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Saltash Spends Week Celebrating Diversity

Funky Felt workshop at Cornwall College Saltash. (click image to enlarge)

Cornwall College has been embracing other cultures this week in its annual Celebrating Diversity Festival.

The event, which began on Monday 14th November, was an opportunity to share, showcase and promote cultural variety enabling students and staff to celebrate the diversity of the whole College community at campuses across Cornwall, which includes Duchy College and Falmouth Marine School, and learn about cultures both locally and globally.

At Cornwall College’s Saltash campus there were plenty of activities happening throughout the week taking a look at a wide range of cultures, disabilities, diets, arts, traditional dress and beauty regimes from all corners of the world.

The campus’ link to its partner College in Uganda, Kamurasi Primary Teaching College, was celebrated with an hour long Skype video chat which allowed students from each college to ask questions about lessons, lunches, their day to day routines and how they spend their free time.

Art and Design students spent time running up to the week producing colourful murals integrating Mexican and Kenyan themed pieces. These were put on display around the campus.

Students from across the College also had the chance to attend presentations from both Guide Dogs for the Blind and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. They learnt about the work the dogs do from their trainers and had the chance to meet dogs ‘Jingle’ who works with those with hearing impairments and ‘Olga’ who is in training to work with the partially sighted.

Student Julie Appleby (17) from Callington said: “I have really been amazed at the amount of activities happening this week and it has been really interesting to learn about different cultures and ways of life. My highlight was meeting the Guide Dogs and finding out about the brilliant job they do and the difference they make to people’s lives.”

Hairdressing students got the chance to learn about traditional Tunisian Wedding hair and makeup traditions while Trowel Trades students learnt about health and safety from around the world. In addition Plumbing students looked at environmental issues and plumbing systems from a range of countries and how they differed from our own.

A Piñata was set up in the main reception with students having the opportunity to pay to have a go at the traditional Mexican party game of using a stick to break the Piñata (a cardboard Donkey and Butterfly) and collect the sweets from inside.

A ‘Blind’ football tournament took place with students blindfolded and having to use a ball with a bell in it and the new climbing wall in the K3 Youth Centre on campus was put to good use as staff and students tried their hand at climbing it while blindfolded and using mock-ups of various disabilities including climbing one handed with their second arm in a sling.

Tom Beddoe (17) from Liskeard studies Business at the College. He said: “I have learnt a lot this week about diversity and the range of cultures, customs, diets and religions from all around the world. It has been a real eye opener and I feel I understand many of them a lot better because of it. It has been a really good week.”

On one of the days the College cafe was transformed into a Mexican restaurant with the majority of students and staff opting for the day’s special menu comprising Fajita wraps, spicy potatoes and Tacos. The scene was set with Mexican music and displays covering the tables and walls.

Cornwall College’s ‘Volunteer Kenya’ also had a stand at the campus which involved an African Drumming workshop and information to promote the next planned visit to the country for students in 2012.

Health and Social Care groups took part in fundraising activities to raise money for Cornwall Care Leavers who support children once they have left care homes with their transition into adult life.

Becki Lewis, Student Liaison Officer at Saltash said: “We have had a fantastic range of activities taking place all week at the campus and everyone has got involved, having fun and learning about cultural diversity from all around the world. It has been a great effort from staff and students and especially big thanks go to those who have taken time to visit the College and give talks and presentations.”

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