In the final few weeks of 2021, Sandhill View students have again been distinguishing themselves during SMSC lessons by discussing important issues with maturity. Exemplary attitude for learning has consistently been visible in lessons, and pupils have continued to develop oracy skills, present and debate their viewpoints on a range of subjects. For instance, some Year 9 students have been exploring gender and homophobia, with one pupil suggesting that people who discriminate due to a person’s sexuality do so because they are “scared of people being different.” Another student, speaking about gang crime, proposed the idea that “trauma in early life can lead to involvement with gangs.” 

Elsewhere, Year 10 students have been discussing topics like domestic violence, grief and loss –delicate subjects which our pupils were able to speak about with a great deal of respect and compassion for those involved.  Indeed, one student noted that, “grief can be physically and emotionally painful (but) memories are important so we can celebrate people who are no longer here.” 

Finally, all Sandhill View students this week participated in an assembly on the subject of discrimination, in which they were encouraged to imagine what it must be like to be considered inferior simply because of something arbitrary like the colour of their eyes or skin. Without exception, all pupils listened attentively to the assembly and volunteered some wonderful answers to questions, with more than one reminding us that “everyone should be treated equally.” 

The assembly was inspired by a wonderful experiment which was recorded in the US in 1970 and developed into a TV documentary called ‘A Class Divided.’ The film is available to watch in its entirety on YouTube, and I would recommend that everyone who is able should watch it by following this link.