International Day takes on a Southern Asian theme

July 2006

On Friday 7th July 2006 the annual International Day at Prince Henry’s Grammar School Specialist Language College took on a Southern Asian theme, as students and staff took part in a special programme including the traditional game of kabadi in PE, cooking Bombay potatoes in Food Technology lessons and producing henna designs in Art.

The usual school timetable for the day was suspended to allow students to experience a wide range of different aspects of life and culture from countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Visitors to the school led musical workshops with instruments such as the sitar and the dohl, as well as a particularly popular Bollywood dance workshop. Leeds poet Sitara Khan worked with Year 9 students on her poetry, and volunteers from the Leeds Grand Mosque led sessions as an introduction to the Religious Studies unit of work on Islam.

Chris Lillington, Assistant Headteacher and Language College Director said:

“Days like this are an important part of our work in preparing our students to be citizens of a global community. They give them a chance to taste something of another culture, and to re-consider their preconceived ideas. They are also an opportunity to celebrate what makes the world such a rich and varied place”.

As well as providing significant learning opportunities in all areas of the curriculum, the day was also a great deal of fun. One of the highlights for many students was the lunchtime fashion show in which they got to see their teachers modelling Pakistani traditional costumes!