Simon has been part of a team providing chaplaincy services to Dumfries schools for over a decade. This service supports schools in delivering a statutory requirement for schools in Scots law. They are required to provide not just religious education, but also religious observance.
This acknowledges the rich Christian tradition present in Scotland, but also the presence of other religions and approaches to faith that have been present for many generations. Each school works out the best way to do this based on the composition of their school roll. Roman Catholic schools also have their own approach!
More on the legislation can be read here:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/curriculum-for-excellence-religious-observance/
Recently, Janice (continued by David) has been providing assemblies for primary schools in Dumfries while Simon continues in Dumfries High School. At the high school this takes the form of an assembly each term. The assemblies are short, but memorable! At times Simon has also been involved in RE lessons, or projects where the pupils have contributed artwork to displays in St Johns.
For the most recent assembly Simon chose the theme of St Christopher. Many people travel in Summer! Simon told a story of St Chritopher, and invited the pupils to reflect on the values of ambition and respect that feature in it.
The oral storytelling and questions were backed up by images on the big screen in the assembly hall. These can be viewed here:
(Some images are adobe AI)
Years after the pupils have left the High School they will bump into Simon in a pub or cafe. This often leads to interesting discussions! The stories are remembered…
One reply on “St Christopher”
Some very interesting images here. I wonder how the pupils reacted to some of them.