REC NEWS

The REC's Chair from 1st September is John Keast OBE. John is taking the helm at a time of considerable change for RE and for education generally and his breadth of experience and expertise will be invaluable. His first priority will be the implementation of the REC's Strategy Plan - for details see www.religiouseducationcouncil.org

RE COMMUNITY CONFERENCE WEEKEND

Two hundred people from across the RE community took part in the St Gabriel's Trust conference at Wokefield Park during the first weekend in October. John Keast unveiled the REC's Strategy Plan and all participants engaged in discussions about the future of RE. The full report of the proceedings will be coming out in mid-October and will be published on RE Online and on the REC website.

RE-SILIENCE PROJECT

The REsilience Project as delivered under its original government contract has now run its course, with all participating schools in both England and most in Wales having completed their programmes.
Much of the response from participating schools has been very positive and an REC Steering and Management Group chaired by Joyce Miller is carrying out a series of pilot projects during the autumn term to assess the scope for taking REsilience forward in a range of ways, including the possibility of extending into FE. For further information please contact:

HINDU ACADEMY

The Hindu Academy continues to promote excellence in Hindu education. Last year quite a few of students who sat for GCSE and Advanced level examinations in Hinduism achieved 100 percent marks in various modules. A series of classes teaching Hinduism in various major cities has commenced in September. On 9th October a gathering in Denham will explore links between Science and Spirituality. On 27th October Hindu Academy will explore the concept of Consciousness at a gathering in Totnes.

HINDU COUNCIL UK

A Diwali celebration at Scotland Yard on 19th October will address the issue of recent riots in the UK and the important role Hinduism can play to bring about natural cohesion for a society showing signs of cracking up. Hinduism places great deal of emphasis on family and social values; such concepts need greater promotion through education to protect the spiritual well being of this nation.

RESOLUTION REVOLUTION: MAKE A RESOLUTION CREATE A REVOLUTION

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has launched a new educational resource to engage primary-aged children in their local community.
/Resolution Revolution/ is a twist on New Year resolutions, with pupils encouraged to make a resolution for someone else. The Key Stage 2 teachers' pack has been developed by an experienced educationalist and contains teachers' notes, classroom materials and prepared suggestions for children so they can plan and achieve their own New Year resolutions. Teachers can download the fully editable pack from here.

INSTITUTE OF JAINOLOGY

The Institute of Jainology (IoJ) launched the JAINpedia project in 2009. The JAINpedia.org website is the centrepiece of ambitious plans to widen awareness amongst the general public about Jainism, improve community connections and advance scholarly work. JAINpedia.org will be launching its */beta/* site this November during the festival of *Diwali, *commemorating the day of */Gyan
Panchami/* - a day celebrated by scholars and students as a day of worship of pure knowledge.
To contact JAINpedia for further information contact us on and follow us on www.jainpedia.org, Facebook or Twitter.

AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY - INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF MUSLIM CIVILISATIONS

A public lecture will take place at AKU-ISMC on the question 'Should there be faith based schools in a pluralist society?'. This will be given by Professor Richard Pring, Oxford University (the lectures will also be available via Webinar) on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 (5.30 - 7.00 pm) For further information please click here

INTER FAITH WEEK 2011

Inter Faith Week 2011 will take place from Sunday 20 to Saturday 26 November. The Week aims to strengthen inter faith relations in the UK, increase awareness about the faith communities in the UK, and to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs. In 2010, many schools chose to mark the Week, making particular use of some of the special resources for schools which can be found on the Inter Faith Week website at www.interfaithweek.org. The illustrated report on the 2010 Week, giving examples of the broad range of events which took place, can also be downloaded from the website, as well as downloadable forms for registering your event.

RE TODAY RESOURCE

RE Today has launched a new resource, a searchable database of web based resources with suggested activities for the secondary classroom. Access to the resource is from the home page of www.retoday.org.uk. Users are invited to submit details of websites they have used in their own teaching, with suggestions for classroom activities.

RE TODAY CPD

Details of RE Today CPD (including dates, times and venues across the country) can be found on the website by clicking here.

The courses offered include (1) 'New to RE?', a practical and inspiring one-day course by for NQTs in RE and for teachers in other specialisms and others who need to secure their RE work more carefully, (2) 'Help! I'm the RE co-ordinator', a one-day course for primary teachers who wish to develop their skills and confidence in leading RE in their school, and (3) 'Innovative teaching of Christianity', a new one-day course exploring creative ways of teaching Christianity in key stages 3 and 4.

CULHAM INSTITUTE

Culham has been running a very successful online Booster Course for three years for graduates and teachers wanting to improve their knowledge and understanding of the belief traditions to be found in the UK. From this September it will be offering the Booster Course as the RE Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course and offer its own certificate rather than a letter of completion. It has also designed a Primary and Secondary CPD Advanced Certificate and Diploma Course, specifically for teachers in schools who want to learn more about RE.
Full details are on the website www.CPD4RE.org.uk

WELLCOME TRUST

The Wellcome Trust will for the next few months host two exhibitions, a series of films, talks and other activities exploring relationships between science (particularly medicine) and faith. These include a number of activities suitable for inclusion in RE. Further details available on the website at www.wellcomecollection.org

MUSLIM HERITAGE

As part of the Muslim Heritage portal, the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisations produces a bimonthly newsletter which publicises events, exhibitions and activities, focussing particularly on the Muslim contribution to these areas worldwide and across time.
Many of the activities included would be of potential interest to schools. Further details are available from the website.

MOSQUES IN THE COMMUNITY' PROJECT REPORT

The organisation Faith Matters has produced the above report on behalf of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board. It makes very interesting reading on a number of aspects of relationships between mosques and their local communities, with case studies from Brent and Bristol. It has a number of recommendations some of which are relevant to schools and RE teachers and trainers. For further details see www.faith-matters.org

CELEBRATION OF 150 YEARS OF ZOROASTRIAN STUDIES

Later this month events will take place to mark 150 years of Zoroastrian Studies. The inaugural lecture will be at the School of Oriental and African Studies of London University on 20th October at 7 p.m. followed by a conference at the Zoroastrian Centre, 440 Alexandra Avenue, Harrow HA2 9TL on 22nd / 23rd October. For further information please contact Malcolm M Deboo at .