Shepton Beauchamp

Fr. Geoff
- and I make no apology for it! We are greatly blessed in our communities by having some very good schools, lead by a brilliant Headteacher, employing inspirational staff and administered by dedicated (volunteer) Governors.

The schools operate in a caring, family, atmosphere, where the children are encouraged to look after each other. They are educated to such a high standard that others schools comment upon it: on leaving us many children have achieved levels significantly above their age range.

All of this is conducted with a staff pupil ratio significantly better than other schools.

The past three years have been a time of heavy investment in resources of our schools, money for which has largely been raised from private sources. At the same time we have seen an unprecedented levels of government imposed regulation, which has forced the pace of change to a degree never seen before, and this has had considerable impact on the way we teach, record, administer and regulate education.

All of this has been achieved with hard-work and dedication from all involved, without detracting from the ethos and standard of education that we provide, and this alone is something of a miracle.

However on top of all this, budgets have been slashed and financial protection for small schools has been withdraw: Shepton Beauchamp School has seen a reduction in budget of about 33% in three years!

The pace of change is unlikely to slow down – we have to recognise this and work to overcome it. However, what I would like you all to remember – and remind others if the opportunity arises – is just how good our schools are; how many children there are per staff; the high standards we continue to maintain; the devotion of staff and Governors; the support of parents and communities; the facilities and ethos we offer.

Heavenly Father; bless our schools and all who pass through its doors. May its teachers be filled with love and skilled in imparting true knowledge. May its students be open-minded and learn with joy and eagerness. May our schools always be the home of truth and wisdom, faith and good will toward all, helping to build up our communities in justice, love, and peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

1. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.

2. A teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.

3. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer… $15. If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?

When we were Baptised (Christened) our parents and God-parents took promises to show us the faith of Jesus Christ; in Confirmation we take those promises upon ourselves, confirming that we wish to explore the love of Christ as we journey through this world.

This years Confirmation Service will be held by the Bishop, in Ilminster on Thursday 1st July (in the evening). Anyone, from the age of about 11years old, can volunteer for Confirmation and to undergo the four preparation classes led by me, each of about forty minutes, to be held at the end of May.
Would anyone considering Confirmation, please contact me; Rev'd Geoff Wade, telephone 240228 or e'mail gw1@greenbee.net

Please pray for those members of HM Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan, especially the members of 40 Commando Royal Marines from Norton Manor Camp, Taunton, who deployed to that theatre in March.

With a candle of hope and peace light,
we pray for 40 Commando Royal Marines,
for all those serving in HM Armed forces,
for families and friends left behind,
for all those living with hurt and injury,
for all those living with loss and bereavement,
for all those caring for and supporting those impacted by violence.
Eternal God – we pray for peace.

* Church Annual General Meetings *

This is the opportunity for everyone in the parish to attend a general meeting about the church in your village; anyone living in the parish or who worships in that church can attend, speak and vote. All AGMs are held in the church.