This week is Cultural Celebration Week at NHEHS and we are celebrating understanding our own identities, respecting and understanding each other and a stronger multicultural community.

The week kicked off with a fantastic assembly led by students. Students shared passionately what they loved most about their own cultures, traditions, customs and languages. We heard about families and life in countries as diverse as Ukraine, Iraq, Sri Lanka and India, through stories handed down through generations, food, nature, celebrations and more, plus also how students try to keep engaged with their cultures while living in London, whether through speaking languages, meet ups and dances. Head Girl Lewhat also told us about Biniam Girmay, a truly inspiring role model cyclist from her home country of Eritrea. Finally, the students also spoke about the importance of us all celebrating being multicultural in London, and not to worry if we are struggling to find a single culture that we identify with, but instead to remember that “we are a community with our own culture at school, with a sense of shared belonging together at NHEHS.”

We have a number of activities planned this week to celebrate our cultural diversity. On Tuesday we held a Multicultural Fair in the Main Hall, complete with stalls selling food, henna designs, Chinese calligraphy, homemade Indian snacks and New Zealand treats, including Anzac cookies. The money raised will go to UNICEF. On Wednesday all students were encouraged to come to school wearing something that represents them as part of cultural dress up day.

Juniors enjoyed origami and holi art workshops on Wednesday and stories from different cultures on Friday. Also on Friday, Years 3 to 6 took part in the Food, Festivals, Frocks and Flags house quiz. Food at lunchtime through the week featured foods from different cultures including Italian, Greek and Mexican salads and sushi.