We are pleased to be able to let you know that Bath & North East Somerset SACRE has reviewed the current Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education and has adopted a refreshed version of Awareness, Mystery, Value (AMV). The updated Syllabus will be officially ‘launched’ at a series of FREE online training events in March 2022, but most of the newly edited schemes of learning exemplars can already be found at www.awarenessmysteryvalue.org

There is a choice of training opportunities for RE lead teachers to attend: 

·       Wed 9th March 1.30-3.00 

·       Tues 15th March 4.00-5.30

·       Thurs 17th March 4.00-5.30

·       Mon 21st March 10.00-11.30. 

Bookings are now open! Here is the Eventbrite link for the training sessions: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/awareness-mystery-value-re-syllabus-update-registration-203660322507

In the meantime, please do take a look at our new ‘RE-Live’ mini-units, making use of stories from the contemporary world, recently uploaded to the AMV website. We have: one for Early Years, one for KS1, two for KS2, one full term’s unit and one mini-unit for KS3, and one for KS4. Find them here or go to the home page and search ‘RE-Live'. Feel free to use these instead of existing units or to supplement the work you are currently doing. 

Altogether, they will encourage pupils to look at how different communities, religious and non-religious, have been involved in helping people over the trials of the last year, from the pandemic to Black Lives Matter and how religions such as Islam have featured in the media.

WHERE: Saltford Primary School, Keynsham.

WHO should attend: Teachers in LA Primary schools

WHEN: 8th February 2017, 1.30 – 3.30 pm

SACRE grant: £100 for up to ten LA schools. Payment on attendance

APPLY: to Dave Francis, Associate Adviser for RE, at: dfmayfly@icloud.com

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WHERE: Community Space, Keynsham Library

WHO should attend: Governors with an interest in RE, collective worship, ‘British values’ and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in Primary or Secondary schools

WHEN: Tuesday 24th January 2017, 6.30 – 9.00 pm

APPLY: online via the Hub http://thehub.bathnes.gov.uk/Home if you subscribe to Governor Services or by e-mail governor_services@bathnes.gov.uk

The next meeting of the LTLRE group, led by Mary Patterson, will be held on 12th January 2017 at Saltford Primary schools from 4.30 - 600pm. The focus will be on using religious artefacts in the classroom. 

WHO can apply: LA secondary schools

WHEN: Apply right away by email to Deve Francis, The Associate Adviser for RE at: dfmayfly@icloud.com

SACRE grant: £200 plus free 1 hour visit from the Associate RE Adviser

Payment on completion of the Adviser’s visit – before 3rd March 2017.

WHO can apply: LA Primary schools.

WHEN: apply by 31st December 2016 by email to Dave Francis, The Associate Adviser for RE, at: dfmayfly@icloud.com.

Grants are to be spent before 3rd March 2017 on costs of making visits to places of interest for religious education, or on costs of representatives of religions and beliefs who visit your school. Schools receiving the grant are expected to produce a short report on the visits (with a couple of photos if possible) for the SACRE website: 

SACRE grant: £175 for up to ten LA schools.

Payment on receipt of report.

The very popular South Glos and Bristol RE conference this year is on the 29th January 2016 again at Engineers’ House  (excellent food) and this year we have the key note speaker Lat Blaylock (RE Royalty!) who many of you will know is excellent.

The conference is open to teachers from Bath & North East Somerset. For details of how to apply, please contact Katy Staples <Katy.Staples@bristoldiocese.org>

One Day Conference

23rd April 2016

10.30-18.00

Bath Spa University

Keynote speaker: Professor Kim Knott (University of Lancaster) 'ISKCON@50: Achievements and Challenges in the British Context'

This is an opportunity to mark the Hare Krishna movement's half century with a mix of academic papers combining retrospective on the last fifty years with reflections on future directions, a panel discussion debating what happens when a New Religious Movement isn't so new anymore and a mix of activities such as a demonstration arti, classical dance, and chanting of the Mahamantra. There will be a chance to hear from devotees as well as academics, and also enjoy some wonderful food.

Guests include His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, one of ISKCON's international leaders.

 Waged: £15

Unwaged: £10

For enquiries, contact: Catherine Robinson (c.robinson@bathspa.ac.uk).

Book your ticket through www.bathspalive.com by using this link:  https://www.bathspalive.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=94AB15CD-29EB-41CC-9A63-C424C2F567E7&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=BBD14FFB-C855-49A3-95B9-7DF229C6EB55 

Article from Bath Echo.

Organised by the Bath Hindu Community, up to two-hundred people are expected to join in the festivities.

Originating from India, Diwali is now celebrated all across the world for both its religious and cultural significance.

Also known as the ‘festival of lights’, it is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in the autumn.

The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Attending the event will be Cllr Sarah Bevan, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Human Rights Spokesperson and former chairman of the local authority.

She said: “As Human Rights Advocate, I’m always appreciative of inclusive celebrations such as this, which do so much to promote understanding of, and interest in, faiths and cultures among people of different faiths or no faith. 

“The festival of Diwali has increasingly become mainstream in recent years, and more and more non-Hindus appreciate and celebrate the occasion.

“Over the past ten years national leaders such as the Prime Minister have attended Diwali celebrations at some of the UK’s most prominent Hindu temples, such as the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, and popular Hare Krishna temple in Watford, using the occasion to commend the Hindu community’s positive contribution to British life. 

“Over the next two weeks, more than 100,000 people will attend Diwali lights switch on events across the UK in places like Leicester and Birmingham.” 

The festival is commonly observed by illuminating hundreds of candles in homes, temples and public places. 

In ancient times, Diwali was first observed by the residents of Ayodhya (north east India) to celebrate the return of King Rama, an incarnation of Krishna, after 14 years in exile.

In another era, this was also the day when Lord Krishna performed His Damodara childhood pastime of breaking the pots of yogurt and letting Himself be bound by Mother Yashoda. 

Peasedown St John councillor Karen Walker will also be attending.

She added: “Here in Bath and north east Somerset the festivities this year will be bigger than ever and will include a three-course authentic Indian Dinner, fireworks and entertainment. 

“Diwali, just like Christmas, really is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds and traditions to come together for a special family occasion.

“I’d encourage anyone to attend, they’d be made most welcome.”

Bath’s Ninth Annual Diwali Festival Party is organised by the Bath Hindu Community CiC (Community Interest Company) and will be held at Beechen Cliff School on Saturday 7th November from 6pm.

For details and to reserve a ticket email bathhinducommunity@gmail.com.