INTERNATIONAL DAY JULY 2005

In July we hold our annual International Day, which choses a different part of the world each year as a theme for the day. The normal school timetable is suspended, and all students take part in a special programme of lessons and activities which establish a link between each subject and that part of the world.

This includes looking at what its contribution has been to our daily life, such as through science, technology, art and food, and also involves celebrating aspects of the culture, such as language, drama and music.

In July 2005 the theme was Latin America. The programme included a look at the Mexican Día de los Muertos in Religious Studies and Food Technology, Aztec designs in Art, Latin American novels in English and Fair Trade in the context of Nicarguan coffee farmers in Geography.

As well as the special menu served in Henry’s Diner, there were two other major highlights of this varied day. Firstly, Year 9 and Year 12 students were treated to a performance by the Colegio del Cuerpo physical dance group, on tour from Colombia.

Then, at lunchtime, Main Hall was the venue for a Salsa extravaganza, which saw a couple of hundred students (and at least a dozen teachers!) joining in the fun with the Fuego Latino Salsa group.

In keeping with the Latin American theme this “non-uniform” day also raised over £600 for the School Charity 2005 , and specifically for our partner school, La Dalia in Nicaragua. The whole day was recorded by Year 12 Media Studies students, who produced a 30-minute DVD of the day.