As part of Black History Month, we staged a Focus Week concentrating on the input and recognition of key figures in Black History in Britain and across the globe.
Our celebrations included photos and biographies of key figures on display around the school, including Mary Seacole and Frederick Douglas, and related activities took place in tutor time and via House competitions.
We also had Kiran Sahota in school from ‘Believe in Me’ to talk about the role of Sikh soldiers in the First World War and used this angle to address the fact that there is not yet a commemorative monument to Caribbean soldiers at the National Arboretum. This was followed by our letter writing competition which was in support of the National Caribbean Monument Charity.
Elsewhere, House assemblies were led by Sixth Formers Nicole McDonald and Bintou Secka, alongside Ms Keane, to explain the significance and importance of Black History Month on the world stage.
Carrie Cain, Assistant Headteacher, said: “We always look to draw local links to our Focus Weeks and being able to tie our regular work with the National Arboretum in with Black history was a good angle to pursue on the issue of pride and recognition.”
Matt Allman, Headteacher, added: “We are very much pushing an ‘All for One’ message through our Focus Weeks this year with future themes including Red Cross & Red Crescent, Gay Pride and Refugee Week and are pursuing a message of the things that unite us rather than a tendency for society to consider all too often what divides us.”
