Haverhill Schools Initiative

Health & Safety and Equality Considerations for Christmas Songs

(or Carols, as we may have been allowed to call them up till only a few years ago)

The Rocking Song

Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;

We will lend a coat of fur,

We will rock you, rock you, rock you,

We will rock you, rock you, rock you:

Fur is no longer appropriate wear for small infants, both due to risk of allergy to animal fur, and for ethical reasons. Therefore faux fur, a nice cellular blanket or perhaps micro-fleece material should be considered a suitable alternative.

Please note, only persons who have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check and have enhanced clearance will be permitted to rock baby Jesus. Persons must carry their CRB disclosure with them at all times and be prepared to provide three forms of identification before rocking commences.

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow

In a one horse open sleigh

O'er the fields we go

Laughing all the way

A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

While Shepherds Watched

While shepherds watched

Their flocks by night

All seated on the ground

The angel of the Lord came down

And glory shone around

The union of Shepherd's has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.

Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw him,

you would even say it glows.

You are advised that under the Equal Opportunities for All policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from the Reindeer Games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented and sanctions - including suspension on full pay - will be considered whilst this investigation takes place.

Little Donkey

Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road

Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load

The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry, also included in the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period. Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labelled 'little' and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Mr. Donkey. To comment upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and mountain

Following yonder star

Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold' etc, gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipients name or perhaps give a gift voucher.

We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC routefinder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Facemasks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels' hooves.

Away in a Manger No Crib for a bed - This is definitely one for Social Services.

Starting in January we are really excited to announce new Rock Solid groups!

On a Wednesday lunch time we will have a club at Chalkstone Middle, being held in the drama studio.

On a Friday lucnh time, after the school contacting us to request a club we will be doing 2 Rock Solid lunch time clubs in Stoke College, one after the other, one for the upper end of the Junior school followed by the lower end of the Secondary school.

We are really excited by these new opportunities.  Although this strectches the work of HSI we feel this is a real call from God to build releationships with students and staff on a regular basis.  We pray that 2010 may see the possibilty of finding funds to employ another worker.

Pray for us as we plan and prepare to start in these new schools.  We are delighted that we will be involved in 7 Rock Solid groups (one being Mudflaps which uses the RS material run by Church in the Field which we help with).  We currently see upto about 70 young people each week through these clubs, giving them a chance to hear more about God, in a safe and fun environment.

Well it's a busy week for us. We've started all things Christmassy. We have 7 year 6 lessons across Castle Hill and Parkway Middle, as well as Christmas assemblies in Castle Hill and Chalkstone, lots of Christmas Rock Solid's...and that's not forgetting assemblies at other schools not linked to Christmas.

So the Christmas tunes have been blasting out in the office to get us ion the spirit of things as we have been preparing and now as we start to deliver them.

First 2 lessons went well, its always a privilege to be able to share the excitement of Christmas with the young people, and hopefully bring something more meaningful to the business of gifts and Christmas parties. To share a story which has effected millions over years, of how God chose a normal couple to change our lives.

We hope that through the lessons we can share the importance of this time of advent, as we wait just as Mary and Joseph waited. We have lots of games, story telling and challenges to convey the story which changed my world...and hope changes theirs too.

And just as an added extra you may want to check out this advent film on youtube, a challenge to us all!

 

Hi, its Kirsty here - HSI’s new gap year student and I just thoughtI would spend a bit of time letting you all know what I have been doing in thepast few weeks since I started working with HSI.

I’ve been coming in two days a week and getting to know moreabout HSI and what our role is within Haverhilland Clare, I’ve settled into the office and I am really enjoying my time here.

I went to my first lesson yesterday at Parkway Middle andreally enjoyed answering some of the Young Peoples questions about my faith andseeing them really interested in what Beckie and I had to say. I’m defiantly lookingforwards to going into some more lessons in the future.

I have also been helping plan Rock Solid sessions andgetting to grips with the way the groups work and meeting some of the YoungPeople. I am hoping to spend some time looking into how I can start working insome of the upper schools in the area and maybe introducing youth alpha tothem.

November has arrived, may be this time of year makes you feel a bit gloomey as the dark nights draw in...but why not fill in some of those dark evenings with a meal with friends! 

The perfect opportunity to throw a dinner party, have fun and raise much needed funds for HSI so we can further God's work.

Don't worry if you aren't feeling at Michilin standard...even bangers and mash would warm your cockles!  Its all about enjoying each others company, get talking about HSI and get giving.

Find some friends, sort out a date, cook your meal and encourage people to contribute towards the work of HSI rather than the food.

