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Celebrating Diversity Week: Building Each Other Up in Love and Learning!
Celebrating Diversity Week: Building Each Other Up in Love and Learning!
What an incredible, vibrant, and heartwarming week we have had at school! This week, our classrooms and corridors were filled with a special energy as we celebrated Diversity Week.
At St Stephen's, embracing diversity is reflected in our core school values every single day as we strive to build each other up in love and learning. This week, we have certainly felt that love! It was also a fantastic opportunity to live out our commitment to British Values, exploring how identity, equality, and mutual respect form the foundation of a strong community.
Research highlights that a clear sense of identity is vital for mental well-being, serving as the core strength that helps us navigate life. By exploring our identity and celebrating what makes us unique, we are equipping our children with the confidence to step out into the wider world.
Here is a glimpse into how our different year groups explored this week's vital themes...
EYFS & Key Stage 1: What Makes Us Special?
EYFS & Key Stage 1: What Makes Us Special?
Our youngest learners looked at what makes them unique and special. In EYFS, the children read the classic story Elmer and created their own patchwork elephants to represent themselves, dispelling the myth that there are 'boy' or 'girl' colours and toys.
Meanwhile, Year 1 and Year 2 focused on Our Families. Led by a wonderful KS1 assembly with Ms Collins, the children discussed what makes a family, learning that while families look different, they are all characterised by the same thing: love and care.
🌈 Rainbow Day: Come As You Are!
🌈 Rainbow Day: Come As You Are!
A highlight of our week was Friday's Rainbow Day and ‘Proud to be Me’ Parade.
The playground was a breathtaking sea of colour as children arrived dressed in every shade of the rainbow, or in clothes that truly celebrated them as individuals.
Thank you, Ms Collins for organising such a wonderful Diversirty Week.
Take a look at this beautiful gallery of artwork and creative projects from our youngest learners!
Key Stage 2: Challenging Stereotypes & Being Yourself
Key Stage 2: Challenging Stereotypes & Being Yourself
In Years 3 and 4, the focus shifted to identity and challenging stereotypes. Year 3s designed brilliant 'Proud to be Me' flags, while Year 4 explored conventional clothing from different cultures, learning how to be an upstander against prejudice.
In Years 5 and 6, the discussions matured into looking at Individual Liberty and the Rule of Law. Miss Mowbray led an insightful KS2 assembly on different families, and the classes discussed the history of marriage equality and how laws have changed over time to ensure everyone feels safe and included. Year 6 looked closely at the life of historical figure Anne Lister to see how far we have come.
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Champions of the Pages! Victory at the Battle of the Books
Champions of the Pages! Victory at the Battle of the Books
We are absolutely thrilled to share some spectacular news: this week, our incredible Battle of the Books team took First Place overall out of 14 competing schools at the grand final held at St James School!
It was a day filled with intense competition, brilliant creativity, and well-earned triumph.
Conquering the Quiz Round
Conquering the Quiz Round
The competition kicked off with a grueling 30-question quiz round. The stakes were high, and every single team member had to step up to answer at least three questions each. Our team admitted to feeling some heavy nerves beforehand - waiting for the questions to be revealed was definitely a bit scary! But, looking back at all the hard work they put into their preparation, those nerves were simply evidence of their incredible enthusiasm and dedication to doing their absolute best.
The quiz tested their deep understanding, quick recall, and inference skills across six books they’ve been studying. Some rounds revealed the book title upfront, while others threw in 'mystery questions' to keep them on their toes. Thanks to their incredible preparation, the St Stephen’s team placed an amazing 2nd in the quiz round!
Bring on the Art: 3D Masterpieces
Bring on the Art: 3D Masterpieces
For the art project round, teams were given quotes from three books: Cloud Tea Monkeys, Cosmic, and Wild Journey. Our team chose Cloud Tea Monkeys and set to work creating a stunning 3D artwork based on a quote of their choosing. They knew the judges were looking for a visual masterpiece that truly evoked the language of the text. Their creativity and teamwork paid off beautifully, securing 3rd place in the art round.
Haunted Houses and Singing Authors
Haunted Houses and Singing Authors
After a well-deserved lunch, the children enjoyed a brilliant session with author Gareth P. Jones, who brought a lot of energy - and singing! - to the afternoon. He jumped-started their imaginations by asking them what their worst nightmare would be behind a haunted house door. For Lotte, the answer was instant: Homework!
