COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
PRAYER SPACES
LUNCH CLUBS
LESSONS
COLLECTVE WORSHIP
PACE visit all local schools to lead collective worship or assemblies to help meet the spiritual needs of students and explore moral and social topics from a Christian perspective. We aim to present a relevant and age-appropriate message in a dynamic way using various media and storytelling techniques.
Primary assemblies are based on Bible stories with a relevant message for the students to think about. We often invite them to actively take part or involve the whole school in an interactive interpretation of the story. Puppet assemblies are very popular with characters the children love and remember. We currently try to lead two assemblies per primary school on either side of half term.
The schools workers always aim to present a relevant and age-appropriate message in an interesting way. PACE offers a wide range of creative and thought – provoking assemblies to every secondary school. These usually address moral and social themes from a Christian perspective. We use a variety of stimuli in our delivery including videos, quizzes and stories to engage the students.
PRAYER SPACES
Prayer Spaces is an initiative, led by a national organisation (Prayer Spaces in Schools), which encourages students to explore prayer and contemplation in imaginative ways. The school provides a room, which we transform by decorating it with material and installing several prayer stations. These include a variety of visual and creative stimuli which encourage students to think about themselves, who they are and how they feel, and then to express that in different ways. This might be through silent prayer or by following simple instructions which guide students through a symbolic activity.
We have now been to several schools and have received very good feedback. One school found it to be a ‘calming’ experience for the students. Many students found the opportunity to express their fears and let go of their worries very helpful.
LUNCH CLUBS
PACE runs weekly lunchtime clubs in schools across the island. We have PACE Drop-In clubs which run all year in every high school and BOLT clubs running for one term in most primary schools. We aim to provide a safe, positive environment where students can relax with friends, enjoy some games and have a discussion. The Drop-In themes tend to be topical issues addressed from a Christian perspective. BOLT clubs follow a series of key aspects of the Christian faith.
LESSONS
The PACE team are available to lead, help or contribute in lessons for pupils of any age. We can provide input on aspects of the Christian faith as part of the Religious Education syllabus and also give a Christian perspective on different topics.
PACE offers a wide range of lessons for primary and secondary schools, looking at topics from Creation to Christmas and Easter. Please get in touch for more details on the lessons that we offer. Our lessons use techniques and activities to explore questions that the students may already be studying. PACE lessons are interactive with a variety of stimuli used to engage students such as: craft, drama, discussion, film clips, handling artefacts, quizzes and more.
LESSONS LIST
In primary schools we have developed a ‘wow’ lesson for each year group.
Year 1/2 – Christian views on Creation – this lesson invites the children to hear the Creation story using “Godly Play” storytelling. The two main questions we ask are, “Should Christians take care of the world?” and “What is God’s most special creation?” The children have a chance to do their own creating with Play-Doh too.
Year 3 – Christmas in a Box – a two hour lesson using props, activities and reflection to learn about the Christmas story and the characters. Children can write advice from the characters perspective, immersing themselves into the story. Throughout the lesson they will also collect items and make their own takeaway Christmas in a Box.
Year 4 – Easter in a Box – similar to Christmas in a Box, this two hour lesson invites the children to imagine they are watching the filming of “Easter: The Movie”. Using props, a script, a cast list and clapper board, we explore the events of Holy Week through acting out scenes. The children think about what advice they might say to the characters and get creative with some activities which they use to make their own takeaway Easter in a Box.
Year 5 – OT Mini – An exciting five week course exploring the storyline of the Old Testament. Developed by Walk Through The Bible, this is now an accredited resource recommended for teaching the “Understanding Christianity” syllabus in the UK. These lessons allow the children to learn 40 stories from the Old Testament along with 40 hand signs to help them remember the stories.
Year 6 – Leavers Lesson – During this lesson we consider the “Changes, Challenges, Choices” Year 6 students may face when they move to Secondary School. Local churches also donate a book called “It’s Your Move” for each child to receive.
Year 7
■ What is a Christian?
■ Creation and Science
■ Evil and Suffering
■ Jesus – Mad, Bad or God?
■ Self-Esteem and Relationships
■ What is Prayer?
■ A Christian World View
Year 8
■ Evil and Suffering
■ Creation and Science
■ Difficult Questions
■ Gambling and Money
Year 9
■ Prejudice and Discrimination
■ Christian Views on War
Year 10
■ Prejudice and Discrimination
■ Evil and Suffering
■ Faith Serving the Community
■ Poverty
Year 11
■ Christian Views on War
■ Christian Marriage
■ Creation and Science
We also help to organise and facilitate visits to Christian Places of Worship from Year 7 through to Year 11.
