21 July 2008

The Academy held an International Day last week to celebrate the diverse cultures of the world and to promote greater understanding of our global society. Principal Paul Hollingum said, “this is an excellent way to live out our specialism of Global Citizenship.”

Lord Adonis, the Minister for Schools, accompanied by John Rolfe of the British Council, opened the event. Lord Adonis stressed the importance of greater understanding of other peoples and cultures to improve cohesion in this country and to be a genuine force for peace throughout the world.

John Rolfe, representing the British Council, congratulated the Academy on what it is already doing to develop the global dimension of its curriculum and highlighted that it was well on its way to gaining the impressive International Schools Award.

Each student in the Academy was engaged in six workshops during the day, ranging from craft to cooking, singing to storytelling, and dance to didgeredooing. The result was an action-packed day for everyone, culminating in an assembly to showcase what the students had learned. The assembly provided an opportunity for the whole Academy to be together, with students of all ages contributing.

The event was organised by Donna Critcher, the Leading Teacher for Languages at the Academy. The idea for the day came as a result of a successful bid to the British Council, where she won for the Academy a series of workshops run by the Beijing Opera Company. Donna pulled together contributions from Spain, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, India, China, Japan, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

To rapturous applause, the students performed the dances and songs they had learned from around the world to their fellow students and guests.

Fantastico!