Diversity

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is organised each year on 17 October with the goal of eradicating poverty in all its forms everywhere. The theme for the Day this year addresses the commitments we make together for social justice, peace and the planet. In a world characterized by an unprecedented level of economic development, technological means and financial resources, that millions of persons are living in extreme poverty is a moral outrage. Our students at the MUN this year discussed the impact of global poverty. 

Persons living in poverty experience many interrelated and mutually reinforcing deprivations that prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate their poverty, including:

  • dangerous work conditions
  • unsafe housing
  • lack of nutritious food
  • unequal access to justice
  • lack of political power
  • limited access to health care

Here are some sombre facts and figures about global poverty:

  • 736 million people lived below the international poverty line of US $1.90 a day in 2015.
  • In 2018, almost 8 per cent of the world’s workers and their families lived on less than US$1.90 per person per day.
  • Most people living below the poverty line belong to two regions: Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • High poverty rates are often found in small, fragile and conflict-affected countries.
  • As of 2018, 55 per cent of the world’s population have no access to at least one social protection cash benefit.

If you would like further information, please click here.

 

Eradication of Poverty


Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual observance of Black History which takes place during the month of October. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history, culture and heritage of Black people.  In years gone by, October has been the only time of year when the UK talks about the achievements of Black people in Britain. Hopefully, the events of 2020 will be a catalyst for Black history to be shared much more widely. At Calthorpe Park, we will be raising awareness of the often hidden history of Black people throughout the month.  

Why Black History Month is more important than ever this year?

The events of 2020 laid bare the importance of celebrating and educating about diversity. The disproportionate number of Black people who died from Coronavirus during the pandemic, the tragic killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have raised further debate about the inequalities faced by Black people.

#BlackLivesMatter protests around the world sparked a commitment among many individuals and organisations to educate themselves about Black history, heritage and culture – as part of understanding racism and standing in solidarity against it.

In the UK, the injustices faced by some members of the Windrush generation, the unconscious bias entrenched in society, illustrated by the fact that young Black men stopped and searched 20,000 times in London during the coronavirus lockdown (the equivalent of 1 in 4 young Black men), along with Black MPs, barristers, senior police officers, sportspeople and many more demonstrate the need for open discussion.

Black History Month 2021 is a time for people to come together and hopefully learn lessons for the present and the future. It is a time to stand together against racism, unconscious bias and entrenched discrimination.

Please watch the video and visit the Black History Month website for further information.


International Non-Binary People’s Day

International Non-Binary People’s Day is observed each year on 14 July and is aimed at raising awareness and organising around the issues faced by non-binary people around the world. First celebrated in 2012, the date was chosen for being precisely between International Men’s Day and International Women’s Day.

Non-binary is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.

There are many ways to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of their gender identity. Our language and the way we speak is often embedded with hidden gendered cues. For example, you can introduce yourself with your name and pronoun, and put your pronouns in your email signature and social media profiles. You can also aim to use more gender neutral language in your day-to-day life: use ‘they’ if you don’t know somebody’s preferred pronouns, and try to use inclusive language in writing that avoids implying only two genders.

If you would like to find out more, please follow these links:

Stonewall

Transequality


South Asisan Heritage Month

At Calthorpe Park School, we aim to celebrate and recognise the diversity of British society. Launched in 2020, South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) (18th July -17th August) exists in order to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian history and culture, as well as to better understand the diverse heritage that continues to link the intertwined histories of the UK and South Asian nations.

South Asian Heritage Month runs from 18th July to 17th August and those dates are very significant. The 18th July is the date that The Indian Independence Act 1947 gained royal assent and ended British rule in former British India. The 17th August is Partition Commemoration Day and is the day that the Radcliffe Line was published in 1947 splitting British India into India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan (modern day Bangladesh). This act led to wide scale atrocities in the region on all sides.

We will be using the month of July to commemorate South Asian Heritage Month so that we can inform ourselves this falls out of sync with national commemoration.

What is South Asian Heritage Month?

South Asian Heritage Month runs from 18th July to 17th August every year. It seeks to raise the profile of British South Asian heritage and history in the UK through education, arts, culture and commemoration, with the goal of helping people to better understand the diversity of present-day Britain and improve social cohesion across the country. It had its inaugural year in 2020. The TV presenter Anita Rani was involved in the launch of this annual celebration because she felt strongly about the need to raise the profile of people of South Asian heritage.

