One World Week at Diss High School
One World Day was part of a week linked to the School Development Plan, focusing on global issues.
As part of the Developing Citizenship Project, Diss High School ran a One World Week in February 2004. Developing Citizenship was part of the School Development Plan 2003-04 so this event had full backing.
Aim
To involve all students (Years 7-13) in a week of activities aimed at raising their awareness of Global Citizenship Issues whilst expanding their knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity. To also raise awareness of staff, governors and local community.
Workshop activities
Years 10 and 11: Heritage Ceramics ran 3 workshops (4 sessions during the day), drumming, clay mask making and African tie and dye techniques. Pupils attended one of these, mostly according to their GCSE options and the workshops consisted of approximately 20 pupils.
Years 8 and 9: Nachdar Sansaar ran workshops on Bhangra Dancing (4 sessions) to 90 pupils per session.
Year 7: All pupils attended a Trading Game workshop during the day run by the Sixth Form Human Rights Group (see separate write-up). They also attended one f the following workshops, 20 pupils per session:
- Refugees by the Red Cross Refugee Project
- Fair Trade by Bananalink Japanese Caligraphy and Origami by the Norwich Reiyukai Centre
- Drama Workshop on Equality by a local Youth Worker
- Global Awareness workshop by a local member of Traidcraft
Year 12: ‘Our World Day’ including workshops, whole group activities and discussions run by NEAD.
Other activities during the week
- Lunchtime workshop by local Capoeira for all interested pupils and staff
- Cake Stall in aid of UNICEF
- Tutor Time – every tutor group created a display for their tutor room on a particular country.
The school was divided into different zones for each continent. Pupils researched in preceding weeks while many groups had additional discussions and videos.
Lessons
Nearly every subject area introduced into their lessons some global element. There were also visitors into some lessons from the Diversity Adviser at Norfolk Constabulary, a local representative of Water Aid, a parent who helped an HE class make samosas.
Celebration evening
An Open Evening was held for all pupils, parents, staff, governors and members of the local community. Local Councillors, the Local MP, the local Press and representatives of other bodies, such as the Norfolk Constabulary were also invited and many accepted. Tickets were sold at £4.00 for adults and £1.00 for children.
The evening included:
- Food from around the world
- The sale of Fairtrade drinks
- Bhangra Dancing by Nachdar Sansaar (who stayed on after their workshops)
- A Capoeira demonstration
- Presentations by pupils on the events during the week and some street dancing
- A drumming demonstration by pupils and a parent
- A short talk by a representative of the Norwich and Norfolk Racial Equality Council
- Stalls run by Traidcraft, NEAD, a local representative of Earthwatch, the local Natural Foodstore, a World Book shop.
Planning
You will need one or two main organisers who are prepared to take on overall organisation. They need excellent planning and organisational skills an ability to delegate and ENTHUSIASM, ENERGY and COMMITMENT.
6 months ahead
- See Head teacher and get full support
- Book week on school calendar
- Book outside visitors and displays
- Set up working group. Include Governor and outside support group
- Start finding ways to raise funds
3 months ahead
- Work out workshop groups, session timings etc.
- Write letters for stalls etc for evening
- Inform staff about the weeks activities, including their role with tutor groups and in lesson planning
1 month ahead
- Send letter to parents to inform them of activities, Celebration Evening and to ask for donations (£1 per pupil)
- Confirm all workshops and visitors
- Plan Celebration Evening in detail
- Meet with SMT in charge of cover etc. to arrange timetable and room changes
- Meet with caretaker to discuss events and their implications
- Pupils to begin research on countries
- Press invitations sent out
- Information sent to Feeder Schools, Governors and outside contacts
- Invite to Celebration Evening
- KEEP STAFF INFORMED AND INVOLVED
2 weeks ahead
- Inform Office of all visitors
- Give detailed outline of workshops, room changes etc. to staff and pupils
The week
- Don’t panic! 1
- or 2 organisers to greet visitors and to check workshops running smoothly
- As workshops and other activities begin enthusiasm will grow
- Enjoy the week!
After the event
- Send out all payments
- Send thank you letters to all involved, including the extra active staff and pupils
- Display photos and newspaper cuttings
Funding
- By involving pupils in the evening performance, more parents will attend
- Look for local trusts and grants, PTA, pupil donations, sale of tickets for Celebration Evening
- We also had the Global Citizenship Project money
Thoughts from the Week
“I thought it would be boring. It was really fun!” Year 10 pupil
“I admit I was cynical beforehand. But the whole week has made me realise that Global Citizenship can be presented in an informative and exciting way.” Staff
“Nachdar Sansaar are great. Are there any more tickets for the evening? I am sure you can let me in!” Year 9 pupil
“I wouldn’t want to be a refugee. They can’t take their pets with them. They have nothing.” Year 7 pupil
“I thought the children would be too embarrassed to join in the Bhangra dancing. I was really surprised when they did, even the most difficult!” Staff
“The parents who didn’t come really missed out. This was a fantastic evening, thank you.” Parent
“What a buzz!” Local Reporter
“I did not know where Vietnam was until we did this display. I thought everybody was the same in that part of the world; all Chinese.”
Pupil barriers/weaknesses
- Too much reliance on one or two key organisers
- Staff should have been better informed very early on, possibly with some INSET on the value of Global Citizenship
- Pupils could have been included earlier in planning; possibly via School Council
- Some departments did not get as involved as hoped for
- Evaluation should have been planned during initial stages and conducted immediately after the events
- More time was needed to see departments after the week to discuss how more Global Citizenship could be incorporated into their Schemes of Work
Evaluation
The whole week was a tremendous success. The enthusiasm amongst staff, pupils, parents and visitors was the best feedback imagined. The image of certain members of staff Bhangra dancing and taking part in Capoeira will be remembered for a long time whilst all the pupils will recall the activities they were involved in.
The week was Fun – and this is the best learning environment. It was not only the pupils whose knowledge and understanding grew; staff also gained. More staff are including elements of Global Citizenship in their everyday teaching and less have an isolated cynical approach.
The whole week was a challenge to event but well worth it, now acting as a springboard from which future activities can be launched including the Sixth Form taking ‘The Trading Game’ to current Year 7.
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