BCB Weekly Newsletter (16th of April 2021)
Dear Parents,
Nord Anglia is taking its commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) extremely seriously. In the past year it has updated its policy, built a steering committee and appointed voluntary EDI champions in all of our schools across the globe. The steering committee
consist of Dr Leslie Williams, Chair of Nord Anglia Education’s Global Equality Programme
and High School Director at Windermere Preparatory School; Jenny McWalter, Nord Anglia
Education Assistant Director; Jerry Singer, Group Head of Leadership, Talent and Inclusion
and also Andrew Fitzmaurice. This is truly important work as in the words of Dr Leslie, ‘It
strives to make all community members seen and heard, respected and represented. There
is an effort to embrace diversity and inclusion with a focus on anti-discrimination.’
Dear Parents,
Nord Anglia is taking its commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) extremely
seriously. In the past year it has updated its policy, built a steering committee and appointed
voluntary EDI champions in all of our schools across the globe. The steering committee
consist of Dr Leslie Williams, Chair of Nord Anglia Education’s Global Equality Programme
and High School Director at Windermere Preparatory School; Jenny McWalter, Nord Anglia
Education Assistant Director; Jerry Singer, Group Head of Leadership, Talent and Inclusion
and also Andrew Fitzmaurice. This is truly important work as in the words of Dr Leslie, ‘It
strives to make all community members seen and heard, respected and represented. There
is an effort to embrace diversity and inclusion with a focus on anti-discrimination.’
Every school quite rightly has a responsibility to operate in an environment that is safe in every respect to all of its community, staff, parents and students. Here at BCB, we are very proud to have a safe and happy learning environment but there is so much we have to learn, a world we have to adapt to, and there are regular updates showing us how we have
to think and act differently about education.
This philosophy around EDI is going to be evolving over time as we learn more from each other and continue to apply positive change to develop good people. It is nothing different
to what we expect for our students leaving after completing their IB diploma, we just have to be aware of differences and similarities that continue to evolve around the world.
Our two enthusiastic volunteer EDI Champions are Fabiano Gomes and Sam Hardwicke and they have already started developing their own steering committee and creating an action plan for what we can achieve at BCB. We want to ensure that all our training and increased knowledge and awareness will become embedded in our curriculum and that it is just a normal way of life for our students to be aware and respectful. Children are future change so we, as educators, have to consider our changes to facilitate a truly equal, diverse and inclusive population for the future.
Their first training for staff was on gender awareness and this made us really aware of terminology that is used in school and society and what this actually means to us and others. These conversations can be uncomfortable for some, depending on our own cultural upbringing, so it is great to hear about research and facts and for us to be aware.
We are extremely proud that this work by Fabiano and Sam was recognised by Dr Leslie Williams and she requested them to present their professional learning to her staff, another
Nord Anglia school. They are also considering how it may become a course for all Nord Anglia staff to have access to, in all 73 schools, by placing it on Nord Anglia University. What
an amazing achievement and a great promoter for the work at BCB, we have some amazing staff. Thank you to Fabiano and Sam.
We hope you have enjoyed your children being back in school this week and look forward to this hopefully continuing.
Have a love weekend.
Stay responsible.
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Warm regards,
Principal Nick West
