JJuullyy 22001111

Proclaiming the word & work of God

OCHESTER

HaloOrdnance Survey Awards

Accepting the Ordnance SurveyAwards for excellence inteaching geography atsecondary level weregeography teacher, Bob Lang,from King Edward VI Five Ways School in Birmingham,and Faculty Leader for Creative Environment, RuthWare, from Bishop JustusChurch of England School inBromley, Kent.

The awards were presented bySociety President Michael Palin andDirector General and ChiefExecutive of Ordnance SurveyVanessa Lawrence.

Ruth believes in getting herstudents out of the classroom andinto the wider world to experiencefor themselves the people, placesand environments that they hearabout in their geography lessons. “Ipassionately believe in learningoutside the classroom – whetherthat is creating a human synopticchart or earthquake wave in thecorridor to climbing the volcanic hillsof Iceland,” she said. “I am delightedto be part of a highly supportivenetwork of geography teacherswithin Bromley and beyond andhave been pleased to contribute tothe training of other staff in topics asdiverse as Aegis mapping andecosystems. I love to see studentsengage with real geographicalproblems and decision-makingactivities – it simply makesgeography real.”Commenting, Dr Rita Gardner

CBE, Director of the RoyalGeographical Society (with IBG),said: “Both Bob and Ruth have

previously been accredited by theSociety as Chartered Geographersand their work illustrates the positiveimpact of well trained and supportedgeography teachers on young people’sachievement in the geographyclassroom.

“We are delighted to be presentingthe Ordnance Survey awards to themboth and hope that it inspires otherteachers to get involved in the types ofinitiatives that Bob and Ruth include intheir everyday teaching. Our medal andaward recipients illustrate the breadthof geography and its importance inunderstanding our world’s people,places and environments.”

A total of 17 people wererecognised for their achievements ingeographical research, fieldwork,

exploration, photography, teaching,and in enthusing public audiences.The Society’s two Royal Medals,approved each year by Her Majestythe Queen, are amongst thehighest honours in the world for thedevelopment and promotion ofgeography. Professor DavidLivingstone, Professor ofGeography and Intellectual Historyat Queen’s University Belfast,received the Founder’s Medal inrecognition of his outstandingencouragement, development andpromotion of historical geography,while the Patron’s Medal wasawarded to world-renowned oceanscientist Dr Sylvia Earle.

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Rochester Halo 2

Father’s Day Weekend Brings the Men OutChrist Church Orpington hostedit’s first “Men-Kind Weekend”,honouring men at every age andstage of life. A focus of theweekend, was a “Man-FridayBarbeque” hosted by localbutcher, Peter Townsend. Over 60men enjoyed a great evening of“Retro Youth Club” activities anda selection of beers from thelocal Westerham Brewery.

On Sunday, the church service hada special focus for men, with a car andbike show in the church car park toadd a new level of interest! The RevJay Colwill, Vicar of Christ Church said,“Church is for everyone, but men often

lead busy lives and have to makedifficult choices about their time. Thisweekend has provided us with anopportunity for a bit of fun. It maybechanged men’s perspectives thatchurch was not for them.” Plans areafoot for further events. For furtherinformation contact: Jay Colwilljay@ccorpington.org.

PPhhoottooss:: Top - Left to right The Rev Jay Colwillwith Men-Kind Weekend Organisers,Andy Wood, Mark Tennant and IkeMachieBottom - The Rev Jay Colwill with Razthe dog and a classic Bentley.

St Botolph’s Church of England(VA) Primary is a one formentry primary school inNorthfleet. Our RE Day wascalled ‘A-Cross the World’.

Each class from Reception throughto Year 6 worked with artist KellyHudson, to produce individualcrosses from different countries. Thepupils researched the origin of theirchosen cross and then worked with a range of media to produceindividual ones.

The pupils and staff very muchenjoyed working with Kelly who was

inspirational and fun. At the end ofthe day, Kelly assembled the crossesonto a large display, based on theLithuanian Hill of Crosses. Weentitled ours ‘the St Botolph’s CEPrimary School Hill of Crosses.’ Wethink all the work looks stunning andit will be displayed until Easter 2012.Kelly will be returning to work witheach class again on acommemorative display linked to the400th anniversary of the KJV Bibleand the 200th anniversary of TheNational Society. The workmentioned will be part of ourapplication for the ArtsMark.

