Emma helps get pupils into spirit of peace

PUPILS at a Hebburn school got in shape to spread the peace message.

Various activities marking World Peace Day were held at St Joseph’s RC Comprehensive School in Mill Lane.

Fitness expert Emma Newham led special yoga sessions at the school, with dozens of students encouraged to exercise and meditate to reach a more peaceful state of mind.

Mrs Newham, who runs MyBody Studios in Station Road, East Boldon, said: “The idea was to get the students relaxed, and I asked them to take part in visualisations.

“This involved them lying on the floor, and they were asked to focus on their breathing and to try and visualise certain images.

“One of the things I asked them to think of was of walking in a park at the beginning of summer, with the early dewdrops on the grass.”

Although teenagers can become self-conscious and giggle during such exercises, the majority of the pupils got into the spirit of World Peace Day.

Mrs Newham added: “I think most of the students got something out of the exercise.

“When they were on the floor, I explained that lying perfectly still and not speaking was often one of the most difficult postures in yoga.”

More than 40 students took part in the yoga sessions at the Hebburn school, which Miss Newham led for the first time last year.

Sixth form students at St Joseph’s also recently debated peace during a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Students won a place on the trip through an educational competition, aimed at boosting understanding between schools throughout Europe.

Judges selected St Joseph’s after they were impressed with a DVD of a festive event pupils ran for Bede Burn Primary School in Jarrow.