Holiday Club

STORY

In Archbishop Primary School the church aims to run a holiday club during each main school holiday. The most recent of these was two summer holiday days, one of which was held in school and one was a family outing. The church funded this from parish and borough councillors. The school based day consisted of games, stories and craft activities. Children made their own lunch during the day, this encouraged ownership of the day. The day ended with reflection and a small act of worship where the parents were involved.

The second day was a coach trip to Bedgebury Pinetum for families, children had to be accompanied by an adult family member. Church members also attended the day and this encouraged a nice day of fellowship.

IMPACT

The Holiday Club built parents' confidence and awareness of the church. A lot of fun was had by all.

Because of the success of the Holiday Club, further activities are planned including "café style assemblies", "messy church" and a Christingle service.


RESOURCES

Revd. Priscilla Doe: 01580 712330

Members of All Saints With St Philip and St Stephen, Maidstone

Marion Brooks: mabrooks1943@btinternet.com

Bedgebury Pinetum: www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk

Chaffs Breakfast

STORY

At Charing Church of England Primary school, the church and community run a breakfast club six times a year. Children, families and school staff come to breakfast, provided by the church and community which is run in the school dining room. Breakfast is cooked and served by members of the church and community.

Following the breakfast, the clergy lead an act of worship for children and families. The worship is planned by both the school and clergy to ensure the worship links closely to the school's worship theme.

IMPACT

The breakfast and worship has provided a social time for families in the community to link with the church community.

The school has made positive links with the church and local community, this encourages community cohesion.

Parents are more confident to embrace the Christian ethos of the school and visit church.


RESOURCES

Revd. Richard King, Charing Church
richard.d.king@tesco.net

Marion Brooks: mabrooks1943@btinternet.com

Extensive Church Links

STORY

Brenzett Church of England Primary School is involved with a wide range of church and community links. The very small church in their parish while supporting all these activities has very few parishioners to help develop fresh expressions, this has led to the school looking for creative ways to support the church in its Christian mission. Activities include:

  • A planned use of SEAL within the collective worship plan
  • Use of Captain Graham Nunn in regular bible explorer sessions
  • Prayer weeks involving parents and church
  • Sponsored walks led by school in support of church funds
  • Links with churches in other countries
  • Parents sponsoring a stone in Canterbury Cathedral

IMPACT

Total involvement of school and church

School serving the church

Community cohesion where the school is actively supporting the church and parent community


RESOURCES

Captain Graham Nunn: graham.nunn@churcharmy.net

Marion Brooks: mabrooks1943@btinternet.com

SEAL resource 12 Baskets:
www.twelvebaskets.co.uk/a_teachers_dozen_spring_year_a

Coffee Morning

STORY

Deal Parochial Church of England Primary School hold a monthly coffee morning. The PTA, school and church are all involved. Pre-school parents and children, school parents and church community are invited to share in the coffee morning. The coffee morning acts as a point where members of the extended school community can meet, chat and build relationships. The conversations held during the coffee morning enable the participants to build confidence in their relationship with school and church.

Through the coffee morning, further links have been made with St George's Church "Lighthouse Cluster" who worship on the school. The Lighthouse Cluster play an active role in school events and have made a banner that is hung in the school hall which acts as a reference point to the close links made. The school also directs parents to the pastoral team from St George's church in times of need, this has proved an invaluable resource for the parent community.

IMPACT

Positive relationships have been fostered between the PTA, parents, church and school.

Chats held at the coffee morning have led to ideas being raised with the PTA regarding fundraising, putting on a family drama activity, and forging closer links in communication between the groups.

Vulnerable and lonely families have been supported both during the coffee morning and through the direction to the church pastoral support team.


RESOURCES

St George's Church, Deal Lighthouse Cluster: 01304 372587

Deal Parochial CEP:
headteacher@deal-parochial.kent.sch.uk