Norwich pupils have drumming the beat of a very important message calling for the end of domestic violence.
About 40 year six pupils from Catton Grove Primary School will next month be among those taking part in Drum for Justice - an event raising awareness about domestic violence - and yesterday they spent the afternoon learning the rhythms created for the flash mob performance.
Drum for Justice will take place outside The Forum, in Norwich, on February 14 and is being organised by the Norwich Rising organisation which is inviting everyone to get involved.
A special drum beat called Secret has been composed by Julian Culpan containing the words Enough is Enough in Morse code, and the idea is to get as many people as possible to take part in the drumming extravaganza which is part of the campaign to end violence against women.
At Catton Grove Primary yesterday Tracey Taylor, from women's drum group Dead Goat Appreciation Society, taught pupils the beat.
Year six teacher Ellen Barnes said the children had been learning about the issue of domestic violence and that they had also been involved in last year's Norwich Rising event.
She said: 'There are a few different rhythms and we have been mastering the first two.
'The children are really excited and ready to go and perform in front of everyone - although we are going to have a couple more rehearsals first!
'They are also going to be creating their own drums out of pots and pans. It's all about domestic violence so we are using domestic equipment to make musical instruments.'
She said joining in with the performance outside the Forum was a good way of showing the pupils that their voices matter.
'It's just a really good chance for them to stand up and let their voices be counted because I think that as children they do not always think their voices are heard. It is good to show them that they can join in,' she said.
Norwich Rising is part of a global campaign called One Billion Rising.
Eloise O'Hare, from Norwich Rising, said: 'What we are doing is trying to bring the issue of domestic violence out in the open and we are offering support to people - it does not have to be a secret anymore.
'With the drum beats we are communicating that we have had enough of domestic violence.'
She added: 'Please bring along your pots and pans and join us on February 14 outside the Forum at 1pm.'
This year Norwich Rising is supporting domestic abuse charity Leeway which helps just under 10,000 adults, children and young people every year across Norfolk and Suffolk.
• Everyone is invited to join in with the Norwich Rising event on Friday, February 14, and people can take part in practice sessions this Sunday and the following Sunday at St Margaret's Church, in St Benedict's Street, Norwich, from 10am until 12pm.
For more visit www.norwichrising.wordpress.com
• Do you have an education story? Contact education correspondent Martin George at martin.george@archant.co.uk
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