Why is there a South Asian Heritage Month?

South Asian Heritage Month is about reclaiming the history and identity of British South Asians. People need to be able to tell their own stories, and this is an opportunity to show what it means to be South Asian in the 21st century, as well as look to the past to see how Britain became the diverse country it is today.

How is South Asian Heritage Month relevant to all of us in the United Kingdom?

South Asian influences can be found everywhere in Britain, from our food and clothes to our music and even our words. The streets of our towns and cities are rich with the colours, sights and sounds of proud South Asian identity. Its culture permeates all parts of British life and adds to the diversity of the nation. South Asian History is British History. South Asian heritage are a significant part of the British population, with about 1 in every 20 people in the country being of South Asian heritage.

If you would like to find out more, please visit this link.

Here are some videos, including a delicious recipe for Carrot Cake Pakoras by Nadiya Hussain:

Carrot Cake Pakoras

Celebrating our heritage and identity

Taking pride in your culture and identity

The importance of cross-cultural identities


Pride Month - June 2021

Pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBT rights movements.

Common symbols of pride are the rainbow or pride flag, the lowercase Greek letter lambda (λ), the pink triangle and the black triangle, these latter two reclaimed from use as badges of shame in Nazi concentration camps.

The month of June is often called Pride Month, or the month of LGBTQIA+ pride. The celebrations include parades and rallies, among other things. This month is a time to celebrate your sexuality, gender identity, and everything else that makes someone a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. During this month, many cities are filled with rainbows, pride flags, and people showing their pride. This is also a time where members of the community, and our straight allies, learn about the culture, history and issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community.

What does Pride Month commemorate?

June is the month chosen to celebrate pride as it was the month of the Stonewall riots, the protests that changed LGBT+ rights for a lot of people in America and beyond. During the 1960s, being gay was classified as a mental illness in the US. Gay people were regularly threatened and beaten by police, and were shunned by many in society. But the Stonewall riots in 1969 were a landmark event in history, which helped to fight homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and campaign for liberation and equality for all.

It's about people coming together in love and friendship, to celebrate how far human rights have come, even if in some places there's still some work to be done.

Pride month is about teaching acceptance, education in pride history and continuing to move forward in equality in an intersectional way.

It's all about being proud of who you are no matter your identity or who you love.

#pridemonth #loveislove

If you would like to find out more about the history of Pride, watch this video.


Comic Relief 2021

Comic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to the famine in Ethiopia. The concept of Comic Relief was to get British comedians to make the public laugh, while raising money to help people around the world and in the United Kingdom.  

A prominent biennial event on British television, Comic Relief is one of the two high-profile telethon events held in the UK, the other being Children in Need, held annually in November.

What are the aims of Comic Relief?

IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH

Every year, 450 million people worldwide experience mental health problems. We're tackling mental health stigma – as well as making sure people get the support when they need it most.

A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE

Having a safe place to call home is a fundamental right of every person on the planet. But around the world, a shocking 1 in 5 people don't have the shelter they need. We're working to put that right.

A WORLD WHERE CHILDREN SURVIVE AND THRIVE

Every year millions of children still die before their 5th birthday, or grow up in poverty and neglect. Great progress is being made – but it's not happening fast enough and with your help we can accelerate change.

FREEDOM FROM FEAR, VIOLENCE & DISCRIMINATION

The idea that some of us are worth less because of our gender leads to real violence which costs lives. We work with organisations right on the frontline to help people speak out and seek help so they can escape fear, violence and discrimination.

Since Comic Relief began in 1985...

They have helped to support 105.6 million people across the UK and around the world.  That's 14.3 million people across the UK and 91.3 million people internationally.

Since Last Red Nose Day in 2019...

We have helped to support 19.1 million people across the UK and around the world.

That's 767,000 people across the UK and 18.1 million people internationally. Last year Comic Relief and Children in Need’s The Big Night In raised a huge £74,026,927 including match-funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The money raised has been committed to organisations closest to the issues, including those supporting older people, women facing rising levels of domestic abuse and communities experiencing racial inequality who are disproportionately affected by coronavirus. Organisations supporting frontline workers also received funds.

