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Back to School

As our kids head back to school at the start of the academic year, 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 school year. Small things really can make a big difference. 
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Gift Tags

Attach these fun tags to a small gift for students and teachers. 
Download printable pdfs: students or for teaching staff
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Download pdf for teaching staff
Download pdf for students
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Photo: Reverend Rebecca Apperley ready to bless the socks off the teachers at the school next door, in Newlands, Wellington.  

Who could you bless with these tags? 

Blessings and Prayers

A blessing written by Strandz for children heading back to school.

​Download
  • ​A4 Blessing (pdf)
  • A4 Blessing (jpeg)
  • Widescreen powerpoint slides (pdf) and individual jpeg images of each slide (slide 1, slide 2, slide 3, slide 4)
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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)
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CHILDREN + FAMILIES MINISTRY FOR THE ANGLICAN DIOCESES OF NEW ZEALAND

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  • Home
  • Resources
    • Bible Explore
    • Caring for our world >
      • Care for Creation
      • Care for Refugees
    • Families >
      • Family on Mission Journal
      • Faith Formation
      • Parenting
      • Transitions
      • Who is God?
    • Intergenerational
    • Prayer
    • Seasonal >
      • Advent + Christmas
      • ANZAC Day
      • Back to School
      • Epiphany
      • Father's Day
      • Halloween Alternatives
      • Lent + Easter
      • Matariki
      • Mothers Day
      • Olympics
      • Pentecost
      • Season of Creation
      • Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
    • Worship >
      • Bible Engagement
      • Liturgy
      • Songs
  • Leaders & Teams
    • Bite Size Conversations
    • Discipleship Pathway
    • Kia Kaha / Tough Times
    • Leadership Tools
    • Safeguarding
    • Scope
  • Strandz
    • About us
    • Contact
  • Store