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On Monday 26th June 2023, all pupils took part in Diversity Day.
Mr Catlow, Headteacher, and Chaplain Andy began the day with a live broadcast during extended form worship inviting pupils to consider how they treat each other, based on the scripture at the bottom of this page.
Pupils were invited to consider how they have been created ‘in the image of God.’ They asked the question, ‘How should we treat each other?’ and to consider the answer, ‘With love, because we are created in God’s image.’
The first session looked at stereotypes, what stereotypes there are based on age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, marriage or civil partnership and how stereotypes can encourage prejudice. Pupils looked at the Equality Act 2010 and how it protects people from stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.
The session went on to look at how our school community can challenge negative stereotypes.
Diversity is a brilliant thing. At our school we believe the same as the British law – we must treat everyone, no matter what their background is, with the same kindness and respect we would all want to receive.
The second session looked at how pupils can report issues they see in school using the Whisper button and what details make a good Whisper report. They looked at a variety of scenarios and identified the following;
What has been reported, is there a clear picture of what has happened?
How is what has happened wrong?
If you were the victim, what would you do?
What would you do if you were a bystander or witness?
How do you think the victim felt?
The third session looked at what can prejudice, discrimination and lack of tolerance to others can lead to and what happens when words turn to action. The session looked at hate crimes and the stories of Sophie Lancaster and the Dr Gary Jenkins. The session looked at bullying of a young man called Jamie and the devastating consequences. Finally, it looked at how we can make sure that everyone is included.
Finally, pupils were invited to think back on the devastating stories of Sophie, Doctor Gary and Jamie. Their uniqueness, their skills, their hobbies and talents made them who they were. Rather than celebrating who they were, individuals chose to exclude, judge and alienate them, which resulted in three lives being cruelly cut short.
Pupils were invited to imagine how things would have been different if they had simply been celebrated for who they were. Imagine if others made every effort to make them feel valued and loved and appreciated, for who they were and for what they brought to the world.
The session finished off with the following words.
Our words matter.
The way we treat others matters.
The impact we have on others may not always be clear to us.
We have a responsibility to others.
Let us learn from one another and celebrate difference, rather than allowing it to divide us
What a wonderful world we live in, full of difference and uniqueness
Embrace it, learn from others and celebrate our rich diversity.
The fourth session invited pupils to decorate a jigsaw piece celebrating who they are. It could include a self-portrait, religion, hobbies, likes and dislikes and ambitions.
The day was completed with a special whole school collective worship.
Genesis 1:26–28 (NIV): 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