What can I do?

We will be holding a mufti day at CPS on Friday 19 March. If you can donate £2 it will make a difference. On this occasion, in addition to Comic Relief, the School will be raising money for two local charities who are currently actively helping members of our school community. They are Headroom and Daisy’s Dream.

Together, we can make a huge difference in a time when it’s needed most.

If you would like to find out more, click on these links:

Comic Relief          Headroom          Daisy's Dream

Watch these videos to show the impact of Comic Relief fundraising:

Red Nose Day          Meet Ethan          Meet Courtney

Red Nose Day 21     Headroom     Daisy's Dream


International Women’s Day

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8th March around the world. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights.

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

The 2021 UN theme for International Women's Day is "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world", highlighting the impact that girls and women worldwide had as health care workers, caregivers, innovators and community organizers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.

Do we still need an International Women's Day?

Yes! There's no place for complacency. According to the World Economic Forum, sadly none of us will see gender parity in our lifetimes, and nor likely will many of our children. Gender parity will not be attained for almost a century. 

There's urgent work to do - and we can all play a part. From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.

What will you do to challenge gender inequality?
#ChooseToChallenge  #IWD2021  #InternationalWomensDay

Please watch this video.

International Womens Day     International Womens Day 2
 


Women’s History Month

What Is Women’s History Month?

Women’s History Month is a month-long recognition of significant women throughout history who have had an impact on contemporary society. It has been commemorated since 1987. It is an opportunity to remember that despite huge strides forward, true equality for women has still not been achieved.

Throughout history, women were treated as second class citizens to men. From not having the right to vote, work, or fight for the country they live in, to being policed on the clothing they wear and what to do with their bodies.

Since this time, there have been many great strides towards women’s equality with many significant female figures playing a large role in history.

This month is to celebrate those women who, despite the odds, fought to have their voices heard, live with equal rights to men, vote in elections, own their personal property, adopt their own children, win gold medals, have bodily autonomy, travel into space, become doctors and surgeons, and so much more.

This year’s theme is : Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced

Why do we need a Women’s History Month?

There's no place for complacency. According to the World Economic Forum, sadly none of us will see gender parity in our lifetimes, and nor likely will many of our children. Gender parity will not be attained for almost a century. 

There's urgent work to do - and we can all play a part.

See this video for more information.



LGBTQ+ History Month

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LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.  The whole point of LGBT+ History Month is to celebrate LGBT+ people in all their diversity, and in doing so, educate out prejudice.  In the UK this coincides with a major celebration of the 2003 abolition of Section 28.

What is the purpose of LGBT+ History Month?

To raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, the LGBT+ community while celebrating its achievements and diversity and making it more visible.

Why is it important to highlight the history of LGBT+ people?

LGBT+ people have always existed and will always exist.  LGBT+ people have made significant contributions to society, but there have been times where those people have been persecuted and discriminated against rather than celebrated for their achievements. We want to shine a light on those achievements.  Representation and visibility matters.  It is important for everyone to be able to see others like themselves.  It is important to look at how far the LGBT+ community has come, but also how far it has yet to go.  Full equality has not yet been reached.

Five LGBT+ Faces of 2021

Schools Out UK have chosen five LGBT+ people from history to represent this years chosen theme: Mind, Body & Spirit.

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Click here for more information about each of these people:

Lily Parr         Mark Ashton          Maya Angelou          Michael Dillon          Mark Weston

Please watch this video about The History of LGBT+ Rights in the UK.

Here are a few websites where you can find out more information about LGBTQ+ issues that may affect you, or if you would like to find out more:

Breakout Youth: LGBTQ+ Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Stonewall | Acceptance without exception

The Proud Trust


Holocaust Memorial Day - 27th January

Holocaust Memorial Day is a commemoration day in the United Kingdom dedicated to the remembrance of those who suffered in the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. It was first held in January 2001 and has been on the same date every year since. The chosen date is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by the Soviet Union in 1945, the date also chosen for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and some other national Holocaust Memorial Days.

“We will continue to do our bit for as long as we can, secure in the knowledge that others will continue to light a candle long after us.”
                                                                      -Gena Turgel MBE, survivor of the Holocaust (1923-2018)

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2021 is Be the light in the darkness. It encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during and after genocide.

