Weekly Newsletter

11th of February 2026

Something to reflect on....

Dear colleagues

Quote from The Prime Minister :

‘Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around’.

If you’re familiar with the now-classic film that’s shown every Christmas, and the combination of two particular words at the end of the final sentence above, you may recognise that The Prime Minster I’m quoting, is David – played by Hugh Grant in the film Love Actually. These are the words of David, voiced-over the scene in the arrivals hall at Heathrow at the start of the film.

And there’s a lot of truth and keen observation in those words even today, 23 years later (yes, twenty-three years have passed since this film was released!). From an educator’s perspective, the dinosaur getting to the school in a taxi next to the PM is funny – but such anachronisms (and frankly, perplexing and mind-boggling inclusions from a child’s perspective about the Christmas story) continue, 23 years later!

As we approach Saint Valentine’s day, a Christian commemoration with profound meaning and basis – do enjoy a glass of whatever’s your preference; chocolates; roses; and/or a sentimental viewing of the above film!

Meanwhile, I leave you with words that have been read millions of times since they were written and are timely for the up-coming Saint’s Day, but also for our times. They’ve been part of multi-millions of weddings since they were written. They are as profound and meaningful today, as they were when they were written. Paul wrote these in a letter to Christians at Corinth – you can find them in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 (and why not check out the different versions via Bible Gateway that I mentioned last time?!). Enjoy them – consider them – share them………………..

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

With thanks for all you do and are in your communities

Jeff

Jeff Williams

Director of Education

Book recommendation: Saving The Butterfly by Helen Cooper & Gill Smith

A poetic, powerful story about a little brother and a big sister finding a new home and new hope after being rescued from a boat lost in the dark sea. They try their best to settle in a new home, where they have nothing left from before except each other. The little one makes new friends and quickly learns to laugh again but his sister remains haunted by the shadows of their past and hides away in their broken house. Trying to help his sister, the little one catches a butterfly for her and brings it inside the house. His sister knows that she needs to set the butterfly free ….. but that would mean going outside. In taking the first steps to face her fears and save the butterfly, she also begins the process of saving herself.

Bags of Hope Project linked Book Recommendation: Children’s Literature About Refugees – A Catalyst In The Classroom by Julia Hope

'It could happen to anybody', observed a 9 year old child when her teacher read a book in class about refugees. Fiction provides the perfect conduit for the experiences of refugees so that young refugee students feel their experiences are validated, and their peers come to understand their situation. In this book, Julia Hope explores ways of engaging in class with children’s books about refugees. As more and more people flee wars, violence and political oppression, this book gives teachers both pedagogical support and knowledge of the resources, and shows how they can tackle this challenging topic.

Sanctuary: Free Exhibition at Portsmouth Cathedral

Visit the exhibition between 18th February and 12th April to see the paintings and sculptures of Nicholas Mynheer. The themes of refuge, displacement, compassion and hope are explored, drawing together the biblical story of Jesus’ family feeling as refugees to Egypt and the lived realities of refugees today. Pause and reflect on what sanctuary means, both as a place and as a way of responding to one another.

British Council International School Award

Congratulations to Appleshaw St Peters Church of England Primary School who have received the British Council International School Award! This award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life work in today’s world. Appleshaw St Peter’s CofE Primary School’s international work includes a close partnership with Primary School No 15 in Gorzów Wielkopolski (Poland); and they would like to extend their thanks to the Polish school, as achieving ISA status would not have been possible without this partnership. The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop an international ethos embedded throughout the school; a whole school approach to international work; collaborative curriculum-based work with international partner schools; year-round international activity and involvement of the wider community.

On Monday 2nd February, Mrs Edwards (Year 3/4 teacher) travelled to London to attend a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament. She collected the award and plaque on behalf of the school in recognition for 3 years of outstanding international work at Appleshaw St Peter’s. The award was presented by Mark Stephens CMG, Director Cultural Engagement. Also in attendance was Uma Kumaran, MP and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and local MP Caroline Nokes,

Global Neighbours Award

We are delighted to announce that Rowlands Castle St John's CofE Primary School has just been awarded the Global Neighbours Bronze award! This recognises the hard work that staff and pupils have put in to being agents of change in their local community, nationally and globally. Congratulations to all at the school and do have a look at the Global Neighbours website to see how working for the award could help you develop courageous advocacy in your school.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 : Video and Write up of Their Majesties’ Reception

Holocaust Memorial Day also reminds us that antisemitism and all other forms of hatred did not end with the past. We all have a role to play in helping a shape a future built on compassion, empathy and respect. Key moments from this year’s UK Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony are online here. Through survivor testimony, music, readings and reflection, the film beautifully captures the meaning and impact of the Ceremony. Whether you were unable to join us or would like to return to these moments of remembrance, you are invited to watch, reflect and remember. Their Majesties The King and Queen hosted a special reception to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at Buckingham Palace, welcoming Holocaust survivors and their families. Their Majesties also lit a candle for the national moment of remembrance, ‘Light the Darkness’. You can read more here.

Springs Dance Company Easter Workshops

Springs Dance Company are delivering Easter Project Workshops bringing the narrative to life through movement, imagination and joyful participation to enrich RE Learning. The Easter workshops can be delivered as a one-day experience or a longer project, and can even culminate in a pupil sharing or performance. You can read more about the workshops here and visit their website here.

Count Your Carbon - Free carbon footprint calculator

A free carbon footprint calculator is offered for nurseries, schools and colleges. It supports educational settings to calculate, understand, track and reduce carbon emissions. It’s available here. You can also read the report on how CofE schools are contributing to Net Zero and reducing emissions.

RE Network Meetings

This term’s RE Network meetings will be held at locations across the two dioceses in Term 4. We will be discussing recent developments in the RE world, such as the new Statement of Entitlement, changes to the Right to Withdraw from RE and the implications of the latest curriculum review. Please see the flyer here with dates and venues and let Jane.Kelly@portsmouth.anglican.org know if you would like to attend. Network meetings are a great way to connect with RE leaders at other schools in your area, and a good opportunity to talk through our RE practice and to share ideas and resources. Do try to join us this term, whether you’re a regular or have never been before!

Diocesan Education Project 2025-26: Bags of Hope

Our Project booklet is now available here. There are pages of curriculum ideas, art and craft ideas, ready made school worships, and much, much more! It’s worth reading the Introduction so you have an overview of the project, and the contents page so you can see the wealth of support materials that can be used ‘off the shelf’.

Diocesan Education Project Installation at The Cathedrals and The Priory 2026

Our Installations have become an annual feature of our project, being appreciated by thousands of visitors, often from overseas where our projects are replicated! This year the cost to schools will again be minimal. Specific details will be sent to schools the week we return after half-term, but in essence we will be asking children to fill-in a luggage label, and potentially putting a QR code on the back linking to work in their school, or someone they’ve studied as part of the project. These will be placed around a display of Backpacks, and the ‘stream’ of Luggage Labels will grow, as we invite visitors to interact with the installation by writing on a label and adding it to the schools’ Installation. The national love of Paddington Bear is at a time of resurgence, with the new West End musical ‘Paddington’. How timely! As the cost of the installation to schools will be a mere piece of card for each child, in terms of a luggage label, I’m asking if schools (and individuals, parishes and anyone inspired) to donate a Paddington Backpack and a soft-toy Paddington Bear. This will only cost schools between £10 and £25. The Installations will be amazing, but the impact even deeper – as we will donate the backpacks and soft-toys to various charities that support migrants and displaced people.

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