On October 14, the Gérard-Philipe de Froissy college paid a poignant tribute to Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard. THE two teachers were murdered three years apart by Islamist terrorists.
“Secularism is respect for specificities, it is the combination of diversity“. This message, and many others, punctuate the bay window of the Gérard-Philipe college, this October 14. Above the assembled students, a large banner crossed out with a “engaged college”. On a screen the names of Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard stand out. The two teachers were victims, three years apart, of Islamist terrorism.
Murdered three years apart
The first, a professor of history and geography, was assassinated on October 16, 2020, in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine (78).
Three years later, on October 13, 2023, in Arras (62), the same fateful fate struck Dominique Bernard, French teacher.
This Monday, all middle and high schools in France are paying tribute to the two victims.
The rector of the Amiens Academy, Pierre Moya, chose the Froissy college for this meditation. The entire school community takes part, led by principal Julien Dosquet.
At his side, the sub-prefect Arnaud Quiniou, the mayor of Froissy, Mikaël Feigueux, representatives of the gendarmerie and Jean-Paul Obellianne, academic director of the National Education Services of Oise.
“The school did not give in, its teachers did not give in”
In brief speeches, each speaker denounces hatred, obscurantism, attacks “which aimed to sow fear in our schools”.
“But the school did not give in, its teachers did not give in” recalls Pierre Moya, before highlighting “freedom of thought”“fraternity” et “respect for others.”
“It’s up to all of us to resist the forces of division” he insists.
For Arnaud Quiniou, “To touch the school, to touch a teacher, is to touch the Republic”. He reminds young people of the importance of developing their free will, thanks to the teaching of their teachers.
The Froissy college choir
The college choir begins and closes the tribute ceremony with a song of peace, interspersed with phrases taken from the works and speeches of Albert Camus, Simone Veil and the lawyer Richard Malka.
ABOUT FROISSY
Oise-Froissy: solidarity baskets for vulnerable families
Oise – Froissy: more than a million euros for the village hall
