Celebrating Diversity at St Dominic’s Catholic School

“We cannot close our eyes to any form of racism or exclusion, while pretending to defend the sacredness of every human life.”

Pope Francis

 This year we have mapped our whole curriculum to ensure that the contributions and achievements of Black people are embedded within our day-to-day teaching. We have also tried to make our curriculum as diverse as possible, to recognise that we are part of a Global community.

Celebrating Diversity – Prayer

O God,

You created all people in your image. We thank you for the astonishing variety of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of friendship, and show us you presence in those who differ most from us until our knowledge of your love is made in our love for all your children; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the Lutheran Book of Worship: Minister’s De Edition

World Afro Hair Day (Big hair day)

World Afro Day is a global day of change, education and celebration of Afro hair; endorsed by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human rights. The children watched the Big Hair Assembly at 1.30pm on Wednesday 15th September. This was also the 5th anniversary of World Afro Day. The assembly was hosted in the UK by the broadcaster and award-winning saxophonist, YolanDa Brown. For the first time, the event was being supported by Britain’s major education unions: ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU UNISON and Voice Community. Award-winning, World Afro Day is an annual day of change, education and celebration of Afro hair, culture and identity. It raises global awareness about Afro hair discrimination and creates positive solutions. We thoroughly enjoyed being part of this positive momentum and celebrated the day by super styling our hair especially for the occasion.

Halo Hair Code

We are excited to announce that St. Dominic’s Catholic Primary School has adopted ‘The Halo Code’, the UK’s first Black hair code. No Black staff or students should have to change their natural or protective hairstyle in order to thrive at our school. We hope that the Halo Code will move us one step closer to a world free from discrimination, where all Black members of our community have their identities fully recognised and celebrated

The Code:

‘Our school champions the right of staff and students to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of Black staff and students’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.

We welcome Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locks, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.

At this school, we recognise and celebrate our staff and students’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on anyone’s ability to succeed.’

The children created different art pieces celebrating their diverse hair and explained why they are proud of their hair!

Black History Month– ‘Proud to Be’

The theme for Black History Month was ‘Proud to Be’. Our parents at St Dominic’s Catholic School spoke with the deputy headteacher and shared what they are proud to be. For example, some parents stated they are proud of their ethnicity, speak a different language, and being a black hard-working mum.

The children were invited to come to school dressed in national costumes or the colours of their native flag. We also celebrated with a special school dinner of different cultural food.

Show Racism the Red Card: Change hearts, change minds and change lives.

This is the 25th anniversary year and more relevant than ever before. Wear Red Day is a national anti-racism awareness day, and St. Dominic’s are proud to participate. Everyone was asked to wear RED to show their support and show racism the RED card.

Celebrating the life of Desmond Tutu