Mr Paish's Y8 class have produced this article as part of a project they are working on to try and raise funds and awareness for Second Wave.
SECOND WAVE - ITS FAMILY
First Give is an organisation that aims to ignite a spark of social conscience in young people. They work in partnership with schools to get young people to work towards making a positive difference to a charity that they care about.
My Year 8 class chose to support Second Wave Youth Arts, an excellent theatre company for young people based in the Mission Building at the end of Deptford High Street. They offer a wide range of activities for young people that are all performing arts based and they are wonderful ambassadors for our local community.
As part of the First Give programme, students have to perform a social action, so my class decided that they wanted to interview some company members from Second Wave who are also Deptford Green students. They interviewed Micha in Y9 and Eathan in Y10.
WHAT MADE YOU JOIN SECOND WAVE?
Eathan – I joined Second Wave when I was in Y9. They had come into school handing out leaflets and I thought it looked interesting. I was choosing Drama for my GCSE options, and I thought it would help me develop my skills.
Micha – I joined about the same time, but I was in Y7. Second Wave had come into school and done some work with my Drama class and I had really enjoyed it and liked meeting new people, so I thought I would go along and join.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
Eathan – What isn’t there to like?! The people are welcoming and make you feel right at home and the activities that we do are really fun.
Micha – There is lots of music and lyric writing to do and you get to work on your speech. It's great! There are lots of good things.
WHAT DO YOU LEARN AT SECOND WAVE?
Micha – We have learned how to articulate ourselves and how to have a strong voice.
Eathan – Speaking. Some people aren’t heard in society, they can be ignored just because of who they are and Second Wave gives them a voice. They make sure that your voice is heard. They bring in the important people from the Police and the Council and we have symposiums, and we are listened to.
HAVE YOU MADE NEW FRIENDS WHILE YOU'VE BEEN THERE?
Eathan – loads.
Micha – Lots of new friends. Second Wave has given me a really strong network of people.
HOW HAS SECOND WAVE HELPED YOU WITH YOUR DRAMA AT SCHOOL?
Eathan – it has helped me to learn different techniques and styles. I really like adding flashbacks into my work and Second Wave has taught me how to do this really effectively.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO FEEL SETTLED?
Micha – For me I settled in straight away. My sister goes there too.
Eathan – it was the same with me, straight away. Maybe you have friends that already go there and maybe you don’t, but the people welcome you in and you find your own place.
WHAT PLAYS HAVE YOU MADE?
Micha – We have just been doing some work about refugees and their stories and that has been really interesting and has made us all think about other people and how life is.
Eathan – Not long ago we did a symposium about young people and their safety. I did a performance about how you can reach for your goals in life. Another group did a piece about the relationship between a father and a son, and they explored masculinity. It was good for us to look at the different types of masculinity and to think about a different way of doing things, especially with all the stuff about Andrew Tate in the news.
Micha - There is a young women’s group, which I wasn’t in, but they did a photography and film project about safe spaces for young women in Deptford. There had been a rape a couple of years ago in a local park and girls said they still felt unsafe there. The film was about making that space theirs again, making it feel safe. The film is on Second Wave’s website, you should watch it.
WHAT DO THE PEOPLE THERE DO TO MAKE YOU FEEL SAFE?
Eathan – The staff are all young themselves so you can have a close connection with them. They understand what it’s like to be a young person from Deptford or New Cross.
Micha – They make you feel like you belong.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SECOND WAVE?
Micha – Second Wave is family.
Eathan – Yeah I agree, family.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE THREE THINGS ABOUT SECOND WAVE?
Eathan – Performances
Micha – Games
Eathan & Micha – Family.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SECOND WAVE OR TO GET INVOLVED - CLICK HERE
Thank you to Mr Paish, Eathan and Micha and the Y8 class. Fantastic!
WHAT IS RAMADAN AND WHY DOES IT HOLD SO MUCH VALUE?
Muslims observe Ramadan because this is the month that the holy Quran was sent down from Allah (SWT). During this holy month Muslims from all around the world all take part in fasting. Muslims wake up early in the morning to eat- this is called suhoor - then they fast the whole day until sunset - this is called iftar. Also, in this unique month Muslims especially need to keep up with their 5 daily prayers, Fajir, Duhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Many Muslims also take the blessed month to read the Quran. Food that you are initially supposed to break your fast with is dates and water then you can eat other food. Ramadan is also the ninth month on the Islamic calendar.
During Ramadan, many Muslims take part in a special night prayer called Taraweeh. Ramadan is also about strengthening your relationship with Allah (SWT). The last 10 nights of Ramadan holds great power as one of those nights are Laylatul Qadr which is translated to the night of power. Laylatul Qadr is a very special night. It is said that you receive a thousand months’ worth of reward in one night. Muslims take this night to repent for their sins and ask for support within their lives, trusting that Allah (SWT) will listen and answer their prayers. At the end of this holy month Muslims celebrate Eid-ul- Fitr because it marks the end of fasting. Muslims take time off work and school to celebrate with their family or friends. To tell when Eid falls, it is by the sighting of a crescent moon.
Thank you for this wonderful piece Amira Y7
