Peace pole first for Warwick primary school

A 'peace pole' has been unveiled at a primary school in Warwick.

Working alongside Westgate Primary School, Warwick Rotary Club recently presented the school with the pole for their new 'peace garden'.

Allowing for social distancing a small group of children unveiled the pole in the morning and Rotary President David Brain came to see it later in the afternoon.

The Year 6 pupils have spent many hours in clearing an overgrown area within their school and with support from Hill Close Gardens are going to create an area where the children will be able to 'enjoy nature and relax in an atmosphere of quiet reflection'.

Headmaster Mathew Watson said: “We are going to plant lots of flowers and shrubs which will provide a quiet area for the children, which is so important, especially today.

"The Peace Pole is a wonderful addition to our garden, and we are very grateful to Warwick Rotary Club for providing us with one.”

Parent Mrs Camille Sethi, who is a Rotarian, instigated the planting of the pole at the school.

Peace Poles convey a message of encouraging all to work together to create a caring society at home and abroad.

This message is conveyed on the sides of the pole in eight languages to represent the different nationalities of the children in the school. Braille is also included.

Poems written by the children, dedicated to peace especially for the occasion were read out.

Warwick Rotary Club would like to thank CrazynBold of Warwick for supplying the plaque which will be placed on the wall next to the pole.

The Club is also working with Newburgh and Aylesford Primary Schools both of which are planning to plant poles in their 'peace gardens'. As part of their peace education programme, through Rotary Stars, the Club also recognises children nominated by their school, for acts of kindness.

Promoting peace education is part of the school curriculum, teachers have all commented that young people today need opportunities to think about dealing with Conflict without resorting to violence and with the increase in knife crime this is even more important.

Rotarian Margaret Morley said: “As an organisation Rotary is totally committed to working with schools in any way they feel necessary to support their Peace Education Curriculum.”

If any schools are interested in finding out more contact Rotarian Margaret Morley by emailing: [email protected]

Warwick Rotary Club are also working with the Warwick Town Council to construct a Wooden Peace Pole for Pageant Gardens to include languages from the towns Warwick are twinned with.