Sutton pupils and staff celebrate Black History Month

Children and staff at Mere Green Primary School, part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) have been celebrating Black History Month with a host of activities, beginning with a hearty breakfast alongside parents and carers.

The festivities started on Monday 1 October when families were welcomed into the outstanding school to sample a variety of flavoursome foods, including traditional dishes of black heritage – filled sweet potatoes (African), scrambled eggs with peppers and spices (Caribbean) and sweet dumplings (festivals) from a Jamaican recipe.

They also had a taste of what else is on the menu for the rest of the month – children will be exploring black history through a number of subjects, involving poetry, reading, music and art.

Pupils took part in an informative and engaging assembly, celebrating defining moments and key people from black history. Associate Headteacher Kristal Brookes praised the “confident” children for their fantastic contributions.

She said:

We’ve all been looking forward to this important calendar event. At Mere Green we teach children to value each other, to be respectful, to celebrate the diversity of our communities and to work together. It’s been wonderful to see our whole school embracing Black History Month and I’m very proud of our pupils, who give and gain so much through such rich educational experiences.”

October Black History Month is nearly 40 years old in the UK. The month was founded to recognise the achievements and contributions that many people of African and Caribbean backgrounds have made to this country over many generations. Now, Black History Month has expanded to include the history of Asian people and their achievements and contributions too.