Poor visual aids, a monotonous voice and a fix on Mesopotamia were some of the pitfalls in delivering an assembly talk highlighted at the Down and Connor and Dromore Diocesan Board of Education ‘Leading Assembly’ Training Day in Malone House, Belfast.

More than 30 clergy from the Dioceses of Down and Dromore and Connor enjoyed a hilarious demonstration by Don McBride, a former teacher, on ‘how not to give an assembly talk’.

Rev Ian Ellis, Church of Ireland Education Officer in Northern Ireland and organiser of the event said: “The story of Noah and the Ark will never be the same again! Don’s ‘performance’ really did bring home to us the need to prepare well and to interact with the children in an imaginative and lively way. His opening question about Mesopotamia as a package holiday destination brought the house down.”

The day’s programme also included an introduction by Rev Ian Ellis to the legal basis of the church’s involvement in schools and the historic transferor relationship.

“It was important to underline the distinction between corporate and collective worship,” said Ian. “We need to face the challenge of speaking to children of a wide range of faith traditions or no faith background at all.”

Headmaster Derek Capper, a lay reader in Down and Dromore Diocese, and Canon Phillip Patterson, Rector of Knockbreda Parish in south Belfast, acted out a typical first meeting between a headmaster and a new minister. The ‘encounter’ teased out many key dos and don’ts of going into schools and underlined the priority of developing good relationships with teaching staff.

Two religious education advisors, Philip Hewitt, North Eastern Education and Library Board and Revd Paul Hooper, South Eastern Education and Library Board, provided the core input to the day.

Philip masterminded a quiz to cover the main elements in the revised core syllabus for RE used in all grant-maintained schools in Northern Ireland. He also explained how children learn and what makes good communication in assembly and the class-room.

Paul shared a treasury of excellent assembly talks to point up good practice in talking effectively to children.

In conclusion the Rev Ian Ellis said the church’s involvement in schools is a privileged opportunity and a vital connection between children and the Christian message.

“This ministry is a visible demonstration of the spiritual dimension to education and a vital link between church and community. Do this well and you will always be a welcome visitor in schools and if at first you don’t succeed – keep developing your skills”, he said.

Participants at the 'Leading assembly' training day
L to R: the Revd Paul Jack, the Revd Marie Walshe, the Revd Bruce Hayes, the Revd Ian Ellis