We are excited to play the World Peace Game at Annesley again in 2022! Our Year 5 and 6 students have been invited to apply to play the World Peace Game in Gillingham Hall in Week 9 of Term 1.

The World Peace Game is a geo-political simulation game and is played over 5 days. In an engaging, ‘real life’ context, students are trusted to use their inherent wisdom to solve problems and are empowered to take positive action. It teaches young people about both failure and success and the power of humanity. They discover that working with others collaboratively is essential to survival and they learn to rely on each other to achieve success. Students are intentionally thrown into an environment of chaos and disruption but are given control to work with passion and use their critical and creative thinking skills to work for peace.

For more information about World Peace Game check out the video below.

Candlemass and Shrove Tuesday

Last week many of our students enjoyed some beautiful crêpes and pancakes. It was a time of learning and discovery as we combined cultural and religious traditions to understand the celebration of La Chandeleur (Candlemass) and Pancake Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday).

Claire wonderfully brought the experience of La Chandeleur (a French celebration celebrated on 2nd February each year) to Annesley through some of her French lessons. Religiously known as Candlemass, it marks the day the infant Jesus was presented, 40 days after his birth, at the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-40). Traditionally, Christians brought candles to church to be blessed and the candles served as a symbol of Jesus, who is referred to as the Light of the World. There was a candlelit procession through the streets as they would go back to their homes with the blessed candles to remind them of God’s protection. Celebrating Candlemas with crêpes is believed to have started in the 5th century with Pope Gelasius I, when he handed out crêpes to the pilgrims who came to Rome for the procession.

Through the week I had the opportunity to share with students about Shrove Tuesday. It falls on the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent, which is the period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. Beginning on Ash Wednesday (another symbolic tradition in which people mark on their foreheads with ash the shape of a cross), Lent is a time of spiritual and self-reflection, and preparation, during which time Christians give up luxuries to replicate Jesus’ sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days (Luke 4:1-13), before beginning his public mission and ministry. The word ‘shrove’ comes from the old word ‘shriving’, which means to listen to someone’s wrong-doings and forgive them. In Anglo-Saxon England, Christians would go to church on Shrove Tuesday to confess their sins as part of their meaningful preparation for Easter. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada, Shrove Tuesday has another name – Pancake Day! During Lent, Christians would give up rich, tasty foods such as butter, eggs, sugar and fat. Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to eat them – and what better way to do so than with a delicious pancake!

I wonder if in your lead up to Easter this year, your family can continue – or create – meaningful experiences, filled will spiritual and self-reflection, in preparation for a deeper appreciation and understanding of the traditions which mark our calendars.

Rev Pete Morton
Annesley Chaplain