October is Black History Month and Middle School have some upcoming events next week to celebrate! We would love to have as many members of our school community join us! Please read on to see how you can get involved. 

How was Britain shaped by the Windrush Generation?

Traditionally the American Civil Rights Movement is a big focus during this month, however this year in Middle School we are running whole school project focusing on how the British community grew from historically significant times such as the Windrush Generation.

Students will be exploring this through assemblies and lessons with their coaching groups, and through the creation of a fantastic Middle School display, pieced together from the family histories of our staff and students. If your family has a story to share around their arrival in the UK, and you would be happy to share this with us, please do so via this form. We look forward to hearing about them!

We understand that writing a story may be daunting, so if you'd prefer to speak to someone directly, please get into contact with us! Email Ms Silvain on asilvain@school21.org.uk and we will give you a call! 

Alternatively, if you would rather not share a whole story, please CLICK HERE to share what Black History Month means to you - we would love to put these quotes up around our school!

Come along to teach or learn how to do an African headdress!

On Friday 18th October (the last day of the half term) we will hold a session where you can come along and learn (or teach if you know how!) to create different traditional African headdress styles. So far we have some parent and staff volunteers but warmly welcome anyone else to come along and join in. The session will run from 4:00pm - 5:00pm.  Please feel free to bring along a sharing dish or snacks to share as well. We will provide tea and coffee! 

Family Film Night!

Directly after our headdress workshop, on Friday 18th October we will be holding our regular Family Film Night (as advertised in our weekly newsletter!). This month the students voted between the films Hidden Figures, Remember the Titans and Black Panther. Black Panther won by a landslide! It was one of our most popular films last year so we invite all families to come along to watch together in our Middle School courtyard again. Please note, the film is rated 12A. 

We ask anyone attending to bring along a £1 donation on the night. We will provide drinks and snacks (popcorn or cookies!) for anyone attending. The film will run from 5:30 - 7:30pm approximately. You are more than welcome to attend one or both events on Friday. 

Half Term Holiday Challenge

Over the half term we will be setting a whole-school challenge! In the October half term we are asking students to research someone who represents the theme of 'Black Excellence'. All students are invited to submit an original sketch or drawing of a person of their choice who fits this theme; someone who has brought about change or has influenced the world by demonstrating excellence in any field or area! This could be a celebrity, someone well-known, an award winner or someone you think we could all learn from who is inspirational. 

Along with the sketch, students should submit a short biography about their chosen person. These will be made into a set of greeting cards and made available for purchase. Books like 'Bad Girls throughout History' might be a good place to look for inspiration. These will be due on the first Friday back after half term (Friday, 1st November) and more information will be added to your child's Google Classroom as well about this task. Please make sure your picture is on an A4 piece of paper, and your biography on a separate sheet. 

Black History Month themed dinner menu

Our kitchen is also putting on a themed week of lunches next week to celebrate BHM. Please see the menu below for more information.