Suttonbury Festival of Rights

Celebrating the individual

On Monday 21 June 2021 Sutton High School GDST held its inaugural ‘Suttonbury Festival of Rights’ event - a day created by pupils and staff to celebrate the variety of diversity of identity and traditions amongst the Sutton High staff and student population from around the world.

So successful was last year’s event that it has now become an annual summer term staple at the school, with this year’s event due to take place in the coming month.

The philosophy behind The Suttonbury Festival centres around the UNICEF rights of a child, and is an opportunity for all girls to be aware of their rights as individuals and to sign a Declaration of Rights to uphold them.

The overriding point of the celebration is to remind our girls of their rights as human beings, and to engender tolerance and understanding with their fellow pupils no matter what their background is.

The event is held in a marquee on the lawn at Sutton High and features performances from students and staff, and as at the Glastonbury Festival, there is music, dancing, stalls, and international foods. All students are given the opportunity to come together to learn more about different cultures and identities, such as LGBTQ+ and Pride, and to celebrate these cultural identities and traditions.

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

There are performances from students and staff featuring Modern, Sri Lankan, Greek and Persian dances, and traditional Indian songs. The School’s own Cultural Diversity Society plays an integral role in managing and overseeing the event. The Suttonbury marquee is also home to numerous stalls with face painting and tattoos, and special guests from local community groups such as SACCO, SAHM and their amazing international cuisine.

Suttonbury is a day of celebrating the individual and aims to empower our students with knowledge and courage to be themselves.

Sutton High School GDST is a leading independent school for girls aged 3-18.

LIBBY ELLIOTT, Head of External Relations and Development

www.suttonhigh.gdst.net

TURN TO PAGE 3 to read see our Education Book Corner books based on true stories for teens