Schools

The Gospel Rocky Theatre Company perform in 14 schools around
Stoke-on-Trent each term. Over 4000 children enjoy engaging with Jesus and the Christian way of life through Gospel Rocky's dramatic assemblies. For each 20 minute “episode” Rocky is joined by production team members Mary and Carl in the guise of panto-style fun characters “Mother & hapless son” as well as Carl's “pet” elephant! Each assembly takes a different theme, including a song and lots of slapstick comedy designed to make a memorable and relevant act of collective worship. It's clear by the reaction from children, staff and Headteachers that a Rocky assembly is one of the highlights of the term.

Some themes covered

The theme of “Love your neighbour as yourself” – including looking after other people's things – led to lots of “smashing” fun. Carl broke one of Mary's much loved vases and tried to cover it up. Mary breaks an original painting of Carl's pet and both end up apologising to each other.

The story of David and Goliath opened up the subject of bullying. As well as being helped to think about the issue, the children had great fun knocking down a nine foot tall image of Goliath.

We noticed that some of our schools were on a healthy eating drive, so we based our drama around the story of Daniel and his friends in Chapter One of Daniel who chose to eat vegetables and drink water instead of the king's rich food. In the end they proved healthier and more intelligent than the other young men they were being compared with.

One assembly was written specially for one school going through Ofsted, but proved a hit with all the others also. We took an entertaining look at one way we can all care for God's world - taking pride in our enviroment by picking up litter and recycling rubbish.

Schools “reach for the stars!

120 children from 6 of the schools were also involved in the new full length theatre production “Gospel Rocky and the Rocky Kids in Space!” at the Queens Theatre Burslem. Two more schools are about to start rehearsals for the next production. 15 – 20 Yr 6 children play the parts of aliens living on the planet where Rocky and the kids touch down. This means ten to a dozen rehearsals in school and at the theatre with each group.

A teaching assistant wrote:
“I was just mailing to say what a wonderful time I had on Thursday at the Gospel Rocky show in Burslem. I am a teaching assistant at a school whose pupils were making a guest appearance in the show and was lucky to be able to bring the class I work with in to see them perform. I wanted to thank the whole cast for such a wonderful afternoon and pass on my appreciation to Frank and all the team for an excellent show. I admire the commitment to spreading the 'Good News' that you all seem to have and I pray that God blesses you all in everything that you do. May He be with you and encourage you to continue.
Peace be with you
Sue Stephens
( Abbey Hulton Primary School , Stoke-on-Trent 12 th November 2005)

Schools visited each term:

Abbey Hulton Primary School, Bucknall
Blackfriars Special School, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Eaton Park Primary School, Bucknall
Endon Hall County Primary School, Endon
Glebe Primary School, Fenton
Holden Lane Primary School
Hugo Meynell CE Primary School, Market Drayton
Maple Court Primary School, Bentilee
Sir John Offley CE Primary School, Madeley
St.Luke's CE Endon Primary School, Endon
St.Thomas' CE Primary School, Kidsgrove
St.Luke's CE Primary School, Hanley
Summerbank Primary School, Tunstall
The Orme Primary School, Newcastle-under-Lyme