The Diocesan and Cathedral Centre for children
and all those who work with them
CONTACT DETAILS
Clare Wootton, Discovery Centre Administrator
Telephone: 01284 748731 Email: [email protected]
WELCOME TO THE SUMMER EDITION OF OUR NEWSLETTER FROM THE
DISCOVERY CENTRE AT ST. EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL
We had a very full and enjoyable Spring Term marking the beginning of our
Diocesan Centenary Year ‘Pilgrims in Time’ and welcoming many of you to the
Cathedral. In particular, we would like to thank all of you who made R.E.S.P.E.C.T
2014, our first Creative Arts Exhibition of the year, such a success. It was a stunning
exhibition, enjoyed by thousands of visitors, including the Archbishop of Canterbury
who led a special service to launch the year. For more details see page 3.
The Reflective Storytelling book ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ was successfully launched
and again, ‘thank you’ to all those who helped us produce it (see below). We are
now working hard to produce the storytelling kits to enable the stories to be told
and will be offering further training and support in the Autumn Term.
As we look forward to the Summer ahead, we are offering our usual school visit
days including our Pilgrimage Days and summer fun Activity Days (see page 7).
Our Magna Carta programme in May (advertised last term) is virtually fully booked
(please ring for remaining times) and we have six schools who will be involved with
the Flower Festival in July. We shall be at the Suffolk Show during half-term
providing craft activities linked to pilgrimage and of course, offering our Family
Activity Days at the Discovery Centre during the summer holidays.
A new venture for this term is the pilot of our ‘Values Labyrinth’ experience. Using
The Big Story Labyrinth canvas, we are trying out stories and activities linked to the
teaching of values and Pilgrim’s Progress. If you are interested, see page 7 and
contact us a.s.a.p.
Don’t forget to book your free places at Wingfield in June for our art workshops in
preparation for INSPIRE 2014 (see page 6) and make your provisional bookings for
our usual Christmas activities (see page 8).
We hope the summer proves to be a successful and enjoyable one for you all and
we look forward to seeing many of you at the Cathedral and in your community.
Helen Woodroffe, Children’s Education Officer
This is the third in our series of
Reflective Storytelling books, but the
first to use a classic story.
The first part of Pilgrim’s Progress is
divided into ten stories which can be
delivered as separate lessons or as a six
week half-term programme.
Advice on how to tell the
stories is given alongside
background information
and Bible connections for
teachers.
Storytelling 3-Day Conference
Thursday 15th May to Saturday 17th May
@ Assington Hall, Sudbury
Building on the Introductory Day involving
Godly Play and Reflective Storytelling, with
further exploration and hands on work.
Thursday 1pm-8pm
Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-2pm
Cost £80 per delegate (non-residential, but meals
included)
Places are limited, so book now!
To book: contact the Discovery Centre
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Pilgrims in Time
Pilgrims in Time’ is the theme for our Diocesan Centenary celebrations in
2014 and many of our special activities throughout the year are linked to pilgrimage
and John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’.
Lesson plans for R.E at KS2 are being prepared for implementation in September
and will be available soon; storytelling kits to support ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’
Reflective Storytelling Book will be made available later this term; and further
support materials will be added to our website.
To become involved this term, you can sign up to take part in our partnership project
‘Pilgrim Puppets’ (page 4) and the ‘Pilgrim’ musical as well as making
use of 100 Days of Prayer (page 5).
R.E.S.P.E.C.T 2014
Final Report
‘Very inspiring work from the children and
credit to their imagination and hard work. It
glorifies this wonderful Cathedral’.
‘I love it; I think it’s really colourful and bright and that a lot
of hard work has gone into it’.
‘What a stunning , colourful appearance this amazing artwork gives to the Cathedral,
transforming it into a lively vibrant place. A huge tribute to schools and children/students,
wonderful creativity.’
