As many schools across the Diocese head towards the Christmas holidays at the end of this week, the Diocesan Education Team would like to offer their thanks to the clergy, parish workers and volunteers for the support that they have provided for the schools in their parishes over this period of change and challenge.
"Even though our ability to visit schools in person has been almost impossible over the past months, we know from our calls to you that many creative ways of engaging with the whole school community have been explored. " says Virginia Corbyn, Deputy Director of Education.
Joint projects such as food banks have seen our schools and parishes serving their local community together. Initiatives including Hearts for Homes have helped those in schools to stay in touch with their nearby residential homes. Christmas in a Box has ensured that the Christmas story is shared between schools and churches.
Virginia says that since March, many clergy and church members have ‘zoomed’ acts of worship into classrooms making sure that the love of God is proclaimed loud and clear week by week.
"We are thankful for all that has been done and humbly ask that you continue to deepen your relationship with all of your local schools which value your prayers and care more than you realise, especially at a time when many of the staff feel exhausted and, because of this, occasionally lacking in hope. We pray that you will continue to journey with them on their Advent and Christmas journey and beyond."
The Rev Julie Bowen is Chaplain to St Olave's Grammar School. She says that things have been very different and being a Chaplain has meant means finding new ways of just being there:
"We cannot use the Chapel so we have developed a wellbeing area. We can’t meet together in the hall so all Assemblies go into the classes either filmed or on audio Power Point.
"Staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are all separated round the school with no place to be together so I wander around, visit people, offer an ear for letting off steam and offer encouragement and positivity; all socially distanced and wearing a mask. In the quiet moments, when others are not around, I am able to prayer walk the school and pray for classes, students and all staff. "
She's also developed an online prayer group for parents, half termly zoom prayer meetings to give prayer support and has been writing to bereaved families, offering support to students who are really struggling and just being God’s presence:
"It may not be normal, but it is offering the opportunity to bring God’s light and life into our school in a different way; and so we must take these opportunities as best we can, be open to different and new and let God do the rest."
This week the bishops have also written to schools to thank headteachers and their staff for their dedication and commitment to their pupils and wider school communities.
