This term marked our inaugural Student EDI day. With a main theme of Active Bystanders, students across the school took part in a variety of activities throughout the day. From fantastic guest speakers, collaborative activities and moments for reflection, the event proved to be an impactful and thought-provoking one, which lead to meaningful conversations and pushed for positive change. Rudra (SFM2) and Shakil (11J1) shared their thoughts on the day:
On Student EDI Day, a group of us from the Lower Sixth visited the Prep School for an afternoon to teach Year 5 and 6 children about the importance of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. I began by speaking in assembly about why language matters – the power our words hold, both positively and negatively, and how we have the choice to use language to empower rather than discriminate or harm.
Following the assembly, the children split into their six form groups, with two of us leading each class. We had designed workshops that expanded on the assembly’s theme. To start, each student wrote on a post it note something that made them unique, encouraging them to recognise and celebrate individuality. The main part of the session involved discussing real-life scenarios where discrimination occurred. In small groups, the children reflected on the scenarios and answered accompanying questions before sharing their thoughts with the class.
Overall, the engagement from the children was fantastic – everyone was eager to participate, and it was wonderful to see them actively learning and taking something valuable from the session. A huge thank you to the 12 Sixth Formers who led the workshops – they did an incredible job keeping their classes engaged throughout the full hour and a half, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
This term, we partook in an impactful Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Day focused on addressing the issues of banter and prejudice. The event featured thought-provoking talks that explored racist culture and the detrimental effects of racist humour.
The talks were very prevalent, as in the 2023/24 period, 98,799 racist hate crime incidents were recorded by the police in England and Wales. We delved into the damaging effects of racial stereotypes and participated in meaningful, empathetic discussions to better understand the impact of being on the receiving end of a racial joke.
Additionally, we were educated about the potential legal consequences of engaging in racist ‘jokes’, reinforcing the importance of recognising such behaviour as racism, rather than dismissing it as harmless banter. By the end of the day, we left with a stronger commitment to promoting an inclusive and respectful environment, understanding that true equality requires vigilance, empathy and a shared responsibility to challenge prejudiced behaviour.
Furthermore, these talks were particularly relevant to the school’s core value of fostering community and nurturing Habs’ diverse cohort. At the heart of these value lies the commitment to creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their background or beliefs, feel respected, included and valued.
By addressing the impact of racist culture and prejudiced humour, these discussions aligned perfectly with Habs’ key value to promote a sense of belonging and unity among all members of the school community.
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