Is all-day school a good idea? - CFN Newsletter Week 150

CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK NEWSLETTER 150

> Alison Farnell looks at the opportunities of 'all-day' school
> News:
> Prison for home-schooling parents?
> Church says no to adult shop near primary school
> Autism support day success
> Sites:
> Help for those abused as children
> Get your church magazine in top shape
> Help your church website work for you
> Marriage MOT: Thinking the worst?
> You've got to laugh: Job description: being a dad
> Members' Zone latest

> OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS WEEK

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> FROM THE EDITOR

Dear all

Well, we didn't win an award, but we were very proud for Families Together to be shortlisted with just four others in the Andrew Cross Awards national Christian periodical of the year at Swanwick this week.

With stablemates Christian Herald and Woman Alive shortlisted last year, we thought it might be FT's turn, and it was great to be picked out.

Our news this update is right on the button, from the ubiquitous problem of tearaway teenagers to the court case of the abused child accused of witchcraft, and from the Government's sexual health policies to celebrities raising money for family support. There's plenty to get your teeth into.

Do come back to us with your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and questions - we love to hear from you!

Enjoy the sun (while it lasts)

Russ :)

Russ Bravo
Christian Family Network
info@cfnetwork.co.uk
http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk

PS Christian Family Network is here to direct you to the best in parenting, marriage and family resources; to link you up with other Christian families up and down the UK; and to help you make the most of life as a follower of Christ - at home, at work, at school and college, at play and online.

Your feedback, positive and negative, enables us to develop CFN in the way that is most useful for you - so please tell us if we're off the rails or on the button!

And don't forget - if we can pass on material (sample copies of Families Together, leaflets) which will help you tell your friends and your church about CFN, just mail Lyn Bedford at marketing@christianmedia.org.uk and she'll be glad to help you out.

DEBATE

Is all-day school a good idea?

• ALISON FARNELL looks at the latest education debate

Remember Baker Days? They were the in-service training days for teachers introduced by the then Secretary of State for Education, Kenneth Baker. Now we have Kelly’s Hours!

A big topic of debate in the last few weeks has been Ruth Kelly’s announcement of £680m to be spent over the next few years to set up Extended Schools. It’s not really news because successive Secretaries of State have made announcements about using school premises to provide extended facilities for pupils and their families, ever since Labour were elected.

In fact, many schools already provide Breakfast and Out-of-Hours Clubs for their pupils, some even on Saturdays. Parents normally pay a fee for their children to use the facilities, which have generally proved popular.

The vision for the Extended School is to provide wraparound childcare from 8am to 6pm throughout the whole year. Children could enjoy fun activities, such as sports, dancing, chess, other games or even just watching TV and reading, all in a safe environment with special supervisors, rather than teachers.

The cynics say that this is a Government ploy to get more people, especially mothers, out to work. You might also argue that it will cut crime as there will be fewer ‘latchkey’ children wandering the streets. Children will certainly be looked after safely, and for those who join in, a healthy breakfast is an important start to their day.

Many parents seem glad to make use of the service so that they can work, and children have extra opportunities to learn new things, including vital social skills.

Ruth Kelly is a working mother with several young children. She also takes her Christian faith very seriously. No doubt she is convinced about the importance of good parenting and believes that it is parents’ responsibility, not that of the state or school, to bring up children.

As a high-earning, professional woman, she probably has considerable choice about how she ensures her children’s welfare while she works. Not all mothers have that luxury. Many work from necessity to provide for themselves and their children. When families don’t live nearby to help look after children, Extended School could be a ‘Godsend’ in the literal sense of the word.

Child minders and some Church groups already offer this out-of hours service. Linked to local schools, this could be another creative opportunity for Christians to support their local communities and provide the safe haven that some children need.

• Alison Farnell is Director of The Stapleford Centre
• You can mail her at afarnell@stapleford-centre.org

• What do you think? Mail us your views to info@cfnetwork.co.uk

> THIS WEEK'S NEWS

> Prison for home-schooling parents?

Local education authorities in Germany are threatening to jail a Christian couple 10 days for home-schooling their children.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> Church says no to ‘Sinsations’ near primary school

An Edinburgh church is leading a campaign to stop a sex shop opening just yards from a primary school.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> Autism support day success

Christian disability charity Through the Roof recently hosted 14 families with autistic children on a special day to give members of its internet support group, CARING-UK (Christian Autism Resource Internet Group - UK) an opportunity to meet together for a day of relaxation.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> MARRIAGE MOT

> Check out our archived marriage tips in the Members' Zone, plus stacks more marriage resources at http://www.2-in-2-1.co.uk

Thinking the worst

Has your husband ever come home clutching a bunch of flowers unexpectedly and you have found yourself thinking – “What has he been up to then?” Then it turns out that he really did want to bring you some surprise flowers to show he loves you.

Or if your wife asks you to sit down and talk with her, do you assume you’re in for a hard time, when all she wants is bit of your time and attention to discuss her day? “Will it be socks again for Christmas?” or “He’s bound to forget my birthday again. He always does.”

Sometimes when my husband is being playful and affectionate, I freeze up. I assume he has one thing in mind and I’m too tired and not in the mood. I can push him away, when if I broached the subject I often find he’s just feeling playful rather than seriously amorous. My reaction pushes him away and hurts him.

It’s very easy to take on a negative mind set that sees the unexpected as a threat or little hope of positive change in life. Sadly that attitude begins to come out in the way we speak and respond to each other. Barriers and misunderstandings are built, negative behaviours established and our relationship suffers.

Why not keep an eye open over the next few days for the ways you think the worst and challenge yourself to think and act more positively?

> EVENTS

> YOU'VE GOT TO LAUGH ...

Dad's job

Subject: JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: DAD

Long-term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24-hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in faraway places. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

~ Must provide on-site training in basic life skills, such as nose-blowing. Must have strong skills in negotiating, conflict resolution and crisis management. Ability to suture flesh wounds a plus.
~ Must be able to think out of the box but not lose track of the box, because you most likely will need it for a school project.
~ Must reconcile petty cash disbursements and be proficient in managing budgets and resources fairly, unless you want to hear: "He got more than me!" for the rest of your life.
~ Must be able to drive motor vehicles safely under loud and adverse conditions while simultaneously practising above mentioned skills in conflict resolution.
~ Must be able to choose your battles wisely and then stick to your guns.
~ Must be able to withstand criticism, such as "You don't know anything."
~ Must be willing to be hated at least temporarily, until someone needs £5 to go skating.

More on our Resources pages: www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/resources.asp

> CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK THIS WEEK
(MEMBERS' ZONE) - http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/default.asp

> Advice
> Kate's Marriage advice - thinking the worst?
> Eric Spellmann on spam e-mail
> Elisabeth Corcoran has a plan for the school holidays

> Resources

> Pastor Bob's two-minute devotion
> Alison Farnell - is all-day school a good idea?
> Bruce Cameron on teenagers and blame
> Hilary McDowell - does the frog drive you crazy?
> Kids - choose your favourite worship songs

> Magazine
> The lowdown on what's in new Summer issue of Families Together

> News:
> Prison for home-schooling parents?
> Church says no to adult shop near primary school
> Autism support day success

> Sites:
> Help for those abused as children
> Get your church magazine in top shape
> Help your church website work for you

> Events: New family events plus what's on near you

> Webwatch index: more than 700 sites categorised at your fingertips

> Site Search Engine: the easy way to trawl our 1,000-page plus archives

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