Episode 14 : How do I thrive?

In our final episode, we encourage every new Year 7 child to be themselves. We acknowledge that they have private thoughts – after all, every child has a spiritual life – and hear from two children who take comfort in prayer. We also think about who they will meet in the big pond and prepare to make a difference by looking out for others. Our final Bible story re-visits the child who thrived by sharing their packed lunch (Bible quote from Mark chapter 6 verse 43).

This episode will make you hungry as Faye tells us that the cooks are better than at primary school. We go one step further and look at lunchtime as an important time of the day, not just for eating but for socialising too. The story of Paul reminds us that sometimes we need to see things in a new way (Bible quote from Acts chapter 9 verse 18).

In this episode, our child experts tell us that the first year goes very quickly so nobody remains the youngest for very long. We also hear good news from a teacher about bullying, before Mark reminds us about a moment when the youngest person actually solved the biggest problem (Bible quote from Mark chapter 6 verse 43).

The big pond is a world of opportunities, many of which can make a difference to your wellbeing. With dance, games, arts, drama and sports, this could be your chance to let your hair down and try something new. Finding other friendship groups is another bonus, and we re-join Jesus and his fishermen friends as they let their nets down after a day’s work (Bible quote from John chapter 21 verse 6).

Secondary school can be a time for a fresh start and joining teams can be a very easy way to make friends. In this episode, Charlotte discovers that she actually likes PE because they do more of it in the big pond. We try to see PE in a brand new way, helped by the story of Paul (Bible quote from Acts chapter 9 verse 18).

This episode is about finding a strategy that works for you. Homework diaries and school planners will be given out by schools to help you, but this is also about creating your own boundaries with social media. Using time wisely is the key, especially remembering that making time for others matters (Bible quote from Romans chapter 12 verses 15 and 16).

In this episode, our child experts remind us that different teachers have their own expectations. We also learn that lots of information can be gathered via websites before we even start life in the big pond, then we re-visit a reminder that we are all in fact rulers too (Bible quote from Genesis chapter 1 verse 26).

This episode addresses the varied timetable and kit requirements of secondary school life, offering practical tips such as looking ahead and sharing timetables with everyone who needs to know. Bus passes, locker keys and library cards will all form part of the new routine and we end with Jesus working with the equipment of some fishermen (Bible quote from John chapter 21 verse 6).

Don’t waste time thinking about what to wear for this episode! Uniform evens out the fashion show and helps us feel like we belong. Today, our child experts remind us that we can make a fresh start in Year 7, and that seeing past the uniform to the person inside is important. Looking after everything we have means valuing people and the planet as we end with some words from the Creation story (Bible quote from Genesis chapter 1 verse 26).

Probably THE biggest question on the lips of new Year 7s, this episode gives us ideas for starting conversations and remembering to be ourselves. There’s a challenge to look out for others who might be feeling nervous, before Paul wraps up with a helpful reminder to stay humble (Bible quote from Romans chapter 12 verses 15 and 16).