Celebrations of International Day of Tolerance on 16 November came early at New Hall School in Chelmsford, as 177 student representatives gathered to present a remarkable 40 countries at the School’s annual student-led Culture Day.
Promoting tolerance, diversity and cultural discovery, Culture Day is one of the School’s largest events of the year; its fourth edition saw over 1,000 students ‘travelling the world’ in the School’s Walkfares Canopy. From learning to toss a rugby ball at the New Zealand stand, to trying Polish, Nigerian, or American sweets, or even learning to play Scottish bagpipes, the day encourages students to learn more about their peers, with an open and curious mind. A special addition to this year’s event was a stand dedicated to Rwanda, where four Rwandan Sisters showcased New Hall’s sister school in Kigali, founded by the same religious order as New Hall School, the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre. The Sisters have been living in the Mission House at New Hall since July, learning English and working with the Chaplaincy Department.
Mrs Suzanna Minnis, Assistant Principal of New Hall School, has supported the Culture Day Student Committee since the event’s inception in 2022. “Culture Day at New Hall is a wonderful celebration of our students’ creativity, hard work and imagination. The cultural displays and activities reflect the rich diversity of our School community and the variety of traditions, making it a truly memorable occasion,” Mrs Minnis commented.
Head Girl, Louise, is a part of the student committee in charge of organising and promoting Culture Day among the School community. “I joined the committee because I enjoy exploring what makes people in our community unique and sharing my own Zimbabwean heritage. My favourite part of the day was the Mariachi band, and I found the Indian stand to be the most impressive, with students offering hand-painted henna tattoos, and running a pop culture quiz,” Louise commented.
Students’ exhibition stands were complemented by live music, including New Hall’s own DJ, Year 8 student Sahib, as well as delicious treats from local family-run restaurant Jerk Station, who have been invited to the event for the third year in a row.
Year 12 full boarder Adam recently joined New Hall from Slovakia and was left enthralled by Culture Day activities. “This has been the greatest cultural exchange I’ve been to – I really enjoyed meeting new people and sharing information about Slovakia with them. New Hall has been an amazing experience so far, the boarding staff are so friendly, and they help me every day with a smile on their faces,” Adam enthused.
New Hall School welcomes 480 boarders from across the world, providing them with a home-from-home where cultural celebrations are aplenty. In two junior and two Sixth Form boarding houses, a warm community with a global outlook helps nurture open-minded individuals who celebrate their differences and champion diversity.
Categories: New Hall School School News
