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Between the 2nd and 10th July several Year 10,11 and 12 Harris Academy Peckham students took part in an international Pilgrimage to Taizé, France with the RE department. This was educational visit linked to the RE course but also an opportunity to witness a real pilgrimage of major global importance. Set up by a Robert Schütz in 1940 as a response to WW2, the monastery aims to celebrate national and religious diversity, showing the potential for people of all faiths, nationalities and backgrounds to work together, reflect together and learn from each other in the spirit of solidarity and peace. Consequently our students from Peckham met and did community work with young people around the world from totally different backgrounds, camped on the monastery site for the entire week, sung songs in a multitude of languages and experienced a week of basic living, without phones, television or the common comforts of inner city life. Students where challenged but enlightened by the experience; notably the opportunities for silent reflection and their developed confidence and resilience.

Highlights from the trip included;

-An interfaith celebration of the Muslim festival Eid, led by students from Harris Peckham. Alpha Thullah spoke to an Audience of 250 regarding his fast this Ramadan and Yasmine Meite lead a Bismillah prayer before our Eid feast.
-A Q+A with one of the Taizé brothers where Okeeno Josephs and Fre Campbell asked existential questions about monastic life, the status of Women Nuns and equality and multi faith worship. Brother Paolo commented that he had not received so many good questions from any group all year!

-A visit to the French town of Cluney on the last day, to grasp a taste of traditional French culture.

-Seeing the students represent the school; positive interactions with new people and consistently volunteering to help the community, with food, cleaning and washing up. As well as seeing students grow as individuals throughout the week.

Mr J Lane

Senior Head of Department RE