Pride Month 2023 at Presdales

This June at Presdales we have been celebrating Pride Month! We have done this with a focus on inclusivity (both within the school community and the wider world) and the celebrations have provided an excellent opportunity to focus on our school value of equality.

Activities have included screening the adorable Netflix series Heartstopper on Tuesday lunchtimes, a schoolwide competition called ‘Stag Race’ (with apologies to RuPaul Charles – no actual racing involved, just a competition to decorate the school stag logo and add a message of inclusivity), a visit from youth workers from Young Pride in Herts and the Herts LGBT+ Multicultural Project, and an ‘Eat with Pride’ rainbow-themed menu for the final week of June. We have also relaunched Presdales Pride Club, which is open to anyone who identifies (or thinks they might identify) as LGBTQIA+, as well as friends, allies, family members, and people who just want to inform themselves better about the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition, the final week of June saw Lower, Middle, and Upper School Assemblies on the origins of Pride and how to be a good ally all year round, and a Kahoot! Quiz in form time.

Finally, on Monday 10th July we held a Pride Celebration Picnic in the sunken garden during lunchtime, with cake, bunting, and a visit from Mr Warren, who showed excellent allyship to those present.

Special thanks go to Charlie Waring in Year 13 for their wonderful work in Pride Club throughout their time at Presdales, as well as Ms Coulson (EDI Lead) and Mrs Burnett for their invaluable help. We look forward to continuing with Pride Club next year!

Ms G. Price (Head of Spanish/ MFL Teacher/ Pride Club Coordinator)