Is Night of the Notables suitable in a church sponsored school?

Claim: Programmes should promote moral exemplars and saints.

Answer: Since its focus is to recognise real achievement in a real world by real people, it is appropriate to recognise the role persistence, opportunity, mentors and clients play in achieving success. But hagiography has only limited effects in its exaggerations.

Claim: The Programme could degenerate into focussing on fame and success at the expense of finding happiness.

Answer: The teacher's and parents' guidance and monitoring are essential in the progress of the Programme. Life stories reveal and bring transformations in stages.

Claim: The Programme could allow unsuitable or unsavoury choices.

Answer: Have a school definition to set clear parameters. Use a parents' coupon of approval of the choice as the student represents self , family and school on show.

Claim: The Programme seems to be about creating opportunities for oneself rather than obeying God's will for you.

Answer: Achieving one's own potential would seem to be about responding to both causes. As a mainstream academic programme, it has not hard to deal with this objection in any special way beyond other programmes. Parents abide by school policy decisions in accepting it for their children.

Claim: The Programme is not Bible-oriented.

Answer: The Programme does not specifically rule out Bible characters. Students could well do Moses, Jesus, Joshua and Judith for instance. An open choice is its distinctive characteristic. Different schools will show different emphases.

Claim: Studying lives may reveal unsavoury elements in the Notable's life.

Answer: Yes, it depends on the sources consulted; but the research focus and design is on achievements and the process of achieving eminence. Its aim is plotting personal transformation in achievers. Every life has a dark side but careful monitoring and discussion will steer focus away from it and reveal deleterious effects too, lost opportunities. Understanding personal victories and the role of forgiveness are significant social learnings.

G. Smith 1999.

Father of us all, you created us with various gifts and talents to develop for the good of humanity.

Grant us, we pray, Your inspiration in our study of notable people so that we may see your marvellous plan in their lives and be inspired to use the talents we have in the service of all humanity.

We make this prayer through Your son, Christ our Lord and model.

Amen

Posted 9 June 2001