Black History Month 2024: Reclaiming Narratives

Published Friday 8 November 2024

Black History Month is a celebration that takes place in October every year. First marked in the UK in October 1987, Black History Month is a recognition of the heritage, culture and achievements of Black Britons. Across the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust, all pupils and staff took part in celebrating Black History Month in different ways.

St John XXIII Catholic Primary School hosted their legendary annual Black History Month Concert with pupils from across the school performing songs, dances, and reciting prose from throughout history. As always, this was a momentous occasion, and all pupils performed outstandingly well!

This year St Thomas More Language College celebrated Black storytelling by highlighting some fantastic authors who delve into a myriad of Black experiences. You can find the excellent books the library featured here.

Sixth Form pupils organised a comprehensive programme of events for Black History Month at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. In DT & Engineering, pupils looked at designers and inventors who have shaped the way we live and helped to keep us safe, the library featured influential authors, such as those who played important roles in the Harlem Renaissance, and in Art, pupils were tasked with recreating pieces inspired by artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Chris Ofili, and Kerry James Marshall.

At St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, all classes studied a local black historical figure, who has had a lasting impression on how we live today. This culminated as a whole school assembly at the end of the half term.

Years 1-6 at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Chelsea enjoyed workshops delivered by Bigfoot Arts Education. They learned about the Windrush Generation and the amazing contributions of people such as Sam King, Evelyn Wauchope and Claudia Jones. They were also taught some amazing dance moves to Caribbean Music too!

In class, pupils also focused on the life and work of black saints, such as Saint Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of victims of human trafficking. Here you can see a prayer that a pupil from St Joseph’s wrote for St Josephine.