Introduction
Testimonials
On
the Training… Training
feedback by Anne Krisman, B.Ed (Hons) M.A. Fellow of the Farmington Institute
of Christian Studies, Oxford. I was drawn to the SSEHV programme because of my interest in the role of human values for pupils with special needs. The strong structure based around key values has helped to focus my thinking and has been a supportive voice. The course motivated me to make a strong stand in school about the negative values communicated in the choice of certain texts for the literacy hour. This programme could make a strong contribution within RE and PSE lessons. SSEHV promotes wisdom, self-insight and practical ethical behaviour. It encourages children to reflect on their own beliefs, behaviour and attitude towards others within an organised framework. Inspectors point out that some RE lessons do not have enough 'learning from religion' and have too many dry facts. The SSEHV course enables children to look at the application of values in their own lives and is about self-knowledge and action, something that brings RE to life. The elements of the course are well suited to pupils with special needs. The silent sitting could help promote a peaceful state of mind in children who may be hyperactive or troubled. Many pupils with special needs have a close affinity with music and the use of songs is an immediate way of communicating a theme. Children will internalise the messages in the songs and quotations and develop in their understanding. The stories offer opportunities for improving communication skills through discussion, group work and role-play. The games convey deep concepts (such as the search for truth and the importance of love) in a lively and accessible way. The programme is a rich resource for children with special needs and I am sure could be developed even further (e.g. putting Makaton hand signs to the songs). I appreciate the strong stand SSEHV takes on society's values. A child can switch on a television and see images that imply that greed and selfishness is good, that physical attractiveness is more important than inner worth, and that only youth matters. I am sure that children who go through the SSEHV programme will help to transform society, walking the path of values into a better world." _____________________
“...The course has proved beyond my expectations and as a lecturer in a college of further education, I feel this will have a great impact on the students of today. The course employs spiritual, moral, social & cultural development of students and this being taught through the practical and meaningful activities will greatly enhance proper conduct and a positive outlook in life….” - G.S. (Course Leader, further education college)
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“I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Sathya Sai EHV [training] modules...The Programme gave me an excellent insight in the human values which are intrinsic in every one of us and which I am now trying to put into practice every day. The warmth and welcome I received made me want to come back every Saturday. The methods of teaching that were used were especially efficient as they were geared for people from all walks of life. In the near future I hope to talk to the head of the pre-school where I work so that Sathya Sai EHV can be introduced there…” - R.P.
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“Thank you to all of you who have put in so much time and effort to make the Sathya Sai EHV training so inspiring...The training modules were organised very well to depict one of the five values a day and the way it has been presented using the five teaching components was excellent….This programme has made a positive impact on my personal and family life….” -E.T.
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“Just writing to tell you how much we enjoyed the SSEHV Programme. …[The Programme] was well put over and though it was a long time since we were students at college we found the course to be surprisingly informative, enlightening and very humanised i.e. the importance of being a human being. You, the teachers were marvellous, in that you treated us with respect, understanding and most of all love. We really looked forward to each module—it was such fun, but serious fun….Thank you and all the teachers for your dedication and encouragement to make teachers of us” - A.R & R.R
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“...The whole experience for me was one of personal enlightenment. It has helped me in a number of ways in my daily outlook and I will recommend it to my friends and family. The course was very thorough and informal, and the love generated amongst the participants was very profound….” - R.P
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“I undertook the seven module ‘intensive’ Sathya Sai EHV training...in December 99 and January 2000. As a teacher in the private sector...the seven module course made a deep impression on me. I have taken many professional training courses over the last ten years, but [this] course was without doubt the most challenging and transformative I have taken to date. The presentation was varied and intriguing, the content was fascinating and useful, both personally and professionally, and the group was enormously supportive and helpful, not least because of the range of backgrounds that contributed to the enlightening discussions….” - N.T.W. _____________________
Testimonials on the Programme (as applied in Schools)... “The writers of the Programme have succeeded in developing a programme which emphasises what is most significant in personal & social development: the ability to listen; the importance of story; the aesthetics of poetry and music; a focus on the voices of care and social justice. It is an impressive collection of activities. The introduction to the Programme is inspirational with its cluster of values related to peace, those related to truth and those related to love. The format, however is practical with objectives clearly stated and activities in line with those observed in many primary classrooms.” -Eileen Francis, Co-ordinator of VECTOR & Chair of the Values Education Council (UK)
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“...imparting Human Values is a welcomed development in an age when what appears to matter most is levels of attainment and certificates so that everything else can be easily downgraded in a sole pursuit of only one aspect of the rounded educated person….” -P.C. (Secondary School Headteacher)
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“...The Programme had an immediate and lasting impact on the children who experienced it and although [the SSEHV teacher] began working in just one or two classes, the success of the Programme ensured that other class teachers soon asked for input to their classes too…. As input to P.S.H.E. or to pupils’ moral, spiritual and cultural development, the Programme is a very valuable tool, and I have no hesitation in recommending it…” -W.E. (Primary School Headteacher)
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“...My overall assessment is that it is an excellent Programme. It is very well structured, can easily be integrated into any schools mission statement and help to improve its ethos through the five values i.e. Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non-Violence. This is in line with the guidance of the statutory requirement...to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all pupils….” -J.L.S. (Ofsted Inspector)
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