He praised Tyssen Primary School for its community spirit

Stamford Hill schoolchildren became the first in the borough to get a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday (November 16).

Dr Rowan Williams went to Tyssen Primary School in Oldhill Street to speak to youngsters about their work on Christianity and the community.

“It is wonderful to see the level of community outreach here and the way in which this has been a resource for everybody,” he told the Gazette. “It has been really inspirational.

“I think it helps to tell people that they have got something to say that’s really worth hearing and something to show that’s really worth looking at.”

Dr Williams, the most senior bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion, visited classes and gave an assembly about hospitality in different cultures and faiths. He has attended church services in the borough before, but never visited a school.

Year four pupil Merveille Kazadi bravely volunteered to help with the presentation by modelling ceremonial Indian clothes. “I felt nervous and scared, but he was very kind,” he said.

“We learned about when he went to India and stayed there for three weeks. He told us they wear cloth around their shoulders and to treat a visitor like a king.”

Dr Williams also met governors, staff and parents from the children’s centre at Tyssen, the Lubavitch children’s centre in Northfield Road and the Ishan children’s centre in Cazenove Road as well as the Rev William Campbell-Taylor, vicar of St Thomas’ church in Clapton Common.

“We feel privileged,” said Sue Windross, Tyssen’s head teacher. “This school is unique because it allows communities to come together. Slowly, community groups are trusting us and we are learning about them. It is good for the children.”