ROADSHOW TEACHES PUPILS ABOUT FAITHS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Roadshow teaches pupils about faith

Youngsters at a school have been learning about different faiths this week thanks to a visit by a charity.

Pupils from Mount Grace High School in Hinckley tried out different food, clothing and entertainment, and had conversations with faith volunteers from St Philip's Centre about the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faiths, as part of a roadshow.

The day also had a royal theme as children were given the chance to put their name to a pledge board acknowledging the Queen's 60 years of service as being a benchmark for stronger interfaith relations.

Pupil Kirsty Allan said: "The day was amazing. Learning about the food, clothes, and culture was fantastic."

Tom Dunne, assistant head teacher at Mount Grace, said: "We want our children to have the broadest range of knowledge and understanding to enable them to become the active citizens of tomorrow.

"They all had a really enjoyable and exciting day."

Riaz Ravat, from the St Philip's Centre in Leicester, said: "In just one day, our religion and belief roadshow makes such an impact upon children that they remember their experiences for a long time after."

Pupils get an insight into beliefs at faith festival

Here's a positive article about faiths and young people on the local scene, from today's Leicester Mercury. This would appear to be a new initiative on the part of St Philip's Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi-Faith Society. I'd not heard of it before, at least. Good on them for providing such a service.

Pupils get an insight into beliefs at faith festival 

Pupils had a chance to learn about seven religions in one day when their school held a faith festival.

Faith workers went into Mount Grace High School, Hinckley, to give the youngsters insights into the beliefs and customs of Bahá'í, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.

The Religion and Belief Roadshow, organised by St Philip's Centre, in Leicester, gave youngsters the chance to try foods and henna and finger painting and try on clothing associated with the different faiths.

There were also stqalls showing relvant items, and opportunities to ask questions.

Assistant Head Teacher Tom Dunne said: "The whole school had been excited about this day for a long time.

"We want our children to have the broadest range of knowledge and understanding to become the active citizens of tomorrow."

Riaz Ravat, of St Philip's Centre, a multi-faith organisation run by the Anglican Diocese of Leicester, said: "Our main purpose is to generate fun on a subject which is often all too serious.

"We want to communicate the shared values of respect, acceptance and charity, which faith communities possess.

"This is a two-way process, however, so we have much to learn from the children."