16 July 2007
Children find a world in Islington
Children from three Islington primary schools are presenting
dramas, poems and readings on Tuesday 17 July (3.00 - 5.00pm)
alongside a display of models, artwork and written pieces on global
issues ranging from the environment, fairtrade and refugees to
children's rights, at the London Metropolitan Archives.
Nine and ten year olds at Grafton, Hungerford and St John the
Evangelist schools have been taking part throughout the summer term
in the Islington local2global project, led by local
teacher and writer, David Rosenberg, and supported by the London
Metropolitan Archives.
Using photos and resources from the Archive and Islington Local
History Centre, the children learnt about local preacher John
Wesley's campaigns against slavery, the 19th century Finsbury MP
Dadabhai Nairoji, and the history of Arsenal Football Club. They
discovered how Islington has absorbed Italian and Irish immigrants
and more recently refugees from war zones, to make it one of the
most diverse, multi-lingual and exciting London boroughs.
Deborah Martin, who teaches at St John the Evangelist School
says the project has made her children "stop and look around them
and think about their lives. It has affected the way they look at
the world. I learnt a lot about their identities and the countries
they come from. They have shared that background identity with each
other and it has brought them closer as a class."
At the celebratory event the children will also take part in a
workshop led by Tanzanian storyteller and musician, Freddy
Macha.
London Metropolitan Archives, 40, Northampton Road,
London, EC1R 0HB
Ends
For further information please contact David Rosenberg on 07876
200267.