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EDUCATION TEAM UPDATE
 BULLETIN No. 298

25th June 2021
   

This week's message from Andrew Teale
Diocesan Director of Education

There is no point redecorating, if the roof is leaking.
 
Yesterday, I ran governor training from my shed. Not the one I wrote about last summer, but a slightly larger one. We’ve always called it the ‘summer house’ but it is essentially a large shed with some windows. Up until last summer, it had leaked like a sieve. I unsuccessfully tried a repair with new felt, but it still leaked. We then went for a product made by ‘Cladco’, which is essentially corrugated sheets of metal with a coloured coating. Great system. Fully waterproof. No more leaks.
 
Once the interior dried out, we could splash some paint around, and put in some basic furniture, including a workdesk. It has become a usefully-quiet, revision space for my teenaged children to use and it is quite comfortable, if a little rustic.
 
My wife was using the office for a parents evening (on Zoom) yesterday evening, so I opted to venture forth to the garden. The wifi is pretty good and it worked quite well, although I felt I did need to offer an explanation, for those governors on my Zoom call, as to exactly why I appeared to be sitting in a shed. They were very understanding, and we ran the second of 4 sessions for foundation governors and (I think) it went well. We have a lovely group from the length and breadth of the diocese who seemed to enjoy working together to develop their own understanding of the CE school sector.
 
Yesterday, we celebrated the birth of John the Baptist in the church calendar. For a God who wants all to come to repentance and turn away from the leaking sins of their lives, John’s role is to show us where the leaks are and therefore highlight the need for repairs. As Margaret Whipp puts it,
“John could not remain silent in the face of oppression and social abuse, idolatry and listless worship.  Nor should we.”
His messages, though never comfortable to hear, can turn our hearts towards specific action and repentance.
 
There is no point redecorating, if the roof is still leaking. This is true for summerhouses/sheds and also for the daily lives we lead.
 
Collect
Almighty God,
by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born,
and sent to prepare the way

of your Son our Saviour
by the preaching of repentance: lead us to repent according

to his preaching
and, after his example, constantly to speak the truth,

boldly to rebuke vice,
and patiently to suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Amen.
 
Don’t forget we still have some really interesting new training opportunities in the coming weeks, working in partnership with other dioceses in some cases, so please look out for those later in the bulletin.
 
By the way, the diversity training for governors and leaders next week will be especially helpful for those communities which are not very diverse in both age or race, i.e. it will be very helpful for most schools in our diocese. It is not too late to sign up (see below).
 
Thank you all for the work you have done for the children and families of this diocese, in every one of our schools, nurseries and colleges this week. Infection rates are rising again in schools, and we have seen a school closure this week, in the north of the diocese as a result of the delta variant. The last weeks of term will not be straightforward (when are they ever). Please know that you are not alone, we are here to help in any way we can and that includes just sharing the challenges. You are ever in our prayers and thoughts as we try and get to the end of this tough academic year.
 
Have a blessed weekend and week ahead.
 
Andrew
 
Canon Andrew Teale
Diocesan Director of Education

Free Governance Events

Currently there are several local and national online events freely available to ALL governors, directors and LAB members of our church schools and academies.  Please do join us at the events detailed below and see how we can support you in your governance role.

The Hereford Diocesan Education Team have helped to develop this national event.  Why not be an early bird and register now for the first online Church of England Church School Governors Conference?  More information available HERE and to reserve your place click HERE.


Book here to reserve your place on this FREE online seminar
Thursday 1st July: 6.00 - 7.30pm

For more information CLICK HERE


Lockdown - end of church school governance as we know it?

6th July 2021 Free Webinar for Governors 4.30 - 6.00pm
Click HERE to reserve your place.
 

The context of governance during the lockdown provides many lessons for the future. Looking back with an emphasis on the future will enable governors to reflect on their practice especially in the areas of vocation, collaboration, priorities and accountability.
In preparation for next term take time to reflect on the past and build a unique framework with your key considerations as you plan how your governance board develops in 2021/22. 

Headteachers and Chairs of Governors
Diocesan & OfSTED Update for this academic year

 8th July 2021, 1.00 - 2.30pmBook here.

                
We extend our invitation to all Headteachers and Chair of Governors of our church schools and academies within Hereford Diocese for our final session of this term:
  • OfSTED update & Q&A session from Tim Hill Senior HMI for West Midlands
  • Updates and Reflection from Andrew Teale, Diocesan Director of Education
An opportunity to share and  join together in our family of church schools.

This Week's Worship Video
Please do share with your school community  

 
This week we learn about the story of Samuel learning to listen to God’s voice and reflect upon how God might speak to us today and what we think he might say. https://youtu.be/moPWjT3gzVE
The playlist of videos can also be found through the Diocese website page: Diocese of Hereford | RE & Collective Worship Resources (anglican.org)
Together for our Children - Free online conference
CPAS - Thursday 1st July 2021 9.00am - 12 noon 

Less than 1 week to go until our diocesan conference exploring church and school links, to nurture children’s spiritual development for clergy, primary heads/SLT and church volunteers. Book here: https://cpasventures.brushfire.com/day-event/504426

Training Spotlight


Reminder - 2021/22 Available INSET Training
The first date is  Friday 3rd September 2021 a virtual conference via zoom focussing on RE & Worship:
  • morning sessions 9:00am-12:00pm RE: Understanding and teaching Worldviews
  • afternoon sessions 12:45pm-3:15pm Worship: Developing prayer and reflection within your school
Schools can book both sessions or just the morning or afternoon session for their whole school staff team, small groups or as individuals. To register your interest email education@hereford.anglican.org..

The 2021/22 Education Partnership offer will include access to online INSET DAYS for Partnership schools at no additional cost.

Meanwhile, you can still reserve places for this term's remaining online training event:

Developing Spirituality in your School
2nd July 2021 - 9.30am - 12 noon

If you would like to discuss our training and support, please get in touch with the Education Team or call us on 07539 372748 or  07983 298340.  To reserve your place, please complete our booking form and email to the Education Team.

National RE Survey - your view counts!

The RE:Connect project aims to strengthen teachers' confidence and understanding of nature, climate and environment in RE teaching and learning.  To help them develop new resources and support for all teachers of RE at primary and secondary levels, whether a specialist or non-specialist, they are asking for teacher’s views on these issues. Please fill in their survey here.

For further information and updates from the wider Diocese please see the regular bulletins issued by the central communications team.

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