2024 REPORT FROM SCHOOLS MINISTRY BILLERICAY

This last year has been one of growth and development. The SMB staff continued to respond to the requests made by the schools in the community in a professional way, offering advice on where to go next/ how to proceed whenever we were not able to meet their needs ourselves.

In this reporting period, SMB continued their work across all school years with Bible storytelling and teaching, supporting school staff pastorally and with resourcing, creating opportunities for reflection, awe and wonder, providing safe spaces and trusted people, offering prayer and providing a crisis response when needed:

In March, approximately 900 pupils attended Life Expo, the multi-media experience designed for primary school children which complements and works alongside existing RE teaching.

Easter Prayer Spaces were provided for 250 primary school children and Wellbeing Spaces were provided for 500 later in the reporting year.

SMB runs lunchtime clubs in both secondary schools and in 4 of the primary schools.

Twelve primary school classes (approximately 360 pupils) attended SMB’s Amazing Christmas events.

Three of our four members of staff are part of a larger Schools Pastors Team, which provides pastoral contact and support in both secondary schools during the lunch periods.

Towards the end of the reporting year, SMB was asked to provide support to one of our secondary schools following a tragic road traffic accident in which one student was killed and a second one seriously injured.
SMB, alongside other volunteers, with the support of the school’s Safeguarding and Senior Leadership Teams, manned a safe space room for all students and staff if they felt unable to remain in lessons.
This and other activities, such as walking with students, individually or in groups, to view the flowers and tributes, continued all week.
SMB was asked to be in school again on the day of the funeral, once again to offer support where needed. The response from the school was very positive: “We couldn’t have done it without you” and “Your presence in school has been a tremendous help to staff and students alike.”

SMB AGM to be held from 10am n 14th March 2024 via zoom. Please email for link to join.