An academy in Fishponds has been celebrating Black History Month throughout October. Bristol Metropolitan Academy has delivered a range of educational and inspiring activities for the whole school to get involved in.
The Renewal Gospel Choir launched Black History Month by delivering powerful workshops for students. This concluded with staff, parents and carers being invited to join students and take part in a community performance to commemorate Windrush. The music theme continued, with a spectacular set played by DJ Lady Sanchez at lunchtime.
As part of Black History Month, a portrait photobooth was set up to honour World Afro Day. Students from a range of cultural backgrounds took selfies together to express pride in their identity and take a unified stance against afro hair discrimination.
Visitors from Zamble, a London-based African dance and drumming school, staged a workshop. They worked with nearly 100 of Bristol Met students over the course of the day.
Throughout Black History Month learning activities focused on the 60th Anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott and the 2023 Black History Month UK theme of ‘Saluting our sisters’. Past and present influencers of social change and pioneering female trailblazers were highlighted for their fundamental contributions to British society and positive impact in the world today.
To close Black History Month, a non-school uniform day, was organised by students where they were encouraged to wear something red to raise money for the Sickle Cell Society. Nearly £700 was raised for the cause.
John Price, Associate Assistant Principal, and Natasha Williams, Assistant Principal, organised these events with colleagues at the school. They said, “Celebrating Black History Month marks the start of our commitment to creating an authentic culture of belonging throughout our school community, all year round.
“Everyone’s history is valuable and of equal importance. Learning about the richness of your past helps you connect with your present and shape a positive future. That’s what we want for all our students.”