Reaching out to the community

Alsop bring cheer and hope to all

Alsop High School wanted to reach out and bring hope to those people who have suffered, lost confidence and may have become isolated from family, friends and their community.

In order to reinforce the belief that “TOGETHER WE CAN ……… “Alsop High School and Arnot St Mary CE School recorded a film to be used to encourage young people to pause and reflect about how schools can rebuild and reconnect communities as we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic at the launch of the HOPE 22 initiative in December 2021.

The journey began inside of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral at the memorial to the late Bishop David Sheppard which is inscribed with words from the prophet Jeremiah, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you…and pray to the Lord on its behalf.”

Young people lit candles in memory of those who have died and those who suffer and grieve.

Mr Paul Masher, headteacher said: “We are delighted that these young ambassadors have made this film. It reminds us that schools build communities and are safe places which bring people together. Schools and young people can have such a positive ripple effect upon our neighbourhoods. As local hubs, schools are catalysts for renewal by fostering communities where everyone can flourish.”

Mr Peter Bull, head of RE at Alsop, said: “As we learn to live with COVID-19, people are beginning to make plans and talk about new projects. But, it is through small steps of love that our future will be renewed. Schools are uniquely placed to rebuild our communities, bring people together and ensure that no-one is left behind. We can all work together to renew our schools and communities”

Tom Stafford, Year 13 school captain at Alsop, said: “After the trauma of the pandemic, our schools, our neighbours and our communities are in desperate need of an injection of hope. We live in uncertain times. We as young people have respect for the faith traditions that have shaped our city and which continue to motivate our faith communities.”

The students paused at the Hope Street suitcase sculpture where Daisy Sayonas a Year 8 student said: “This street sculpture reminds us of everyone who has journeyed to Liverpool, settled here and enriched our city. We want our communities to be places of welcome to people of all races and religions. It also reminds us of people who don’t have a place to call home, families in our own city as well as people abroad. Here we thought about people who have fled Afghanistan in fear of their lives.”

The students also stopped at the memorial sculpture to the late Bishop David Shepherd and Archbishop Derek Worlock. Here the students spoke about how these two great faith leaders brought hope and worked tirelessly for Liverpool. Tom Casey, a Year 11 student said: “Here we remembered how these men set aside their differences and prayed together. They stood in solidarity with people who struggled with poverty and injustice.

They reconciled people who were divided and worked alongside people wanting to make their community a better place.”

The pilgrimage of HOPE concluded at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King where students made a commitment to work together to bring the common good alive.

Students from Alsop also released a virtual Christmas celebration gift to be shared with partner primary schools and community members. The short film includes musical items and the nativity story read by the Alsop patron of reading, Mr Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

The Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership shared the film and said: “Presenting the loveliest gift of all from Alsop. Trimmendous carols, songs and readings from the school brought festive cheer to our team. Alsop dedicated this film to our team and colleagues in Merseyside Police with the words ‘let’s promote community this Christmas and celebrate and be kind.’ The common message from all religions and none revolves around light in the darkness at this time of year. Never was it more appropriate than in 2021. Thank you again, Alsop.”

Sarah Rotherham, inspector for community policing said: “Excellent, thank you and well done, exactly what our communities need right now. This is fantastic and definitely brought a smile to my face.”

The film forms part of the Alsop #TogetherWeCan initiative to reach out and bring hope to those people who have suffered, lost confidence and may have become isolated from family, friends and their community. The film reinforces the belief that “TOGETHER WE CAN ……… “rebuild and reconnect with each other to spread kindness and respect.

The film can be downloaded at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5QV_-6SLhk

“It reminds us that schools build communities and are safe places which bring people together”