Multicultural week Day 4

Day One morning | Day One afternoon | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four

A superb week of Indian culture sadly came to an end on Friday Staff and pupils will never forget the experiences we had.

Liam's art work on hand and on paper very impressive

Mrs Mellor's class felt "camera neglected " over the week.
We had to put that right

One of many costumed pupils at work

The Express and Star re-visit

Mrs Mellor and two pupils from her class
are positioned for the press photo

Meanwhile one of the school secretaries, Mrs Cocker, has her hands painted.

Mrs Smiths class again. The leaves, the powder and the resulting die in tubes ready for Mendhi painting

Mrs Smith's class have the whole concept explained

Pupils make their own designs on their hands

Some needing help

As part of the week, Mrs Smith's class studied Divali

In the photograph the whole of her class are featured with candles alight.

This has been a wonderful learning experience for us all at Cheslyn Hay.

Many thanks are due to Mrs Mellor who masterminded the week using contacts she knew from the Indian community in the UK.

There will follow, next week, an "on line" competition with a prize.

It's only open to junior school pupils and sadly the main prize is not a family trip to India!

It will be a competition of general knowledge about India.

On a personal note

The last week's school experiences, shared by both all school staff and pupils, will be something we have all learned from and will continue to inform our thinking throughout life

Different cultures and faiths are not something to be wary or suspicious of, but something to celebrate.

The United Kingdom represents a unique mix of faiths and cultures

It is so important that we realise this and continue to learn from each other, whatever our various positions.

The internet has brought the world closer together.

We live in a global community now.

Yes there are the most dreadful examples of terrorism conducted (notably and currently in Iraq) in the name of a faith. But they are extremists and therefore are not typical of that mainstream faith.

Some of my closest friends happen to be Muslims and perfectly law abiding and lovely people supporting their local community in Lichfield.

Muslim folks are nearing the end of Ramadam and my friends admit to feeling a bit hungry as they don't eat or drink during the daytime.

The Christian season of Lent has parallels with Ramadam with both faiths having much in common.

Next week Divali will be celebrated by many in the UK and around the world.

We all live under the same sky and it is so important that we share, understand and learn from each other, whatever we believe and whatever our native roots, social or cultural backgrounds

Martin Tibbetts
Headteacher
Saturday, 06 November 2004