News / Education
Primary school hosts special peace event as part of international journey
On Tuesday, Longwell Green Primary School hosted an international event known as the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace.
The global Olympic-style torch relay, has travelled to over 150 countries and territories since its founding in 1987 and is the world’s longest global torch relay.
It gives children and adults the chance to express their hopes for peace and unity.
The flaming Peace Torch has been held by millions worldwide, including global figures such as Nelson Mandela, archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mo Farah, Pope Francis and Paula Radcliffe.
Headteacher of the school Darren Brown said: ““It’s a huge honour. Out of the many schools they could have chosen, they asked to visit ours.
“As a school we deeply believe in nurturing every child to be compassionate and thoughtful global citizens, this visit means so much to each of us.
“Every child was inspired to think about how to make the world a better and more peaceful place through their own actions. They could see how each of us can make a difference.”
Runners from across Europe arrived at the school carrying the Peace Torch and delivered a captivating assembly on the themes of harmony, friendship, and peace.
The visit was filled with music, humour and powerful stories.
Children at Longwell Green responded by sharing artwork and messages they had created around peace, and proudly sang a specially prepared song for their visitors.
Some of the school’s artwork has been taken and may be shared as part of an event called Colours of Peace, organised by the Italian Peace Run team.
Each year they collect artwork from children all around the world on the theme of peace and display them in an exhibition at the colosseum in Rome and Longwell Green’s art may also form part of this.
Following the assembly, every pupil had the unique opportunity to hold the Peace Torch and make a personal wish for peace.
Each class took part in a photo with the runners and all children received a commemorative card to remember the day.
The school was also generously given a certificate and a striking piece of artwork created by the founder himself Sri Chinmoy, which will be displayed as a lasting tribute to the event.
Reflecting on the day Darren Brown added: “It’s not every day your pupils get to be part of something that links them to children and people across the whole world.
“It reminds us all that peace starts with the actions of each of us, especially children.”
All photos: Longwell Green Primary School
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