Back to School

As our kids head back to school, we want to ensure they know they are supported by their local church whānau. Here are some great ideas and resources to help you pray for your students and teachers, giving them the best start to the academic year.  Small things really do make a big difference. 

Back to School Blessings

New Blessing for 2023

A blessing written by Strandz for back to school in 2023.
Download

• ​A4 Document (pdf)
• Widescreen powerpoint (pdf) and individual images (1, 2, 3 and 4)
• A4 Image (jpeg)

Blessing powerpoint

We have refreshed the powerpoint for our previous blessing, produced by the New Zealand Children's Ministry Network.
Download
Document (pdf)
Images (1, 2, and 3)

Backpack Blessing

What is a Backpack Blessing?
A Backpack Blessing is a segment in a worship service just before students and teachers return to school at the beginning of the year. Children and students are encouraged to bring their school bags into church for a blessing. The aim is to encourage and help students to feel excited and supported by their church community and by God, as they go back to school. It is also a great opportunity to pray for teaching staff and parents who are starting a term of homeschooling. 

Blessing of the devices

As children and young people increase their use of digital technology within their learning, churches are including a blessing of the devices at the start of the year. 
For more information, see this idea from UCA Children and Families Ministry. 

Some churches are thinking about printing off cool stickers for their children to add to their laptops/cellphones, with quotes or text to encourage them throughout the year (without being too cheesy)

Media

The Salvation Army have produced some great videos over the last couple of years, which can be played in church services or shared over social media. 

A beautiful Back to school video produced by the Salvation Army Children's Mission

Video clip
A beautiful video to play at your church services, to encourage all generations to make a small difference in the life of a kid they know. Produced by Salvation Army NZ.
Download the video here 

Social Media Countdowns

Social Media Countdown
An eight day countdown to inspire creative ways of blessing kids for another year of learning. Share them on your church facebook page or newsletter!
Free download (17MB folder)

Back to School Gifts

Some churches like to hand out a trinket or gift at the start of the school year, as a reminder of God's faithfulness and care. These have included keyrings, stickers, pens and notebooks. 

New Gift Tags

Attach these fun gift tags to a small gift for children or for teaching staff

Gratitude Notebook Cover

Gratitude Notebook Cover
A printable cover for a 3B1 notebook (100x165mm), which are cheap to buy at Warehouse Stationery this time of year. 
Free download (pdf)