It’s an interesting time for religion in the age of Corona; Muslims are beginning Ramadan in lockdown, Catholics are still reminiscing of receiving an Urbi et Orbi blessing online, Jews had a Zoom Seder for Pesach, and Streatham & Clapham PRE pupils have been digesting it all philosophically from the confines of their homes.

Fortunately, this hasn’t limited their enthusiasm for the subjects we’ve be ruminating on recently. Upper Third have begun their studies of Christianity by charting the conquests of Ancient Israel; from the building of Solomon’s Temple to the Roman fiefdom that Yeshua ben Yosef was born into, conscious that any study of the life of Jesus cannot be untethered from its deep-seated Jewish roots.

Lower Fourth are about to get their creative juices flowing as they embrace the Art in Heaven 2020 design competition around the theme of Holy Words – they may find inspiration in the Baghavad Gita in the run-up to their Hinduism unit.

Still reflecting on their workshop with Solutions Not Sides, the U4 have been studying the community of Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom, the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and the contemporary relevance of Augustine’s Just War Theory.

Lower Sixth have been at the opposite end of the conflict spectrum, debating the pros and cons of absolute, selective and nuclear pacifism. And our brave exam classes have been beavering away in preparation for…the future, whatever it may bring!