These were just a few of the many positive comments written in our Comment Books during
the week of the official Exhibition (12 – 19 March) and as we prepared for the visit of the
Archbishop of Canterbury on 29 March. Attracting almost 2500 visitors (almost 700
children/students and over 1800 adults), the banners, hangings, vessels and sculptures
made the Cathedral come alive with colour.
The aim of this project was to explore our Gifts and Responsibilities – the talents we have
been given and the responsibility we have to use them to make the world a better place.
Some key pointers for reflection and interpretation were positioned amongst the exhibits
To accompany the catalogue, in which were listed all exhibits as well as some thoughtful
comments from the children and students who contributed: ‘Art dives deep into our
imagination, our gifts make us original. Use them well and they will make you happy’.
In total, nineteen schools took part in producing the exhibition (8 Primary, 7 Middle, 3
Upper and 1 Independent) and seven schools visited the exhibition and took part in our
special curriculum days.
The Community Day on the Saturday was most enjoyable and by extending the exhibition
to include the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury, we can report that almost 5000 people
saw the children’s ‘inspirational’ work.
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Pilgrim Puppet Project
Making a puppet
If you would like to make a large puppet to be exhibited
in a Suffolk Church during the Summer holidays and
then bring it along to join others at the Cathedral in
October for INSPIRE 2014, please contact us or Di Russ
[email protected]
To start the project, several teachers from across the
county joined members of our Discovery Centre team at
a very inspiring and fun training day at Wingfield last
term. This resulted in the creation of our first Pilgrim’s
Progress characters, which are now being developed.
To start a puppet you need a large bamboo pole, some
willow and cane. We can supply you with these if you
wish to make one puppet, but if you wish to make several puppets we will provide a
full materials list for you to buy your own resources. An instruction sheet for
construction will also be provided and we will ask you to give us details of your
character(s). The puppet(s) could be made in art clubs or as part of an activity day
in your school.
‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ characters
If you are unfamiliar with the story of ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, we would
recommend the following children’s versions to look at:
Candle Books
ISBN-13: 9781859857144
Geraldine McCaughrean
Available from the
Discovery Centre
ISBN-0340727543
Further information about the characters and an overview of Part One of
‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ can be found on our Discovery Centre Website
www.stedscathedral.org
A drama script is also available for you to use if you would like to produce a
short re-enactment of the story. Please contact us for further details.
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‘Pilgrim’ Musical
What is it?
‘Pilgrim’ is a short cantata written by Michael Hurd,
which tells the story of part one of John Bunyan’s
Pilgrim’s Progress. Comprising of nine ‘catchy’
songs,interspersed with choral speaking, it is a fun way
of telling the story.
How to get involved?
We would like to stage a performance (with 1000 voices) of ‘Pilgrim’
on Tuesday 21 October as part of INSPIRE 2014 at the Cathedral. In
preparation for that,
we would like to invite you to try it out in your school (perhaps as part
of your summer concert?) in the summer term.
As the music is not widely available, we have had a special print-run
done and can send you a copy (cost £5 plus p&p) – just contact us via
email [email protected] or ring (01284) 748731.
In addition, if you need help and support to learn the songs, Polly
Carnegie is willing to come to your school and lead a workshop with
teachers and/or children to familiarise you with the music. She can be
available most Mondays and Thursdays, so please let us know if you
would like her to come to your school this term.
100 Days of Prayer
As part of the 100th anniversary of our Diocese
and linking with the theme of Pilgrimage,
we embarked on 100 days of prayer, which started
on Ash Wednesday. The first 31 days
(within the school Spring Term) ended on
Friday 4 April and involved thoughts and prayers
linked to our own spiritual journey and
‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ Reflective Storytelling Book.
The next two periods of prayer are from Wednesday 11 June to
Wednesday16 July (Summer Term) and from Wednesday 17 September to
Sunday 19 October (Autumn Term). Please go to our website for further
details www.stedscathedral.org
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I.N.S.P.I.R.E. 2014
Hopes and Dreams
18 – 30 October 2014
The aim is to create large models/mobiles linked to the celestial city from
‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ and the hopes and dreams of the children for the next
100 years.