Hard Work Pays Off!
Hard Work Pays Off!
While the team was genuinely surprised when St Stephen's was announced as the overall 1st place winners, the rest of us aren't surprised at all. This victory is the result of immense dedication. For months, these students have spent their Thursday lunchtimes at 'Battle of the Books' club with Mrs Salcedo, and they even dedicated their own weekends to get together and study in the run-up to the event.
Huge congratulations to our 8 phenomenal champions and their fantastic mentor, Mrs Salcedo: Lotte, Orla, Rowena, Alfie, Joseph C, Grace C, Benjamin, and Jasper
We are so incredibly proud of you all. Thank you for representing our school so brilliantly!
Eco Council Sparks Change at the Richmond Schools Eco Summit
Eco Council Sparks Change at the Richmond Schools Eco Summit
This week, our Year 5 and 6 Eco Council members represented the school brilliantly at the Richmond Schools Eco Summit, held at the beautiful Orleans House Gallery. They joined young Eco Champions from across the borough for an inspiring day of hands-on workshops focused on climate change, supporting local ecosystems, and imagining a greener future.
Our pupils threw themselves into four fantastic activities throughout the day:
Moving Minds with Spoken Word
Moving Minds with Spoken Word
In a powerful creative workshop led by artist Natty Speaks, the children worked together to write an environmental poem. Showing incredible bravery, some of our pupils stepped up to perform their piece live in front of an audience of over 80 delegates!
Their words were deeply impactful - in fact, many members of staff and event organisers commented on how moved they were by our students' poetry. If you visit Orleans House Gallery in the future, keep an ear out: the gallery is currently processing the audio recordings to be uploaded to the Echoes app, allowing future visitors exploring the woods to listen to our students' spoken word pieces!
The Dance of Life By Ellie (Attenborough Class)
The Dance of Life By Ellie (Attenborough Class)
Sitting under the tree of green,
Listen to all of our creatures unseen.
And though some trees must now pass,
Hope is like a looking glass—
Fragile at first and easy to break,
Moving slow upon a tender lake.
We can be stronger, like the noble swift;
Even in sleep, their wings keep adrift.
Communication, yes! That is the key,
From the click of the cricket to the dance of the bee.
An underground network of possibility—
And now we have the chance for it to be me.
Tell all the people and let it be known,
That truly, yes truly, you're never alone.
Talk to the leaders, talk to each other,
For we are no different than sister and brother.
If you are beast, plant, or a different kind,
We are all equal, so keep that in mind.
We are so proud to share this beautiful poem written by Ellie at the Eco Summit. The Dance of Life is a deeply moving piece that captures both the wonder of nature - from the "dance of the bee" to the hidden "underground network" of trees - and a powerful message of hope. Ellie’s clever metaphors and passionate call for us to work together as "sister and brother" touched the hearts of everyone at the summit and back at school. What a remarkably talented young writer you are, Ellie!
Tuning Into the 'Music' of Plants
Tuning Into the 'Music' of Plants
In one of the most unique workshops of the day, run by artist Sarina Mantle, the children got to literally listen to nature. By placing high-conductivity clips onto different plant leaves, they used special devices that translate a plant's internal electrical frequencies - driven by water uptake and growth - into musical notes. It was a magical experience that truly brought the plant world to life.
Creating Homes for Minibeasts
Creating Homes for Minibeasts
Switching to a hands-on conservation focus, the Eco Council teamed up with the environmental charity Habitats and Heritage to build custom bug hotels. The children learned all about the vital role minibeasts play in our local biodiversity and how to support them back on our own school grounds.
Designing a Perfect World
Designing a Perfect World
Finally, the children tackled an activity centered on air quality and urban planning, where they were asked to draw their perfect world. Our pupils filled their canvases with inspiring, forward-thinking designs featuring abundant parks, thriving green spaces, and innovative, eco-friendly buildings.
Our Year 5 and 6 Eco Champions returned to school bursting with fresh ideas and inspiration to make our own community a greener place. We are incredibly proud of their dedication, creativity, and the bravery they showed on stage. Way to go, Eco Council!
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