Cultural diversity is theme for students

STUDENTS and staff from Cornwall College’s campuses have been learning about other cultures during its annual Celebrating Diversity Week.

Campuses at Newquay, Saltash, St Austell, Camborne, Duchy College at Stoke Climsland and Rosewarne and Falmouth Marine School took part, learning about cultures locally and globally through activities including belly-dancing, Zumba dance workshops, world cookery sessions, Japanese manga art classes, didgeridoo workshops, music therapy classes and make-up demonstrations inspired by different cultures.

Sue Castle, from Launceston, who is studying towards the children and young people’s workforce diploma at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, took part in a Rangoli hand-painting workshop. “It’s amazing; the intricate patterns are beautiful,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the ideas we’ve seen today with the children in my work setting.”

Joe Smith, 22, from Newquay, who is studying for a zoological conservation foundation degree, said: “I’ve never tried Brazilian food before and it tastes really nice.”

Fairtrade

Displays and activities were set up by the Students’ Union to recognise Fairtrade Fortnight – the college has Fairtrade accreditation – and students took part in the Fairtrade Foundation’s world-record attempt for the longest piece of bunting. In return for designing a section of the bunting, students enjoyed a mug of Fairtrade hot chocolate.

Even the board of governors got involved, during a break in their meeting at St Austell.

Cakes made with Fairtrade ingredients were sold and raffles and talks highlighted the work of the Fairtrade Foundation.

Chloe Grimwood, 19, from Saltash, studying for a BTEC business national diploma at her home town’s campus, said: “I especially enjoyed using Fairtrade products to make cakes and cookies.”

Equality

Talks throughout the week aimed to give students a better understanding of equality and diversity, including migrant workers discussing the difficulties involved in moving to a new country to find employment and sessions on the work of Amnesty International.

At Newquay, students researched the disaster-hit countries which have been helped by Cornish charity ShelterBox. Lecturer Faye Archell said: “To gain some idea of what it’s like to sleep in a ShelterBox tent, they camped out for the night on campus with help from the 5th Newquay Scout Group who have been teaching them survival skills and entertaining them with campfire songs.”

Josh Barber, 17, from Nanpean, who is studying towards the professional cookery diploma at St Austell, said: “This has been a great learning experience.”