Over the weekend I happened to watch a new episode of The Simpsons (Season 20, Episode 13 for those who care) where Homer has to get Maggie, the dog ‘Santa’s Little Helper’, and a jar of rat poison across the river in a boat that can only hold him and one other item. The whole [...]
Assembly: Truth
The following is an assembly that I have used with Year 7 and Year 9 in Secondary Schools. It is based on an assembly plan by James Lamont on assemblies.org.uk Suitable for: Key Stage 3 Key Themes: Truth, Honesty Bible Verse: Proverbs 11:3 Delivery Time: 10 minutes Equipment needed: A copy of the poem “Matilda [...]
Mobiles at school don’t harm kids
New research by Michigan State University has found that mobile phone use by young people doesn’t appear to do any harm to their educational achievement. A three-year study of students from 20 schools found that using mobiles had no effect on the educational results of a group of 12-year-olds. I’m sure teens will welcome the [...]
Acts Chapter 5: Sharing
This post is part of a 5-session teaching series covering the first 5 chapters of the book of Acts in the New Testament. It is designed to be used in a small group environment for young people aged 11-14, but can be adapted for other purposes. The young people were encouraged to read the chapter [...]
Gov databases failing children and young people
Back in November I wrote about the development of Government databases (such as ContactPoint) that collect information on young people. I mused that: While there may be legitimate uses for this data, what is happening is that the records are never removed and so any interaction with the police, social services, schools etc. are permanently [...]
Salmon Youth Centre
I’m currently sitting in a meeting room in the brand new Salmon Youth Centre, Bermondsey, London. It is an inspiring building purpose-built for youth work that incorporates a sports hall, dance studio, music room, art room, outdoor climbing wall, offices, apartments and various other dedicated facilities. For more information on the new centre, see this [...]
Acts Chapter 4: Arrested
This post is part of a 5-session teaching series covering the first 5 chapters of the book of Acts in the New Testament. It is designed to be used in a small group environment for young people aged 11-14, but can be adapted for other purposes. The young people were encouraged to read the chapter [...]
Ways To Help Volunteers Plug In
Acts Chapter 3: Healing
This post is part of a 5-session teaching series covering the first 5 chapters of the book of Acts in the New Testament. It is designed to be used in a small group environment for young people aged 11-14, but can be adapted for other purposes. The young people were encouraged to read the chapter [...]