This week it was a privilege to join our Year 7 cohort and be part of their assembly led by Deputy Headteacher Ms de Groot that reinforced our Theme of the Week ‘Cultural and Religious Awareness’.

Ms de Groot reminded us all of how lucky and fortunate we are to be part of such a diverse learning community here at Bushey Meads School. We are able to mix and socialise with and learn about so many different backgrounds, cultures, religious beliefs and worldviews.

Ms de Groot compared the festival of Diwali and lessons learned from that important religious festival to our own core values. She reminded us of our three core values of Respect, Responsibility and Relationships and how important it is to be welcoming, kind and tolerant to everyone, especially those who hold different views to ourselves. She also emphasised that discriminatory, prejudicial or racist language or behaviour is not tolerated at Bushey Meads. She went on to explain about our Diversity Panel which includes members of staff who have volunteered to work with students to help them reflect on their behaviour and understand why their actions or words are not acceptable.

It reminded us that we have so much in common and also so much to learn from each other to enrich our own lives.