This month, we have been celebrating Pride Month at DGS. Students across all year groups have been getting involved with different events promoting inclusion and positive relationships, and have been celebrating the contributions and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.

We kicked things off with a giant chalk-in on Tuesday 14^th June. The playground was filled with colour and positive messages and many students, staff and visitors commented on how wonderful it was to see the wide variety of flags and terminology being openly celebrated.

On 24^th June, avid bakers from Years 7 to 9 took part in a cake decorating competition to celebrate Pride month. Students were given two cupcakes each to decorate in their best rainbow colours, patterns and LGBTQ+ flags!

The next day, members of School Council and Rainbow Club helped to sell the decorated cakes which sold out in record time, raising money for our chosen charity MindOut – a mental health charity for the LGBTQ+ community.

Competition for the cake decorating was fierce, but our winners were:

First Prize: Charlie Wortley 8LSG
Second place: Olivia Chmielinska 9HEC
Third place: Zoya Hafeez 8EBT

Tutor groups in Years 7 to 9 were also set the challenge of creating a window display to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion. It has been wonderful walking around and seeing these messages around the school and the judges had a difficult time choosing between them.

Winners:
Best inclusion message: 7HJR
Best visual effects: 7MCM
Honourable mention: 8CIM
Overall Winner: 9HEC

On Tuesday 28^th June, a group of Year 9 students took part in a textile art workshop led by local artist Liam Hart. The workshop involved students exploring LGBTQ+ history and interpreting it creatively, expressing their thoughts, reflections and hopes for the future. The students’ creations will now be compiled to make up an installation which will be displayed at Cornerstone Arts Centre to celebrate Pride and LGBTQ+ history. 

Finally, to round off our month of celebrations, all students in Years 7 to 9 formed a giant rainbow conga on the sports field on Thursday 30^th June. There were many flags and banners promoting love, acceptance and inclusivity and it was heart-warming to see so many students spreading the message that everyone is welcome here at DGS.

The final Friday of term is non-uniform day and the theme is rainbow colours! A proportion of the money raised will go to our chosen LGBTQ+ mental health charity MindOut.