SACRE Conference January 25th 2013
Sanctuary Materials
Secondary Workshop
Teachers’ ideas of how they might use these materials
Conveying the initial case study
Instead of cruising as we did : Make it an information relay
Put key facts on A4sheets around the room – each pupil takes it in turn to run and get info and
return to the group to share it. Pupils in teams.
Follow up research ideas
Are there other stories in Bristol that link to this? Eg refugees or travellers?
Research and contrast with other examples of civil disobedience – Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
Research other religious teachings and non- religious philosophies about Civil Rights and obedience
to the law of the land?
Ideas for Differentiation
All students MUST describe the story and explain what motivates Father MacKay
Students SHOULD assess why Father MacKay’s beliefs motivate him to challenge the law and explain
why his motivations lead him to take these actions
Students COULD evaluate the impact of the change in the law and create an argument for the
changes that Father Mackay would like to see
Ideas for following up contrasting beliefs surrounding civil disobedience
Compare these Bible texts with others that might counsel against civil disobedience ie .Render unto
Caesar (Matthew 22:21)
Key questions:
Is it acceptable to break the law of the land ?
If it is what is it that makes it acceptable?
If not; why not?
Are there unacceptable ways of protesting against unfair laws?
Who is to say?
Does God go above the state?
What is the role of conscience? >> Situation Ethics?
Creative Ideas
Create a Painting of what a City of sanctuary might look like – remember to include the diversity of
faiths and no faith , languages and races
Write about a time when you have felt in need of sanctuary- what happened and who or what
helped you ?
Hot seating – interviewing different characters – Father Richard MacKay , Josette, The immigration
officer, The Home Secretary , The Mayor . etc.
Write a letter from Father Richard MacKay to the Government explaining his position and actions.
Design a campaign Poster for the Asylum Seekers campaign
Write a poem from Josette’ s perspective – what was she feeling
Mind Mapping – Making Connections
Using Esther’s excellent idea from her Stretch and Challenge session about making connections – I
have devised a connections mind map sheet which could also be used for follow up. Though the lines
aren’t very long !!