Wood Farm
Wood Farm's annual celebration of our 'World School'!
On the evening of Thursday 25th September, hundreds gathered in glorious sunshine to enjoy our brilliant International Festival. The playgrounds were crisscrossed with bunting of Union Jacks mingled with flags from around the world – and everyone had a beautiful evening together, described by one parent as a festival which ‘brings the whole world together’.
We are so proud of the huge diversity in our "world school” - a place where children with so many different backgrounds meet, learn from and achieve with each other. The festival is always a real highlight of our year at Wood Farm, when the whole community comes together show our pride in our school, our community, and the amazingly connections between us all.
For parents Nadeem and Shakira, who have been parents of the school for many years, ‘there is no better time to come together for a night of community and joy…in the smiling faces of children and parents alike, we see the real Wood Farm – families coming together, singing, laughing and dancing to revel in our international neighbourhood.’
Pupils from Reception to Year 6 provided the entertainment on stage. Children joined in Greek Zorba dancing, Indian Dhol drumming, Spanish/Indian fusion dance, KPop performances – as well as many other acts, including several led by some of our parents!
The international fashion show was a real highlight, featuring dazzling outfits from countries across the world. We were also joined by a superb steel drummer and the Oxford University Morris Dancers. Austin, in year 4 said, ‘I think International Festival was great because it is a time you get to see other countries and it is only once a year and there are lots of performances, food and bubbles’. For Xiya, in year 5, ‘International festival was super fun. There were lots of crafts and performances’
As ever, we were blown away by the generosity of our families, who brought food from around the World to the huge bring and share feast - which even included food from the budding young masterchefs from the nursery. We were also grateful to Arjun (a former Wood Farm pupil!) and the other staff of the Six Bells pub in Quarry for donating 250 delicious samosas for people to enjoy as they arrived.
Visitors also enjoyed looking at displays from each class on a different country represented in the school. Others enjoyed face-painting and henna designs, as well as craft activities. As the sun set, children and parents joined in the dancing, while across the school field children chased huge bubbles from bubbleologist, ‘The Bubble Man’.
It was an evening of smiles, surprises and real confidence in the future. Miss Yardy described the festival having ‘the most special feeling - from children in their special dress, to adults and families connecting over different countries that hold a place of pride for them. It's my second International Festival at the school and the feeling of connection grows each year - such a special event to learn more about our families and communities! Mrs Aliasgari, one of our teaching assistants described it as ‘like travelling the world in just one evening – such a memorable experience full of joy, colour and delicious food. It was wonderful to see children and families sharing their cultures, bringing our community together and showing how much we can learn from one another.’
The event was attended by pupils, families from the school and nursery, people from the local community. Liz Brighouse, county councillor described how ‘it was wonderful to see children and families from across the world dancing together, making music, and sharing food at the wonderful Wood Farm International Festival. The school staff put so much time, work and love into putting it together.”
Parents and carers from the school and nursery shared these sentiments. Will, a parent of a child in year 1 felt ‘it is so great that the school goes all in on celebrating diversity – it’s lovely to see… everyone very clearly loves the event, parents and kids alike. Can’t wait for the next one!’ Myrthe, parent of a child in reception agreed, ‘it was so inspiring to see all the children being proud of their cultural background and at the same time being enthusiastic about the cultural outings of their peers. A festive and positive display of the diversity of cultures that are present at Wood Farm School!’ Soheyla, who has a year 2 and reception-aged child in the school described the festival as ‘an amazing initiative by Wood Farm Primary School, which incorporated local families to celebrate everyone from every background, with amazing food, performances and activities.’
Listen here to us talking about the event to BBC Radio Oxford
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