<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Change happens, it is part of life. For some it may be moving home but at this time of the school year we begin to think about moving schools, especially moving from primary to secondary school or changing classes and teachers.</span>

Some of the questions that are possibly going round your head may be...

What will it be like?

Will I make friends?

Will the teachers like me?

What if I get lost?

Will I forget my old friends?

What other questions do you have?

At Christ the King Bowburn and St Andrew’s Spennymoor we have had over the year regular reflection time in church for the local schools. This term we would be welcoming the year 6 classes to reflect on change and moving to secondary school, but unfortunately this hasn’t been able to happen. I hope these resources will help you to think about where you are now and help you to get ready for your change to secondary school.

In the bible Jeremiah writes words of encouragement to those who are facing lots of changes: I say this because I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. (Jer 29.11). He wanted them to understand that change was ok and that it is part of a bigger plan.

Moving schools, or classes, is also ok. It may cause you to be anxious and to worry but it will be ok. It will give you greater opportunities to grow and learn. Secondary school especially has many opportunities that you could grasp. Just remember that however you feel now secondary school will give you a greater hope of an amazing future.

However, you will still have questions and may still feel anxious and hopefully some of the activities below will help you to feel more confident. All the activities have been taken from the Prayer Spaces website (https://www.prayerspacesinschools.com). Remember, when St. Peter walked on the water he got worried and scared but just by reaching out to Jesus’ hand he was helped and saved and could walk back to the boat together with Jesus.

1. Hands of Change - Since you started school your hands have got bigger, they have changed. Likewise your character has changed too maybe you have become more confident, kinder to those around you, more willing to try something new. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Draw around your hand on paper then write on it how you think your character has changed. Are these changes that you are glad have happened? If you want you could write thank you under these changes as a way of thanking God for how much you have grown and changed.</span>

2. WOW! - Look around you outside, what makes you go WOW? When I lay down on a patch of grass and look around me I am amazed at the wonder of nature and this is one of the things that makes me go WOW! I bet since you started primary school you have had lots of WOW! moments. Maybe it was something that went well, or something unexpected, or something that happened. Why not draw some of them and share them with others? Maybe you can email or talk to a friend and share with them? If your WOW involved a teacher then maybe you could thank them.

3. Thank You - For 10 weeks we have been clapping to say thank you to the key workers: the nurses, doctors, teachers, shop workers, delivery drivers, cleaners etc. Throughout school many people help us. It could be a teacher or a member of staff it could be one of your friends. On a piece of paper write THANK YOU then decorate it Then write all the names of those who help you through the changes of primary school. As you write the names, think about the people and maybe thank God that they have been there for you.

4. Leave It - Things happen that we don’t like. People say things to us or we say things to others and this can stop us from moving on. As we come near to then end of school leaving these things behind can help us move on and enjoy more fully the changes and chances that we will get in a new class or school.

What do you want to leave behind? What do you want to say sorry for? Maybe you want to forgive someone who hurt you? Maybe you want to leave behind the things that haven’t been so good?

Write the things you want to leave behind on a piece of paper. Then either screw them up or tear them up and as you throw them away let them go and leave them behind.

5. My Team - We are surrounded by people who care for us and look out for us, our friends, family, teachers etc. As we move on we may forget these people, but they haven’t gone, they are still there ready to help us. Cut some strips of paper to make a paper chain and write the names of all those people that are in your team. As you make your chain think of all the ways they have helped, supported and cheered you on. They will still be doing that as you change schools or classes. Maybe keep this paper chain decorating your room so that as you start your new adventure you can remind yourself of your team that surrounds you.

6. Let It Go - In the bible it says ‘Give all your worries to God, because he cares for you.’ You will have worries and will be anxious about the changes that are happening and this is normal and allowed. Sit with them, think about them. If you want to share them with some of your team, you may have the same worries and concerns and they may be able to help. Now get a bubble wand and some bubble solution. Think about those worries and concerns and share them with God. As you blow the bubbles watch them blow away and pop as you offer them to God. Try and let them go so that they don’t stop you from making the most of the changes that will come.

7. Aeroplane Hopes - In the bible it says: ‘I say this because I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you … I plan to give you hope and a good future.”

Change can be very good and positive. It can give us new hopes and opportunities. Think about the things you hope for as you get ready to move to a new class or school. What are you hoping for? What new opportunities are you looking forward to? Fold a piece of paper into a paper aeroplane then write your hopes and dreams on to it and then launch it. Imagine this is you letting your hopes and dreams fly so that you can have a good future full of hope. Maybe keep this plane so that as you start your new adventure you can remind yourself of your hopes.