Be the light in the darkness is an affirmation and a call to action for everyone marking HMD. This theme asks us to consider different kinds of ‘darkness’, for example, identity-based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice; and different ways of ‘being the light’, for example, resistance, acts of solidarity, rescue and illuminating mistruths.

Increasing levels of denial, division and misinformation in today’s world mean we must remain vigilant against hatred and identity-based hostility. Rapid technological developments, a turbulent political climate, and world events beyond our control can leave us feeling helpless and insignificant. The utterly unprecedented times through which we are living currently are showing the very best of which humanity is capable but also - in some of the abuse and conspiracy theories being spread on social media - the much darker side of our world as well.

We can all stand in solidarity. We can choose to be the light in the darkness in a variety of ways and places – at home, in public, and online.

The UK Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 ceremony will be streamed online at 7pm. This will be their first fully digital ceremony. The ceremony will run from 7–8pm. You can register here.

At 8pm, get ready to Light the Darkness with us. Households across the UK will be lighting candles and safely putting them in their windows to:

· remember those who were murdered for who they were
· stand against prejudice and hatred today

Light a candle and put it in your window at 8pm on 27 January 2021 (if you are able to do so safely).

If you would like to find out more about Holocaust Memorial Day click this link

Please also watch this video.

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#HolocaustMemorialDay #LightTheDarkness


Christmas

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown, but the Western Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December and the Eastern Church celebrates it on 6 January.

Advent

Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. In Western Christianity, Advent includes the four Sundays before Christmas Day. In Eastern Christianity, Advent begins in mid-November. The word comes from the Latin ‘adventus’, which means ‘arrival’. During this period, Christians prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth or ‘arrival’ at Christmas. The last day of Advent is Christmas Eve.

Celebration of Christmas

Christmas is seen as a time for generosity and for thinking about the needs of others. Churches run events to provide food and temporary shelter to people in need.

In the UK, Christmas is celebrated in both a religious and a secular way. There are church services with carols on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day is a national holiday on which many Christians attend church services to thank God for his gift of Jesus. Many people, including non-religious people and people of other faiths, have parties with food and gifts. Christmas is sometimes criticised for being too commercialised.

If you would like to find out more about Christmas celebrations, click here.

Merry Xmas


Hanukkah

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. The word 'Hanukkah' means 'Dedication' in Hebrew. It celebrates a miracle that happened in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago, where just a day's supply of oil allowed the menorah in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem to remain lit for eight days. Therefore, Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.

When is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah (or Chanukah in Hebrew) is celebrated in November or December every year. It lasts for eight days.

In 2020 Hanukkah begins on the evening of Thursday 10 December.

Hanukkah Facts

  • Hanukkah is Hebrew for “to dedicate.”
  • It can be spelled many ways including Chanukah or Chanukkah.
  • Some people call it the Festival of Lights or Festival of Dedication.
  • Gift giving wasn’t originally part of the holiday, but children were given gelt (chocolate coins) money as incentive for studying the Torah.  Gifts were added because the holiday is close to Christmas.
  • Many traditional foods served on Hanukkah are fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil burning for 8 nights.
  • Traditional Hanukkah foods include: potato pancakes called latkes, noodle or potato casserole called kugel, gelt (chocolate coins), jelly doughnuts called sufaniyot

If you would like to find out more about Hanukkah, click here.

If you would like to hear the experiences of a young person over Hanukkah, click here.

Hanukkah


International Day for the Abolition of Slavery – 2nd December

Slavery is not merely a historical relic. According to the  International Labour Organisation (ILO) more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery. Although modern slavery is not defined in law, it is used as an umbrella term covering practices such as forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. Essentially, it refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power.

In addition, more than 150 million children are subject to child labour, accounting for almost one in ten children around the world.

Facts and figures:

  • An estimated 40.3 million people are in modern slavery, including 24.9 in forced labour and 15.4 million in forced marriage.
  • There are 5.4 victims of modern slavery for every 1,000 people in the world.
  • 1 in 4 victims of modern slavery are children.
  • Out of the 24.9 million people trapped in forced labour, 16 million people are exploited in the private sector such as domestic work, construction or agriculture; 4.8 million people in forced sexual exploitation, and 4 million people in forced labour imposed by state authorities.
  • Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labour, accounting for 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58% in other sectors.

