The annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Event was held on 14 October 2015 with a theme of Africa as October is Black History Month.
The day started with students from Pathways having a drumming workshop led by Kwame Bakoji-Hume and a dancing workshop led by Palie Seck of African Activities. This was great fun and Mark Turauskis, Music Teacher, said that 'smiles filled the room'. One of the students said 'It was quite fun doing the dancing and I quite enjoyed the drumming.'
Drumming and Dance workshops followed with music and dance students. The Performing Arts students, together with the African Activities practitioners, produced fantastic drumming and dancing displays. Students Liv Foster-Browne and Caleb Obediah performed thought provoking poems and the choir gave rousing renditions of 'Azikatale', a traditional South African song, and Wimmoweh.
The stands included Pathways selling cakes the students had made, autumn flowers in terracotta pots, Henley College Training showcasing the apprenticeships on offer at the College and students from Bridge hosting a raffle which was won by Pauline Winfield.
The College catering team, Chartwells, provided complimentary Moroccan couscous and South African spiced biscuits. There were also African dishes of Bobotie and spicy sweet potato and squash stew served with yellow rice on the main menu.
The 'Find the Word Competition' was won by Lalina Shallow for correctly finding the letters to spell 'EDUCATION'.
The Students' Union ran a photo booth with African themed props and Shannon Kelly hosted a stall to raise awareness of Mind by asking students to sign pledges in support of those suffering from mental illness.
Two representatives from Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS) attended the event and staff and students were asked to 'Guess the Weight of the Peas'. The closest guess was from Mayah Bentley-Holder.
The Henley College Amnesty International Youth Group students persuaded staff and students to sign letters to the President of Burkina Faso, urging him to improve women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. In Burkina Faso women and girls are discriminated against and often prevented from making decisions about their bodies.
