Archbishop Nichols tours Hackney with school City Safe campaigners + video

Archbishop Nichols with Our Lady's Convent pupils

This morning, the Archbishop of Westminster, The Most Rev Vincent Nichols toured Hackney in east London to lend support for an award winning City Safe campaign by local schoolgirls.

Pupils from Our Lady’s Convent took their special guest on a walkabout of the local streets and talked about their pioneering work to make their streets and communities safer. Earlier this year, the pupils received a school of the year award from London Citizens for their City Safe campaign. Four of the girls have just returned from Harvard
University, Boston where they took part in a community organising and school reform conference.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols praised the students work and said: “I am delighted to lend my support to the work of Our Lady’s Convent High School in Hackney in making their local streets and communities safer. As part of the London Citizens City Safe campaign, students from the school have been working with local shops to build trust between shopkeepers and those who buy from them. This helps to create a sense of togetherness with the aim of making people feel more secure and to improve the neighborhood. In this way local schools, faith communities and charities can complement the work of the police and local authorities and help to reclaim the streets from crime.

"Although their stories are seldom told, it is important to recognise that across the capital, through prayer and practical action, many young people are trying to make their city a more just and peaceful place. London should take great hope from their spirit and determination which expresses the true nature of the human heart, a heart made ready by God to be a treasure trove of goodness ready to be shared.”

Headteacher Jane Gray said the school was honoured by the visit. She said: "The girls have done fantastic work and we are very proud of them. We are really pleased that the Archbishop has acknowledged the work of the girls and the RE team and has come to see Catholic social teaching in action.”

Before he left, Archbishop thanked the girls' for their work, and told them: “Continue to be Ambassadors for your faith, for your action to improve things and for the good of your community. Don’t ever lose this inspiration to serve others around you.”

To see a video of the walk, go to: http://vimeo.com/40677942