Mrs Edwards-Morgan, Principal of The Link Academy, commented on the event:

"Our Cultural Celebration Day is a testament to the rich diversity and unity within our school community. It is heartwarming to see our learners actively engaging with and appreciating the multitude of cultures that make up our vibrant school. This day not only celebrates our differences but also brings us closer together, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and mutual respect. Thank you to all the staff and learners for making this event a resounding success!"

Activities across the school included:

Culture Do Now Activities

Each lesson began with a Do Now activity focused on culture, setting the tone for a day of global exploration and learning.

Dhol Drumming Workshop

In the music department, learners were treated to an exhilarating Dhol drumming workshop by an external professional from Dhol Frequency. Additionally, our very own Miss Muhammad, who has personally learnt Dhol drumming, showcased her impressive skills during a demonstration on the school yard at social times, captivating learners with the energetic beats and rhythms of traditional Dhol drumming.

Mehndi Tattoos

Learners had the opportunity to adorn themselves with beautiful Mehndi tattoos, created using non-henna based pens. This provided a safe and artistic way to experience the traditional body art.

Dance Workshops

There were engaging dance workshops in the dance studio, where learners had the opportunity to learn and perform dances from various cultural backgrounds. Miss Croft supported rehearsals for learners to practice their cultural dance demonstrations, which later formed part of a showcase in the Fashion show.

Traditional Food Cooking Classes

Selected learners joined Mrs Haywood during periods 1 and 2 to cook traditional food dishes. This hands-on experience allowed learners to explore different culinary traditions and develop their cooking skills.

Cultural Meals in the Cafeteria

Our dedicated catering staff prepared a delightful array of cultural meals, including:

• Breaded chicken, rice, and katsu curry sauce
• Hotdogs with potato salad and braised red cabbage
• Buttered chicken curry with rice and naan bread
• Jerk marinated aubergine with rice and peas

Attendance Rewards

Learners with 100% attendance were treated to ice cream rewards, adding a sweet touch to the day's festivities.

Year 8 Walk a Mile

Year 8 learners participated in a symbolic Walk a Mile event, fostering unity and cultural appreciation as they walked together.

Food Tasting in the Winter Garden

During break and lunch, the Winter Garden was transformed into a food fair, featuring delicious offerings from Tesco Dudley, Domino's Pizza, and Darby End chip shop. Indian food was provided by Saliyah in Cradley Heath, while Caribbean delicacies came from Bennett's Reggae Lounge in Cradley Heath. Additionally, a Year 10 food technology learner, Loa-Mai Green, baked and donated 100 cupcakes, adding to the culinary delight. We also rewarded 100 learners with 100% attendance with a free ice cream from BB King Whippy in Halesowen, generously provided at no cost by the owner.

Fashion Show

The highlight of the day was an incredible fashion show celebrating fashions from Pakistan, British, Afghanistan, Kurdish, Indian, Nigerian, Jamaican, and other African nations. 130 learners got to watch the fashion show, and it was incredible! Learners proudly wore their own traditional clothing or colours to represent their national flags, showcasing the beauty and diversity of global attire. We also had Demi at Pandora's prom shop in Halesowen loan three dresses for learners to model in the fashion show, adding an extra touch of glamour to the event.

Mrs Wheelwright, Geography Teacher at The Link Academy also commented:

“On the 1st of April, we celebrated our Cultural Day at the Link Academy, and what a fantastic day it was for the learners! The highlight of the day was the fashion show — WOW! It was an incredible event that showcased diverse cultures and gave learners the opportunity to proudly display their cultural attire." 

The Link Academy’s Cultural Celebration Day was a resounding success, leaving learners inspired and enriched by the cultural experiences they encountered. The day was a testament to our school's commitment to fostering inclusivity, understanding, and appreciation of the diverse world we live in.