Equipping Schools in the Borders

On the same day as the Science, God and the search for truth conference in Coatbridge (17th May) another event took place in Melrose. The Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles in partnership with Scottish Borders Council held a day conference at Tweed Horizons Business Centre in St. Boswells on School Chaplaincy. This was as part of the ‘Year of Young People’.

Scottish Borders Council has 9 non-denominational Secondary Schools and over 60 Primary schools. A significant proportion of them were represented at this Day conference: roughly 45 school staff and 25 school chaplains attended. Ian Topping, Religious Representative on Scottish Borders Council, chaired the meeting and CVE trustee Steve Younger addressed the conference, sharing the findings of recent research on ‘Time for Reflection’ in our schoools. Angie Lockhart, Deputy Head of Calderside Academy in Blantyre also took part, outlining some of the activities the Academy’s chaplains provide in support of the school. Marjorie Paton (Vice-Convenor of the Church of Scotland Education Committee) and Agnes Mullen (Church of Scotland) spoke on the Church’s recent publication of a new Handbook of Guidance for School Chaplains. Delegates considered seven key questions related to school chaplaincy and brought examples of good practice to share together.

Every delegate was also provided with copies of the Church of Scotland Handbook, full conference notes, and a box and booklet of exercises in reflective spirituality linked to Curriculum for Excellence.