Electives
On the day, we will be offering a fantastic array of electives relevant to infant, junior and senior school ministries, presented by many professionals in their field, along with faithful teachers and chaplains ministering in their schools. When registering you will be able to select two.
Primary CRU Groups: building fun and connection*
Secondary CRU Groups: building fun and connection*
Mark Collard is one of the world's most respected and experienced experiential trainers and consultants. Based in Australia, he is the founder and director of playmeo, a small professional development company that creates training workshops and resources that help people connect. Throughout his 32+ year career, he has delivered over 2,000 program days and presentations, which have helped 100,000+ people have fun and connect meaningfully with others in 11 countries worldwide. He is best known for his remarkably fun training workshops, interactive keynote presentations and his three best-selling activity books, including No Props No Problem, Serious Fun, and Count Me In.
Guiding children and youth in an age of entitlement*
Mark McCrindle is a social researcher with an international following. He is recognised as a leader in tracking emerging issues and researching social trends. As an award-winning social researcher and an engaging public speaker, Mark has appeared across many television networks and other media. He is a best-selling author, an influential thought leader, TEDx speaker and Principal of McCrindle Research. His advisory, communications and research company, McCrindle, count among its clients more than 100 of Australia’s largest companies and leading international brands.
Craft, song and game ideas that infants CRU Groups will love
Charlotte Galea is a Chaplain and PDHPE teacher at Abbotsleigh Junior School. She facilitates the infants CRU group where the aim of the half hour is to have fun while signing, playing games and enjoying craft, with the focus always being getting to know Jesus more. Mini CRU provides a beautiful chance for Year 6 CRU leaders to grow their faith and leadership skills. The older girls are seen as role models and are given opportunities to plan games, pray for younger girls and run craft activities, which helps everyone learn more about God from the Bible. Janet Jolly is a teacher and the CRU Group coordinator for Tara Anglican School for Girls – Junior. She runs the infants CRU Group each week using Bible stories, songs and craft to convey the message of the gospel to this age group.
Thriving through the daily pressure and stress of a busy school
Jenny Salt is currently working with the Sydney Anglican Diocese alongside the Archdeacon for Women in supporting and pastoring women in ministry in the Diocese. Previously she was a lecturer at SMBC for over 25 years working in various roles, such as the Dean of Women and Dean of Students. She has incredible knowledge and experience in mentoring and equipping Christians to persevere in their faith and ministry.
Teenage loneliness and connection*
Simon Smart is Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. A former English and History teacher, Simon has a Masters in Christian Studies from Regent College, Vancouver. He is the co-author of For God's Sake: An Atheist, a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim Debate Religion, and was co-presenter and co-writer of the historical documentary For the Love of God: How the church is better and worse than you ever imagined. Simon’s writing has appeared in such places as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the ABC, The Australian, and The Guardian. He lives on Sydney’s northern beaches and is an inept but enthusiastic surfer.
Developing senior students to lead CRU: how to give responsibility without abandoning control
Anthony Benn is the School Chaplain at Shore and has been a part of the Chaplaincy team there for 12 years. Anthony has a great deal of experience in developing student leaders to lead at their CRU Group and in their year group Bible Studies.
Primary chapel: ways to involve your students
Liana Maze is the Junior School Chaplain at Danebank Anglican School for Girls and also the Children’s Minister at Church At The Peak, in Peakhurst. Liana has valuable experience to share from her involvement in children’s ministry through her chaplaincy, church ministries and primary school scripture for the past 15 years.
Secondary chapel: ways to involve your students
Ruth Mahaffey (Christian Ministry Coordinator, Biblical Studies and Food Tech teacher) and Stewart Rowe (Christian Ministry Director, Biblical Studies and Maths teacher) at Richard Johnson Anglican School run an exciting and interactive fortnightly Senior School chapel. Chapels are planned and run by students with the assistance of these two teachers with all activities aimed to enhance the Bible message.
How your Junior CRU Group can play a significant role in teaching the Bible afresh, alongside the growing issue of biblical illiteracy
Emma Newling is the Junior School Chaplain at St. Andrew’s Cathedral School and Gawura. She runs three different Junior School CRU Groups each week for K-2, 3-4 and 5-6 and has thought a great deal about this issue. Emma looks forward to addressing it with you and sharing her ideas.
*These electives can contribute to elective PD hours.