What do jollof rice, henna art, boomerangs, fortune cookies and bagpipes have in common? They all made an appearance at yesterdayβs student-led Culture Day at New Hall School in Chelmsford. First conceived by Sixth Form boarders in 2022, the annual Culture Day sees students weaving their very own New Hall world map in the Schoolβs exhibition canopy. This yearβs edition, spearheaded by 10 Student Committee members, featured nearly 70 representatives of 24 countries across six continents.
Brazilian and English football challenges, African drumming, an American history quiz, and a Scottish game of golf were all on the cards for students, as they βtravelledβ the vibrant exhibitions, speaking to their representatives and learning about their peersβ heritage along the way. English, Scottish and Welsh students showcased the highlights of living in Great Britain, allowing new international students to discover local games, sport teams, music, and even snacks.
Year 12 student Iya Njopa-Kaba, one of the student organisers, said, βWe think itβs really important that every studentβs cultural identity is valued. As a community, we come together and celebrate diversity, providing all students with a great opportunity to see and to experience all these cultures. It so important to celebrate and pay homage to where we come from and the people and cultures that made us who we are.β
Prep pupils especially enjoyed getting their own βNew Hall passportsβ stamped with flags of each country they had βtravelledβ to at the exhibition, learning interesting facts about each along the way. With over 1,000 students and teachers visiting the 2024 Culture Day exhibition, it has been a resounding success in promoting cultural discovery and exchange.
New Hall School was recently selected as a Finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards for International Student Experience. βWe consider the diversity of our School community an immense strength and a cause for celebration, so we think outside the box on how to welcome our international students. This start-of-year initiative helps new boarders not only to meet their peers, but to share with them a part of their identity and to open up dialogue,β commented Mrs Suzanna Minnis, Assistant Principal, βYesterday was a wonderful opportunity for students to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the rich variety of cultures we have in our School.β
The initiative is a favourite among many students, local and international alike, helping to build connections and mutual understanding, and to raise generations of young people that strive for peace and respect. 
