LVS Hassocks held another successful drop down day on Wednesday 27th June with the vibrant International Culture Day. Drop down days have become a hugely valuable way of focusing attention on specific topics where engaging activities and guest visitors help students to understand and learn about areas of society.
Previous drop down days of Citizenship Day and Health and Emotional Wellbeing Day were enjoyed by everyone, and International Culture Day was enjoyed equally by students. It was a day full of bright colours and wonderful aromas as LVS Hassocks celebrated international cultures throughout the whole school with a range of absorbing demonstrations and activities.
Students attended workshops to get different experiences of the worlds rich tapestry. In the arts they were able to try African drumming, Israeli dancing and Morris Dancing in fun sessions that involved tuition from experts brought in to teach them.
The school’s dedicated food technology room was the perfect place for students to discover more about Thai food, and then go on to make some themselves and try their own cooking, a valuable exercise which will help them to lead independent lives beyond the school. One student commented after her Thai Cooking lesson, “well I can officially say I have tried Asian food” and even took the recipe home to share with her family.
Other activities on the day included the opportunity to try new sports out in LVS Hassocks’ beautiful grounds, and try out tie dying in the art room to create t-shirt designs.
Two trips also went out during the day, one group going to Southall to visit a Gurdwara in Southall, a Sikh place of worship and one of the largest of its kind outside of India. The other group when to the Apple Tree Centre, a Hindu community project in Crawley. Then in the afternoon the group went to the Brighton Museum to learn more about cultures.
Leanne Jarvis, PSHE Coordinator at LVS Hassocks, said: “Days like these are so important for the students, as it gives them the opportunity to try new things and broaden their knowledge of the world in a safe a secure setting. It was great that so many students left with a smile, which makes it worthwhile. I am also very grateful for the staff team whose dedication ensured the students had the best day possible, sharing their skills and knowledge.”