Pupils learn about religions
THIRTY-EIGHT students from Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy in Runcorn took a two-day trip to Liverpool to develop their understanding of other religions and cultures.
Accompanied by teachers Amanda Noon, Sean McGlory and Allan Bird, the group visited Princes Road Synagogue, The Anglican Cathedral and the Al Rhama Mosque, finishing off by popping in at the World Museum.
An OBA spokeswoman said the eager students enjoyed tours of the places of worship where they compared and discussed the differences and similarities in the architecture, artefacts, and customs and beliefs.
She said the pupils came away with a new-found respect for other religions and cultures. Students who took part then joined Mrs Noon in presenting assemblies about preparing for life in modern Britain.
The sessions featured of the places they had visited and the students shared their findings by comparing the different places of worship.
They also spoke about their enjoyment at visiting a mosque and they talked about extremism and claimed that ‘the media’ plays a role in stereotyping religious groups.
Mrs Noon also shared her harrowing experience of being at the Manchester Arena terror attack on May 22 that killed 22 pop music fans to urge the students to shun hatred and ● embrace tolerance as a British value.
She said: “I felt it was important to share my experience with students, as I know this event not only affected myself and some of our students who were there that night, but it also deeply affected the wider community and the nation.
“I wanted to communicate that it was a horrific act of terror from one person with extremist views and extremist behaviour.
“However, despite the fact that this act was harrowing and deeply saddening for the families involved, it also brought the nation together and reminded us of how love over rules hate.”
She added: “Thinking about that night does make me sad, but it certainly doesn’t make me feel hatred towards certain groups of people, or people with religious beliefs different to my own. It also does not give me the right to be racist towards others.
“Thinking of those people who rallied round in the aftermath of the event makes me feel proud to be British.”
Following the trips to the places of worship, Mrs Noon said: “The favourite place the students visited was the Mosque and they commented on how inspired they felt after meeting Abu Usamah, the imam at the mosque.
“At OBA we feel it is important to understand the local and wider community and be accepting of all faiths, beliefs and religions within our community.
“Our students were a credit to the school and each place commented on how well behaved they were.”
Rebeca Crowe, Year 10, said: “I enjoyed the trip as it was very interesting to learn about different beliefs.”
Katie Oaks, also Year 10, said: “I enjoyed visiting the mosque. I liked the Imam and he was very friendly and welcoming. He taught us not to judge every Muslim based on what we see or hear in the media.”
Mrs Noon added: “In OBA we ensure our students recognise and adhere to British Values: this enables them to become responsible citizens who leave OBA and make a positive contribution to society.
“I am very proud of how our students demonstrate these values in lessons, around the academy, in enrichment sessions and when representing the school in other events.”