Barnabas RE Days in the North East

A Barnabas RE Day is a full day's visit to a school by Chris Hudson, a professional teacher, author, storyteller and musician, providing primary-age pupils and staff with a creative, engaging and inspirational introduction to Christian values on a range of themes, supporting both RE and SEAL aims and objectives.

The day normally involves four pupil workshops and a whole-school assembly, and costs £325. However, thanks to the generosity of some local funders, we can now offer these days for just £165 each. That's a full day of creative arts workshops for the cost of a supply teacher!

Barnabas RE Day themes

1. Northern Saints* ('Community Cohesion')

Who were Aidan, Hilda, Bede, Oswald and Caedmon? Why are their names scattered across the physical geography, history and folklore of the North-East? This workshop uses modern Celtic folk music, storytelling, games and drama, to explore the stories and spirituality of men and women who shaped the growth of Christianity in England - and their continuing impact today.

2. Footsteps* (Compatible with SEAL)

Pilgrimage has always played a part in the spiritual life of the North-East. For centuries, travellers have made their way to Holy Island, Hexham Abbey and other sacred sites to 'touch space' with God. But what is it that makes a pilgrimage more than a holiday? What might people find at the end of their journey that isn't where they already are? Explore the idea of life as a journey, discover the stories of some fellow-travellers - and be ready to ask a few questions about 'where' you are now.

3. The Life of Saint Cuthbert* ('Community Cohesion')

Explore the life of an extraordinary Northern saint in an active RE day that can take place entirely out of doors within your own school grounds! This workshop allows pupils to re-enact key events of Cuthbert's life using your outdoor play equipment, school garden, 'quiet area', playground or field - and finally create a shared piece of artwork using natural materials. Take your RE outside the classroom! Bookings should be made with a view to weather conditions, allowing for at least one 'fallback' date or alternative use of the school hall.

4. What Does it Mean to Worship?*

People talk about worshipping football teams, cars or even Nature itself - but what does it mean to truly experience awe and wonder? This workshop explores those deeper moments, how some people relate them to religious faith and to God, and the different ways they express that worship in symbols, shared activities and in caring for others. We'll also be using drums and percussion instruments to explore how musical worship can be loud - and exciting!

5. What's so Special about Jesus?*

Storyteller, troublemaker, teacher, leader... 2000 years after the events recorded in the gospels, Jesus of Nazareth continues to exert a powerful influence on the world. Christianity remains the world's largest 'faith' in its geographical spread, its ethnic and cultural diversity - but who was he? What made him so different? This workshop explores the personal character of Jesus by re-enacting some key events in his life, and investigates his teachings both about the Kingdom of God - and himself.

6. Moving On* (Compatible with SEAL)

How do we handle the prospect of change? This SEAL-compatible day uses Bible stories to encourage pupils to face up to the fears and opportunities of 'changing classes' at the end of the school year - or moving on to another school. David and Goliath will never be the same again!

7. Who am I? (Compatible with SEAL)

Exploring issues relating to our identity as individuals, each person's unique and special gifts and how those gifts might be creatively combined in successful teamwork: recognizing similarities and differences between people; feeling positive about yourself; recognizing your worth as an individual; recognizing and challenging stereotypes.

8. Who is my Neighbour? ('Community Cohesion' and compatible with SEAL)

Exploring issues involved in caring for others, the nature of compassion and the building blocks that form creative communities: recognizing choices; realizing other people have needs; responsibility of care towards others; issues of bullying and racism.

9. It's Not Fair!

Relating Bible stories to issues of personal, social and global justice: includes material that draws on the dramatic messages spoken by the Old Testament prophets as well as the stories of Jesus, which focus on how we should treat others and in particular those who are less fortunate than ourselves. The day will also include consideration of a real-life story related to the issue of fair trade, involving a child of primary-school age from the developing, two-thirds world.

10. Whose World?

Exploring the order and beauty of our world as a sacred gift, and opening up questions about developing a shared responsibility towards our environment. What kind of attitudes, actions and decisions improve or harm our environment? What is our responsibility towards our environment?

11. What's so Special About the Bible?

Exploring the Bible as the Christian's sacred book, looking at what sort of book it is, the range and variety of its writings, the ways in which Christians regard the Bible as true, and how they use it in their daily lives and worship.

12. Festivals - Advent and Christmas

Light and Dark have always been evocative. What are our fears related to darkness, and how does the story of Advent relate to hopes of a coming King who can dispel 'darkness'? Expect a slightly different approach to the idea of preparing for Christmas!

13. Festivals - Lent and Easter

How does the story of Lent connect with Easter? This highly-praised workshop begins with the story of a young man going out into the desert to face his personal challenges - and then leaps forward in time to the day when he enters Jerusalem at the head of an army of followers. Palm Sunday is recreated with drums and percussion music - and leads into the solemnity of the Last Supper - and what happened next.

14. Festivals - Harvest

Are you thankful when you receive a present? How does that relate to a sense of general thankfulness for 'All good gifts around us?' This workshop explores what it means to be thankful - and how we can show gratitude in our lives in the way we treat others.

For more details about Barnabas RE Days in general, or to make a booking, contact Lynda Ward, Barnabas Team Administrator:

Tel: 01865 319704
Email: lynda.ward@brf.org.uk

You can also contact Chris Hudson:

Tel: 01670 504908
Email: chris.hudson@brf.org.uk

*Please note that Northern Saints, Footsteps, The Life of Saint Cuthbert, What does it mean to Worship, Moving On and What's so special about Jesus? have been especially developed for, and are only available in, the North-East. Follow-up material is therefore not available on this website, but will be sent direct to your school from the time of booking.