Click here to hear the experience of a modern day slave in the UK.


World Aids Day

What is World Aids Day?

World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

Why is World Aids Day important?

Over 103,800 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year in the UK over 4,450 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Watch this video about changing perceptions about HIV and AIDS.

If you would like to find out more, see this link.

World AIDs day


International Transgender Day of Remembrance

The International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually on November 20th as a day to memorialise those who have experienced violence and discrimination as a result of transphobia. It is a day when transgender allies raise awareness of the transgender community through education and advocacy activities.

Recognising and talking openly about gender dysphoria can be a difficult experience for young people and they will need care and support on their journey.

If you are seeking help, support or education about transgender issues, please see the links below:

Breakout Youth
Ditch the Label

Watch these videos:

I'm Transgender
Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender flag


Friday 20 November 2020 - World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children. This year at CPS things are slightly different. We will not be running our usual event, but we will still acknowledge this important day as we feel it is something to celebrate. 

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In Year 7 PSHE, students have been learning about Articles 1 and 4 of the UNCRC and have watched a video about World Children’s Day. In addition, in a few weeks we, REaL3, will be organising a tutor time activity for the whole school on an important theme: climate change. REaL3 has been taking part in UNICEF’s OutRight campaign. Every year OutRight empowers children and young people to realise their own rights and speak out in support of the rights of all children. This year’s theme of climate change is of great importance to us all, but it is young people who have the most to lose if this is not tackled. UNICEF is calling for the government to adopt a six-point plan and the fourth point states: increase access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene and address environmental degradation and climate change.  REaL3 will continue to support this plan and will work with the school community to raise awareness of this issue.  

For more information on World Children’s Day please click here.

For more information on OutRight please see this link.

Unicef Logo     Silver-logo


National Anti-Bullying Week

Anti-Bullying Week takes place in England from 16-20 November. This nationwide event is organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and is intended to raise awareness of the issue of bullying among children, especially in schools. Children of all ages, as well as parents, are encouraged to get involved in the event and take part in activities that will help to shine a light on the problem of bullying and ways to help resolve the issue. This year’s theme is United Against Bullying. What will you do to prevent bullying?

Watch this video about this year’s campaign.

For more information, click here.

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Diwali

Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.

Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.

In 2020 it begins on Thursday 12 November and lasts for five days, with the main day of celebrations taking place on Saturday 14 November.

Where does the name Diwali come from?

The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps".

Houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas. People also enjoy fireworks and sweets too, so it's really popular with children.

What's the festival about?

Each religion marks different historical events and stories.

Hindus celebrate the return of deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile. They also celebrate the day Mother Goddess Durga destroyed a demon called Mahisha.

Sikhs particularly celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru Hargobind Singh in 1619. But Sikhs celebrated the festival before this date.

In fact, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the most holy place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577. The founder of Jainism is Lord Mahavira. During Diwali, Jains celebrate the moment he reached a state called Moksha (nirvana, or eternal bliss).

Traditions

  • Many lights and oil lamps are lit on the streets and in houses
  • People visit their relatives and have feasts
  • Fireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasion
  • Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, is worshipped as the bringer of blessings for the new year

If you would like to find out more about Diwali, click here.

If you would like to find out more about the story of Rama & Sita and the Diwali story, click here.

Happy Diwali


Children in Need

Who are Children in Need?

BBC Children in Need is the BBC's UK charity. Since 1980 it has raised over £1 billion for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. BBC Children in Need exists to change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Their vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential

Where does the money raised go?

We use the money raised to support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 3000 local charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.

In the last grant year alone, your support helped change the lives of over 600,000 disadvantaged children and young people, right here in the UK.

There are some incredible children across the country. Each one of them is amazing, but they can be faced with barriers too big to overcome on their own – a sort of raincloud that hangs over them, and gets in the way of them achieving their dreams no matter how much they try to combat it themselves. That’s where our BBC Children in Need funded project workers come in– everyday, ordinary people, have the power to support these children to take down those barriers and push away those rainclouds – allowing them to achieve all they’ve ever dreamt of.

What can I do?

