Archived decisions

Appendix 1

South Hants/Portsmouth RE GCSE Conference - 17/7/07

The aim of the conference was to demonstrate the links between belief and action in order to support students sitting both full and short course GCSEs through a variety of exam boards. The intention, therefore, was to provide students with living, breathing examples of people whose actions, lifestyle choices and professions had been influenced by their beliefs.

Sarah McCarthy Fry, MP for Portsmouth, had been booked to open the conference and was very supportive of its aims. Unfortunately, however, she cancelled the day before due to more pressing parliamentary matters! She did send through the introductory talk she had intended to give and this outlined her understanding and appreciation of the importance of making sense of the beliefs and actions of those around us, which she related to her own role as an MP.

Speakers

Mark Stratton - Chichester Baptist Church

Hamooyan Sultan - Islamic Relief

Arjan - Chithurst Monastry

Carol Paul - Yoga Teacher

David Butler - Humanist Funeral Advisor

Gay Mallam - SEM/Explore (Christian organization supporting the concept of

marriage and relationship counselling)

Rhani Bains - Hindu Dance and Music

Interfusion - Interfaith Youth Group (ran two workshops)

Schools

Cowplain Community School

Miltoncross School

Horndean Technical College

Neville Lovett School

Portchester Community School

Purbrook Park School

King Richards School

Admiral Lord Nelson

Portsmouth City Girls School

St Edmunds Catholic School

Petersfield School

Mayfield School

Schedule

8.45 Registration

9.00 Opening of conference

9.30 Session 1

10.0 Session 2

10.30 Break

10.50 Session 3

11.20 Session 4

11.50 Break

12.30 Session 5

1.0 Session 6

1.30 Break

1.50 School Based Groups

2.15 Question Time

2.45 End

· 170 students attended at a cost of £4.75 per student. This was used to pay South Downs College for refreshments for staff and speakers and expenses claimed by the speakers. Photocopying costs were met by Cowplain and Miltoncross schools.

· Workshops ran for either 30 mins (a single session) or 60 mins (a double session). Students rotated between workshops which resulted in them attending either four or five different workshops depending upon the number of double sessions in their schedule.

· The groups were organized before the day with a random selection of students from each school. Students and staff attending received a welcome pack upon arrival informing them of their groups and the workshops they would be attending, together with maps of the college.

· Students from Cowplain and Miltoncross (who had attended the conference the previous year) supported staff at this year's conference to escort groups and provide support to the speakers.

· Photos were taken and video footage recorded by senior students.

· Very positive feedback was received on the day from both teachers and students, with particular reference to the `hands on' activities - yoga, dance, music and meditation.

· All speakers have said they would like to be involved in next year's conference, as did all the schools.

· Evaluation Feedback Forms have been sent to both schools and speakers and these are in the process of being returned.