EDUCATION Youngsters around the world connect to tackle extremism

PUPILS at a multicultural primary school are linking with children across the globe on an international project to tackle extremism.

The children at St Monica’s Primary in Cathays, Cardiff, speak 23 languages with 67% speaking English as an additional language. A wide range of religions are represented with a total of 58% of pupils being Christian, 31% are Muslim, and some from other faiths such as Buddhism and Sikhism.

The school has worked closely with the local faith community (Christian and Muslim) to help widen understanding about faith, culture and customs and has also had multi-faith prayer events and reflection days following terror attacks around the world.

“This term the school has been working with the JDO Foundation, a charity in the USA, on an international linking project.

“This project is a fabulous way for us to continue and further develop the work we have been doing and is a proactive way to tackle extremism and misunderstandings with children and teachers within St Monica’s and with schools across the world,” said head teacher Abi Beacon.

Judy O’Connell Coon, founder of JDO, came over from Colorado in the USA to visit the school. She believes children are the best placed to be able to break down barriers between different people.

The foundation’s aim is to have at least two schools in each European country linked with schools in different states in the USA and Monica’s has joined Penygarn Primary in Torfaen.

“In St Monica’s we have two classes linked to two other schools, one in Wisconsin, the other in Belfast,” said Ms Beacon.

“The teachers from each of the linked classes corroboratively plan activities for their pupils, the pupils then work collaboratively using Google Apps for Education – Google Classroom, for example writing and editing a story together in virtual classrooms.

“The Foundation have gifted us 1:1 technology for children who are involved in the project to use.

“This gives each child the right tools for collaboration. The programme is initially for one year, however it is anticipated that we will be continuing for a further two years after that.”