Whitgift recently hosted the annual Culture Day, offering Lower First and First Form students an exploration of global traditions and identities.
The day, organised by Vatsa (School Captain) and Eldon (Deputy Vice School Captain), began with an engaging introduction, followed by a series of talks. These included personal stories on topics such as Middle Eastern identity, mixed-race experiences, and cultural shocks, each sparking thoughtful discussion and encouraging cultural awareness.
The morning continued with interactive sessions where students rotated through various themed rooms. They explored topics ranging from Egyptian and Turkish culture to Greek mythology, and activities like Mancala and Jazz’s role in South African heritage.
In the afternoon, students shifted focus to sports with rotations in Kabaddi and Gaelic football, guided by sports staff. Each sport included an overview of rules, basic skills, and friendly matches, enriching students’ understanding of sports from different cultures.
Reflecting on the success of the day Vatsa commented “Culture Day is an opportunity for the oldest students to collaborate with the youngest students in the School to explore a variety of cultures. All students really engaged with questions around identity through the discussions and workshops in a meaningful and impactful way and had lots of fun in the cultural sports in the afternoon.”