Pupils from a Catholic primary school in Tullibody, Diocese of Dunkeld, had a school assembly with a difference recently – they got the chance to discover about the lives of seafarers and the world of shipping.
The students from St Bernadette’s Primary School, Tullibody were all ears when told about how seafarers play a vital role in moving essential goods by sea.
They also learnt about the work of seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) and how the organisation provides spiritual, pastoral and welfare support to seafarers in need.
AoS Development Officer for Scotland, Euan McArthur, who spoke at the school’s assembly on October 21 said: “The subject of the sea and the lives of seafarers touches many aspects of the national curriculum and is a fundamental part of this country’s heritage.”
He added: “We rely on the sea for many things and up to 95% of the goods we use or consume in the UK arrive by sea. There are some 100,000 ships at sea crewed by more than 1.5 million seafarers.”
AoS, through its network of 16 port chaplains in ports around Great Britain offers seafarers spiritual and practical care.
This includes arranging for them to attend Mass, praying with them and providing them with free WiFi connection and phone top up cards so they can contact their families back home.
Euan said: “The students asked some very thought-provoking questions about life working at sea. They were aware of the nearby port which is Grangemouth and listened attentively to the information.”
Nuala McElroy, Head Teacher at St Bernadette’s, thanked Euan for delivering the early-morning assembly.
Mrs McElroy said: “We are very grateful to Apostleship of the Sea for sharing with us their work as a charity. It makes you realise just how important seafarers are to our daily lives.”
You can find out about our range of schools’ resources which include lesson plans and assemblies that are both easy to use and engaging for students by going to http://www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/resources-schools