Latymer Upper School’s Round Square Day

Posted: 05 May 2019

IDEALS

• Internationalism
• Leadership

Discoveries

• Communication skills
• Inquisitiveness
• Appreciation for diversity
• Self-awareness
• Teamwork
• Compassion

About

Now in its second year, Latymer Upper School ran a student-led ‘Round Square Day’ focusing on one of the RS IDEALS on the 28^th March 2019. This year’s whole school event explored the theme of ‘Intercultural Understanding’. During the day, students explored the similarities and differences between cultures in a way that promoted meaningful and lasting understanding and respect.

Planning

The day itself was a student-led event which was organised by the Student Committee and supported by key members of staff at the school. Students started planning for the event in October and were responsible for key logistical elements as well as putting together the programme, selecting the theme, training the group leaders and organising the key note speakers.

Teamwork and good communication was key to planning this event and the committee met regularly. Early on we started off meeting fortnightly, but then moved onto weekly meetings about two months before the event to ensure dedicated time to finalise important details.

Activity

Whole school: We kicked things off with four guest speakers: Richard Cockett from the Economist, Professor Laura Hammond from SOAS, David Andolfatto from UNESCO and Claire Mosely, founder of Care for Calais. The topics ranged from the migrant crisis, to ways of strengthening our diverse society and uncovering people’s beliefs in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

Lower school: Lower School students then took part in two activities: one was a Scavenger Hunt, where they needed to learn about different countries’ cultures, and then answer three questions to win a letter, in order to form the words: ‘Appreciation’, ‘Friendliness’ and ‘Gratefulness’ in an anagram.

The other was a letter-writing activity, in which pupils wrote messages of support to refugees, some even managed some Arabic greetings, which were then put up in our Library window to form a ‘bridge of friendship’. These messages were taken to Calais on the school trip over Easter and handed out.

Middle school: Middle School students were involved in a political role play to get them to think of ways in which we can practically strengthen our society by embracing diversity. They also enjoyed exploring all the different visible, and less visible aspects of one’s culture, as well as unpacking the deeper significance of cultural stereotypes.

We further celebrated our cultural appreciation by sampling some delicious international meals all week, as well as some sweet treats in the morning bake sale (which raised money for Care for Calais and West London Refugee Centre). At lunchtime, pupils were invited to put dots onto maps of the world to pinpoint their ethnic origins, making it a wonderful exhibit in the Atrium for all to enjoy.

Upper school: The Year 12 students ran all the events were excellent facilitators and leaders. This was a great opportunity for the older students to step out of their comfort zone and to take on visible leadership roles for the day.

Challenges

As an inner-city school we are very space-restricted and finding appropriate space to dedicate to the planned activities was logistically challenging. We overcame this by booking the spaces needed early and by being flexible to others’ needs.

As a new-to-post Round Square Rep, it was my first time facilitating an event on this scale and as a result we spent a lot of time planning.

Sadly a couple of students in Year 12 were not on board with leading the activities. The impact was limited to one class fortunately.

Impact

Ultimately, the day gave our whole school the platform to challenge cultural stereotypes and to celebrate our differences and develop a deeper appreciation for diversity. Students have gained more awareness of others and will hopefully remember to always be open-minded when meeting new people of different cultural backgrounds.

Students were able to learn about the refugee crisis with a real sense of compassion. Through the letter-writing exercise, they were able to develop a deeper understanding and show empathy for the plight of others who are in distress, in need or suffering.

Whilst most of the day was spent celebrating others, students will also cultivate an understanding of themselves, their personality, values, attitudes, strengths and weaknesses through this day of discovery.

Advice

• start planning early and have regular meetings;
• get buy-in from pupils, offer them the opportunity to plan something for them and their peers, framing it as an exciting chance for them to lead on something on a school-wide scale;
• get key members of staff on board.

Author: Clementine Desmons, Round Square Rep, Latymer Upper School