School promotes culture day

Oasis Academy Oldham staged a special culture day to celebrate a ‘sense of belonging and diversity’.

Staff and students dressed in traditional clothing, enjoyed Eid food and were treated to several performances throughout the day to promote inclusion and understanding of the different faiths that make up the school community. 

Academy Principal, Tariq Mahmood said it stemmed from a successful Christmas event held last year, where everybody joined together to celebrate the occasion under one roof. 

He proudly said: “We felt that as we are growing as a school, we should embrace all the different events and cultures that make up the Oldham Oasis family. 

“It was a very important day for us as we celebrated many cultures and faiths. 

“For us it's about ensuring children have a real sense of belonging by learning about each other's differences and bringing the communities together. 

“We have children from Limeside, Werneth and from Failsworth and it's my passion to bring everyone together by ensuring that we don't have the type of environment, in which I grew up in, such as the no go zones and the riots.” 

He explained: “Students came in wearing traditional clothes and have been asking each other questions about what they did on Eid and how they celebrated it, and I held several assemblies throughout the day.” 

Mr Mahmood, who has more than 20 years of experience in education, said he took on the role at the Hollins Road school in September last year, to give back to the community and to get parents involved in their children’s education. 

He added: “Our doors are open to parents to come and have a walk around the building and get involved in their child’s education.  

“We are stereotyped as a school because of where we are situated but it is my passion, more than a job, to serve the community and start making a positive difference out there.  

“I have memories of growing up in Oldham which are not great, and this is why we want to build a stronger community to get the barriers down and that’s when I will know I have made a difference.” 

He added: “Oasis Academy is a good school with great children, and I am so proud of how far we have come.” 

Chloe Igbuwe, Student Principal, added: “The culture day has helped me to express myself and admire everybody else's cultures as we are a very diverse school.”

Another student, Ibrahim Ramzan, said he had spent several weeks planning slides to educate the school about Ramadan and what it meant to those fasting. 

He added: “It is good to be able to represent who we are and where we come from and to celebrate other faiths and cultures together.”