Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the UK in September offers a great opportunity for young people of all ages to learn about the Pope: who he is and what he teaches. The visit will receive extensive media coverage, providing endless possibilities for classroom discussion and activity.
Across the curriculum there opportunities for various “excellent” activities to be planned. Some of those listed below are being considered by some Primary schools. Use the Comment box below to suggest others.
| Art | design a model of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome |
| draw a Papal Mitre | |
| draw a portrait of the Pope | |
| draw a calendar of the days leading up to the Pope’s arrival (examples below) | |
| Music | Learn some of the hymns / music to be played at one of the services during the Papal Visit |
| The lastest Music CD featuring the Pope (Alma Mater) has a great ‘world music’ track called Advocata Nostra | |
| Geography | Where is Rome? Where does the Pope come from? etc. |
| History | Who is St. Ninian? |
| Why is Scotland called the “special daughter of Rome”? | |
| Religious Education | Special Catholic places in Scotland – Eilean Ban (Loch Morar), Scalan (Glenlivit), Iona, Whithorn |
| Jesus – the Apostles – St Peter as first Pope | |
| What does Pope Benedict XVI say about: Love? Hope? Truth? | |
| Language | Learn some Latin (Pater Noster – Our Father) |
Papal Visit Topic Web
We have provided an exemplar topic web which illustrates how the topic of the Papal Visit could be used by Primary teachers as a stimulus for learning in various curriculum areas.
Class Calendar
Our Lady and St Welburgh’s Catholic Primary School from Newcastle-under-Lyme has suggested an activity that may help to engage pupils in preparing for the Papal Visit. Their pupils have designed a Calendar for the key dates in September, with some pupil drawings and relevant text entered.
Two blank versions are also provided. One gives suggestions of things that pupils might do to help them to prepare for the Holy Father’s visit and leaves space for them to draw a picture to illustrate how they will carry out this suggestion.
The other leaves space for students to write their own suggestions of what they will do in September to prepare for the Holy Father’s visit and to illustrate this with a drawing.