Religious Education Secret Mission
Painsley Catholic College Awarded Anne Frank Tree Sapling
Lauren Nicholson-Ward, a Secondary Qualified Religious EducationTeacher who trained with the Robert Owen Group in 2009-2010 has contacted us with the following press release:
Teacher Lauren Nicholson-Ward led Year Eleven students at Painsley Catholic College in a nationwide competition run by the Anne Frank Trust in conjunction with the Daily Mirror. The school was honoured with one of the very few Anne Frank Tree saplings in the world - a graft from the actual tree that stood in the garden of the famous secret annex in Amsterdam. Painsley was chosen for this award as a result of a secret mission, designed by Lauren and the Year Eleven RE students. The Anne Frank Trust asked schools to write to the trustees, explaining what they do to ensure a community, a society, free from disrespect, hatred and prejudice and stating how they will continue Anne’s legacy, by making a commitment to positive responsibility, values and respect for one another.
Gillian Walnes and Eva Schloss (Anne Frank’s posthumous step-sister) judged the competition and felt that the student’s work refl ected real passion and dedication for the cause. The ‘secret mission’ involved a venture outside of the traditional classroom setting. Sixty five ‘tags’ were created by the students, one for each year since Anne’s death. These tags were secretly placed around the school grounds. Hand written by all of the learners in the class, each them contained a powerful message; from Anne’s diary, from scripture, and from the students’ hopes and dreams. Each pupil was advised to choose quotations that would speak to others, that would inspire both thought and action and that ultimately, would strengthen their spirit as a school committed to fighting prejudice and discrimination. It was hoped that, though the mission remained secret, other students would begin to notice the little messages around the school grounds, attached to trees, fences, tables and pillars, and start to wonder about them, question their meaning and consider their application. Learners (including teachers) got involved, asking questions and encouraging others to think about the issues raised.
The sapling will be presented to the school in the New Year when a special ceremony will be held to celebrate the planting. The Anne Frank Tree was a symbol of hope for Anne Frank and the seven others in hiding in the Secret Annex in Amsterdam. Ever since then, the tree has continued to stand as a symbol of hope and of resistance against the prejudice and hatred that led to Anne Frank’s death.
Congratulations to Lauren and Painsley Catholic College on this excellent achievement. It is always a pleasure to hear news about past Trainees and to hear how they are doing. Please keep in touch!
10.12.10