St Mary the Virgin Church in Wales Primary School is to host a film premier of a poem written and performed by pupils from the School of Sanctuary Steering Committee.
‘A Sanctuary Alphabet – Zig Zag Journey’ tells the story of the wonderful community of Butetown – starting at the Betty Campbell statue and ending at the Ghandi statue.
The premier is part of a special programme of events in celebration of Refugee Week 19th – 25th June with other highlights from the school and local community to include; a Talk with Hamed Amiri, author of ‘The Boy with Two Hearts’, treasure hunts, kite Making, soup lunch and chat, intergenerational activities, a global picnic, mass and prayer sessions, Faithful Butetown walk and a Great Get Together BBQ.
St Mary the Virgin Church in Wales Primary School was awarded School of Sanctuary status in June last year, which means it is a place that fosters a culture of welcome and safety for people seeking sanctuary, including asylum seeking and refugee families and educates the whole school community about the human right to sanctuary.
Reflecting on the schools intentions of Quality, Diversity, Faith and Flourishing, staff and the community are committed to build empathy and intercultural awareness through promoting the voices and contributions of people seeking sanctuary, encouraging an understanding of the experiences of displaced people and helping to combat stereotypes.
Headteacher, Nicki Pritchard said: “A Day of Welcome and Refugee Week are an integral part of our annual calendar. We’ll be in partnership with St Mary’s Church again this year to bring even more wonderful, exciting and moving events.
“As a School of Sanctuary which celebrates our welcoming culture – in our Llyfr Dda Llawen (Celebration Assembly) each week, we currently welcome everyone in 24 different languages, however these will increase to 28 this year!
“Highlights of our week include the world premiere of our Sanctuary Poem ‘Sanctuary Alphabet – A Zig Zag Journey’ which was first performed in the Pierhead Building last year for the launch of the Great Get Together in Wales and our Global Picnic.
“We all need sanctuary in our lives and, though this year’s theme ‘Compassion’, we will be celebration what compassion looks like in action.”
Cabinet member Equality & Public Health, Cllr Julia Sangani said: “This wonderful film and event programme delivered between the school, church and local area is an excellent example of collaborative working, bringing communities together and ensuring that people from all different backgrounds have positive relationships, a sense of mutual respect and feel safe where they live.
“Refugee Week provides an opportunity for people to come together and creatively promote cultural diversity through food, arts, music and more, showcasing the rich diversity that we see in Cardiff.”
Refugee Week Is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
