The Church of England’s first female black bishop visited St Werburgh’s (VA) Church of England Primary School, part of the DDAT family, in Spondon during Black History Month, after she heard the pupils had been learning about her life.
Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin spent time speaking with pupils at the school after she heard the children had created a picture of her as part of Black History Month. Head teacher Rachael Dean said: “The pupils were absolutely thrilled to meet Bishop Rose in person after learning so much about her.”
Children at the school showed Bishop Rose their display, including her image, when she visited the school on Tuesday (October 15th), in between speaking at two major events on opposite sides of the country.
Afterwards, she spent time talking to staff and pupils, mentioning her life growing up in Jamaica and giving answers to questions about her favourite food (jerk chicken or curried goat), her favourite colour (red), favourite football team (Manchester United), favourite sport (tennis) and whether anybody had ever been unkind to her.
She answered the latter saying: “Yes, there are people sadly who don’t think women should be priests. They are still very present, but I don’t let it upset me. I say to my children and grandchildren that you can’t legislate for what someone else will say, you can only legislate for yourself. It is not what the circumstances around you are, but how to respond to them that matters.” Bishop Rose recalled that during her previous role as a priest in Lichfield and Wolverhampton, some people didn’t want her to do wedding or funeral services.
“Sometimes it was because I am a woman, sometimes it was because I am black,” she said. “It is hurtful if someone rejects you. But I just said to myself they were missing out because I do a very brilliant funeral service.”
The children were also treated to some singing from Bishop Rose, as she sung the lyrics from (Something Inside) So Strong by Labi Siffre, which she said she used as her personal mantra. Head teacher Rachael Dean asked what advice Bishop Rose would give for how to make the world a better place.
Quoting the lyrics from ‘Man in the Mirror’ by Michael Jackson, she said if people wanted to make the world a better place, they needed to look at themselves.
“The change begins with you,” she said. “When we look at each other, we should not see each other as being different, we should see each other as belonging, we are one human race.” The Bishop led prayer with children and blessed them before visiting the school’s prayer garden.
Mrs Dean said: “I think today’s visit was inspirational, to hear those words of wisdom from a black woman is really important so our children can see themselves reflected in our leaders.”
