Food, music and art from around the world helped pupils celebrate cultural diversity at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.
A special learning programme was in place for the annual UNESCO global celebration for cultural diversity for dialogue and development that is held worldwide on May 21.
Children in mixed age groups enjoyed a range of activities instead of working in their usual classes.
This included African percussion, Spanish songs and stories, creating Chinese willow patterns and Aboriginal art, making rain sticks, finding out about South Africa’s Kruger National Park, carnival head dresses and Brazilian dance, and discovering Giacometti’s figurines from Switzerland.
In the workshop What Makes Britain Great pupils explored the multi-cultural heritage of the UK, filled in their personal RAPS diversity passports with information, and became reporters carrying out interviews around the school for articles they are writing.
Katerina said: “I love finding out about diversity – we should all be proud of who we are and share our lives and learn to live together.” Faye added: “It has been really interesting learning about our multi-cultural history in our country from immigration to activities like sport, music and dance.”
A highlight of the day was the Taste the World special lunch where pupils, families, staff and guests sampled dishes from around the globe prepared by the Principals catering team. Tasty treats included sausage, mash and onion gravy; vegetable korma and rice; sweet chilli chicken; vegetable jambalaya; spicy Jamaican patties; vegetable cakes such as pea and vanilla and chocolate and sweet potato; plus scones, cream and jam, cakes and fruit.
Yet more dishes for the celebration feast were made and brought in by families and friends.
Among guests was recently appointed Ramsgate mayor Raushan Ara, who was making her first public appearance in her new role, although it was not an official civic engagement.
Raushan, who owns the Ramsgate Tandoori, contributed a range of dishes. She said: “I was invited along by a friend whose daughter is at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
“There was a lovely friendly atmosphere and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying all sorts of food in a community setting.
“I am proud to be Ramsgate mayor and I want to encourage diversity and inclusivity in our community as much as possible. Food, music and creativity brings people together – this celebration of diversity by our young people today is very important and I am honoured to be part of it.”
Scottish heritage was celebrate by parent Arthur Jackson and daughter Izzy who were draped in the blue and white cross of St Andrew and the country’s red lion rampant royal banner of Scotland. Arthur said: “Celebrating our multi-cultural society in a positive way is vital – this event is a terrific learning experience for all of our children.”
Head of School Nick Budge said: “The learning workshops were hands-on, informative and fun. The children embraced all of the creative and educational projects.
“The Taste the World lunch was so popular we held several sittings to accommodate everyone and our catering team were magnificent in providing such an excellent and varied range of meals to enjoy.
“It is so important for children and adults to learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony, especially at these current difficult times. One of our school values is ‘diversity’, and what better way to celebrate this than through exploring it through our arts curriculum, through music, dance, drama, art and food from different cultures.”
Globally, the May 21 celebration is also aimed at advancing the goals of the UNESCO Convention. They include: – Support sustainable systems of governance for culture; Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase mobility of artists and cultural professionals; Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks; Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.