As I come to the end of my Faith in Action year I recognise education as a key aspect throughout my year. For me, this year has broadened my ideas around education and what that might mean. For me education has always been about learning, but predominantly about the ‘right’ answer, the perfect essay or accurate calculation. Whilst I recognise these as important, I think a broader definition of education is so important. This year I have learnt about education as experience, encounter and reflection. I think these three things are imperative to my understanding of educating both myself and others, especially about justice and peace. There is something special about the creativity and imagination of someone who has experienced something as well as learning about what it is figuratively.
‘Flourish @ St.Columbans’ has been a key way that I have seen these ideas come to life. Enabling students and teachers alike to get their hands dirty, to pond dip, gather materials for collages, marvel at the bees and explore the Columban Solihull House grounds freely has taught me something about wonder. I have been able to see the power of experience, particularly the wonder of the earth, and of creation. This experience of being outside, engaging with nature and faith outside of the classroom has led to students being excited and engaged. At the end of one of the Flourish days I asked the students what they were taking away from the day and they came back with a whole host of ideas of what they could change at school, how they wanted to bring some of the green they had experienced into their school for others to experience too. They even wanted to restart their gardening group, which had been on pause. To see a day around the Columban grounds have such an impact, and to fuel their love and care for creation was invaluable.
Another key part of learning for me this year has been through experience, through encounter and listening to people who often were very different to me. To be given the space and the opportunity to encounter so many different people has been a privilege. For example, recently I attended the climate mass lobby of parliament with a group of local sixth formers. Also in attendance were other climate activists, other students, Bishops and many other organisations fighting for climate justice. This opportunity to be able to listen to the students’ experiences and passions, as well as meeting Baroness Boycott was such an incredible opportunity to learn and understand more about the climate crisis, what is happening and what more needs to be done. I also appreciated the opportunity to reflect with the young people (and those accompanying them) at the end of the day. It was so important to me to hear the different stories, experiences and encounters that I would have missed if we didn’t take space to reflect together.
I also recently went to the Centre for Alternative Energy in Wales with the Hope Garden group, which was an incredible centre for learning. I was inspired by the creativity of the place and how they used the space. One of our focuses was compost, and it was fun to do both a quiz on compost and then also to interact with all the different types of compost that they had composting on the site. They was lots of information and we were able to see what was happening in the actual compost via lids. This meant the group was able to engage with greater interest and deepen their understanding.
We also did a scavenger hunt activity of different plants, animals and landmarks around the gardens. This was also really informative and allowed us to work together, and explore the grounds in groups. The Centre for Alternative Energy also did a few workshops/walkarounds of the place allowing us to understand the history and purpose of the initiative. It was inspiring to see a community of people so passionate about the planet and how we create more sustainable ways of living. These interactive activities provided both enjoyment and engagement with complex topics such as climate change, energy use, composting and preserving the environment.
Overall, this year I have learnt so much! I have been able to experience and encounter education in a way I have never previously. I am grateful for all the encounters I have had, through which God has shown me more of his love for creation and people. I am going to take all of this learning with me, and continue to advocate for people to learn through experience and not just via one set avenue.
