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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.

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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.
RE and the E Bacc. emailing all the MPs + replies
durgamatadurgamata

RE and the E Bacc. emailing all the MPs + replies

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I'm sharing this to give others who want to write some ideas. I have tried to cover as much as I can here - in my original letter of 28th May - which is probably too much - but others may like to take some of the points to use in their letters. Still no answer about RE and the Bacc so I'll continue to share any correspondence resulting from this email the MPs 'campaign.' It may be of interest to post 16 / KS4 Citizenship and RE Thanks DurgaMata
Films about Islam and comments on East is East
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Films about Islam and comments on East is East

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In response to a thread asking for suggestions of films about Islam, I suggest the 1970's film Message and the Bolywood movie My Name is Khan (2010) Responding to comments about East is East I give some background about the original play which was taken as the basis for the film but mutilated in the process. I hope to watch West is West and will review that when I do. Suggestion s of other films which explore or give insight into Islam and particularly British Muslim experience would be welcome. I will add any suggestions that other teachers may make.
Teilhard de Chardin - Hymn of Matter
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Teilhard de Chardin - Hymn of Matter

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Something for your Gifted and Talented KS4 students to get their teeth into - poem by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin great material to reflect on, which links science and religion in a mystical way. 'An increase in consciousness is an increase in love&' If we reflect on ourselves as human beings we also reflect on ourselves as &';earthlings' with a genetic history and relationship with the entire universe.
2011 Census in UK - changing religious practises
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2011 Census in UK - changing religious practises

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this is a fairly comprehensive article about the 2911 Census with table of statistics - How Christianity rose in some regions but decreased overall but Hinduism Sikhism Islam and Buddhism all increased slightly. A great article from the Guardian with articular focus on the changing patterns of religious belief and practise.
Rabia Basri, example of Woman Muslim 'saint'
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Rabia Basri, example of Woman Muslim 'saint'

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Rabia is just one example of a great and much loved and respected Muslim saint who did not follow the traditional 'pattern of behaviour' recommended in Islam. For one thing, she never married. This is a passage about her from Wikki.
Proff John Hick - leading 20th Century Theologian
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Proff John Hick - leading 20th Century Theologian

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looked on internet tonight to find the address of my friend Professor John Hick, to send him an invitation to A Moment's Peace although I know he may not be able to travel that far. When I saw him last - about a year ago, his back was bad and restricting his travelling. Instead of finding the address I found this obituary. It will be useful, interesting and inspiring to look at with G and T KS4 and with KS5 pupils. I also include an outline of a conversation we had with him when I took our A'level students to ask him about Death and the Afterlife in Christianity.
Blog part 12 starting on 8th August
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Blog part 12 starting on 8th August

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It's great to see the Olympics bring so many people together, uniting and inspiring so many in Britain. To be a great sports hero requires many &'divine&'; qualities such as patience, determination, endurance, courage and enthusiasm - and brings so much joy. On TV tonight, discussion on the 'exclusive&' nature of sports - equestrian / sailing. But everyone is getting so much joy in watching. The discussion itself should lead to improvements which bring more people into the different sports. I&';d love to see more games (such as Indian Kabadi) from around the world into the Olympics, too.
The film I Am Kalam
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The film I Am Kalam

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You may find word comes up with a message that this contains 'unreadable content' and asks if you trust it. Just click &'yes.&'; There is nothing here except the links to the film I Am Kalam. I've added simpler and simpler versions but the question still comes up. All the files do open fine, This is great story about a poor kid and a prince who become friends. explores wealth and poverty, identity, inspiration, socio-economic differences, bullying, relationships, loneliness, disappointment, courage, destiny or fate v our capacity to choose and work for our future and more
Science/Meditation/Spirituality/Religion/Buddhism
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Science/Meditation/Spirituality/Religion/Buddhism

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A selection of articles mostly from Wikki and youtube videos about a young Nepali Buddhist who at the age of about 13 was inspired to go into the forest / jungle and meditate for six years sitting under a tree - in a similar way to the Buddha. His tree became a focus of pilgrimage and tourism. The Discovery documentary team went to investigate and filmed for 96 hours without a break - proving that he did not eat, drink or move from the spot in all that time (something that science does not recognise as possible.) Also info about the American Buddhist monk Steve Hagen and some of his books.
Submissions on RE to parliament for Ebacc review 2
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Submissions on RE to parliament for Ebacc review 2

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More reports submitted to parliament for the Ebacc Review. I have stated the number of pages in the documents and my impression of the quality of the argument regarding the position of RE in the English Bacc - as part of the file names. This section is a continuation of the previous resource as only 20 documents can be uploaded within one resource. As always I request that you give comments, feedback and ratings to guide me when producing resources and help others who may be interested in this resource.
Deepak Chopra
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Deepak Chopra

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One of the most respected and prolific of speakers and writers about religion and spirituality - Deepak Chopra is also quite a controversial figure because traditional science is not able to cope with his radical philosophy. He qualified as a convensional doctor but went on to explore other forms of healing. I include a biography from Wikki here which includes the controversy, and many good youtube links. There are lots more but this is all I have time to research at the moment. good material to use with GCSE or A'Level classes.
Getting Things Done - reference worksheet
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Getting Things Done - reference worksheet

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This is from the web - based on Getting Things Done by David Allen, this version designed by Douglas Johnston. It is great as a guide for planning in any project, subject or aspect of life. I think it would be useful as a guide for SMT, any HOD or regular teacher. I've added a link to the website where my son found this chart.
Nick Gibb MP -  education-guy's letter + My reply
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Nick Gibb MP - education-guy's letter + My reply

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just the latest - sent yesterday. I typed out his letter replying to mine forwarded from my mP - and answer it point by point. It took most of the day and is a bit of a rant - but I hope sufficiently polite and accurate. We need to keep the pressure up so if you want to use this as a bais for something please do. All the best to everyone for a happy summer DurgaMata
Reflections on Religious Education - please add
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Reflections on Religious Education - please add

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This is a conversation from a thread on the Unemployed teacher's forum in which I was inspired to share something of why I think RE is important. I would love to have some responses from other RE people to get a clearer and stronger picture which I think may help us to fight for our subject more effectively. Lat&'s three principles for good RE - engaging spiritual and rigorous offer a great framework, too.
Blog for October 2012
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Blog for October 2012

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in haste - the prev site is full so starting another. Sorry not a regular blog at the moment, Life is a bit hectic. Bella-the kitten who just caught a mouse at Mums is sitting on my knee purring like a steam engine, very proud of herself. Love and Peace DurgaMata
This is an email conversation with my MP
durgamatadurgamata

This is an email conversation with my MP

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I am uploading it for other RE teachers to share and perhaps discuss. The email is mostly about the importance of RE and the English Bacc but covers some other subjects too, I feel passionately concerned about the current threat to RE posed by its exclusion from the English Bacc so I am happy for others in Management and Governors etc to read this. And please never give up the fight.
It's Christmas, Winter, Who is the Child + 1
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It's Christmas, Winter, Who is the Child + 1

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Songs by teacher Jill Blackadder - sheet music and CD from 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>, The song I've used most in RE here is &'It&';s Christmas, get cracking' which is a great and humorous way of introducing an exploration of the tensions between our pagan &'yule&'; festival of feasting and indulgence which celebrates the return of the physical sun - lengthening days and hopes of spring to come - in mid-winter and the Christian celebration of the arrival of the Son, the spiritual sun or Light of the World.