International Peace Day Ceremony
This morning, Somersfield Academy celebrated its annual International Peace Day ceremony, a cherished tradition that brings the entire school community together in a shared commitment to peace. The event was led by the newly elected Student Leadership Council (SLC) and featured a captivating violin solo by JitHom Liew '30. The ceremony underscores Somersfield’s steadfast commitment to empathy and global awareness.
At the heart of Somersfield’s philosophy is the belief that education is a powerful tool for peace. The Montessori and International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, both of which are integral to the school’s curriculum, share a global perspective that nurtures students to become active contributors to a peaceful future. Dr Montessori’s approach aligns seamlessly with the IB’s peace education principles, including human rights, environmental education, and conflict resolution.
Somersfield’s mission of inspiring socially conscious, independent thinkers, together with these educational philosophies creates a learning environment that prioritises academic excellence and promotes a lifelong dedication to building a more peaceful world.
One of the highlights of the International Day of Peace ceremony was a powerful speech delivered by Zarah Siddiqi ‘26, the Diversity Representative of the Student Leadership Council. Below is the full text of her inspiring words:
Good morning everyone. Thank you for all being here today to celebrate International Day of Peace. We talk a lot about what the purpose of this day is, but we rarely discuss what peace means for us. I can’t talk about what peace means to each of us individually; but what I can do is tell you all what I think peace means to Somersfield. At Somersfield peace means caring for those around you. Many of us still remember the peace table in our children’s house classrooms. Resolving any issues we had with our friends and dealing with any problems we faced with each other. At Somersfield we value peace more than anything else. We don’t think of peace just as a word. But rather, a way of life. An ideal we strive for every day. Peace doesn’t just have a dictionary definition.
Peace is when you walk by a struggling student and choose to help them. Peace is when you see a teacher needing a hand and you lend one. A lot of times we think of world peace as an unrealistic goal. Something that could never happen. You may think, “how can one person like me change the world?” but, imagine 7 billion people all saying the same thing. Peace is our responsibility. Peace starts with us. We have the ability to change the world and create a future that sees happiness and joy and love. If we can feel peace within ourselves, we can project that peace to those around us.
Peace can also save lives and divert adversity. Right now, there are countries around the world where people’s fundamental human rights are not respected. Conflicts like these go far deeper than political disagreements. Every life lost counts. These people are more than statistics and numbers. Mothers. Fathers. Children. Every single person was somebody to someone. Countries such as Afghanistan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Congo, and many more are going through an extreme humanitarian crisis. A time in which their human rights are neither respected nor cared for in any way. I would like to take this time to have a quick moment of silence for the children, adults, doctors, journalists, and others whose lives have been taken away from them due to conflicts in an unpeaceful world.
No one deserves to live a life where they aren’t appreciated and valued as an individual. And it is a violation to the human rights constitution that people around the world are living like they are. We have so incredibly much to be grateful for every day, and it is important we remember this throughout our lives. A world without conflict would be unattainable, but as Ronald Regan once said, “peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.”
Life can’t be perfect, and life won’t be perfect, but we can work on the one thing we can control. Ourselves. Starting with me and you. We can ensure a peaceful classroom. Which will transition into a peaceful school. Then a peaceful country. And perhaps, one day, a peaceful world.
Student Leadership Council for 2024-25
President: Kiara Weeks-George
Vice President: Naomi Crofton
Diversity Rep.: Zarah Siddiqi
Secretary: Christina Lee
Treasurer: Ryan Green
Marketing & Student Life: Sydney Troake
Tiger House Captain: Aaliyah Haffar
Tiger House Co-Captain: Namazio Dill
Mako House Captain: Rose Paulos
Mako House Co-Captain: Heidi Paulos
View The Royal Gazette’s Gallery of the event.