So Novemeber is the month of eating!

Let us know if you've thrown a party and may be send us a snap of it!

Hello.

Last week I was away with some other female YFC Directors, we came up with a list on 10 things we would share to anyone starting out...I thought I would share them here, so these are the thoughts of Laura (N Staffs YFC), Kate (Durham YFC), Vicky (Windermere YFC), Gemma (Peninsular YFC) and myself...

1. Don't feel guilty for having to say no.

2. Keep your own identity...you know what your gifts are, also there's more to you than being a youthworker.

3. Remember we're followers of Jesus first.

4. Have a Mars a day: work, rest and play!

5. Find a mentor and spiritual director.

6. Delegate and partner, there are normally people out there gifted in admin, youthwork and muchy more who only need to be asked.  Find other youthworkers to support each other.

7. Keep it real: pace yourself with realistic goals, its a marathon not a sprint.

8. Remember you're part of a bigger picture.

9. Remember to take time to retreat and train, be it in youth work or anything to keep your brain ticking over.

10. Take time to get out of the Christian Bubble.

Feel free to share these with anyone who made need prompting to keep on track, or use them yourselves to keep a check on your work, spiritual and personal life ballance.

Well Friday was Breakout, the first of this school year and what a night we had...79 young people in the Methodist Church.  We had all out usual stuff and a giant bungee run which had non-stop queues!  The return of Risk it for a Biscuit our game show, and a theme of 'expectations' used for the short talk and in the spiritual zone.  We had lots of new people and we hope to repeat the fun and energy on Friday 13 November when we have a Breakout with a UV (Ultraviolet) theme, so if you're coming along bring a spare white t-shirt or bring some extra money to buy one to decorate then to wear and glow under the special lights!  It's going to be big, loud, bright and fun!

(Please be aware that anything white will glow under the UV lights, be careful what you choose to wear)

Hello...

Lack of blogging due to a summer holiday then thrown straight into Parkway Middle's Activities week.

I spent the week with the year 7's getting involved in all they were doing, including holding weird and wonderful creatures, including Cornflake the Corn snake and a cockroach! We went to an activities centre and tried out Fencing, archery and Kayaking, the water was a pleasure to cool us down on what was a very hot day! Learnt something about the Roman's and took a very long trip to Warwick Castle!

It was a great week....you may be thinking it was really an extension to my holiday...how can all that be work, sounds way too much fun! Well yes, it was great fun, but it's a really important time to be with the young people, connect with those I don't meet through clubs and have some encouraging conversations.

I want to tell you about a lad I had lots of conversations with Ben*. I loved the honesty this lad had and the openness to discuss his views on my faith and his life story, some of which has been really tough for him. He expressed a wish to believe in God but can't make that step; he wants proof...don't so many of us. Our conversations were great, and I hope he can take something away with him to think about. I pray that God used me in that situation and will continue to use that to build Ben up!

So a great week! Now back to normal, finishing clubs up before term finishes, saying farewell over the next 2 weeks to some of the great year 8's we've worked with, wishing them all the best for their move to upper school, and praying for a happy and easy transition!

*Name has been changed.

Hello.

What amazing weather we've been experiencing!  Sunny weather always inspires me and motivates me!

The first Ignite happened on Sunday night, overseen by Diana André, our part time worker.  The service was aimed at all but with more accessible for young people.  It was a great evening, with Jim Overton from Cambridge Youth For Christ speaking.  We hope if you went you enjoyed it, if you missed it there will be more....keep you eyes open, when dates are decided more information will be posted here.

Also check out the youth leaders link, more recommendations have been added and each month a game idea will be added.

The end of our week with Nomad came on Sunday. Tim, Hannah and Stu are all on a gap year with Youth For Christ and are touring the UK with a large football cage. They came with the cage to Haverhill to spend a week in Parkway Middle. The taught every class in the school using the cage for 2 on 2 skills football then sharing their stories and encouraging the young people in their gifts and talents. They also took some RE lessons, assemblies and had the cage open and lunch and break. The opportunities to talk and listen to the pupils around the cage opened our eyes to what some face in their home lives, some amazing stories or courage, heard about some amazingly talented young people and generally a great time!

The week ended with Breakout, our half termly event for Middle School young people. It was a great event with 113 young people. Stu shared his testimony and the cage filled the church for more football!

We are very grateful to the school for allowing us the opportunity to bring Nomad in, also to the team for their hard work! We wish Tim, Hannah and Stu well as they come to an end of their gap years shortly and think about what comes next!

The next Breakout event is Friday 26 June.