Rachel Allcock

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A word to Christian teachers - pupils behave better when they like your clothes!

Jan 16, 2025 | womanalive.co.uk | Rachel Allcock

Schools have now gone back for the Spring Term after the Christmas holidays, and Rachel Allcock says ‘Teacher or not, I feel delighted by the compliments I get when I wear nice clothes.’ Source: Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash I’m back in the classroom after an 18-year hiatus. I have loved reinventing myself with new work clothes. Toddler groups, school runs, and working from home necessitated practicality, but now I’m dressing for success.
Comparison isn't always a thief of joy

Nov 19, 2024 | womanalive.co.uk | Rachel Allcock

Rachel Allcock suggests jealousy and comparison can be a wake-up call to remind you of your true passions in life. Davina McCall Source: OnTheRoad / Alamy Stock Photo My confident friend revealed a chink in her armour the other day, and we commiserated with each other over unwholesome pangs of jealousy that had crept up on us both. Our issues were inconsequential - we weren’t coveting our neighbour’s house, ox, donkey or anything else mentioned in the 10th commandment (Exodus 20:17).
What the Oasis reunion can teach us about not looking back in anger

Sep 4, 2024 | womanalive.co.uk | Rachel Allcock

After breaking up fifteen years ago, rock band Oasis announced that they would be reuniting for a UK and Ireland tour in 2025. Rachel Allcock discusses the news of the formerly feuding brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sharing the stage again and wonders, in the booking madness whether there is something wrong with these intense waves of nostalgia. I was fifteen when Oasis’ debut album Definitely Maybe came out.
Should Christians be keeping the Christmas card tradition alive?

Dec 18, 2023 | womanalive.co.uk | Rachel Allcock

Do you still send Christmas cards, or wonder what is the point? Rachel Allcock takes a look at where the tradition comes from, and asks if is worth keep it going. Source: Photo by Eric Prouzet on Unsplash I’ve hardly received enough cards to fill the mantlepiece (not that I would, as I get sick of them blowing down whenever someone breezes past in their oversized hoodie).
God gave me friends

Oct 23, 2023 | womanalive.co.uk | Jemimah Wright |Jane Knoop |Rachel Allcock

Signs & Wonders in everyday life I really struggled with friendships as a teenager. I was bullied quite a lot and fell into a friendship group where I experienced what I now understand as racial micro-aggressions. I knew that if I stayed it would damage my self-esteem and jeopardise my mental health, both of which were already fragile at such an impressionable age. So, I made a very difficult decision as a teenager to go solo and leave the one friendship group I had.
‘Do men hate women? Or do they just fear us greatly?’

Oct 23, 2023 | womanalive.co.uk | Veronica Zundel |Rachel Allcock |Kate Orson |Claire Morrison

Veronica Zundel looks at the mistreatment of women round the world, and ponders the origins of such abuse In September we saw the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, the young Iranian woman beaten to death by the ‘morality police’ for not wearing her hijab correctly. In the wake of her death, demonstrations broke out all over Iran, with women burning their hijabs or refusing to wear them.
How Netflix documentary ‘Beckham’ melted my heart and reminded me to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus

Oct 17, 2023 | womanalive.co.uk | Rachel Allcock |Kate Orson |Claire Morrison |Veronica Zundel

Netflix's latest documentary following the career of football ace David Beckham, got writer Rachel Allcock thinking about Jesus. Maybe all you’ve seen of the number one Netflix series are hilarious take-offs of the "Be honest" clip (Cassandra Maria has three such reels @‌casseville). In the first episode, Victoria tries to convince the interviewer that she was "very working class".
What I’ve learnt about friendship from 12 years at the school gate and how the Bible helps

Sep 5, 2023 | womanalive.co.uk | Rachel Allcock

Rachel Allcock reflects on her years as a primary school mum and the relationships she's built at the school gate. Source: Caleb Oquendo / Pexels I was determined not to cry on my son’s last day of primary school, but I did. What broke me were my final conversations with the other parents. After many highs and lows, my time with them has come to an end. Maybe you’re preparing to start a new college, gym, church, or crochet class.
Are you there, God? It’s me, and I’m like Margaret

Apr 28, 2023 | womanalive.co.uk | Rachel Allcock

It’s time to put some big batteries in the torch you got from Santa in 1991 because you need to read Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret under the covers againbefore you watch its glossy makeover on the big screen. 90 million copies of this Judy Blume novel have been sold since its release date in 1970. Censored and disapproved of in many countries, I certainly never had my own copy.