Schools

Schools are funny places. Along with many other youth workers i spend a consideral proportion of my time working in schools. The difference between different ones is often quite staggering and the cultures within them is often also very interesting. My movements in schools over the last little while show something of the strangeness i experience.

Last week

(running an anti-bullying workship - teachers had obviously not informed the pupils and so had to run around and find them whilst we were left in reception. Had a good time with a small group who were very very quiet)

Yesterday

(year 9 assembly at another school and 2 others this week with year 7+8 at the same school. School remembered i was coming which was good. Had good fun talking about Jesus' attitude towards the poor whilst trying to link into the schools 'theme for the week' charity (i was once asked by a primary school to lead assemblies linked into their themes, one of which was dragon boat racing!). Got some volunteers to help with some comps, good fun but only ever get 10 mins.

Today

Christian Union at yet another school, after a great session last week with 9 students, none turned up today. No apparent reason - hmm strange. This group seems to follow no 'normal' pattern.

I also played phone call tennis with a teacher at a school who is interested in seeting up a CU.

I find that schools are probably the hardest place i work. There seems to be little rythmn or rhyme and coming in cold from the outside is difficult. Building relationships with the schools is key but still even then it is hard. Schools work is really a sowing seeds opportunity.