Exploring different cultures and beliefs is a very important part of our learning at every stage of our school. Pupils in Year 8 who are observing Ramadan will be speaking to younger children about what they are doing and why. Reception did some learning about Lent followed by a pancake race! Year 3 decorated the entrance to school with a rangoli pattern as part of their India topic. Year 5 finished off their Sikhism topic by looking at the festival of Vaisakhi. Year 6 have continued their study of wise sayings by Confucius, and come up with some of their own. Year 8 are exploring why Ancient Greece used so many different words for “love”, and how the word agape is at the heart of both religious devotion and humanitarianism. Also this week, children across the school took part in Lion and Dragon Dances to help us learn more about Lunar New Year, and the traditions that go with it! See page four for more pictures.
The diversity of human culture and beliefs means that there will be many occasions in life that we do not all agree with each other. Year 7 have looked at another moral dilemma, and focused on how we argue our views and opinions in a clear and yet respectful way, in answer to questions that may not have a clear answer.
An easily accessible way for all age groups to learn about different cultures is to read books, lots and lots of books. By this, I don’t just mean travel guides, history, or even cookery books, but fiction by authors of different nationalities and cultures. Sometimes we can get into a rut reading the same types of books by the same authors. We should all set ourselves the challenge of reading books by writers from other parts of the world and different backgrounds to our own. It is hugely rewarding and allows us to see the world from other perspectives.
To this end, I was delighted to welcome Carolynn from Afrori Books into our school yesterday. She set up shop on the front playground, and lots of our children went home with something new to read at bedtime.
Today was of course our World Book Day, and there were some fantastic costumes on display, modelled by both children and staff! The day began with our traditional parade on the front playground, and there were lots of different activities across the day. Our normal Friday timetable went out of the window, and we immersed ourselves in storytelling and a love of reading to ourselves and to others.
I wish you a lovely weekend ahead of what is, incredibly, our last full week of term!
Ms Elizabeth Lyle, Head