CELESTIAL CITIES
1: Construction of large scale relief panels to be exhibited between the
windows of the cathedral.
2: Construction of large scale mobiles to be suspended in the nave of the
cathedral.
3: A large scale communal piece to be suspended below the tower of the
cathedral.
Teacher Training Workshops @
Preview Evening
Friday 17 October
Wingfield Barns:
6-8pm
KS1/2 Teachers - Mon 9 June 2014
KS3 Teachers - Tues 10 June 2014
9am – 4pm
BOOK YOUR PLACES NOW
Creative Arts Community Day
@ St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Saturday 18 October
10.00am – 4.00pm
Come and experience a variety of creative art
workshops based on “Hopes and Dreams”,
using the children and student’s artwork as a
stimulus.
Church Schools
Education Sunday Service
Sunday 19 October
5pm
Wednesday 29 October
10.00am – 4.00pm
Theme: Hopes and Dreams
Pilgrim
Taking Steps
(Curriculum Day 1)
for KS2
Tuesday 21 October
To include
‘Pilgrim’ Musical
More details to follow
(Curriculum Day 2)
for KS2
Thursday 23 October
To include
Creative Writing & Dance
More details to follow
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PIlgrimage Day
Suffolk Show 2014
KS1/2
3 July 2014
10.00am – 2.00pm
Wed 28 & Thurs 29 May
The Discovery Centre
@ St. Edmundsbury Cathedral
Pilgrimage days are tailored to each age group
but all involve learning about pilgrimage today
and in the past.
Activities include:
 Pilgrimage in Medieval Bury St. Edmunds
 Discovering Edmund
 Individual and group reflection time
 Invitations to respond in art and poetry
 Music and worship
COST: £3.50 per child / student;
accompanying adults free
The Labyrinth Experience
given by the Discovery Centre Team
Come and see the Discovery
Centre in the Diocesan Tent at
the Suffolk Show
Activities for all the family
based on the theme of
“Being
There”
Activity Days for KS2
Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 July
2014
A Labyrinth is about going on a journey. It is
different to a maze where there are many paths and
dead ends because a labyrinth has a single path,
and you can’t get lost.
Our new Labyrinth experience on the 10 metre
square canvas, is about Christian Values. At each
of the 13 stations a value in life is explored and
connected with a Bible story or verse. Time is
given to consider a Wondering Question and
complete Reflective Activities completed.
Children progress around the labyrinth in groups
of 6-8 where trained
storytellers guide the reflections.
A fun day filled with:
 Games – Cathedral Tower game
(Towers of Hanoi)
 Abbey Garden Walks
 Art and Craft activities including
model making
 Short tour of Cathedral
Please contact the Discovery Centre for
further details.
BOOK NOW!
Available dates remaining:
Friday 6 June & Thursday 26th June
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FIND HELP AT OUR
OPEN EVENINGS
Visit us at one of our Open
Evenings, browse at our
resources or discuss your work
with children at school or
church.
Helen Matter
The Discovery Centre
@ St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Wednesday 30 July 10am-4pm
Wednesday 6 August 10am-4pm
Wednesday 13 August 10am-4pm
Wednesday 20 August 10am-4pm
(Diocesan Schools Adviser)
Helen Woodroffe
(Diocesan Children’s Officer)
Thursday 1 May
Thursday 5 June
Thursday 3 July
Thursday 7 August
4.00-6.00 pm
Please ring to check details
Reflections Flower Festival
To mark the centenary of the creation of
the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and
Ipswich in 1914
Children from 6 schools will be creating
displays based on
Reflections – The Future
Theme: Making Choices
Reflective stories, crafts, activities and
games for all the family.
Donations welcomed.
Looking ahead in 2014
Edmund Festival Day
Thursday 20 November
Advent Story @ Cathedral
24 & 25 November (am and pm)
Discover…Advent in your school
1-5 December and 8-9 December
Book early to avoid disappointment
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