By Mrs Cruse (Head of Years 7 and 8)

On Tuesday 21st November, Year 8 observed their annual Diversity and Inclusion Day. The day encompassed discussions on challenging subjects, notably examining the impact of the murder of Stephen Lawrence on British society.

During one session, students explored the History of Hip Hop, delving into the significance of their own identities. This involved introspection regarding their current identity, their aspirations and where they aspired to be. The session linked to the rap from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, allowing students to enjoy singing along before deconstructing the words to understand the story behind the lyrics.

The year group also had the opportunity to study the artwork and influence of Chris Ofili and Jean-Michel Basquiat. They created their own anti-racism artwork, drawing inspiration from the distinctive artistic styles of these influential figures.

The afternoon was dedicated to watching the film Hidden Figures. This choice aligned with the 2023 theme of Black History Month, focusing on Saluting our Sisters. Additionally, students actively engaged in discussions and identified microaggressions following a session led by the African and Caribbean Society (ACS). The students will now reflect on this day during form time and continue discussing the significance of examining Diversity and Inclusion.

Serena (Year 8) reflected: “A highlight for me was watching an incredibly moving film called Hidden Figures, which talked about three brilliant African-American women at NASA - Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. They served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history - the launch of an astronaut into orbit. I really enjoyed today and learned about different perspectives of our society.”

Mayah (Year 8) said: “I think I have learned a lot today about no matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone should always be included and treated the way they want to be treated. It’s been a really fun day, and I enjoyed learning about different famous people of colour and what they have achieved despite the barriers they have faced. Today also helped me to understand the main concept of celebrating Black History Month and why we celebrate it.”