EDI – Presdales School & Sixth Form | Ware

EDI Section

February 1, 2024/in EDI /by Presdales School

Last week we commemorated Holocaust memorial day which is on the 27th January every year. This is the day that the largest of the Nazi death camps, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was liberated. The theme for this year was ‘the fragility of freedom’. Students participated in a SMSC session during form time. This was written by Mrs Workman and 2 Year 12 Historians Flora Rowley and Esme Sabin. They did an amazing job and getting us to have thought provoking discussions about anti Semitism and other forms of persecution. We learnt how important it is to stand up against all forms of persecution, regardless of if they affect us or not.

Below is a link about Holocaust memorial days and things that we all can do.

https://www.hmd.org.uk/what-is-holocaust-memorial-day/this-years-theme/

EDI Section

January 18, 2024/in EDI /by Presdales School

This Monday marked Martin Luther King Day in the US. Although he focused his work in America, he is probably the most famous civil rights and anti racist campaigner in history. I think most of us can recite, at least part, of his famous ‘I have dream speech’, given in 1963 to an audience if more than 250 thousand people in Washington.

But what about his lesser known speeches/ letters. His daughter, Bernice King, this week said that ” he was resolute about eradicating racism, poverty and militarism. And about corrective justice work. Don’t just quote him. Encourage and enact policies that reflect his teachings”

Here are some links to more of his wider work that she encourages us all to read/ listen to in order to understand him and his aims more.

https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

The Other America Speech Transcript – Martin Luther King Jr.

EDI Section

December 20, 2023/in EDI /by Presdales School

My favourite thing about Christmas is all of the traditions that it brings. Putting up the tree whilst listening to Christmas songs, watching a film with a hot chocolate on Christmas eve; the stress and chaos of Christmas day. I love hearing about people’s own traditions and the differences in how everybody celebrate it or don’t. It’s a great way of celebrating all of the differences that we have within our school community.

This website gives a description of all of the different traditions that other countries and cultures have. I’m especially interested in the variety of food!

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/angola

I hope you all have a restful holiday however you spend it

Melissa Coulson – EDI Lead

EDI Section

December 8, 2023/in EDI /by Presdales School

One of the things that we are looking at closely within our community are what are known as microaggressions. Both staff and students will be looking at these within the year, it is also a term that is used widely. So what are they? These are defined as

“a small act or remark that makes someone feel insulted or treated badly because of their race, sex, etc., even though the insult, etc. may not have been intended, and that can combine with other similar acts or remarks over time to cause emotional harm”– Cambridge dictionary 2023

Some examples might include-

“You speak good English.”

“When I look at you, I don’t see colour.”

“I’m not a racist. I have several Black friends.”

Although by themselves these comments and actions may not have much of an effect, added together there is a big effect on the person being subjected to them. This is nicely explained in this video

So what can we do? It is all about reflecting on our own attitudes, stereotypes and expectations of groups of people. Reflect on these and think more deeply about them. Also listen to members of marginalised communities. If somebody says that they felt hurt by a comment or action take this on board. It’s really important to think about impact rather than intention.

Here is a really good source of information from the University of Edinburgh

https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity/students/microaggressions

Thanks

Melissa Coulson – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead

EDI Section

October 20, 2023/in EDI /by Presdales School

Dear parent/carers,

My name is Ms Coulson, and I am the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead here at Presdales. In every issue of PressTales I will be showcasing work that we’ve been doing in school, or things that I have come across of interest that deal with issues around equity and diversity. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me on mcoulson@presdales.herts.sch.uk

This month we have been celebrating Black History Month. The theme has been ‘celebrating our sisters’ so we have been speaking lots about inspiration black women. Students have been learning about the amazing contributions that black women have made across their lessons. There has also been assemblies, a poetry competition and attending an especially themed film club.