Celebrating our diverse community

Boarding students organised a wonderful evening to celebrate the wide range of cultures and traditions we’re lucky enough to enjoy in our community. Year 9 pupil SHREYA ROZARIO, who performed a Bollywood dance during the evening, which was also her birthday, reports

HEAD girl Eliza Polito organised a second culture evening in Johnson House, the first one was held two years ago, and both were very successful.

We were invited to highlight important traditions from our heritage countries, prepare foods, read poetry and play pieces of music from our culture.

Year 8 pupil Nadine started the evening off with a quiz, asking questions about her culture such as questions on Ramadan. The winners of the quiz were rewarded with some of Nadine’s and Year 10 student Lana’s homemade date and sesame seed dough balls.

Many students attended the evening in their traditional dress and we listened to a presentation about different countries in Africa.

After a break for some delicious snacks from all over the globe, it was time for a dance I had prepared. I do dance outside school and wanted to use this medium to represent Bollywood dancing.

Though I was nervous, as the audience included all the members of the boarding community, from both Johnson and School House, and Mr Webb and Mrs Keelan Edwards, I still made sure to deliver a dance for everyone on my birthday.

Bollywood dance is a vibrant and energetic style that fuses Indian traditional dance forms with modern and Western influences, creating a unique aesthetic with expressiveness and rhythms.

The evening concluded with several piano recitals. Lana played an Egyptian folk tune and Year 13 students Amélie and Tristan played two French pieces.

It was a lovely evening and there was a real community feel to the boarding house. I am already looking forward to next culture evening - hopefully it will become an annual event!