Community Cohesion Project

Meeting with St Bonaventure’s school

As part of a new initiative called ‘ Community Cohesion’ we have established links with St Bonaventure’s school in Newham.

 The aim of the project is to encourage children from different backgrounds to form positive connections and friendships and so to build good relations between and within boroughs.

We decided that we would start with introducing two year 7 groups to each other. We wanted them to find out as much as possible about each other and so we gave each boy from St Bonaventure’s a camera, with which to record photographs of their lives. They took half a roll of film and then our pupils finished the film.

When we met with the St Bonaventure’s pupils on Tuesday 10^th of June at Old Parks the boys shared their photographs and discussed them. They then took part in a series of drama activities.

Here are some comments from 7P about the day:

‘I was feeling excited as I was doing something new and I could make more friends.’

‘I think that the photograph activity was fun and also a good way to start a conversation with other boys.’

‘The best part was working together to produce a still image as that was when you got a real chance to interact.’

‘I learned about different religions and cultures.’

‘The photograph activity was a success as it gave us a chance to interact with each other and discuss our lives.’

‘I thought they would have a bad attitude towards us but it was great working with them.’

‘I learnt how people at other schools lived and about their school.’

We hope that this will be the beginning of a long and fruitful friendship.