Year 7 Gurdwara Trip

On Monday 22nd July, the Religious Studies Department took a group of Year 7 students on a trip to the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) in Slough. This visit was designed to extend students’ learning outside of the classroom and enrich their knowledge of religious beliefs and practices by building upon what they have learnt about different religions in lessons.

During this visit students engaged in three interactive workshops learning about Sikhs commitment, celebrating identity and becoming detectives in the Sikh Art Exhibition. Following that, students visited the Darbar hall, to pay their respects to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh holy scriptures) before going on to experience the taste of langar (a free vegetarian meal) consisting of a simple lentil dhal and chapati.

By taking part in this visit, we were also able to engender and promote the Charters values of ‘unity’ and ‘respect’ as students developed a greater appreciation for commonality and diversity between religions whilst learning about rituals and beliefs that Sikhs and Christians have in common such as the idea that there is only one God. They also learnt about the importance of equality to Sikhs and how the Kirpan (one of the five articles of faith that Sikhs wear) represents a willingness to stand up against injustice. The Year 7 students demonstrated great respect at the Gurdwara and were a credit to the school and their families, particularly when they went into the Darbar Hall which contains the most important sacred text in Sikhism. In keeping with Sikh traditions, they took off their shoes, covered their heads and bowed their heads in front of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji which is treated with great reverence as it is believed to be a living guru.

In reflecting on their experience one student, Amelia in 7F wrote, “One of my favourite part of the day was when we went to the Langar and they all sit on the floor when they are eating to show that they are all equal.” 

Another student, Rose in 7F, wrote, “It was very interesting learning all about the Sikh culture and now I understand more about it…like why they wear the 5ks”

Daisy in 7H, wrote, “The gurdwara was a very interesting place to visit…They have a prayer called Simran to help them meditate and calm down. We tried some of their sacred pudding, called Karah Prashad.”