Come as Yourself is all about students embracing their identities, wearing whatever it is that makes them feel comfortable and expressing who they are this Appeal day, whilst raising vital funds to support young people who need it most. We will be holding a mufti day on Friday 13th November. If you can donate £1 it will make a difference to Children in Need. Anything that you can donate over £1, we will to support young people mental health and wellbeing projects at Calthorpe Park School.

Together, we can make a huge difference in a time when it’s needed most

If you would like to find out more, click here.

Watch this video of the Children in Need campaign.


Remembrance Day

Armistice Day is on 11 November and is also known as Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom honours the heroic efforts, achievements and sacrifices that were made in past wars. The main observance is on the second Sunday in November, but 2 minutes of silence is also made on November 11.

It marks the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918.

The Royal British Legion (RBL), sometimes called The British Legion or The Legion, is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants.

The Legion holds a fund-raising drive each year in the weeks before Remembrance Sunday, during which artificial Remembrance poppy red poppies, meant to be worn on clothing, are offered to the public in return for a donation to the Legion.

The "Originator of Poppy Day", Madame Guérin, raised funds during World War I for widows, orphans, veterans, U.S. Liberty bonds, and charities such as the Red Cross and Food for France.

The opening lines of the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" refer to poppies growing among the graves of war victims in a region of Belgium. The poem is written from the point of view of the fallen soldiers and in its last verse, the soldiers call on the living to continue the conflict.

Moina Michael, who had taken leave from her professorship at the University of Georgia to be a volunteer worker for the American YMCA Overseas War Secretaries Organization, was inspired by the poem. In tribute to McCrae's poem, she vowed to always wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those who fought in and assisted with the war. She then campaigned to have the poppy adopted as a national symbol of remembrance.

For further information, click here.

Please watch this video.


United Nations Day - 24 October 2020

The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and its founding Charter. This anniversary comes in a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with severe economic and social impacts. But it is also a reminder that times of struggle can become an opportunity for positive change and transformation.

As a Silver Rights Aware School, we know how important it is for students to have an opportunity to learn about their rights and throughout the curriculum we make links to these rights.

We would have been hosting our 21st Model United Nations at Calthorpe Park School this year and we are looking forward to when this can happen.

If you would like to find out more about what the UN will do to celebrate its 75th birthday, click here.

Watch this video.

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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - 17 October

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is organised each year with the goal of eradicating poverty in all its forms everywhere. The theme for the Day this year addresses the challenge of achieving social and environmental justice for all. In a world characterized by an unprecedented level of economic development, technological means and financial resources, that millions of persons are living in extreme poverty is a moral outrage.

Persons living in poverty experience many interrelated and mutually reinforcing deprivations that prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate their poverty, including:

  • dangerous work conditions
  • unsafe housing
  • lack of nutritious food
  • unequal access to justice
  • lack of political power
  • limited access to health care

Here are some sombre facts and figures about global poverty :

  • 736 million people lived below the international poverty line of US $ 1.90 a day in 2015.
  • In 2018, almost 8 per cent of the world’s workers and their families lived on less than US$1.90 per person per day.
  • Most people living below the poverty line belong to two regions: Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • High poverty rates are often found in small, fragile and conflict-affected countries.
  • As of 2018, 55 per cent of the world’s population have no access to at least one social protection cash benefit.

If you would like further information, please click here.

International Day for Eradication of Poverty 2020

Eradication of Poverty


World Food Day

World Food Day is an international day celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. This year the theme for World Food Day is Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together.

Over 2 billion people do not have regular access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The global population is expected to reach almost 10 billion by 2050.

The impact of malnutrition in all its forms - undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, as well as overweight and obesity - on the global economy is estimated at USD 3.5 trillion per year.

A steady increase in hunger since 2014 together with rising obesity, clearly indicates the need to accelerate and scale up actions to strengthen food systems and protect people's livelihoods.

Our future food systems need to provide affordable and healthy diets for all and decent livelihoods for food system workers, while preserving natural resources and biodiversity and tackling challenges such as climate change.

We all have a role to play, from increasing the overall demand for nutritious food by choosing healthy, to not letting sustainable habits fall by the wayside, despite these uncertain times.

