Heywood Community School recently launched their first annual Interfaith week, with a number of inclusive initiatives taking place.
The week comprised of a talk for every year group; a Transition-Year World Religious Education table quiz; a sacred space competition for first- and second-year pupils; and a brief prayer every morning over the intercom from a different world religion.
The week was opened by school one of the school’s chaplains, Canon Harvey.
The first speaker was Stradbally native, Emma Purser who spoke to the first- and second-year pupils about her experience of becoming a Church of Ireland minister.
On Tuesday, Rev Myzohan Kodo Kilroy, the founding President of the Irish Buddhism Union, spoke to the fifth- and sixth-year students about Buddhist religion.
Rev Kilroy, who also represents Buddhism on the Dublin City Interfaith Forum, practiced some mediation with students.
the Student Council organised a diversity day, which gave students an opportunity to become more aware of the different nationalities within the school community.
There are currently 19 different nationalities in Heywood that were beautifully represented throughout the corridor.
On Thursday Fr Vincent Stapleton – a Catholic priest who has featured on Off the Ball and RTÉ’s ‘The Last Priests in Ireland’ documentary, spoke with the third- and transition-year students.
The World Religion Quiz for all of the TY students were held, with ten students from fifth-year as the Quizmasters, collecting and correcting the quiz.
The sacred space competition was judged by Chaplain Shona Killeen, with Saoirse Morgan, Aleksander Baikovs and Jamie O’Neill.
Saoirse from 1A made a 3D Hindu Mandir which was decorated on the interior as well as the exterior; Aleksander from 1D with made a 3D Orthodox church; and Jamie from 1D created a vibrant illustration of a Christian High Cross.
The event proved to be a huge success it allowed students to learn more about different faith in a kinaesthetic and experiential manner.
The students really enjoyed the experience and showed great engagement.
