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Black History Month

Every October we recognise Black History Month and put the spotlight on black excellence across our curriculum. This is a whole school initiative and all staff and students are involved. This year we invited Magdalen Bartlett from Afrocats into school to deliver talks to all years about her charity and create a partnership with Our Lady’s that will continue well into the new year.

Afrocats is a small local organisation that provides a warm, friendly, safe space for refugees, asylum seekers and diverse young people in Greater Manchester. We are delighted they have chosen to partner with us. For the rest of this article we hand over to the students to tell us all about Afrocats and what has been going on in school to celebrate BHM. Nuria, Miracle and Patricia in Year 8 – take it away…! The pupils within Our Lady’s had an opportunity to engage with an influential figure in our local community, the founder of the charity AfroCats. Magdalen, delivered an effective message towards our pupils. The founder of AfroCats shared her upbringing and introduction to a new environment, migrating from Barbados, to stay in the UK, her story carefully detailing the passions and interests she had that played a contribution to the success of her charity. From her degree specialising in creative arts, to her actions consisting of voluntary work, Our Lady’s students were able to understand a perspective that wouldn’t necessarily be considered, in the curriculum or modern-day society. Additional to this, elected members of the Diversity Team were able to have a conversation with the optimistic individual, surrounding controversial topics view pointing on racial issues. As someone present to this meeting, I was able to shift my approaches to everyday struggles and enjoyed hearing about ‘actions not words’ being placed into practise. Our Lady’s RC High school has partnered with this organization not only for Black History Month, but for the rest of the school year to influence inclusion within the curriculum.

You can follow them on Instagram @afrocats.mcr or Facebook by searching ‘Afrocats Manchester’

The theme: “Action not Words”, displays the physical commitments that need to be made to uplift, educate and spread awareness on discrimination. A good example of this motto being placed into practise is the representation the school environment has displayed to educate others. Around the school, there are leaflets, providing information on black activists that originate from Manchester. Daily competitions are hosted, to find the answers to certain questions, that promote the recognition of these Mancunian Black activists. Something that needs to be praised is the fact that this Black History Month, we have steered away from focusing on the oppression and tribulations of black people, and instead replaced it with recognising black excellence and grace.

Nuria

When Magdalen came into our school, the energy was electric! From start to finish, the entire talk was engaging - we learned a lot about her story and building up Afrocats. Throughout Our Lady’s Black History Month, we see daily questions relating to famous black activists and learn more about black Saints. On Our Lady’s Open Evening, we saw the delights of many different cultural cuisines as well as the: ‘Habanero Chicken with Jollof Rice’.

Miracle

Magdalen’s backstory and her charity were truly amazing to listen to and her assembly did have a big impact on those who don’t normally speak up or enjoy publicly speaking. Her assembly was very effective and her story inspired others to consider the struggles other people go through. Magdalen has become a very influential figure to the entirety of the school, she is truly an inspiration to everyone she meets.

Magdalen, who founded the charity Afro Cats that focuses on those who are vulnerable to our community, came into Our Lady’s and spoke to every year group separately, about her charity, what she does, and how her charity focuses on people with BAME - black, Asian and minority ethnic- backgrounds. She also came and had lunch with a few members of the diversity team and shared her experiences with us. Both Miss Taylor and Magdalen sat with all 5 of us and we discussed how to improve our school community, what the diversity team is doing to make everyone feel comfortable and feel safe. How racism is handled and also about facing challenges as a POC -person of colour and overcoming those challenges.

At Our Lady’s each form in every year group appealed for a way to raise money for Magdalen’s charity, only one form was chosen from each year group to raise that money. The school have picked up on what didn’t go well and what didn’t really have an effect from last year’s BHM celebration and have made a change, staff have put up posters of black icons and black people who have made a change in history and in the modern day world, they also had ethnic foods in the canteen for people to try so people could be able to appreciate other people’s cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Staff are also doing BHM quizzes to educate people and we also get taught about black history in all our subjects.

Patricia

The successful year 10 and 11 forms chose to hold a catwalk pageant event celebrating black culture and key stage 3 forms made and sold bracelets around school. The fundraising activities were huge successes and the money raised was donated to AfroCats who will ensure it helps families involved with the charity have a great Christmas. The students who raised the most money enjoyed a winning lunch at La Buka restaurant in Moston, supporting a fantastic local blackowned business.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Winners!

Here at Our Lady’s we have been running the Duke of Edinburgh Award successfully for ten years. This prestigious award is recognised across the whole country for developing the skills and attitudes young people need to become more rounded, confident adults, developing and learning important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, self-confidence, responsibility, problem solving and communication all of which are recognised by and attract colleges and universities.

At Our Lady’s all groups are entered at the Bronze Award level, and this term a group of 23 year 10 students successfully completed their award in the beautiful Lake District at lake Windermere. Over the weekend, the weather was not kind, but the group showed great determination and resilience as they battled with the elements walking, climbing and camping on the high moors of Windermere. The students’ limits were pushed further the following day, whereby they had to paddle in canoes the entire width of the lake and back demonstrating incredible team work, leadership and perseverance, stepping out of their comfort zones and battling the everchanging conditions of the lake. The group were an absolute credit to Our Lady’s which was recognised by all the Duke of Edinburgh assessors along the way, praising the students for their efforts, positive attitudes and grit which they showed during the expedition. Alongside the expedition the group have dedicated their time to develop their leadership skills, volunteering their time to support and help others inside and outside the Our Lady’s community as well as developing new skills, academically and practically to enhance personal growth. We are hoping to continue this success with a new cohort of students starting the Bronze DofE journey next year offering more places to the current year 9 with the opportunity to complete the Bronze Award in 2023. Information regarding DofE will be available in upcoming assemblies and letters home. Congratulations year 10 we are all very proud of you, well done!

Mrs Richmond and Mrs Wray