Newham
pupils put faith leaders in the spotlight at a special Any Questions
debate
Pupils from schools within the South West Newham Education Action Zone
had the chance to discuss issues on belonging and commitment during
an ‘Any Questions’ debate with a number of Newham faith
leaders.
They included representatives from St Michael’s and All Angels
Church of England, Radha Krishna Hindu Temple, St Saviours Church of
England, East London Buddhist centre, Forest Gate Methodist Church,
East Ham Salvation Army, Green Street and Minhaj Ul Quran Mosques, and
Ramagarhia Gurdwara.
The event, which was held at East Ham Town Hall, was one of a host of
activities taking place to celebrate this year’s Citizenship Week
2009 focusing on the theme “Children like me….”
Year 5 Key Stage 2 pupils from primary schools Britannia Village, Calverton,
Curwen, Grange, Kier Hardie, Manor, Ranelagh, St Edwards, St Helen’s,
St Joachim’s, Scott Wilkie and Star participated in the debate,
which was held on three separate days with groups of 46 children.
Ten of Newham’s faith leaders, plus Newham Councillor Marway,
each spent 10 minutes with a group of six pupils answering questions
on their particular religion as well as any similarities and differences
they share with other faiths; what it means to belong.
Religious Education Adviser, Claire Clinton, who organised ‘Any
Questions’ said the debates had been “fast paced and lively”.
|
“The children really enjoyed learning new things and
the event has helped them build on their respect for other religions
and extend their knowledge. They looked at the similarities and
differences between each of the faiths and then had to report
their findings to the whole group.”
Even the faith leaders were asked what they had learned during
the day’s proceedings and were asked to feed back their
views to the pupils.
Added Claire: “The faith leaders said they found the children’s
questions very stimulating and challenging and had learnt a lot
from the sessions.”
|
Lyn Senior of Newham Education Business Partnership (NEBP), who has
been organising SWNEAZ’s Citizenship Week on behalf of the schools
for a record eight successful years, said that ‘Any Questions’
had fulfilled its purpose well in a year dedicated to the promotion
of community cohesion.
“In the words of one of the children “It was learning about
people that are different to us, how they grew up in different countries
and how they are helping our community to become a better place”.
Well over six thousand children from the partnership of 15 SWNEAZ primary
schools have taken part in a selection of activities to celebrate Citizenship
Week 2009, which culminates on the eve of World Book Week, 4 March 2009
with an Awards Day for winners, their parents and programme sponsors
at East Ham Town Hall, with prizes awarded by the Children’s Poet
Laureate, Michael Rosen.
Each year the schools work to a new theme. This year’s
theme has focused on “Children like me….” on
the school, the local community, the UK and around the world to
give pupils a better understanding of their local and wider community
and what is it to be a good citizen.
Two activities worth noting this year are: ‘Question Time’
which saw pupils putting questions to a panel of key players promoting
Peace in our Neighbourhoods, including the Young Mayor and his
Youth Council reps, plus a ‘Tate & Lyle Competition’
which saw ALL the pupils writing persuasive poems, with the older
children reflecting on ‘What it is to be British’.
|
|
New this year for pupils have been visits to Hackney Museum, which
investigates matters of immigration, and the Law Courts in Stratford
where pupils were treated to a mock trial.
|
