Values and distinctiveness
Riston CE (VC) Primary School
It is a few years since we were told the money was available to build our school hall.
We had waited for a long time for this news and wanted to make it something very special if we could. Of course we were unable to say how big the hall was to be or change much of the layout of the building but one area we had a large input to as the decoration. Staff and children were working with Hull University on a project called “The Spirit of the School” when the idea of a window was first suggested. Visits to our own St Margaret’s Church and to a Synagogue in Hull to see their stained glass led to us inviting Val Green of “The Stained Glass Company” to show us how stained glass was used and produced. She also explained many of the traditional symbols seen in windows. Every child designed their own window from which Val drew the design for our window and every child can see something from their drawing in the finished piece.
The theme of the design is the “Path of the Cross”. The children are embarking on their journey through life. They are happy; they are looking after each other; they are school children with their books and school bags. They are confidently treading the Christian path learning as they go. Hopefully they will follow the correct path and live by the concepts written along the way.
The words we have on our window are Care, Learn, Respect, Happiness, Obey, Trust,
Share. With the arrival of our new vicar we were able to complete our celebration oft he hall and window with the dedication of the window. The children have a picture in glass which represents the ethos of our school, contains a special memory of their work and reflects their ideas. Our service was led by the children and the Rev. Canon Simmons. It was a lovely time where we were able to celebrate together in song and prayer. I believe this poem by Carmina Budworth (Year 4) sums up our feelings on the day.”
Stained Glass Window; Cheery Children, happy family; Dove of peace carries trust; Road to heaven, it makes me happy; Our glass window made for us.
Terri Chambers, Headteacher
South Kilvington CE (VC) Primary School
South Kilvington is a small village school located just outside Thirsk. Although our original building dates from 1885, we have recently added an extension providing two lovely new classrooms, replacement kitchen and toilets and, most significantly, a hall. This has given us a boost of enthusiasm and a welcome opportunity to review and develop some aspects of our curriculum and our church school status as well as provide a venue for meetings and events, including the local diocesan RE network.
After a whole academic year spent in very cramped conditions with no playground and outside toilets, we were very keen to re-establish our school as an inclusive community in which our Christian ethos influenced our behaviour and relationships in school. As we now have communal areas and display spaces for the first time we have used these to create reflection areas, celebrate achievement in all its forms and develop our programme of Collective Worship creatively after surveying children’s views.
Our village has no village hall, so our new building is also a great resource for the local community too. Over 100 local residents came to school to share our opening celebrations last October, which included a service led by John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York. This really helped our children understand the concepts of both parish and diocese. The event has helped to build relationships between the school community and the many retired residents, as some have continued to attend subsequent events at the school.
Mrs. Alison Whittaker, HeadTeacher
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