Quaker Schools Week celebrated

QUAKER Schools Week was celebrated by Friends’ School in Saffron Walden as pupils and staff took part in a series of events revolving around the theme of ‘service’.

Service is a strong feature of every Quaker community and one that played a major role in the Olympic Games.

From October 7-13 pupils and staff were challenged to give up one hour of their time to the service of others, which saw members of staff helping in the kitchen during lunch and working in the nursery with Friends’ youngest pupils.

Students offered their help with clubs and activities and a number of other local charities.

The school also ran a whole school council with delegates representing Year 2 through to Sixth Form to discuss the Olympic Legacy and what it could mean for Friends’. Clare Thompson was special guest at the meeting and her Olympic torch formed a poignant centrepiece in the room.

Anna Chaudhri, deputy head of Friends School said, “The entire week was a real celebration of our Quaker values: truth, equality, simplicity and peace. It allowed us to look at the link the between the Olympic legacy and our own Quaker ideals.”