AN eye-catching Peace Pole has been unveiled at Crompton House School as they look to promote peace to the school community.
Pupils, staff and special guests braved the rain to gather in front of the school for the special ceremony on September 21 – International Peace Day.
The Mayor of Oldham Cllr Shadab Qumer cut the ribbon on the pole, which bears the message ‘May Peace Prevail On Earth’ in English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Polish, French, German and Spanish, and Braille.
Mr Karl Newell, Headmaster, said: “We chose to put the Peace Pole on the roundabout at the entrance to the school so everyone who enters can read the message.
“It will be a focal point for Crompton House, alongside our flag pole and lion.
“As a school we feel it is important to promote peace to everyone in the school community.
“The school is proud to have one of the tens of thousands of Peace Poles situated in 180 countries across the world.
“These have been placed in notable locations such as the North Magnetic Pole, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the site of the Egyptian Pyramids and the Aiki Shrine in Iwama, Japan, as well as numerous community parks.”
After at the reception, guests viewed the Playing for Peace exhibition and the school was presented by Maria Ellis, chair of Oldham Peace Talks, with a collection of books and CDs about peace by Prem Rawat.
Money for the pole was provided by the Crompton House PTFA, and is to show the school’s commitment to the Oldham Pledge for Peace.
Other special guests included Richard Outram, from the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum, who suggested the initiative to the school.
Richard and Maria visited to speak at a whole school assembly in the summer term, when Mr Newell and two pupils signed the Oldham Pledge to Peace on behalf of the school.
That made them the 21st school in Oldham to sign the Pledge to Peace, and one of 50 organisations across the borough, including Shaw and Crompton Parish Council.
Richard said: “We came in to speak to the school about the Pledge to Peace and were delighted that they signed on the day.
“We thought it would be nice if they had a Peace Pole so they got one sorted and I suggested 21st September for a ceremony as it was especially poignant.”
The school also holds ‘Prayer Spaces’ where pupils reflect on the concept of peace, and their Peace Ambassadors promote the pledge amongst the pupils.
Find out more about Crompton House School on their website: www.cromptonhouse.org