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Scatter News

two articles from earlier issues

It's your move

In the summer of 2001 Emma Sergeant, who was then SCAt Secondary schools worker, introduced a new series of lessons in primary schools under the title 'It's your move'. They are designed to help children in the transition to secondary schools.

It's your move continues still. This is what Emma wrote at the time.

T

his term sees the launch of a new SCAt initiative called It's Your Move! We will be presenting Year 6 lessons focusing on the transition from Primary to Secondary schools and meeting over four hundred students, giving them space to discuss some of their concerns about this move. For example:

Leaving friends?
leaving friends behind		 Making friends
making new friends		 Left out
being left out		 Bullied
being bullied		 Smallest
being the smallest
at the school

We are offering Year 6 students a forum to discuss some of these concerns, to have some new fun and start to be prepared practically and emotionally for Secondary school.

It is easy for children to feel isolated at this time. It is important for them to know that everyone moving to a new school worries about it but there are people who want to help them settle in and make new friends.

We will be using material from Scripture Union, which has been specially prepared to address such concerns and answer practical questions like:

Late?
What happens if I'm late?		 Confused
What if I don't understand teacher?		 Detention
What happens in detention?		 Lost
How will I find my way around?

The lessons are designed to help students realise that they will be facing many changes, challenges and choices and that, with a little help and support, they will be able to cope with them all with confidence. Please pray for these lessons and for all students moving on to new schools and colleges next term.

Emma Sergeant
Secondary Schools Worker

But What If...?

Y

ou may remember that last term saw the launch of a new SCAt initiative called 'It's Your Move!' Paul and I presented Year 6 lessons focusing on the transition from Primary to Secondary education using a new resource from Scripture Union designed specifically for that purpose.

We were invited into seven local schools: Goldsworth Primary, The Hermitage, Holy Trinity (West End), Horsell Junior, Knaphill Junior, St Dunstan's and St Johns and received a warm welcome and positive feedback at each one. In fact, we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

The lessons were a mixture of different elements (e.g. games, quizzes, dilemmas, discussions, stories etc) all aiming to facilitate students to express their feelings about moving on to Secondary schools and to challenge some of their attitudes and concerns about what might happen there —

  • What if I'm bullied?
  • What if no-one likes me?
  • What if I get a detention?
  • What if I don't understand?
  • What if someone spreads gossip about me?
  • What if I get lost?
  • What if....?
  • What if...?

You may have seen a copy of the 'It's Your Move!' book but, in case you are not familiar with this excellent resource, here is just one example of the kind of approach it offers. A 'dilemma', such as this, is used to promote discussion and challenge opinions on appropriate behaviour and attitude:

In Science, you overhear two of your tutor group whispering about a secret you shared with just your best friend. What will you do?

  • a) Say nothing and stop being best friends.
  • b) Make up some things about your best friend and tell everyone to get your own back.
  • c) Confront your friend, hear their side of the story, and then decide what to do.

In our lessons the top answer overall was option 'b'. Dilemmas like this one are an open and non-threatening way of gauging opinion on particular issues such as: gossip, bullying, peer pressure and standing up for your friends and we were able to use these questions to promote honest discussion and to offer our own perspectives as Christians.

Thank you to all those who were committed to praying for these lessons – they really were successful in reaching hundreds of students with a Christian attitude to some contentious and topical issues and in addressing fears and concerns about a major change in the children's lives. If you would like further information on these lessons, or want to see a copy of the book, please do not hesitate to contact the office.

Emma Sergeant - SCAt
Secondary Schools Worker