The OC Society Magazine - Autumn 2022

Page 39

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

39

EQUALITY,DIVERSITYANDINCLUSION

Encouraging a more equitable future

C

anford is committed to a collaborative, inclusive neurodivergentintheUKandthisincludescondit anddynamicapproachtoEDI.Arangeofevents asdyslexia,dyspraxiaandADHD,whichcanaltertheway throughout the last year have challenged pupils and people learn and behave. teachers alike to consider their approaches to these issues, Deaf musician motivates pupils while innovations such as QR codes now help pupils to ProfoundlydeafmusicianPaulWhittakerOBEencoura raise concerns. FifthFormpupilstofollowtheirdreamswiththeme A world free of bias not to let people tell you that you can’t do something. He ForInternationalWomen’sDay,pupilswereaskedto taughtthemtosignalongusing No Woman BSLto No Cry imagine a non-gendered world, free of bias, stereotypes and and Reach for the Stars. discrimination.Aworldthatisdiverse,equitable OC Support andinclusive. Aworldwheredifferenceisvaluedandcelebrated. We Awelcome debate support from former pupils, and would like wasalsoheldonthemotion:‘Thishousewouldstrive tothank for OCDonaldGeikie(C67)foramostgenerous gender equity rather than gender equality.’ donation to Canford in respect of our EDI programme. He Author challenges stereotypes was delighted to hear about all the initiatives and plans at AvisitbynovelistLouisaReidalsohelpedencourage Canfordpupils and felt compelled to contribute, for which we are to consider how gender stereotypes can be constraining. She truly grateful. led discussions following readings from two of her recently published works, Gloves Off and Wrecked. House debates question status quo Alivelyeveningofdebatingwasheldonthefollowing International flavours motions: Persia • This House rejects traditional masculinity TocelebrateNowruz,PersianNewYear,andthearriva • This House would ban transgender athletes from spring, a special lunch menu was developed with the help of women’s sports our Persian pupils. The food was delicious, and pupils enjoyed • This House believes that science can never answer our learningkeyfactsaboutNowruzfrompostersdispla biggest questions around the school. • This House would decolonise the curriculum Turkey • This House would set quotas for employees who are Pupils of Turkish heritage worked with the catering team to neurodiverse for all employers develop a special menu enjoyed by the Canford community Building an anti-racist culture Aworkshopforalljuniorpupils,runbyJemmaRoye, atlunchtime.Followingthemeal,pupilsandstaffwe to enjoy Turkish tea and learn to say Turkish greetings. considered what it means to be anti-racist. These sessions

were powerful and well-received by pupils who asked deep China questions about this sensitive topic. OurChineseNewYearcelebrationsincludedadeli Acknowledging neurodivergence lunch and pupils and staff enjoyed an evening playing Open-Minded is a new Canford focus group of traditional Chinese games, trying out Chinese art techniques interested pupils and staff seeking to raise awareness of and celebrating with tasty snacks and tea, led by our pupils neurodivergence and hidden disability in our community. from this country. Approximatelyoneinsevenpeopleareconsideredtobe FindoutmoreaboutEDI canford.com at


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