By Tristan Wilson, Head of Languages

Photos by Abby Hilton and Henry Kingsley-Pallant, 6.1

International Day was celebrated across the three schools this year, and over more than one day. Celebrations kicked off last Monday when international 6.2 students led the assembly at Bedales Pre-prep, Dunannie, where they taught the children some words in their native languages, and learnt about the children’s own cultures heritage. At Bedales’ assembly later that evening, we watched a video put together by 6.2 Dons, which included various students and teachers reading poetry and reciting proverbs in different languages.

On Thursday, which was officially International Day, the action started before lunch in the Quad, where Bedales students entertained Dunannie children by writing their names in foreign scripts and other activities, such as making Japanese ‘Kabuto’ Samurai helmets out of newspaper. Afterwards, students shared language and cuisine from around the world, which included everything from Arabic to Chinese, and Tibetan steamed dumplings to ancient Roman food. Mary Wang won the National Dress Competition with her beautiful Chinese dress and we had a Beastie Boys song performed in Arabic by our very own band, the Upstanding Gentlemen.

In the afternoon, some international students visited Bedales Prep, Dunhurst and Dunannie, where students taught some Greek, Chinese, Cantonese, Italian and Dutch. The Soran Bushi dancers also gave a wonderful dance workshop to Dunhurst and Dunannie pupils.

The day finished with a lovely evening of international music for International Open Mic Night in the Lupton Hall. International Day was a fitting celebration of international culture and language that is so rich at Bedales and across the three schools. Thank you to everyone who made it a success.