A-Cross the WorldAn exciting and innovative exhibitionto be held at Rochester Cathedralfrom 4 – 29 August will feature agroup of enterprising artists whohave come together with one voiceto raise awareness of socialinjustice issues within our societies. Installations by internationallyacclaimed Dutch sculptor BrittWikström stand alongside Britishartists Karen Underwood, paper-maker sculptor and creativephotographer Rachel Wallace.Furthermore, there is film featuringdancer Thea Soltau on view.This delightfully diverse exhibitionoffers hope and challengespassivity in a unique andcompassionate manner. The artists’work inspires a response as well asdelivers intellectual stimulation andartistic enlightenment. An exhibitionnot to be missed!

RipplesBy Sharon Smith, Headteacher

Rochester Halo 3

The sun was shining, the children andstaff were dressed up for theoccasion and St Mary’s church inLamberhurst was ready for a veryspecial ceremony.

As part of learning about love,commitment and marriage, thechildren participated in a weddingservice on 8 June.

In preparation for the day therehad been two assemblies to look atwhat marriage means and, usingpictures of William’s and Kate’swedding, what kinds of things happenon a wedding day. Then the childrengot a closer look at the Church ofEngland ceremony itself, the vows,the giving of the rings and the music

and prayers. It was planned to makethe ceremony as authentic as possibleto give the children the experience ofwhat a real wedding might be like, withthe children themselves playing theprincipal parts.

The local clergy conducted theservice and the bride and groom madetheir vows to each other and gaveeach other a ring. They also had toremember that the response is not ‘IDo’ but ‘I Will’ and both of them playedtheir part brilliantly.

The happy couple were MeganHardman and Matthew Carr. The BestMan was Max Whitehead, and thebride was given away by her ‘father’Jude O’Meara. There were a number

of bridesmaids, page boys and flowergirls and the ushers ensured that thewhole school had somewhere to sit.A special register was signed andofficial photographs were taken.

After the children threw theconfetti the wedding party returnedto the school for the reception, thecutting of the cake and the firstdance.

Headteacher Caroline Bromleysaid, ‘It was an excellent day and allthe children enjoyed themselves. Itwas great to see them dressed upand taking the service seriously.Everyone entered into the wholeexperience with great enthusiasm.We’re all exhausted now.’

Lamberhurst school children learn about marriage

The Church of the Annunciation ofthe Blessed Virgin Mary inChislehurst has had substantial workto replace the ceilings, refurbish thepews, and repairs and renewal ofpart of the Webb Window of theSeven Sacraments in the BlessedSacrament Chapel.

On 5 June Bishop James visitedthe Church for Solemn Evensongand Blessing of the various works.He was warmly welcomed by FrWilliam Beer, members of the parish,representatives from other churchesand tradespersons who carried outthe work. We were pleased that ourlocal MP Bob Neill and his wifeDaphne joined us for the occasion.Canon David Herbert acted as theBishop‘s Chaplain.

During Evensong, Bishop Jamesjoined with the Choir to sing theAnthem: Locus Iste by AntonBruckner. Bishop James blessed theworks in all areas of the Churchfollowing which he delivered hisSermon and then gave God’sblessing to all present.After the service, Bishop James

could meet with members of thecongregation and have a welcomecup of tea! We extend our gratefulthanks to Bishop James for joiningus for this special occasion.

Bishop Jamesvisits ChislehurstBy Sylvia Broadbridge

20 years service for Diocesan staffThis year Suzanne Rogers and Sarah Cabella are celebrating 20 yearsservice for the Diocesan office in Rochester.

Bishop James presented them both with Bluewater vouchers at a staffgathering at Bishopscourt on the 23 June.

Suzanne said, ““They say time flies when you’re having fun and it certainlydoesn’t feel like 20 years. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege (and occasionally achallenge) to work for the Diocese and I’m looking forward to the next 20!”

Sarah said, ““I was very pleasantly surprised when attending the Bishop’sgarden party I was given a thank you card and a Bluewater gift card inrecognition of my 20 years service to the Diocese. It was a lovely surprise and tobe given it by the Bishop in front of staff and others who work in the Diocese,including my family was really nice. Thank you.”