Issue - meetings

Receive a presentation regarding the completed resource.  Recommend that the resource is sent to all Local Authority schools.

            (a)       That the presentation be received; and

            (b)       That the document be sent to all primary and secondary schools in Flintshire.

                        The Chairman introduced the agenda item which was to look at the completed resources that were to be sent to all local authority schools.  The Challenge Adviser explained that he had sent an email to schools to ask for case studies and had received several responses. 

                        The Challenge Adviser provided a detailed presentation which showed visits to synagogues, churches, the Salvation Army and the other activities that had been undertaken by schools from Flintshire, Conwy and Denbighshire.  Pupils from Ysgol Trelawnyd had conducted a pilgrimage to Maen Achwyfan Cross near Trelogan and this had been featured in a local newspaper.  A celebration of Religious Education had been held at St. Asaph Cathedral consisting of a series of workshops and an evening presentation.  Bangor Cathedral had held an event to highlight the real meaning of Christmas and John Bright School in Llandudno had undertaken an Easter Transition Project.  Each year the school also held an annual sixth form RE conference.  Activities undertaken by Ysgol Llanbedr were also reported and various case studies from the Agathos Trust were included, such as a Sixth Form half day RE conference on Euthanasia, an annual event known as Explore Easter, and a Friday Forum held each week at Mold Alun School.  A list of useful links was also included in the document which provided a link to a list of 10 special places of faith heritage in North Wales and contact details of Hindu Temples, Islamic cultural centres, Jewish Synagogues, Buddhist Centres and Sikh Gurdwara.  The Challenge Adviser explained that he had also included a page on the principles for organising and planning visits to places of worship.  He added that the document would be sent to all schools in Flintshire.  

                        Mr. Ibad Hussain spoke of the Mosque in Wrexham and the work that was being undertaken to develop links with school and to encourage visits from schools.  The Challenge Adviser commented on the website for the Buddhist Centre in Llandudno and welcomed the ease at which schools could express their interest, through the Centre’s website, to undertake a visit.  He added that he would include the contact details for the Archbishop Rice Jones Charitable Trust in the ‘Useful Links’ page.                                   

                        Councillor Chris Bithell welcomed the sharing of the inspirational document with schools and suggested that highlighting the range and diversity of resources available would increase interest in RE. 

                        The Chairman also expressed his appreciation for the work undertaken by the Challenge Adviser and welcomed the range of activities available.  He commented on other opportunities that schools could consider and agreed with the sharing of the document with all primary and secondary schools in the County. 

                        Mr. Gareth Wyn Jones sought clarification on whether details of the Manchester Buddhist Centre could also be included in the document as the centre was specifically set up to educational visits.  

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the presentation be received; and

            (b)       That the document be sent to all primary and secondary schools in Flintshire.