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St Austell Celebrates Diversity
Cornwall College St Austell celebrated other cultures in its annual Cultural Diversity Festival recently.
The event, which took place from 14th November, was an opportunity to share, showcase and promote cultural diversity. The week enabled students and staff to celebrate the diversity of the whole College community, which includes Duchy College and Falmouth Marine School, and learn about cultures locally and globally.
At St Austell, students took part in African drumming in The Treg which accompanied students and staff representing volunteering opportunities in Kenya for 2012. The Rowes’ pasty mascot even joined in with Denis Kigongo from Uganda Abantu arts to represent the Cornish contingent. The Hair & Beauty department had a long list of events that students and staff could participate in from eyebrow threading and Henna to a Miss World pageant.
Cloisters decorated their fine dining restaurant as a cruise ship and offered diners delights from around the world including Moroccan lamb tagine, African beef and Asian fish dishes as the main courses. Three regulars at Cloisters were very impressed with the variety and uniqueness of the three course temporary menu.
Carol Jones, from Mevagissey, who was dining with two of her friends, commented: “We come here every week as the price for a three course meal is great and the variety of dishes they cook as well is impressive. The restaurant looks really good this week and I am imagining myself on the cruise, I have chosen the tagine which is something different for me, it’s exciting to try these dishes.”
Other activities throughout the week included Dance students learning and performing a special Bhangra choreographed piece, Technology department looking at different buildings from around the world, Indian head massages in the Beauty department and the Sports department learning to play Boccia, a Paralympic sport.
Sarah Bruce, Cultural Diversity Co-ordinator for Cornwall College St Austell, said: “It was great to see the effort the students and departments put into celebrating diversity alongside their main programmes. It is a busy time of year and the fact that so many people got involved through creating displays, holding demonstrations and performing shows how important and enjoyable celebrating diversity is. It has sent out a very positive message that diversity allows us to enjoy a greater range of things in life.”
Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College, said: "Cultural diversity is a part of everyday life at Cornwall College. Organising a week of activities to celebrate this provides an educational experience which engages students with different cultures, ethnicities, beliefs, religions, languages and histories, and in which respect for diversity is embedded throughout the curriculum."
