What Is Your Worldview

This most recent episode came out of a discussion I was having with Lynn Revell and Kate Christopher about this particular case study that they had been trialling in schools. This episode consists of a brief conversation with Lynn about the benefits and challenges associated with using something this specific in the classroom.

Pete Byrne has a fascinating profile - having been raised as a Christian, he studied Neuroscience as an undergraduate before completing a Masters in Philosophy a few years later (while working as a full-time High School Science teacher). In this interview I got the opportunity to explore his perspective on the relationship between Science and Religion. While the interview is slightly longer than the usual 15 minute format I think it is worth listening in - Pete has spent considerable time reflecting on this topic and it was/is refreshing to travel with him.

Doug Larkam is a Maths teacher with an exotic past - being on a search and rescue team with the RAF for twenty years. I was so excited to be able to mine some of his experience in the military and get a sense of what the esprit de corp is all about.

I have a slight confession: for this episode I was in the middle of preparing a unit on Peace and Conflict for some year 7 students so I combined efforts. Thankyou to Aisling Griffin from Pax Christi who gave me an opportunity to explore what Pacifism means in relation to Nuclear and Drone Weaponry. Personally I was very challenged to reflect on how our culture is saturated in violence - which perversely makes peaceful efforts seem weirdly out of place.

For episode four I decided to dive into Catholic Pilgrimage and try to get to grips with the appeal of this kind of experience. Thankyou to Andy Lewis for giving me his time in this way. By the end of our conversation I picked up a much better grasp of why this practice is so important for the Catholic community. Links and extra bits and piecesOther than being prolific on twitter, Andy has written some very helpful books for teaching Catholic Christianity.He is also co-leads the Team RE twitter group.

In this third episode I got to speak with one of my heroes: Professor Trevor Cooling. Trevor brought much needed encouragement as we discussed how toxic and gloomy the world has become. Once again I have tried to keep this to a relatively short length. If you find anything useful here please get in touch. Feedback is always welcome.Links and extra bits and piecesProfessor Trevor Cooling in debate with Andrew Copson, CEO of the British Humanist Association, about Christian involvement in schools.

In our second episode I had the privilege of speaking with Dawn Cox about how the concept of lenses can help opening up difficult discussions between people with differing perspectives.

Links and extra bits and piecesMy original infographic on dealing with differences

Here is the assembly I gave for the Year 8 students introducing the new Compass Club. In it I told the story of the woman with the flow of blood who grabs Jesus by faith.

I had the privilege of interviewing one of my colleagues about her shock experience of having bowel cancer 6 years ago, and how life after it changed her outlook. Thankyou Rachel for sharing your story.

Some of my students did a homework this week and gathered responses to the four worldviews questions. In this short recording they read out what they thought were some of the more interesting answers given. Thanks to all who took part.

Pete Byrne was formally inducted as Headteacher at Chatsmore Catholic High School this evening. I got the chance to speak with him and his wife about what it means to them to support this important role. Half way through we also met Bishop Richard Moth who also gave his insights. I finished by asking him about a very special object that he was carrying.

While I was sat at the back of an NCS event at school I took the opportunity to chat with Suzi about what NCS is and how students in the locality might participate.

Dan and Glenn visited from breakingthecycle.co.uk to share with our students about how liberating forgiveness can be in someone's life. Both men had emotive stories about disability and debilitation. In each case their choice to practice forgiveness and deal with underlying bitterness was powerful to hear.

Alison from justdifferent.org visited Chatsmore this week and gave a very power presentation about how we need to move beyond labels about disability. She is an inspirational figure who has successfully fought against the limits imposed on her by the thalidomide drug as an unborn child.

Anne and Angie visited Chatsmore this week and spoke about their involvement with detained immigrants at the two Gatwick detention centres. There is a lot I find disturbing about how the Home Office has been treating these people. It was a privilege to talk with these women and get some common sense tips for building empathy for other people.

Dave spoke to me about his time recently in Iceland for his 25th wedding anniversary. Trolls, Glaciers, Lava Tunnels go hand in hand with bizarrely lax health and safety standards. 

Thankyou to Mike a colleague of mine for this fascinating conversation about the adventure of a lifetime.