School challenge shows solidarity
STUART PIKE
ASCHOOL has challenged white and Asian pupils to cooperate together in a project demonstrating community solidarity.
Mount Carmel RC High School is encouraging staff, governors and parents to join in with the project, reflecting on recent terrible events in London and Manchester.
Headteacher Xavier Bowers has devised a social media challenge for pupils and staff to take a ‘selfie’ or photograph out and about in the community with friends and family showing how white and Asian British young people are doing positive things together locally.
He is also asking the school community to think about what can be done to break down racial barriers between communities.
Mr Bowers said: “We plan to display all the photographs in the school entrance area after the summer holiday and hopefully create some more permanent graphics that can be displayed around school in communal places to remind the school community that together we are stronger when we show love for each other.
“This is a very simple concept that asks us all to do a little something together to help promote greater harmony and togetherness in the wider community by breaking down the social barriers that currently exit between white and Asian British communities in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle.
“We hope that other schools and organisations will take up the idea and launch it within their own communities.”
Mr Bowers presented an assembly to all pupils including photographs of the memorial concert in Manchester organised by Ariana Grande which he attended with his family, along with many images taken within the school showing examples of harmony, friendship and ‘togetherness’.
It was attended by local community representatives including Imam Dr Mustapha Azhar, Rev Anthony Roberts from Holy Trinity Church, Oswaldtwistle and the police.
Pupils are sending their photos via the school Twitter page @MountCarmelHigh using the hashtag #OneLoveMC and will be given a neon pin badge to wear and promote the campaign slogan – just like the badges that were distributed in Manchester and London following the recent terror attacks.