Suitable for KS2

• These resources have been produced in response to requests following the abduction and deaths of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells.
• We have decided not to produce an assembly on this incident in particular as it could be insensitive to suggest specific responses. We believe that it is best to trust to the professionalism of teachers and ministers who can judge the appropriate response for each school community; and we have no wish to add to the extensive media interest, particularly following the people of Soham's request for time to grieve.
• Instead we offer a number of adaptable resources which may be of help in this or other situations of national tragedy and concern.
  
  
  

1. Standing with those involved in tragedy
   
   If appropriate, discuss briefly the tragedy and some of the people involved. Point to any examples of public support such as the laying of flowers and wreaths, books of concern and condolence, and internet messages.
   
   Point out that these demonstrate how people can care for each other and, even when we can't see how we can help, we can show that we care in this and other ways, such as thinking about the people and praying for them.
   
   Prayer
   
   Dear God,
   We pray for all the people affected by this terrible event.
   We especially think of (include the names of those closely affected and, if appropriate, the people of the area).
   We don't know how we can help them,
   but we do care about them and we pray that you will help them.
   Amen.
   
   You might also like to hold a minute's silence, perhaps using a candle as a focus.
   
   
2. Seeing the event in context
   
   When terrible things happen, particularly involving children, it is natural for children to become worried, perhaps even frightened that this will happen to them. Excessive media reporting can fuel this fear. Try to offer some sense of perspective.
   
   While reminding children of sensible behaviour (such as always letting your parents know where you are, and not accepting lifts unless your parents authorize these), also point out that millions of children go safely to and from school or on other visits each day. It is very rare for something to go wrong - especially if they follow sensible advice.
   
   If appropriate, you could use a light-hearted approach, saying that if all these safe acts were reported the newspapers would be like this (pick up a newspaper and pretend to read): Child walks home safely from school; Child crosses road safely; Another child walks home safely from school; Child visits friend; Child comes home from friend; Friend visits child; and so on.
   
   You could have with you a stack of newspapers and ask if they want you to read them all (have an answer ready in case they say yes!).
   
   Prayer
   
   Dear God,
   We know that terrible things do happen
   and sometimes we can't think about anything else.
   Help us to remember that there's plenty of good news
   and ordinary things to be thankful for as well.
   Help us not to let bad things snuff out the light of good things.
   Amen.
   
   
3. Reading
   
   When awful things happen it can help to remember that people throughout the ages have suffered terribly but have still managed to recover. This old poem (Psalm) from the Bible was written about three thousand years ago (this version was published on the site after 11 September 2001). Sometimes it just helps to know that other people have been through the same sort of experience and felt the same kind of things. Ask the children to think of the people involved in the tragic events while they listen.
   
   Hear my prayer, O Lord,
   O Lord, hear my cry.
   Do not hide from me, O Lord,
   Hear me and answer me, I pray.
   
   My days are grey and sad like smoke,
   My bones hurt,
   My heart is sad,
   I don't want to eat,
   I can't do anything.
   
   I feel so sad, so lonely,
   I am like a little bird that pecks around a wasteland,
   Nothing to eat, nothing to drink,
   A shadow is over all my life.
   
   But, whatever, you're still God,
   You go on and on and you don't change.
   Things will change for me,
   They will get better,
   Like the sun you will rise and help me.
   I know you will.