Year 7 Students Explore Sunderland’s Multi-Faith Community as Part of Culture Week

As part of Thornhill Academy’s Culture Week, a celebration of the rich cultural diversity within our school, Year 7 students took part in a multi-faith tour across Sunderland.
Throughout the day, the entire year group had the opportunity to visit three significant places of worship: St Nicholas’ Church, Chester Road Mosque, and the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara. The visits ran in a carousel format, giving students time to explore and reflect on each faith tradition.
At the mosque, students were captivated by its stunning architecture and learned about key features such as the mihrab, minbar, and wudu facilities. At the gurdwara, they experienced the powerful musicianship of the ragis, observed the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, participated in turban tying, and enjoyed traditional food in the langar. Meanwhile, at the church, Father Andrew and Reverend Katherine offered a warm welcome, explaining the significance of the font, stained glass windows, and Holy Communion.
Students were struck by the warmth and hospitality they received at each place of worship and gained a deeper appreciation for the shared values and commonalities between different faiths.
This enriching experience not only deepened their understanding of world religions but also highlighted the importance of celebrating and embracing the diversity within our local community.