If you would like to find out more, click here

World Food Day 2020           The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020

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International Day of the Girl

Every year on 11 October, the International Day of the Girl, UNICEF launches an annual campaign with girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. This year, under the theme, “My voice, our equal future”, let’s seize the opportunity to reimagine a better world inspired by adolescent girls – energized and recognized, counted and invested in.

As adolescent girls worldwide assert their power as change-makers, International Day of the Girl 2020 will focus on their demands to:

  • Live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, and HIV and AIDS 
  • Learn new skills towards the futures they choose 
  • Lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change

For further information, please click here and watch this video.

 


National Coming Out Day

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National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on October 11, to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The foundational belief is that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of silence and ignorance, and that once people know that they have loved ones who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic, transphobic or oppressive views.

Coming Out can be a difficult experience for young people and they will need care and support on their journey. National Coming Out Day celebrates and normalises coming out.

If you are seeking help, support or education about LGBTQ+ issues, please see this link.


World mental health day

This year’s World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, comes at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people with mental health conditions are experiencing greater social isolation than before. This is why the goal of this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign is increased investment in mental health. 

If you would like to know more, please click on this link and see this video.

To help look after a child or young person’s mental health, see this link.


Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual observance of Black History which takes place during the month of October. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history, culture and heritage of Black people.  In years gone by, October has been the only time of year when the UK talks about the achievements of Black people in Britain. Hopefully, the events of 2020 will be a catalyst for Black history to be shared much more widely. At Calthorpe Park, we will be raising awareness of the often hidden history of Black people throughout the month.  

Why Black History Month is more important than ever this year?

The events of 2020 have laid bare the importance of celebrating and educating about diversity. The disproportionate number of Black people who died from Coronavirus during the pandemic, the tragic killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have raised further debate about the inequalities faced by Black people.

#BlackLivesMatter protests around the world sparked a commitment among many individuals and organisations to educate themselves about Black history, heritage and culture – as part of understanding racism and standing in solidarity against it.

In the UK, the injustices faced by some members of the Windrush generation, the unconscious bias entrenched in society, illustrated by the fact that young Black men stopped and searched 20,000 times in London during the coronavirus lockdown (the equivalent of 1 in 4 young Black men), along with Black MPs, barristers, senior police officers, sportspeople and many more demonstrate the need for open discussion.

Black History Month 2020 is a time for people to come together and hopefully learn lessons for the present and the future. It is a time to stand together against racism, unconscious bias and entrenched discrimination.

Please watch the video and visit the Black History Month website for further information.


International Day of Peace

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The International Day of Peace is a United Nations-sanctioned remembrance day observed annually on 21st September. It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1981, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people. In 2013 the day was dedicated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to peace education, the key preventive means to reduce war sustainably.

 

This year the theme is Shaping Peace Together.  Celebrate the International Day of Peace by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. Join us so that we can shape peace together.

Our students wrote:

The International Day of Peace, sometimes known as World Peace Day, is an annually observed holiday of non-violence and cease-fire held on the 21st September. The UN devoted this day as a reminder to everyone about the horrors of conflict and to strengthen the ideals of world peace. In the midst of a global pandemic, it has become even more fundamental and clear that we should be uniting to fight against this virus and not each other. 

As heads of Real3, we are excited to spread the message that this year's International Day of Peace is dedicated to collecting ideas and hearing everyone's voices and views in this unprecedented time. We pride ourselves here at Calthorpe Park, knowing that we are a Rights Respecting School and are here to uphold the fact that every voice should be valued and heard. It should be a day of focused reflection and sharing. Even though we may not all be able to physically stand next to each other at this point in time, it does not stop us standing with each other to make a difference and aspire together. 

 Maddie and Issy ( Student Heads of Real3 )

 

https://internationaldayofpeace.org/

https://www.peaceoneday.org/Main/

Please watch this video link if you would like to learn more.


Rosh Hashanah is Jewish New Year. It is celebrated on the first and second day of the seventh month of the Jewish religious year. This year, Rosh Hashanah will begin at sunset on Friday, 18 September and will continue until nightfall on Sunday, 20 September. A Shofar (a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn) may be played in the synagogue, symbolising a call for repentance. A big feast will be eaten and symbolically apples and honey are eaten to symbolise the hope for a sweet and happy new year.

Click on the video to find out more about Rosh Hashanah.

L’Shanah Tovah! (Have a good year!)


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