel?

Spend a moment reflecting on what ‘Heaven’ means for you……………………..

Thank you for all you are and down as we join in bringing Heaven on earth; have Heaven as a real Hope; and try to understand and share what this means.

Best wishes

Jeff

Jeff Williams

Director of Education

Book recommendation : On The Move by Michael Rosen and Quentin Blake

A powerful, beautifully illustrated poetry collection from two award-winning creators, ideal for starting thoughtful conversations about migration and displacement. "What you leave behind / Won't leave your mind. / But home is where you find it. / Home is where you find it."
Former Children's Laureates Michael Rosen and Sir Quentin Blake join forces for a landmark new collection. Michael’s poems are divided into four: in the first series, he draws on his childhood as part of a first-generation Polish family living in London; in the second, on his perception of the War as a young boy; in the third, on his “missing” relatives and the Holocaust; and in the fourth, and final, on global experiences of migration. By turns charming, shocking and heart-breaking, this is an anthology with a story to tell and a powerful point to make: “You can only do something now.”

Book recommendation: The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf

'There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help ......that's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan...'
On a perfectly ordinary school day, something extraordinary happens: a boy with pale skin, lion eyes and a tattered red rucksack walks in. Unable to speak English and seated at the back of the class, Ahmet 'the refugee kid' becomes the perfect target for bullies and rumours alike. But Ahmet has also captured the attention and empathy of a fellow classmate, who will do anything to help him find his family. Even if that involves a plan - or five, and the Queen herself!
Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.

Diocesan Education Project 2027 : Camino – an overview

We know schools like as much notice and information as possible, so I’ve written a two-side summary of next year’s project here. We will be sharing the usual bumper Project Booklet just before October half-term, full of resources, curriculum and other ideas, RE plans, worship PPts and much more.

Winchester Cathedral Y6 Days - fantastic photos and write up!

The coolness of the Cathedral was much appreciated in last week’s heatwave, when we had 500+ children each day marvel at the amazing installation and participate in workshops. You can enjoy the photos and more information here.

Winchester Year 6 Days – luggage labels QR codes

St James' West End CofE Primary School

Whitchurch CofE Primary School

Do click on the QR codes from the luggage labels from some of our schools below to get an insight into what they’ve been doing as part of their engagement with our Bags of Hope project. Some brilliant ideas and work – well done! If any schools would like to put a summary of their Bags of Hope work, with photos (not of children’s faces) on their websites, please send us a QR code and we’ll include in our end of year Project Celebration Booklet.

Football, Faith, and our Future

A reflection on identity, belonging, and the call to love one another – read more here As the World Cup captures the nation's attention and we have just noted Windrush Day, the Church of England's Director for Racial Justice explores why, sixty years after England's 1966 victory, so many people are still made to feel like strangers in their own home.Insert text here

The Adventures of Paddington: The Big Match – England vs Peru

Kick off a fun-filled football adventure with The Adventures of Paddington: The Big Match, a delightful picture book based on the award-winning animated TV series. As excitement builds for the biggest football match between England and Peru, Paddington finds himself with a tricky decision to make. Should he cheer for his beloved Aunt Lucy's Peru or join the Brown family in supporting England? Packed with humour, friendship and Paddington's trademark kindness, this charming story celebrates family, teamwork and the joy of coming together, no matter who you're cheering for. Perfect for little football fans and Paddington lovers alike, it's a wonderful story to share at bedtime or story time. Ideal for EYFS children.

The Winter Lamb and the Kindness of a Shepherd

If you have seen the brilliant film, 'The Sheep Detectives,' you will have surely been moved by the character and story of 'The Winter Lamb.' Shunned by the flock, simply for being born in winter not spring, the winter lamb is seen as an outsider. George, the 'Good Shepherd,' shows compassion for the wrong-time, wrong-size, wrong-smelling lamb and in doing so becomes a role model for showing love to the outsider. The winter lamb teaches the flock of 'sheep detectives' that outsiders can actually enrich and add value to their community. In fact, the outsider proves to be essential in solving the mystery!

A wonderful modern parable to share with your children, supporting our Bags of Hope theme of the importance and benefit of welcoming those who have been displaced. There is so much rich material for collective worship and personal development in this film: on the surface it is a whimsical murder mystery, but you don't need to look far to discover many layers of meaning and Biblical links: belonging, compassion for the weak, courage to cross the road, welcoming the stranger, The Good Shepherd and the Parable of the Lost Sheep. No doubt many of the children in your school will have seen this film. They will love exploring its deeper messages and finding connections with Paddington's story and the teachings of Jesus.

The new V&A East at Olympic Park, Stratford

As their opening exhibition, they have linked with BBC Radio 2, who are celebrating the music aspects of this exhibition. Lots of good programmes on BBC Radio 2 via BBC Sounds. ‘The Music is Black’ is an innovative multi-sensory experience that explores the soundtracks to periods over the past 150 years where profound change is evidenced across political, social and cultural change. An innovative exhibition with headphones that trigger the relevant music as you move through the exhibition of photos, books documents, clothes and much more… brilliant idea and curated well. The Radio 2 programmes are equally good!

Tate Britain: Hurvin Anderson

Through monumental colour-drenched landscapes and intimate interiors, Hurvin Anderson’s work reflects his experiences of belonging and diaspora – as well as his boundless experimentation with paint. Eighty vibrant paintings bounce between the UK and the Caribbean. Well worth a visit!

SIAMS Inspections

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.

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.

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https://winchester.anglican.org/education-schools/resources-for-schools/

https://www.portsmouth.anglican.org/education/resources/