However politicians define it, we know what we mean by multiculturalism at JAGS - and it works. Friday night's multicultural evening was a fantastic fusion of cultures represented at the school from across the world. It's wonderful to see a hundred + pupils from Years 7-13 involved each year, steered by organisers in Y12. Moving from the theatre to the Holst Hall, we watched 'Cinderella' in Italian, flamenco, Bollywood, Sri Lankan, Indian and Ghanaian dancing, admired a world fashion show, listened to a German rock band, Russian and Italian love-songs and a Maori song, piano recital, vena playing, Gospel, Jazz, Soul...... and so much more. There was a lively masterclass in Japanese Taiko drumming and the evening finished on a high with an excited 40-strong jive group, which we could all join! The organisers, Nicole Asemota, Rachel Blackman-Mack, Alicia Johnson-Cole, Eve Marlow and Ese Overo Tarimo, can be very proud of their management of the huge audience. We heard Nicole and a speaker from local charity Whitgift SNAP and Ese spoke on the work of Make A Wish. Thanks to the generosity of parents and local businesses which donated food and raffle prizes, the event raised a staggering £1700.

49 different languages apart from English are spoken by girls here and there is a natural respect and appreciation of our different cultures. As Headmistress Marion Gibbs said in this morning's assembly, if only that were true across the world.

7 February 2011